gpmed

Like everyone said, it's very individualized. That said, I started out with about 100-110 to lose. I'm down 65 at close to 5 months. My surgeon said he expected me to lose 60 by 6 months, so I'm tracking slightly ahead of that. The closer you get to goal the harder it is to create the calorie deficit needed to lose. When you're really big, you naturally burn more calories each day (your basal metabolic rate is higher). So don't be discouraged if people with a lot more weight to lose are losing larger amounts than you. Just stick to the plan and you will get there!

@@ByPassedGuy You've gotten good responses to your question. I'd just add a challenge to open yourself up to trying and enjoying new foods, flavors and spices after bypass. Things may be a little bland at first, especially during the liquid phase, but just remember it's temporary. I'm five months out and I enjoy occasional meals out at restaurants that use whole food ingredients and have dishes featuring Protein, veggies and whole grains. These meals are very enjoyable and satisfying. I'm a novice cook and I appreciate restaurants that use the same quality ingredients I do at home but can make dishes above my ability. I also enjoy that I no longer overeat and the way quality food gives me fuel for plenty of energy and physical activity throughout the day. Btw, your friends are right that hardly anyone regrets surgery in the long run. A lot of us had "what have I done to myself" thoughts immediately after while still in pain and on liquids. If that happens to you, it's normal and will pass. Best of luck with your surgery!

I'm having a weird struggle and I'm hoping you guys can provide some perspective. I'm about 5 months out and down 65 pounds. My surgeon said he wanted to see me lose 60 by 6 months, so I'm a little ahead. The loss has slowed down some, but not stopped. I can eat more now than shortly after surgery, so that makes sense. I've stepped up my game at the gym to try to balance things out. I still struggle with Protein, but usually meet my 60 g goal. My typical day is a shake for Breakfast, salad (spinach, chicken, and a little goat cheese, raisins and walnut) for lunch, and for dinner something like salmon, sweet potato and broccoli. Lots of Water all day. If I get too full with what I brought for lunch, I might eat 2/3 and eat the other 1/3 later in the day. Or sometimes I have cashews or some nut exactly balls as a snack or treat. I just barely pushed past my "glass floor" which is the weight I couldn't seem to lose past when I tried many times before surgery. So basically I'm just nervous I'm going to eff up and not lose all the weight. I have perfectionist tendencies and I've gone overboard into unhealthy territory before when it comes to losing weight. How do you balance that? When do you know you're doing enough? Should I be worried it's not coming off as fast as before? Or is perfectionism and anxiety making me worry unnecessarily? Anyone else felt this way?

Please forgive another thread about hair loss. I used the search function, but didn't find a thread answering my specific question: For those further out, when did your hair loss stop and the hair begin growing back? I know the loss is normal and I'm doing all the right things already. I think it would help to know when I can expect it to stop. Thanks in advance!

That's so awesome! I had a similar experience about a month ago. I went to a Talbots store with three entrances and sections — misses, petite and plus. I went in the plus entrance and the saleslady greeted me and asked if I was shopping for myself. I answered yes and she said, "Oh, well you're in the wrong section. This is plus size. The misses section is over there." And then I proceeded to buy regular sizes for the first time in eight years!

Ugh! I haven't' seen the show, but your description reminds me of this beast who gained and lost 30 pounds to "prove fat people are lazy." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/11317274/Katie-Hopkins-what-fat-people-need-is-a-kick-up-the-a-.html

Quality water is absolutely important. I'm very fortunate that we have a spring water cooler at work. I fill my 22 oz. water bottle first thing at work and often once more in the afternoon. I live in an older home and occasionally the water coming out the tap has looked discolored, particularly after a rain. Maybe old pipes? I just don't trust it and I never liked the taste. I buy spring water to drink at home. Having great-tasting water available makes such a difference. I feel very fortunate that I have these sources as options.

I just discovered a yummy snack called Nut Exactly. A coworker brought them in and I just tried them. They have a little chocolate and nuts and taste about as close as I can get to a Peanut Butter cup within my nut's sugar recommendations. A 10-piece serving has 7 grams of sugar and 9 grams of fat.

Before going under, I remember someone telling me they were administering the anesthesia. After, I remember I was having a vivid dream and suddenly I became aware of rolling quickly down the hallway and people shouting my name. Maybe I was trying to sit up or something. When I realized where I was, I immediately asked if I was ok, if there were any complications. Thankfully the answers were you're fine and no complications.

You're not alone! I'm five months out and have been shedding quite a bit for a month now. I take fish oil and work hard to meet my protein goals. I've heard biotin is unnecessary if you're taking B12, which I am. I tried collagen but it upset my stomach too much.

