what is the secret to success after surgery?

[twoboysandagirl 109]

So here is my question…I have been reading everything I can on this site. I have noticed that most people lose somewhere around 10 pounds a month after surgery. Then there are those who are 4-5 months out that have only lost 25 pounds or so…How do I make sure I am one of those who lose 10 pounds a month? I want to be successful at this…Those of you who have done well what do you think makes the difference? Those of you that have NOT been successful what is holding you back?

Your honesty is appreciated! Thank you for being willing to help those of us on the other side of this journey, prepare.

[MINI-Me 196]

I think the secret is following your surgeon's plan. And, if you find it's not working, have an honest discussion with him or her - Are you really following the plan? If so & it's not working, are there other options?

Also - some people have "only" lost 25 pounds because they have less to lose. I see numbers like 50 pounds in 3 months & felt like a failure ... but I had 70 to lose. So, naturally it was going to take me longer than someone with a higher BMI.

I think we also need to remember that this is not a diet - this is a journey to new health. Most of us had failed dieting attempts before with yo-yo weight loss and gain. We've put our bodies through the ringer. Some people's bodies take longer to adjust, health, and deal with the new eating.

You will be successful if you follow the plan and do what you are supposed to do. Also - we are really good at giving advice and helping with meal strategies. We are here to support one another.

Not sure from your post if you are scheduled for surgery or still in the investigational phase. Either way, best of luck. Let us know more about you.

[Jolanda 23]

Ok, I think it's not so important how fast you lose. It's just very easy to lose fast at the beginning, because you get punished every now and again when you eat something you shouldn't, too fast or whatever. It depends a lot on how much weight you have to lose: we all know that when you're obese, it's easy to shift a few pounds.

With the sleeve, I've lost about 92 pounds in the year since my sleeve, but I've been maintaining since early August so actually it took about 9 months. That averages out at about ten pounds a month. I had a few small stalls (but I'm the one who is of the opinion you shouldn't weigh yourself every day, I weighed myself once or twice a week max). I followed the 600-800 calories a day rule for the first 4-5 months, I think, then gradually upped my calories a bit and lost the rest at about 1200 calories a day.

Do watch out for dehydration. If you weigh every day, it's easy to start drinking a little less so that you still seem to be losing, when there probably will be big changes in hydration depending on the time of month. At least there is for me...

It's been disgustingly easy for me. I really have had no major issues with eating healthily (but I was never bulimic as such, I just ate a lot) after the sleeve. But it's different for different folks.

[NtvTxn 1,262]

I am like Jolanda, it has been disgustingly easy for me....but I do weigh every single day! It does not make me want to drink less, i WANT to drink more. I have a hard time getting all my liquids in. I get in about 45 - 55 oz per day. Not what I should, but I have not dehydrated, PTL!!! Surgery was June 11th and I'm just a few lbs from my surgeon's goal. I want to lose about five lbs below that. I've had stalls, lose a couple lbs and gain it back...up and down for a few days until it is finally gone for good, but all in all....I've had an easy time. I've stuck to the plan. I do NOT drink anything with calories other than milk. Nothing ever carbonated, which was not a problem for me pre-op. I didn't have anything 'sweet' until about a month ago and I've had a few bites of angel food cake. I mean a few on a couple of different occasions. I am going by the three bite rule (French Women Don't Get Fat book) when it comes to sweets or anything that isn't the 'norm' for me. I have not had any 'hair issues' but I have done great with Protein, 55 - 70 grams per day. I made changes starting three months before surgery that I hope to continue, once the initial shock to my body was over with, it has been easy. No bread for the most part at home....a half a slice occasionally with my egg in the morning....otherwise, I only have a few pinches when we go out to eat. No chips unless I have guacamole and then only baked scoops or soft corn tortillas. Those were the biggies, oh, and no cold Cereal. I was eating a bowl mid afternoon and a bowl at night...this was every day. Usually a bowl or two for Breakfast. Soooo, these are lifestyle changes I made and I don't miss them at all. The weight has just dropped off of me. I have a half lb right now that is coming off and on for some reason. Depending on the day, I've lost 75 or 75.5 lbs. Life is good, I'd do it again in a heartbeat and recommend the sleeve, but it IS a tool, we cannot drink 2% milk, soft drinks and eat Lays potato chips and white bread and graze all day and expect to be sucessful. It's not a magic bullet, but if you make changes and good choices, IT FEELS LIKE ONE!!!!

