Calling All Sixties!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I am over a year out and was 197 lbs day of surgery. Today I am only 174 lbs. Very frustrating to compare my little weight loss to many who have lost close to and over 100 lbs. I am much healthier, off all meds and down 3 clothes sizes so I am happy but why can't I lose more? I have been eating 900 to 1000 calories, been on myfitnesspal and for the first time I have begun exercising everyday. Still no change. Just needed to vent, sorry.

I stopped losing at 60 lbs, two months ago. I am sorry for your frustration. What does your surgeon tell you? Please vent, you have support here.

[honib52 10]

I was self paid in Tijuana and never thought to talk to Dr. Valenzula. I have talked to her nutritionist but was not impressed with her info.

My new dr. here has given me all of my blood work and it is all good. She suggested this diet that might change my metabolism. Sorry, I am eating little and did not get this surgery to totally change every food I ever enjoyed. I thought eating less and exercising would be enough.

Edited July 27, 2014 by honib52

[mick 99]

I pray everyone is doing well since their surgery.

Edited July 27, 2014 by mick

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

And you Mick. Have you been sleeved? My husband is down from 320 to 220 in 8 months and is delightfully happy. He will never be extremely healthy but life sure is better. Best of luck!

[mick 99]

I was sleeved July 23rd. I was worried about my age (65) but the only problem i am having is getting enough liquid. Still don't have much stamina but supposed to be going back to work on Aug. 25th. That worries me a little bit but I feel stronger and better each day so hoping to be ok by then.

The only pain I've had was from the gas for the first few days but nothing else at all unless you count the Constipation I suffered through for about 14 hrs. Horrible pain but everything came out all right in the end. ​

[DevineMissM 59]

Hello fellow 60ers. I would have been 65 in October instead I'm being reborn August 25th, 2014. I have no doubt I will be successful in shedding the camouflage/cocoon I've been carrying for 30 years. I am looking forward to discovering the me I really am. For more wake ups hip hip hooray!

[vincereautmori 323]

I was sleeved this past Tuesday, I'm 61, and only a few years from retirement and I don't want to be semi invalid when I get there. I've been heavy most of my life, and I carried the weight OK, so I paid no immediate price for it. But, obesity works it's damage slowly and the past couple of years my knees and back have been giving me more problems, this past year I was almost unable to walk from hip pain and was diagnosed with moderate arthritus of the hip. I asked the orthopedic doctor, what do we do? He said, it's too late the damage is done, getting some weight off it will hold off replacement surgery for a while. That's when it really clicked, I'm crushing my joints and I've been damaging my body for years. So this is it, I had to do something drastic, hopefully I'll buy myself some healthy time in the years I have left.

[Gibble 28]

I'm 61 yrs old, I am on disability the past 2 years due to my weight and complications from diabetes,but I was sleeved in Feb. 2014, I dropped weight quickly the first 2 months, thought "this is too easy" weight loss has slowed now but still loosing. I take a Water aerobics class 3 times a week and can now walk a little farther and move alot better..I'm trying to keep up with my grandchildren and I think if I keep at this I will be good to go lots more places that require walking next summer.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I was sleeved only 4 days ago.

But pre-surgery, it was ALWAYS explained to me by my surgeon and his team and by everything I learned online during the last year that what I eat and how I eat and when I eat, as well as how much I eat, will make a big difference in my long-term success, using the VSG as one of my new weight loss tools.

Likewise, I've been given to understand that the biggest differentiator between those who succeed with WLS long-term and those who don't is their consistent commitment to exercise.

It makes me sad to hear that some patients weren't told or taught this or that they weren't able to educate themselves or that they were given false information about how all this works.

I've read there are ways that people who are some months / years out from WLS can reinvigorate their VSG by using the "5-day pouch test." You can google it if you're interested.

[vincereautmori 323]

I was sleeved only 4 days ago.

But pre-surgery, it was ALWAYS explained to me by my surgeon and his team and by everything I learned online during the last year that what I eat and how I eat and when I eat, as well as how much I eat, will make a big difference in my long-term success, using the VSG as one of my new weight loss tools.

Likewise, I've been given to understand that the biggest differentiator between those who succeed with WLS long-term and those who don't is their consistent commitment to exercise.

It makes me sad to hear that some patients weren't told or taught this or that they weren't able to educate themselves or that they were given false information about how all this works.

I've read there are ways that people who are some months / years out from WLS can reinvigorate their VSG by using the "5-day pouch test." You can google it if you're interested.