How far out from surgery are you? I'm five months out and just had some low sugar hot chocolate. Such a wonderful treat after shoveling snow!

It usually takes people two months to regain energy. I'd suggest maybe six weeks off and two weeks working from home. Remember it's better to request more time than you need and go back earlier than not request enough and have to ask for more.

I'm five months out and my stomach is super rumbly sometimes after eating or drinking. I honestly don't know why it's louder some days than others. I just ignore and so far my coworkers have been too polite to say anything if they've noticed.

I'm five months out. I either cook or stop by the Whole Foods hot bar on weekends for food for the week. I take some kind of protein (turkey burger, fish, chicken) and a few bites of veggies in individual Tupperware containers that I can heat in the microwave. I also keep quest bars and Morningstar farms black bean burgers at work for emergencies.

I set really firm boundaries from the beginning. First, I limited the number of people I told. I started with my best friend, my dad and my boss, who I could expect to respond appropriately and be supportive. I was worried about the reaction I would get from my mom and sister, so I asked my dad to tell them and convey that I'd accept no inappropriate or negative comments of any kind. Concerned questions were ok. My boss told and primed the other people on my team I work closely with. The only person I got negativity from was my sister, but I shut that down really fast. So for me it worked to keep the circle small and put out the vibe I wouldn't accept any bullshit.

I asked this same question of my surgeon and my OB/GYN. They both said either surgery would be fine and honestly, getting the weight off would be the most important factor for conceiving and having a safe pregnancy and delivery.

I had a bad, bad soda habit. I didn't have a pre-op diet, so I had my last Coke at 11 pm, an hour before 24 hours of clear liquids before surgery. I lost the taste for them and haven't tried a sip since. I'm determined not to let soda pass my lips again.

@@ForeverHealthy I am about five months out from RNY. Many people find months after surgery that they can eat a little bit of the wrong foods all day long. I can eat a lot more chips or crackers than I can Protein. And I get hungry again way faster on those foods than protein. So yes, sticking to the plan is key. I can eat about 2.5 oz of meat at a time and a few bites of veggies. That keeps me full for hours and I feel a hell of a lot better when I make good food choices. After surgery, some people choose to moderate or abstain or some combo of the two when it comes to off-plan foods. My nutritionist has told me wheat crackers are ok as long as I have some protein with them, like cheese. I sometimes have cheese and crackers as a snack. A little indulgence once in a while helps me stay on track. Other "problem foods" I'm abstaining from completely, like soda, diet or not. I understand it's also possible to stretch the pouch, so it's important to stop eating when you're full. It's been helpful for me that when I'm satisfied, the food doesn't really taste good anymore so it's easier to stop. I have had to have some pep talks with myself about not trying to squeeze in a few extra bites to meet my protein goals. I hope this helps!

I recently had a bad cold and tried a teaspoon of buckwheat honey in my tea. I was desperate to relieve my cough. I dumped and will never make that mistake again!

@@winklie I think maybe your Sahara ass is worse than mine and my volcano ass is worse than yours. When it's Sahara, I can usually take something and work it out. When it's volcano, it's never just once for me. It's multiple times, my stomach is upset and I feel weak and shitty. (All puns intended)

@@sharkgirl It has always worked for me within two hours, but everyone is different. The few times I've taken it have been right after work and on a Saturday, to avoid times I'd be at work and trying to sleep.

@wilklie Again, I'm the opposite! I'd rather give birth to an 8-pound turd than basically pee through my butt. Different folks, different butt problem preferences. And I was thinking of someone eating a healthy, balanced diet years out from surgery, not garbage. At least I'm crossing my fingers that one day a balanced diet will leave me less, well, butt hurt.

Good questions to ask anyone accusing you of taking the easy way out: Do you take any daily medicines? Oh, you have a chronic condition? Well isn't taking medicine taking the easy way out? Can't you just deal with your condition yourself? Did you chase a boar down with a spear and cook it over an open fire last night for your dinner? Oh, you bought food from the grocery store and cooked it in your oven? Isn't that taking the easy way out? We all know it's not easy, but even if it was, who cares? We all take the shortest, fastest route to work. Doing otherwise would be insane.

It's taught me how easily things can get out of control and how diligent I need to be in the future to protect my health. It's also taught me what it's like to live with a marginalized identity. That's given me a lot of empathy for others with marginalized identities and I never want to lose that. In my post-op life, I envision being a more active participant in my own life. I have a list of things I've wanted to do but haven't because of my weight. I'm looking forward to experiencing them all!