What if it doesn't work?

[Slownstedy 210]

On 12/30/2019 at 9:05 AM, lvidacovich said:

Will it work? Maybe. But the good news is that the answer to that question depends mostly on you! I have a strong suspicion that most people who say WLS didn't work for them didn't follow the process or weren't ready mentally.

Also, I want to give a dissenting opinion. The honeymoon period is not always easy. My hunger drive has not left me. I still have my appetite. Yes, it's easier to eat much less than I used to but I didn't have the same experience as some posters here and I think there are lots more like me.

I'm at 28 days and have a strong physical hunger drive early in the AM then again in the evenings . I didn't expect that so soon ? Also 8 or 9 days into the 3 wk stall

Edited January 1, 2020 by Billy Bob

[summerset 5,265]

20 minutes ago, Billy Bob said:

I'm at 28 days and have a strong physical hunger drive early in the AM then again in the evenings .

This is a good example of what I wrote above.

From my own experience I'd say "No way!" - however, that would label Billy Bob either a liar or a patient who's not smart enough to tell physical hunger from head hunger. I don't want to label him either. I believe that what he tells us is the truth.

However, that also means that the experience of WLS and its pros and cons differs a lot between different patients. So who really wonders about different outcomes anymore??

[summerset 5,265]

Interesting reaction.

[Fatboyslim1 204]

It's pure math. The only variables that can directly affect your actual weight loss, other than how much you consume and your physical activity are if you lose muscle mass (which is much more dense) or fat. The fat can be lost from different areas, and as such some is easier to lose (less dense) and some is harder to lost (more dense).

Sadly any implication that the science of consumption vs. expenditure does not work is simply incorrect. Otherwise by now the medical industry would be data sequencing the DNA of those people who "don't eat, yet don't lose weight" to feed the world on no food.

Sorry, but it's just math.

[New&Improved 1,780]

5 hours ago, summerset said:

I don't know. I'm on the fence with quite a few things regarding WLS, "compliance" and "how many calories to eat and reach a normal weight" being two of them.

On the one hand I think "It simply HAS to work when one does everything one is supposed to do!", but on the other hand I don't want to label people who complain about a lack of success as "liars" when they tell me they only eat so und so much calories a day.

I also look at myself and think... "Well, seems to work even if your diet is kind of shitty and not going to the gym six times a week two times a day." So regarding compliance? Are really all long term normal weight maintainers super-compliant? I doubt it. But what exactly is the reason they maintain the weight if not being 110% complaint?

How can e. g. an antihypertensive drug work better in one patient than in another even though both take their pill regularly? I personally can't see why that should be but that's the way it is.

There are so many factors involved - how many of them does science really know about? Same with WLS success.

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say??

[New&Improved 1,780]

exactly as above its intake vs expenditure

There has to be a deficit in calories each day to lose weight.

You have to be careful what you put into your body. Calories and carbs.

It's a known fact most of the people that don't lose much is because of not following the plan; like having one cheat meal can turn into two and you can easily start to go down the dark path and back into the bad habits.

I've been very strict on myself from day 1; following the rules to the letter, sure it gets repetitive and some days I'd love a burger but then I remember why I'm doing this and that no amount of junk food is worth interfering with my progress!!!

In just 4 months and 1 week I'm down 118lbs because I was very strict on myself counting every single calorie I put into my body..

I know eventually I'll be able to stay adding some variety in my diet but for now I'm happy with my life.

Its just a fact of life those who have great results worked very hard#

"Nothing good in life comes easy"

[Fatboyslim1 204]

There is one thing that some people miss in the equation. Once you have lost say 50#, your metabolic 24 hour caloric burn can be as much as 750 calories per day less, than at the higher weight. So from a scientific basis, if your activity and intake are the same at day 120 as on day one, you are absolutely going to lose less weight per day.

There are 3 ways to counteract that

1) eat less per day at 120 days than you did at day one. That's probably not going to happen as your pouch has expanded a bit by then.

2) exercise more as you progress, but that will actually build muscle mass, and probably make you eat more. It will be a hard balance, but it can be calculated.

3) just keep at it, and accept that with all things relatively equal, your weight will come off slower in the last half, than in the first half. If at the same time you increase your activity level, it should make for a great eventual outcome..

best of luck everybody!

[sarahSingh91 233]

On 12/28/2019 at 07:49, FluffyChix said:

It is a legitimate fear. And it's very very common. And understandable.

I too had this fear. I know of SOOOOOOO many people who came into this journey after years and years of unsuccessful, yo-yo dieting who were and (some still are) terrified of failing weight loss surgery! Imagine! We go to the lengths of cutting out 80% of our tummy, re-routing feet of small intestines, and go through months of deprivation only to hit the skids somewhere between 6-9 months when the weight loss gets REALLY hard. And life becomes interesting again. And we start living life...and suddenly we have to figure out if our first goal is really a burning desire or if we want to rationalize to ourselves in favor of living a life that got us all the way to the Obesity Ball in the first place!

