Question:
IS THIS NORMAL WEIGHT LOSS FOR RNY?
I AM 5 WEEKS POST-OP(TOMORROW). I WENT FOR A 1-MONTH CHECK UP AT MY SURGEONS OFFICE YESTERDAY. I HAD LOST 28 POUNDS. MY STARTING WEIGHT WAS 253. MY SURGEON DID NOT SEEM IMPRESSED AND SAID HE THINKS I AM A SLOW LOSER! I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO SAY THE LEAST SINCE I HAVE FOLLOWED A PUREED DIET FOR THE WHOLE MONTH! HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM A SLOW LOSER AND WHAT CAN I DO TO SPEED THINGS UP? I AM TERRIFIED TO EAT NORMAL FOODS FOR FEAR OF NOT LOSING! I WILL BE ON PUREED FOODS FOR 2 MORE WEEKS THEN I CAN EAT REGULAR FOODS. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING JUST STICKING TO THE PUREED FOODS UNTIL I REACH MY GOAL WEIGHT. IS THIS ACCEPTABLE? — MICHELLE R. (posted on June 21, 2001)
June 21, 2001
My surgeon's "rule of thumb" is 20 lbs. the first month and 10
lbs. per month thereafter. He was quick to point out that not everyone
will lose at that rate....some faster, some slower....and that the rate of
weight loss is dependent on many factors: age, gender, hormones, previous
dieting history, activity and exercise, compliance with the dietary
regimen, etc... Those of us who might be female, over 40, menopausal, have
yo-yoed with our weight losses multiple times over the years, are not able
to exercise as actively as others due to physical problems or disabilities,
or might not be following the prescribed diet completely, should generally
expect to lose more slowly. It was critical for my mental well-being to
put my scales in the closet and simply trust the process. I, too, was a
"slow loser", but I am now 15 months post-op, have lost 140 lbs,
and am 15-20 lbs. from goal (which a tummy tuck and armlift may take care
of). It sound as if you are right on target....try not to fret too much.
Best wishes!
— Diana T.
June 21, 2001
Hi Michelle...I am preop and trying to soak up all of wonderful information
this site provides me with on a daily basis. I appreciated your question.
My surgeon said, and I have read elsewhere, that I can expect to lose 6
pounds per week for 18-24 months if I am absolutely faithful to the
guidelines. Food for thought.... Maybe compared to your surgeon's other
patients you are losing more slowly. Did he tell you how much he thought
you "should" have lost in your first month? I think that would be
a good question to ask him....What are his expectations and what
suggestions does he have for you to help you lose more quickly.
— [Anonymous]
June 21, 2001
Hi there! Well.. I guess were all different, my surgeon says 10 lbs a
month.. so, who knows?! I think you are doing marvelous!! :0)
— sgeisendorff
June 21, 2001
Hi, I started very close to the weight you started at. The rule (I'm told)
is that people who start off with a lower BMI such as ours loose much
slower. My surgeon told me the same thing which was disheartening to say
the least. Although it seems to be human nature on this site to compare
ourselves to others, you may want to check out my profile. Inches (or
volume weight) is most important to me rather than how many pounds I am.
At 190 pounds I was in a size 12/14. That made me smile.
— corpdiva2006
June 21, 2001
Hi
First off I don't think sticking to the pureed foods would be healthy. I
think the weight at which you lost is healthy for YOUR body. Everyone is
different and everyone loses and gains differently. The way I heard is that
people who are less weight to start with such as yourself loose at a slower
rate. But just think that is still 28 lbs that you have not have lost
without this surgery. Your body and skin needs a chance to
"reform". I am pre-op and go in for surgery on July 12. I am 220
and I was told that I will loose at a slower rate also but not to get
discouraged because you want your skin to conform with your "new
beautiful body" I know I want to loose alot also but I want to be able
to work out my arms so that the skin just doesn't "hang" Just
remember EVERYONE is different.Are you doing any type of exercise. My
doctor was adament about me getting up and walking pre-op so post op I will
continue the same routine. Be proud of your yourself. You have made it 5
weeks post op and lost 28lbs!!! Like I said before everyone is different.
