The Greater Fool

IMHO, you've made a good decision. Let me share a bit of my story to convince you to put the scale away... period. When I had surgery I was too large by far for a home scale. The only time I was weighed for about a year and a half after surgery was at my surgeon's office at monthly follow-ups. Because of this, I never saw a stall in my weight loss. At my follow-ups my weight loss was never the topic of discussion unless I brought it up. The discussion centered on how I was feeling, how my plan was going, life changes, how was I emotionally, any issues or concerns. I learned valuable lessons in these appointments. Eventually I was able to weigh on a home scale. I practically lived on the scale for a couple weeks until the novelty wore off, then I never used it again. I knew how I was doing by how I felt, my plan compliance, how my clothes felt, my health, happiness and a number of other considerations. These are still my measurements. We don't need a scale to follow our plans. The number on a scale does not tell you how well you are following your plan. In some cases, the number on the scale may tempt you to change your successful plan. It's great not being ruled by a number on a scale and simply paying attention to the important stuff. Good luck, Tek

I had my surgery when the internet was young. There were perhaps 2 or 3 main WLS message boards not unlike bariatric-pal, along with several 'blogging' sites where a few folks detailed their experiences, generally in text. I kept a journal form history from the moment I decided to have surgery until about 2 years post-op, which included appointments, milestones, and stuff I found interesting, then the next year was my running journal in much the same form. Though I wrote my entries in a form that was to be read, I never really intended to share them publicly, though eventually I did just that anonymously out there on the internet somewhere. My only caution is to remind you the internet is forever. There may come a day when you'd like to allow your WLS and weight issues to fade into the past. Be sure you don't reveal too much. Good luck, Tek

Pragmatically, I'd say you're about 5 days too late to change anything important. Since you've crossed the Rubicon you should just do your best to make it work. Positive attitude and all that. Good luck, Tek

What did your medical team say when you brought this up? It sounds quite problematic to me, but on hearing of your issues your medical team cleared you for the next phase, so what do I know. And I guess they agreed with you not moving on to your next phase? Good luck, Tek

What are these 'calories' of which you speak? I never counted calories, my plan was much simpler. Simple plan for a simple man. More seriously, I can't see how 400 calories for 3 months is anywhere near healthy. You need to do better. Good luck, Tek

Congratulations on your successes. Good luck, Tek

I'm just going to list things in no particular order: 1. When sharing weight loss numbers many folks count from their highest weight rather than from day of surgery, or whatever starting point yields the biggest number; 2. There are many, many variables that go into how much weight one might be expected lose post-op. Such as highest weight, how much weight was lost pre-op, starting weight, expected total weight loss, how much of your excess weight is fat vs muscle, how active you were pre-op, genetics, and on an on; 3. Most people will lose weight in the first few months no matter if they follow plan or not. This is why following plan now is so important. When you follow plan you get the positive reinforcement of losing weight. Those folks not following plan also get the reinforcement. In a few months when the weight gets harder or stops altogether, who is going to be able to stay on plan? For you who followed plan it's now a habit. For those that didn't follow plan, they are back to going on a new crash diet just like before surgery, with about as much success; 4. We each manage our meals in different ways. Personally, I don't eat until I am full because it's not a comfortable feeling. Early out it was tough to figure out. With time I learned to eat until I feel like the next bite will make me full. Not unlike your method for avoiding being full. Good luck, Tek

What did the doctors say it was last time? I'd put my money on a back issue. Loss of weight put different stresses on the back, especially damaged areas. But, sadly, you need to see a doctor or two to get a diagnosis and a fix or other mitigation of the issue. Good luck, Tek

Eating or Drinking too quickly can cause the effect you perceive. So, why are you doing things you know you shouldn't? This may be something to explore in therapy. Good luck, Tek

My surgery was 'open' which means I had a single incision from my sternum to my beltline. Some 35 or so staples held everything closed and throw in a drain for good measure. Every movement was a new exploration in pain. I seriously considered a recliner, but decided to see where I was pain-wise post-op, and if it made sense I'd get it after. I did almost get it after, but I realized the recliner was lower, so getting in and out would be like doing squats which would be a lot of movement and a lot of pain. From the bed, it was more like just moving in / out of bed, at a comparable level in and out, no squats, and I think much less pain. With the laparoscopic surgeries and their small incisions I would shop before hand, then once I know what I'd be dealing with, pull the trigger if I need to. Good luck, Tek

The first thing you should do is get rid of your scale. It is causing you to look for fixes to something that is not broken. If you're eating to plan, continue eating to plan, you're doing great. If you're not eating to plan, start eating to plan, and you will be doing great. Neither of these require making changes because of the scale. Good luck, Tek

You haven't mess up. Make the adjustment and sally forth with confidence. Good luck, Tek

If you are eating to plan you are doing great. This is where you measure success, not a number on a scale. Good luck, Tek

