Search the Community

I am also 5 months out exactly (surgery 12/17) and my weight loss has slowed as well. I am OK with it- I feel SO much better 100 lbs lighter (pre- and post-op loss). I am at the point to where I am happy if the number on the scale moves down at all, and it still is, just not as fast. I think you have done a marvelous job- the cliché is true- you didn't put it all on in 5 months, it's not going to come off in that time either.

good question, I'd like to know with certainty, too. I've heard that when you are hungry, or think you are hungry, ask yourself, "Am I hungry enough to eat (insert healthy food like carrot, boiled egg, etc.)?" If yes, then get food, if no get water and do something else. I still feel what I think is real hunger (it's uncomfortable!), but then I think i shouldn't be hungry and worry that I'm faking it. Much less than the hunger I felt pre-op, though, and oh how nice to feel full so fast!

Fast loser, slow loser, I am a half-fast loser! On average, I lose about 3 lbs each week. But on the other hand, I'm eating good and haven't really had to exercise hard. I walk 5 days a week and am working my way up to 5 miles per day. I've managed to get to 5 miles only 2 times since I've started. Knee and hip pain sometimes interfere with my walking. How I wanted to be one of those posters who could say they lost 100 lbs in 6 months, but it doesn't look like it's in the cards for me. But I try to be satisfied with a steady down tick of the scale. If I can maintain this downward pace, I'll be down 150 lbs in 10 months. That would be freakin awesome! That would put me at my lowest weight since high school - 27 years ago! And at 190 - my ideal body weight. Jeeze, until I wrote that last sentence, I hadn't taken time to do the math! 190 seems like a weight someone else is, not me. I don't know if I can handle being normal. It seems like one of those daydreams that only comes true in the movies. Ok, back on topic - the one thing most fast losers don't mention in their posts is, what they had to do to have such fast results. Did they workout 7 days a week on the treadmill for hours, living on Unjury and water? Or do they have a naturally fast metabolism? Or are they just attention whores, looking for approval and praise? ***Disclaimer, I know of no one that has lied about their weight loss! And no animals were harmed in the writing of this post. But my cat thinks I'm starving him!*** Anyway, the whole point of this post was supposed to be, be satisfied that you are losing weight - whatever the speed! If you want to lose faster: move a little more, eat a little better, and stick with the guidelines from your NUT. Oh, and don't forget to have a support group like the good folks here on verticlesleevetalk. You don't have to post anything, it helps me just seeing that others have the same questions and concerns keeps me from feeling alone.

Nancyide - Don't be so hard on yourself - 22 lbs is great - the first few always come off fast - then it slows - are you exercising.. I was banded the 17th of July - In the mornings can only eat about 1/2 cup oatmeal but for lunch had 1/2 cup refired Beans and am still a little hungry. If you are eating less than before that in it's self is a good thing. I still get hungry - but choose diff things to eat that are in low calories or i drink a protien drink - Grape Raisin my FAV only 70 calories and 15 grms Protein. I am still on mushie stage and won't go to soft until Sunday. I eat veggies for dinner with fish and some starch (mashed potatos). I eat about 1 cup for dinner with 1 fudgescile and 1 sf pudding (i am a night time eater) Don't give up - I have 6 weeks until i see the doctor again (to see if i need a fill or not as he says that for some people just the band in its self is enough restirction) Good Luck and Keep Your Chin Up YOU CAN DO IT

Hi everyone! I am trying to get back on the right track with my band again (banded in October 2008. Until recently, last time I saw my surgeon for a follow up/fill was March 2009). I went back for my first return visit in November, and am going back for my 3rd tomorrow. I am excited to already see what a difference it is making. I recently heard the expression "It's like having a fast car, but not being able to drive it because you haven't put any gas in it" and makes total sense in relation to not utilizing my band. Anyway.... I am trying very hard to get back on track and want to incorporate different exercise as well as changes in my diet. Has anyone in the area done the C25K program? I never have been a runner, but this program really intrigues me. Running a 5K would be an awesome and attainable goal!! I am also looking for a support group in the area if anyone has information on that also. Thanks!