By staying on Pureed food you will be "staving" your body from
what it needs and we all know we have tried that technique in the past and
it didn't work. Be good to your body! Congrats on your great success and be
proud of yourself!
— Jennifer L.
June 21, 2001
I saw my doctor for my 6 week post op (surgery was May 7) and I have lost
27 pounds and he was pleased with that. My pre-op weight was 273 and now I
am at 246. I feel great and can't wait to get into the under 200 club :)
Try to add a little more protein to your diet, low fat healthy protein and
that may help your losing. It helped me break a 4 week post op plateau.
good luck... Kimmie
— Kim M.
June 21, 2001
You were on the low end of the weight range pre-op so you will lose more
slowly than someone who weighs more but you are right on target. I was 243
pre-op and a month later had lost 22 lbs (+ the 30 pounds of excess fluid
pumped into me at the hospital). I am almost 6 months post-op and have
been steadily losing 10 lbs. a month and have just this month slowed down
to 7 lbs. a month. I am now 173 and very thrilled as is my doctor.
— Lisa B.
June 22, 2001
I started off at 250 and also lost 28 pounds the first month, which I
though was great, the second month 22 and after that 10, 7, 12, 5 and so
on. At ten months I was just about to goal, losing 110 lbs. I would not
stay on pureed foods if I were you, you will get tired of that and plus
that's not what you will be wanting to eat the rest of your life. I think
your doing a great job no matter what that doctor says. Good luck!!
— Deania W.
June 22, 2001
In my humble opinion, eating pureed food will not help. Pureed is only a
method of preparation (soft as opposed to liquids or solids). 1 cup of
pureed potatoes is equal to 1 cup of a baked potato if no additional
ingredients are added - same as 1 cup pureed chicken and 1 cup of chicken
breast. I suggest you make sure you are getting enough calories - hopefully
at least 800/day, drink lots of water, get enough protein and exercise as
much as possible. But, bottom line is everyone loses at their own rate and
it is different. I have lost 33 pounds in 8 weeks but am not at all
disappointed because I am over halfway to my goal weight. It depends on the
percentage of weight you have to lose. Your body has to have enough food
before it will give up any excess or it will go into starvation mode and
horde all extra weight. GOOD LUCK!!! Don't give up and don't try diet!
— Anika R.
June 22, 2001
I think you are doing fine. I started out at 266 and lost 24lbs the first
month and 11 lbs the second month. My doctor said that is fine. I'm sure
I can boost the weight loss with a little more exercise. When you start
out on the lower end of the weight range like we have you can't expect to
lose as quickly as some who start at a higher weight. Just be patient!
As for pureed foods I don't think that eating them will make you lose any
faster. Plus I think you will get really tired of them after awhile. Just
try to eat sensibly, focus on protein, and drink lots of water.
— Karen F.
June 22, 2001
You have received alot of good advice off of this question. Here is what I
have been told. You should lose 50% of your excess weight within the first
6 months then you have 12 months to lose the remaining 50%. The first part
of your weight loss will be faster than the last part. I am 209 now and I
started at 350 just 8 1/2 months ago. I had a total of 200 to lose and I
lost the first 100 in first 5 months and now I am working on the last 59
now. Just eat right and get in alot of protein and water they are the key.
When I drop my protein my weight loss slows down quite a bit. You will do
great and you are on the right track now.
— Sherri M.
June 24, 2001
THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL ADVICE! THIS SITE IS THE GREATEST!
— MICHELLE R.
January 26, 2002
at my 5wk appt. w/my surgeon I had lost 29#, I was slightly disappointed,
she was thrilled. She told me that the 'norm' is 4 - 6 lbs. weekly...so I
had averaged almost 6lbs a week. This made me put it inot prospective and
feel much better. It's also true that the heavier you are to begin with
the quicker the weight will come off initially. Try figuring out how much
% of excess weight you have lost...I'll bet this will be surprising and
encouraging to you. Also look at your BMI...I started at 47 and in 5 weeks
reduced that to 40....at 24 we're no long considered obese, let alone
morbidly obese!
— mary S.
Click Here to Return