[Tiffykins 673]

In all honesty, I attribute 90% of my success to not making excuses well and losing my hunger really helped ha ha ha. Yes, the post-op diet sucks royally, but you know what, it's just a temporary phase. I stuck to the dietary guidelines per my surgeon. 600-800 calories, no more than 30gr of carbs, lots of fluids, 60+grams of Protein, NO SNACKING. 4 meals that consisted of a minimum of 15gr of Protein per meal was my guideline and I stuck to it. No alcohol until I was close to goal. No soda until I was at goal. No b.s.'ing my way through it. I couldn't work out for nearly 4 months post-op due to complications, but of course I walked as much as I could.

The one thing I really think you have to do is set your goal, find what works for you, follow your surgeon's guidelines, and don't be negative. There will be struggles and challenges, but the victories and successes will outweigh them 10 fold.

[pumpkin07 32]

I cannot remember anyone who loses too slow. Some exercise, some don't. Some count, some don't. I am a failure bc I am not at goal and it has been over 8 mos. I failed. So that means I am wearing a size 8 to 10 petite instead of a 4. Haha. But I used to wear a 20 womens petite.

The good thing with the sleeve is even the slow losers are winners.

Best wishes...you will do great.

Important things are to get a great surgeon that will support you throughout, a really good bougie size for you (mine is 34), no leaks, lotsa fluids and Protein, and do not move to solids alcohol or heavy exercise too quickly.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

At my rate of loss, which is about 12 lbs a month adjusted, it might take me about 14 months to hit surgeon's goal (150 lbs), and 16 months to hit my goal (130 lbs). At 15 weeks out, it is kind of a bummer to think that it may be another 10 months before I hit goal but at least now I have the possibility, before surgery it was just a sad dream that I knew wasn't going to come true.

[twoboysandagirl 109]

THANK YOU! I needed to be reminded that the fact that the weight will be gone forever is the goal....NOT the speed. I guess I am a little worried (were you) that I will have the surgery and not lose weight. I am more worried about that then the surgery itself. Thank you for the tips! I sat through two long days of Nut classes and I learned more with your feedback. I look forward to having surgery on 6 December and using all of your help to lose 70-80lbs and living a long healthy life with out health issues related to obesity.

[twoboysandagirl 109]

Can't wait to be a size 8! I can buy that size in any store!

I cannot remember anyone who loses too slow. Some exercise, some don't. Some count, some don't. I am a failure bc I am not at goal and it has been over 8 mos. I failed. So that means I am wearing a size 8 to 10 petite instead of a 4. Haha. But I used to wear a 20 womens petite.

The good thing with the sleeve is even the slow losers are winners.

Best wishes...you will do great.

Important things are to get a great surgeon that will support you throughout, a really good bougie size for you (mine is 34), no leaks, lotsa fluids and Protein, and do not move to solids alcohol or heavy exercise too quickly.

[twoboysandagirl 109]

Thank you! I can't wait for the victories and successes!

In all honesty, I attribute 90% of my success to not making excuses well and losing my hunger really helped ha ha ha. Yes, the post-op diet sucks royally, but you know what, it's just a temporary phase. I stuck to the dietary guidelines per my surgeon. 600-800 calories, no more than 30gr of carbs, lots of fluids, 60+grams of Protein, NO SNACKING. 4 meals that consisted of a minimum of 15gr of Protein per meal was my guideline and I stuck to it. No alcohol until I was close to goal. No soda until I was at goal. No b.s.'ing my way through it. I couldn't work out for nearly 4 months post-op due to complications, but of course I walked as much as I could.

The one thing I really think you have to do is set your goal, find what works for you, follow your surgeon's guidelines, and don't be negative. There will be struggles and challenges, but the victories and successes will outweigh them 10 fold.