40nsleeven Good luck I did my group consult on Oct 2nd I'm at medical clearance and physiology,stage then at the end of nov I go in for my second consult and surgery date. It goes by fast. )

I hiccup when I have had enough to eat and am full. I am also sure its due to eating too fast as well. But that is my signal to say DONE! LOL!

i called my NUT at 11 days out and said i felt like i was in a coma and hungry. (still on 12 oz shakes a day total) she said if u heal fast and the swelling goes down the shake and Clear liquids go thru u faster and u can feel hungry. also, some people are very sensitive to the lack of carbs. she said to add one serving fruits (like half a cup berries or half a banana to your shake for the day (in the blender w the fruit then split it up during the day) it helped bring back some energy.

It took me 4 months to lose 40 pounds, yet I'm not griping. Your weight loss journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Slow and steady wins the race, while fast and crass won't last. The final result is more important than the speed at which we lose the weight. I've lost 100 pounds, attained my goal weight, and have managed to keep the weight off. That's what's important. Good luck to you.

They don't take the cravings away 100% for me, but they definately lessen them. And I would binge on more than just sweets.. I would get 3-5 meals from whatever fast food place. That's definitely a thing of the past. I rarely eat fast food now, but if I do, I can only get a bite or two before I feel icky. And I keep 100 calorie packs in my house for my sweet tooth, which is a serious dent compared to what I use to do. 1 calorie pack does the trick for me also.. I get the shorties shortbread cookies. Seems like an aweful lot now in that little 100 calorie pack!

My first 3 months I lose the weight really fast bcuz I wasn't able to keep food down. It can get really frustrating but keep ur mind set in your goal Erika @Darima just keep doing what the Dr said. Erika

I was sleeved June 3rd and came home Tuesday the 4th. By Thursday I felt great, and have ever since. I've been grocery shopping, been to the bank, picked up the kids from school, had play dates at the park...my recovery has really been remarkably fast. Only 1 more week of liquids and I can move on to pureed foods - I am SO excited for that!

hello im new here. im in the process of getting the lap band procedure with Dr. Gomez at the IU Surgical Weight Management Center. 7/30 psych evaluation 8/05 consult with surgeon, dietician, and pre-op testing. I have a friend who works for Anthem, she said that Anthem is REALLY FAST at approving or denying requests. it can take anywhere from 24-72 hours!! Im excited and nervous at the same time! I went out and bought all of my pre-op stuff 2 weeks ago lol I really hope i dont get denied!

Slim fast also has High Protein shakes that only have 3 g of sugar. This are the ones I am using. The others I bought one time by accident and they make you hungrier lol

I'm definitely tighter in the mornings. I usually drink a low carb slim fast. I've heard a couple of different explanations on why we are tighter in the mornings. 1.) I heard that our stomachs swell while we sleep and the swelling goes down as we start moving around. 2.) I heard that the band tightens because while we sleep there is nothing going through the band for so long thus making it looser as we eat and drink throughout the day. I dunno if any of these explanations are true, but they kinda make sense.