Congratulations on your success. I could have written nearly everything you wrote. I, too, was extremely large man, though I had RNY and my surgery was open, so that was different. The first 2 or 3 weeks were the worst what with the huge incision, staples, and a drain that made the slightest movement a joy to behold. Like you, my pre-op stuff went without a hitch. Well, on the Lung function one where they put you in a booth and you do a bunch of deep breathing. Yeah, I couldn't fit into the booth. I was worried about the Psych test but apparently I fooled them completely. I likewise didn't have an exercise plan aside from the plan to not worry about exercise until I got to a svelte 100 pounds overweight. Walking is what I focused on. Once I got to 100 pounds overweight I had an exercise plan that didn't include a gym. I didn't really have any complications related to the RNY. I wanted the "complication" of dumping and lo! I dump on sugars and fats. Dumping has been a great educational tool for me. I have had issues with anemia but I had other issues that contribute to this, so the RNY just made it easier for me to get anemic. The non-scale victories are indeed the best. Being able to weigh on a home scale was a hoot. Congratulations again. Good luck, Tek

I feel for the rough time you are having. Theoretically It is possible to reverse your Gastric Bypass. It may or may not completely resolve your issues, and it may create new issues. Talk to a surgeon. My surgeon likened it to destroying a house then rebuilding it with the rubble. You may be able to accomplish the task but it won't be the same house. Have your issues been consistent from the start or have they started more recently? I'm assuming you've seen your medical team and worked over the years to deal with your issues, what interventions have been tried? What has your medical team said? I know for me, if I have other medical issues eating is something I simply can't accomplish, which makes every medical situation worse. Good luck, Tek

Personally, I never much cared about a goal weight. I had quite a bit of weight to lose and I could decide on a goal when I got there. A less obvious reason was in how my mind works. Not reaching a goal weight could have turned a 500+ pound weight loss into a failure. Just part of the joy of having OCD. Many folks make the mistake of thinking that getting back to the nice weight they were at several years ago is a reasonable goal. It's not. After obesity, mileage and years our bodies are different. You may end up looking very much as you did and still have many more pounds than before. My goals were about how I felt, my health, my happiness. These also happened to be what my surgeon asked me about. The actual number on a scale was never a topic unless I brought it up. Good luck, Tek

I'm sorry but I've seen more than one photo spread of what went wrong with the last Sharan Osborn medical adventure over the years. Somehow I can just pin this photo on her last adventure. What folks near and dear to each of us may not have expressed is that quick weight loss made many of us appear less than healthy, sick even. I know I was surprised to hear it, but not altogether shocked by the news since I saw many others the same way. We each make our choices and have to live with the consequences, both good and ill. Generally most of the consequences are temporary, some less so. Life is a crap shoot. Good luck, Tek

Outstanding accomplishment! Good luck, Tek

WLS is forever. What we thought would be normal pre-op is most often very different from what normal turns out to be like post-op. Good luck, Tek

My surgeon had no rules against any medications. All medications have side effects, both good and bad. It's up to you and your medical team to evaluate your needs against the risks of the downside against the benefits of the up side. Then, if you choose to take the medication you monitor for the downside and take appropriate action when necessary. Sometimes the definite benefit outweighs a possible negative side effect. Good luck, Tek

Good job. Throw the scale away. Good luck, Tek

Your plan is not that different from my plan. 3 meals of 3-4oz protein + 1oz veggies, no snacks, no protein drinks. The idea is learning to eat like a healthy person. It took me several months to be able to complete a meal somewhat regularly. Unfortunately for your Surgeon, the math doesn't really work out. There is no way you will get to 80g of protein on this plan, nor do you need that much. 60oz is more than enough for a healthy person. Depending on your size even less may be OK. Regardless, just do the best you can. You can only fill a cup so much. You will manage. All these years later, this is still my eating plan. It just comes naturally now. Still don't manage to eat everything much of the time. Good luck, Tek

It may be quite beneficial to talk with a therapist to help you deal with your emotions and learn new coping mechanisms other than food. Good luck, Tek

I experimented with Gu. Sitting at home it seemed ok. I tried it on a 10 mile run and there again was no problem. When I tried it on a 20 mile run I dumped like a Tonka truck. I abandoned the idea. It probably wouldn't have been a problem for someone who doesn't dump on sugar, or even someone not so sensitive. In the years since my time running they have come out with several other products that don't have sugar that may be workable. I could probably get away with an orange slice that they were in the habit of handing out back when, but since I didn't train with them I didn't take them. Banana's weren't a thing handed out at the races I was in. I probably wouldn't have taken them, again, because I didn't try them during training runs. But, again, the world has changed since my running days. There are lots of possibilities now. Good luck, Tek

Congratulations on preparing for a marathon. I hope you have a plan on training and the ramp-up to the actual marathon. I never really ate anything during long runs. I focused on pre- and post- run stuff. Running and eating didn't mix for me. Good luck, Tek