I respect your opinion, buy I have to disagree, I think patients are pretty well informed on what to expect of WLS, between insurance requirements and bariatric centers of excellence, they want you to have all the infromation to make this serious committment to alter your body. I think the failure rate comes from the complexities of human lives from stress, genetics, mood, lack of support, failure of the patient to identify their root problem, crazy schedules, focus on ourselves, probably many more I can't think of. That's why WLS isn't 100% effective, nor any other weight loss technique. They are all chained to the same equation of calories in and calories out, how each one helps us is what makes it work for you.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I respect your opinion, buy I have to disagree, I think patients are pretty well informed on what to expect of WLS, between insurance requirements and bariatric centers of excellence, they want you to have all the infromation to make this serious committment to alter your body. I think the failure rate comes from the complexities of human lives from stress, genetics, mood, lack of support, failure of the patient to identify their root problem, crazy schedules, focus on ourselves, probably many more I can't think of. That's why WLS isn't 100% effective, nor any other weight loss technique. They are all chained to the same equation of calories in and calories out, how each one helps us is what makes it work for you.

I agree with you that the elements you named above, undealt with, lead to negative results of WLS.

But everyone doesn't get WLS through their insurance benefits or through "centers of excellence" or are screened in meaningful ways or are educated other than being handed a few pages of photocopied lists of foods. (I've also heard of people say far down the path that their surgeon didn't even give them lists of foods and quantities to eat in various stages of recovery.) And there is no follow-up available to some WLS patients--no follow-up visits or support services of any kind.

Since the majority of people who have WLS don't participate in online forums, the lessons available on forums like this one aren't available to everyone whose surgical centers didn't prepare them to be successful long-term.

Again, I don't disagree with you at all about the power of those factors you listed above to derail WLS patients' success in regaining their health.

[hazeleyeflgal 30]

Age 63 here...VSG 7 months ago - lost 102 lbs. But now I'm stalling out too and I still have a lot to go. I've found that cutting back to just shakes for a day helps get me back on track.

I have a surgeon who is very good at follow up. He has a nutritionist on staff and you meet with her every 3 mos. after surgery for a year. There is also a support group that meets once a month. The nutritionist also does classes, eg. She meets people at the grocery store and they go through talking about good choices for us. They also have groups to go walking and then eat at a restaurant together with a nurse (who runs the support groups and has had RNY) there to help people learn how to eat out. There is no fee for any of this other than your initial surgical fee.

I got a huge folder full of information before surgery and every time I see the nutritionist I get more info. They also have recipes online at their website for patients post-surgery.

So I think you need to check out the aftercare before your surgery. If it isn't there, then choose someone else. My surgeon also gives his cell phone number to all patients so right after surgery you can call him anytime. His wife is his nurse and you also get her cell phone number.

I really do believe a lot of our success has to do with aftercare. If your surgical team isn't in this to really help you succeed and they just do the surgery and then set you free, your chances aren't as good. However, I'm sure some people have been successful this way.

Edited to say: The most amazing thing is the clothing sizes...I've gone from a 3x to an XL now in the regular clothing dept. No more plus sizes!!!

Edited August 27, 2014 by hazeleyeflgal

[mick 99]

I am really impressed with Kaiser here in Bakersfield. The bariatric program followup is great and I was given the ph numbers to all the staff. Their 12 week Options classes are mandatory for any kind of WLS. Very informative as to what to eat and what to expect post op. They also have all kinds of classes pre and post op including a bariatric support group, smokers support group and a depression support group to name a few.

[Sherry S 103]

I've stopped loosing at 30 lbs 6 mo's out. I'd like to loose another 30 lbs and Dr thinks 15 more would be good. I feel great, very little arthritis pain if any, PB is normal, down to a size 14. I'm not following any diet except to stop eating when I start to feel full and always Protein first and Vitamins. When I try to take one more bite (psychological wanting) I will start to slime in a little while so I've learned when to say when. All in all I figure I'm so lucky to be where I am. I hope to keep loosing but if not I'm so much better off than I was before surgery and I feel great which to me is what it's all about.

One problem I've had and wonder if anyone has had anything like it.........acid/ indigestion/gas or something like it. I never had a problem before surgery. Its hard to explain. I was on protonix for 3 mo's after surgery. Dr said to take Prilosec if I need it which I have for 3 mo's and all was fine. Now it seems as if my stomach felt worse above my navel with some acid/ gas. Dr wants to do a scope which I will do. For some reason I felt like not taking the Prilosec might help. So far so good but it's only been a couple of days. Just curious if anyone took anti-acids after surgery and then didn't need them or had any symptons like I've had.

I stopped losing at 60 lbs, two months ago. I am sorry for your frustration. What does your surgeon tell you? Please vent, you have support here.

[DevineMissM 59]

I am having the issue of psychologically wanting to eat more and physically not being able to eat more than an ounce or 2 at a time. Trying to figure out getting the Protein in. Today I am trying New Whey Liquid Protein diluted in Water. I also get that foaming if I over eat, it's happened 2 times and I had to purge. I was sleeved 8/25. Hoping I get this figured out soon. I've got 64yrs of bad habits to unlearn.