Hey, RNYTalk members!We’re into the long, lazy days of summer – but there’s plenty going on at RNYTalk.com! So why don’t you use this newsletter as a reminder to get on over to the boards? It’ll help you stay on track or motivate you to get back on board if you’ve gotten off track a little. Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter. Burning question: What’s the Big Deal about Protein? Member Spotlight: Meet Mamiof3kids! Bypass Challenge: Record Your Diet! Become a Board Expert: How to Get More Involved We hope you’re having a great summer and feeling great about meeting your weight loss and healthy lifestyle goals. Enjoy the newsletter, and of course please contact me any time with suggestions, comments or any other feedback. See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder RNYTalk.com Burning Question: What’s the Big Deal about Protein? Okay, anyone who’s gotten weight loss surgery or who is seriously thinking about it has probably already heard a ton about protein. You’re supposed to get about 60 to 80 grams per day, and eat your protein foods first at each meal so that you finish them before getting full. Also, your breakfast should be high in protein to give you a good start for the day. But why is protein so important? First, it’s an essential nutrient for your immune system and as a part of your muscles, skin, bones and other body tissues. But it’s even more important when you’re losing weight so fast, like you are after your gastric bypass surgery. When you lose weight, you’re losing body fat, of course. But if you’re not careful to get enough protein, you’re going to lose a noticeable amount of lean body mass, too. That means you’ll lose some muscle mass and your metabolism will slow down. Another benefit of protein is that it actually helps you stick to your low-calorie post-surgery diet so that you lose weight faster. Protein takes a longer time to digest than carbohydrates. That means that eating a high-protein meal will help you stay full for longer than a high-carbohydrate meal without much protein. So don’t forget to hit your protein at each meal! Aim for one to two servings per meal, and if you have a snack, include some protein. What are the best sources of protein? Stay tuned for the answer coming up in a future newsletter! If you have a burning question that you’d like to see answered in the newsletter, just send Alex a PM over in the forums. It can be about anything – roux-en-Y problems, food, fitness, weight loss, health…just let us know! Member Spotlight – Meet Mamiof3kids! This week’s spotlight is on Mamiof3kids, also known as Maybelin from New York, New York. At 5 feet even, this 33-year-old mother weighed 211 pounds at her highest weight. She decided to get the bypass because she was always tired and her knees were always hurting. Maybelin got her gastric bypass done on May 30, 2012, and she’s already down to 167 pounds! One of the best things about her surgery and weight loss is that spending time with her children is way more fun. As she puts it, she has a 15-year old teenager baby girl, a 3-year-old baby girl and a 2-year-old baby boy. She uses LapBandTalk.com to get advice on how to eat after the bypass, and encourages others who are struggling with their eating to find a dietitian for good advice. Keep enjoying your family and working toward your goal weight, Maybelin. Thanks for sharing your story and being in our member spotlight! We feature a different RNYTalk.com member each week in our Member Spotlight section. Let us know in the member spotlight forum if there’s someone you want to learn more about or if you want to be our spotlighted member! Nominating yourself isn’t bragging. We all want to learn more about you if you’re willing to share your trials, triumphs, tricks and tips! If you’re shy, just PM Alex with the message that you want to be in the spotlight. Thanks! Bypass Challenge – Record Your Diet! Each newsletter, we challenge you with another Bypass Challenge. It’s a chance to push yourself a little outside of your comfort zone or get you thinking about ways to make your weight loss journey even more successful. The challenge can inspire you to try things that you’d never thought about but that can make you more successful and confident in your weight loss journey. The challenge is completely non-competitive, but we hope you’ll post your results in the Challenge Forum so that other members can be motivated by your own challenge actions. Study after study proves that the most successful losers – and maintainers – record their diets. If you don’t already do it, now’s a good time to get into the habit. This newsletter’s challenge is for you to record your diet for three days. Include what you eat, how much and what time you had each meal and snack. You can also put in details like how hungry you were before you ate and afterwards, whether you ate exactly what you’d planned, and whether you were eating with people or alone. Did you learn anything new about your diet? Is there anything you can change so that your choices are healthier? Let us know how it went in the Challenge Forum! There, you can always look back at the previous challenges and post your results. It’s never too late to try something new. Better Boarding Tips – Getting into the Swing of Things For some members, jumping right into the conversations on the board feels natural. You know exactly what to say and have no trouble asking for help and providing your own support. For the rest of us, it can be a little tougher. We may not always know what to say to someone who needs help or how to reach out for support when we need it. How can you improve your social boarding skills? Practice! The more you post, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Start by filling in your profile, if you haven’t already. Head on over to the Tell Your Story Forum (or you can get there from the front page) and welcome a few new members. Then browse the forums until you see some topics that call to you. You might be able to answer some member questions about food choices or some of the pros and cons that you’ve experienced with your weight loss surgery. You’ll soon feel like an old pro with so much practice, and the other members will sure appreciate your input! That’s about it for this week’s newsletter. You can always find the old newsletters in the newsletter forum if you ever miss one. Thanks as always for your support, and we’re looking forward to seeing you out on the boards! Take care of yourself and each other, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: http://www.rnytalk.c...&tab=newsletter

I only vomited a handful of times - and I would say it wasn't until I was a couple of months out, on solid foods and perhaps feeling a little cocky... well really I was eating too fast. I apparently had not sufficiently broken that bad habit. I was so paranoid - in the early weeks and was very very careful. Be aware that you can;t really feel everything in those first 3-6 weeks so I ate "by the book" measuring everything and watching the clock to know when to eat. I felt that was the best way to avoid accidental overeating in those initial weeks. I am 2.5 years out and never vomit (I did constantly with the band) so I guess I have learned something finally!