Gosh! Talk about scary larry! It is! It's enough to scare you straight.

Use this time wisely. Don't squander your honeymoon period. Use this time when you will have as little interest in food as you will ever have to develop and nurture new healthy habits for life after surgery! If you do that and follow the plan your doctor and RD have set for you, you will be fine and you will be victorious.

There is freedom from food addictions and the behaviors of the past! Swearsies!

I went from 325 at my highest to 287 at my most recent high and this morning at less than 22months, I'm 129lbs. I'm walking proof and I'm no one exceptional, just average.

Omg ur numbers are almost exact to mine! Idk ur height but I am 5’8”
My highest weight 336
My current weight 275
My goals weight (surgery Jan 14) 155

But u hitting 129. Wow that is amazing!!!!! Heck ya!

[lvidacovich 372]

On 12/31/2019 at 2:26 PM, summerset said:

Yes, if the therapy doesn't work, simply blame the patient.

Yes, 100%. It's really as simple as CICO - calories in, calories out. Nothing more than that. Do some people have added complications that make it tougher to analyze? Yes. But I'm willing to bet that for 90%+ of the people that WLS doesn't work for there's an underlying compliance issue that can be to blame.

Comparing this to a drug or anything else is apples to oranges. Different mechanic of action.

[PEGGO 107]

10 hours ago, sarahSingh91 said:

Omg ur numbers are almost exact to mine! Idk ur height but I am 5’8”
My highest weight 336
My current weight 275
My goals weight (surgery Jan 14) 155

But u hitting 129. Wow that is amazing!!!!! Heck ya!

Brilliant response Sarah 🙂

10 hours ago, sarahSingh91 said:

Omg ur numbers are almost exact to mine! Idk ur height but I am 5’8”
My highest weight 336
My current weight 275
My goals weight (surgery Jan 14) 155

But u hitting 129. Wow that is amazing!!!!! Heck ya!

[AZhiker 2,252]

One has to be prepared, willing, and ready, not just for weight loss, but for a total lifestyle change. The weight WILL come off. HOW much comes off does depend a bit on genetics and compliance, as first degree relatives who have had successful weight loss procedures are a strong indicator of success in the patient. However, the long term compliance is up to the patient. If someone starts slipping back into old habits (gradually, and hardly noticeable at first), they will regain. I am baffled by folks who say they regained 50 or 100 pounds and seem to think it all just popped back on over night. That doesn't happen. It happens pound by pound. If someone is weighing daily or weekly, regain cannot be a surprise.

WLS is only a tool - the hard work of lifestyle change is up to the patient. That means acquiring new taste buds for healthy foods, giving up the junk food that caused the problem in the first place, learning Portion Control, being consistent with tracking, getting on board with exercise, and rewiring the brain to see activities other than food to be gratifying and sustaining. One study showed that a determined mindset from the get-go: "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" to be predictive of success. These individuals are willing to do whatever it takes to lose and maintain. When I see posts from newbies wondering when they can start drinking alcohol, asking about cheat foods, talking about the simple carbs they are eating, and stating they are months out from surgery and still haven't started exercising, I can't help but wonder if they will be the regainers. One must be determined to do everything possible to be successful - not continue to peek around the edges to see where they can still get away with unhealthy foods or habits.

Bottom line - you WILL lose weight with surgery. What you do with that gift is up to you.

[summerset 5,265]

5 hours ago, lvidacovich said:

But I'm willing to bet that for 90%+ of the people that WLS doesn't work for there's an underlying compliance issue that can be to blame.

And I'm willing to bet that by far not all "successful" patients are as compliant in the long run as many newbies seem to think.

[Slownstedy 210]

Looks like some tough love going on here.

[nmeza24 2]

Hi I had mine dec 3 a month ago and man the weight loss is rapid but their was a stall and everyone goes thru it it was the most fustrating thing 3 of 4 weeks I was in the stall I just started this past week to lose weight again
But total lost since surgery 27 lbs
All of that was in a total of 13 days
But as far as the bypass it’s very hard I’m not going to lie it’s very lifechanges u won’t see food ever the same again and the chewing is the most important I’m bearly off liquid diet and it was very hard but it’s so worth it
I was like you thinking I oils be the exception that the surgery wouldn’t work on me :) but it works but it’s work from your end too :) good luck

[summerset 5,265]

9 hours ago, Billy Bob said:

Looks like some tough love going on here.

You should have been around when the real tough lovers dealt out their "love", lol.

And I guess one will never forget about that one was supposed to put on "the big girl panties" when someone dared to complain about their "tough love". 😂