[twoboysandagirl 109]

I think that is going to be one of my new favorite sayings...it is not a diet-this is a journey to a new health.

The thing I dont get is that it seems like everyone has a different plan...so sticking to "the plan" is confusing to me. Maybe after surgery (DEC 6) I will get it.

Thanks for all your advice.

I think the secret is following your surgeon's plan. And, if you find it's not working, have an honest discussion with him or her - Are you really following the plan? If so & it's not working, are there other options?

Also - some people have "only" lost 25 pounds because they have less to lose. I see numbers like 50 pounds in 3 months & felt like a failure ... but I had 70 to lose. So, naturally it was going to take me longer than someone with a higher BMI.

I think we also need to remember that this is not a diet - this is a journey to new health. Most of us had failed dieting attempts before with yo-yo weight loss and gain. We've put our bodies through the ringer. Some people's bodies take longer to adjust, health, and deal with the new eating.

You will be successful if you follow the plan and do what you are supposed to do. Also - we are really good at giving advice and helping with meal strategies. We are here to support one another.

Not sure from your post if you are scheduled for surgery or still in the investigational phase. Either way, best of luck. Let us know more about you.

[twoboysandagirl 109]

I want to weigh every day now because I am required to lose 10% of excess weight prior to surgery. That was not the problem. But I also have to keep it off. (that is where I worry, have not done well with that in the past). I can not wait for the day when I dont need to look to the scale to see if I have been succesful with losing weight and keeping it off.

I am like Jolanda, it has been disgustingly easy for me....but I do weigh every single day! It does not make me want to drink less, i WANT to drink more. I have a hard time getting all my liquids in. I get in about 45 - 55 oz per day. Not what I should, but I have not dehydrated, PTL!!! Surgery was June 11th and I'm just a few lbs from my surgeon's goal. I want to lose about five lbs below that. I've had stalls, lose a couple lbs and gain it back...up and down for a few days until it is finally gone for good, but all in all....I've had an easy time. I've stuck to the plan. I do NOT drink anything with calories other than milk. Nothing ever carbonated, which was not a problem for me pre-op. I didn't have anything 'sweet' until about a month ago and I've had a few bites of angel food cake. I mean a few on a couple of different occasions. I am going by the three bite rule (French Women Don't Get Fat book) when it comes to sweets or anything that isn't the 'norm' for me. I have not had any 'hair issues' but I have done great with Protein, 55 - 70 grams per day. I made changes starting three months before surgery that I hope to continue, once the initial shock to my body was over with, it has been easy. No bread for the most part at home....a half a slice occasionally with my egg in the morning....otherwise, I only have a few pinches when we go out to eat. No chips unless I have guacamole and then only baked scoops or soft corn tortillas. Those were the biggies, oh, and no cold cereal. I was eating a bowl mid afternoon and a bowl at night...this was every day. Usually a bowl or two for breakfast. Soooo, these are lifestyle changes I made and I don't miss them at all. The weight has just dropped off of me. I have a half lb right now that is coming off and on for some reason. Depending on the day, I've lost 75 or 75.5 lbs. Life is good, I'd do it again in a heartbeat and recommend the sleeve, but it IS a tool, we cannot drink 2% milk, soft drinks and eat Lays potato chips and white bread and graze all day and expect to be sucessful. It's not a magic bullet, but if you make changes and good choices, IT FEELS LIKE ONE!!!!

[pumpkin07 32]

Can't wait to be a size 8! I can buy that size in any store!

[pumpkin07 32]

Can't wait to be a size 8! I can buy that size in any store!

YA - It is TOTALLY cool.....I shop at Ann Taylor now, J Jill, Chico's. It is fun fun fun. The only thing that will fit anymore at Lane Bryant is the bras. I've changed bra sizes twice. But not in the cup, strangely enough.

[MINI-Me 196]

YA - It is TOTALLY cool.....I shop at Ann Taylor now, J Jill, Chico's. It is fun fun fun. The only thing that will fit anymore at Lane Bryant is the bras. I've changed bra sizes twice. But not in the cup, strangely enough.

Be careful with that ... you might start getting hate mail from those of us who have nothing left.