I too stalled at 3 weeks........and going on my 3rd week on no loss! I just weigh now once a week, on my anniversary day because it was certainly discouraging to get on the scales and nothing was moving. And if you are vomiting, my guess it's both, eating too fast and too much. Chew slowly, put your utensil down afer each bite. And don't drink!!! Good luck! Those scales will move again for us!!

I am 4 weeks out and 1 full day of work feels like 3 days get tired very fast but the strength will get back slowly just hang in there it will get better.

I had surgery yesterday.. My Dr wants me on protein drinks pretty much only for 3 weeks... It hurts. Maybe I'm taking too big of drinks? I drank a whole protein drink this morning and it didn't feel good. But my nurse told me to drink it. I tried slow but she kept coming in checking and she gave me a ton of meds to take at the same time. Now when I drink it hits hard then gets all gassy and even my liquid medicine hurts.. I think I'm drinking too much too fast

lol thats my problem i eat way to fast! but 8 days away from surgery so i need to teach myself these new habits!

Lol I figured if I give myself at least 2 minutes between bites I should have it gone in the 20 minutes. If I start feeling sick I am either eating too fast or I wasn't ready for the food just yet. You will be able to tell when you're getting full. They will tell you in the hospital too, but early on you will get full faster because of the swelling, so when you start feeling full, get up and walk around first before you completely stop eating. Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App

I'm coming to realise that may be the MAIN purpose of the preband Optifast, lol. By the time you have your surgery you're half dead with hunger and your system has virtually shut down, your metabolism slowed to a standstill. Seriously though, my surgeon has impressed upon me the importance of not striving for that super uber fast weight loss but rather slow and steady so taking in liquids many times a day in small amounts - ie. dont let yourself be starving, eat/drink often if you need to and the weight will come off eventually.

What wonderful responses you've had on this thread! I'm 21 months post-op, have lost all my excess weight (100 pounds) and now maintaining easily at 135 pounds. Currently (and I emphasize "currently" because things could change, which would mean I'd have to change what I'm doing) ... * I love food! Love the taste of it, the varieties of it, the nutrition of it, the discoveries, the freedom, and the fact that I am no longer afraid of food. Food has become a resource to me, as well as a pleasure. * Since I'm now on maintenance (eating about 1800 cals/day) about 75% of my calories come from nutritious food. The other 25% of my calories come from from good-tasting, but un-nutritious things like alcohol (one drink a day), sugar treats (e.g., 1 biscotti, 2 squares of dark chocolate), or a starchy item (e.g., small biscuit). * I eat a lot of animal and plant Protein, aim for 5 veggies and fruits a day, whole grains, and mostly healthy fats and oils (although I do have a little butter). * I eat full-fat cheese, skim milk, low-fat yogurt -- weird combo, I know, but I like it. * I minimize fast food -- have it rarely. * Only rarely do I eat white bread, white rice, white potatoes, white flour Pasta. Instead, I eat whole grain breads, brown rice, sweet potatoes, whole wheat, protein-enhanced pasta. * I make most of my eating decisions when I make grocery lists and shop for food. If trigger and unnutritious foods are not in the house, I can't eat them. That's a very good piece of advice for you. * I cook a lot more than I used to -- which reflects how rarely I eat "fast food" these days. * I plan my meals and I track all my food and drink intake in My Fitness Pal. I love it. Frankly, for me, it's the second best tool I use to maintain my weight; the first best tool, of course, is my sleeve. * I still (most days) drink a Protein Drink for Breakfast. I just like the taste, and it gives me a great start to the day of 25 grams of protein for only 170 calories. * I take my very few meds (thyroid and H2 blocker antacid) and my Vitamins and other dietary supplements daily and on time. * So far, no food is permanently off limits -- although a lot of foods are on the "only once a week" list or "once in a blue moon" list or "only at X restaurant" list. * I'm still learning a lot about nutrition, metabolism, and eating mindfully. I expect I'll never stop learning. I hope not.

Well Mary told me Ashley would call me on Friday the 19, but I never heard from her, emailed Mary and on Tuesday the 23rd Adept Ashley called and apologized apparently the list they have messes up and my name was missing, but once I emailed Mary, they researched it and found me, I got my date right then, I chose a Monday since that's one if my days off, I check in at 11 surgery at 1, and it was all pretty easy, got my pre-op date too, which is the day I start my liquid diet 8/5 I can't have anything until after the testing, since you have to fast. Then they email a list of dates and info on your follow up appt and pre-op diet and what to expect.