Hi I am new here I've been considering surgery for a while now and was finally able to do it, my surgery date is September 4 and I am soooooo exited. I have been reading threads the las couple of days from success stories to complications, I know it will be hard but I believe this is the right decision. I have noticed that some people loose a lot since the beginning and some loose at a slower pace, I was wondering what affects this (other than different bodies) I mean if I take more Protein and fluids will the scale drop faster? Is there anything that will help me loose more?

Thanks for any insight

From everything I've read on this site since I joined it last fall, it seems to me that those whose BMI is higher to start with lose weight faster than those of us who started at a lower BMI.

One thing I did not realize when I chose my surgery date was that there is a "honeymoon period" of rapid loss right after the surgery, and the longer you can keep that going, the better. I was sleeved in mid November, and I chose a low carb eating plan as soon as I was off restrictions. I did lose quickly at first, and Thanksgiving didn't put a dent in that since I was still on soft foods only when that date arrived. But by Christmas I had been keeping my carbs as low as humanly possible for some weeks... and then all the goodies got to me and I ate carbs. After that my rate of loss slowed, and then in February I started a stall that lasted for 6 weeks. I'm losing again now, but more slowly than I would like. (Yah, I know, I didn't get fat over night...)

If I had it to do over I would have the surgery early in January, and make it a point to keep the weight loss going without a break, to take advantage of that "honeymoon" period. Had I done that I might have achieved my goal weight already.

Oh, well... I am NOT complaining, I promise. I love my sleeve!

After all that reading, did ya find anyone that was losing way too fast and decided to slow it down. Cause they would be the only ones that could tell you how to lose faster. Far as I know everyone is losing just as fast as it will come off for them based on what they are doing.

But if you really need some tips on losing faster, only one I know is don't eat anything.

???? I'm going to have to find a way to keep carbs low even on the holidays. I will be able to eat solids by then. I always did all the cooking this year they will have to find someone else lol. Idk I'll Either have to be very strong or eat at a different time than everybody else. Maybe get busy or take a nap while they eat

I have been on this site for awhile and have been in maintenance awhile... and lost about 160# so have some observations to offer.

what you hear about honeymoon period (ie easier to lose in the beginning) is true. Also, people who start with more weight to lose will lose faster in terms of raw pounds. If you have 10 pounds to lose, it would stand to reason you are not going to lose 30# in the first month, right? If you had 160 to lose like I did, that might be possible (I did in fact lose about 30 in the first month). Men typically lose faster than women, younger people often lose faster than older etc - some of those things are really outside of your control.

what can you control? Taking advantage of your weight loss tool - the sleeve - and really maximize losses during the honeymoon phase AND probably more importantly be willing to make changes and shake things up once you are - 6-12 months out and the losses (or even maintenance) aren't quite so easy.

What works? In my experience, low to moderate carb is key. Staying active and be willing to change up your workout routine. If for example you go for daily walks... as time goes on you will get better results if you start increasing the intensity (add hills or go faster) or change to something else like cycling. Your body gets very efficient at doing whatever it is used to doing.

I think the other key is learning to STOP eating before you are full. Get in the habit of eating until no longer hungry... your goal is not feel full. Eating this way day in and day out helps alot with longer term feeling restriction/feeling like your sleeve has a smaller capacity.

also, follow the basic rules of Protein and veggies first... drinking separate from food etc.

It isn't always easy... my sleeve was December 11, 2011 - I drank a Protein Drink while everyone else had Christmas feast. You know what, it is so worth it though! These days food just isn't as important to me... but that didn't happen overnight...

Thanksgiving suggestion: by the time you eat a couple ounces of turkey and a few green Beans (without the goopy casserole stuff), you will be too full to go after the carbs. Take some dark chocolate or a small fruit cup, and you are good to go. Hungry later??? have some cheese or a deviled egg made with avocado instead of mayonaisse. There are creative ways to get around the excesses of the holidays. You have time now to work out a plan. And like CowgirlJane said, throw in some exercise too, especially if you caved in to an indulgence. I wish you good luck and good health.

Thank u guys all of this helps me a lot. I am trying to get in the right set of mind already so it is not as hard later. I will start looking for better ways to eat avoiding my carbs. Why is it that the worst food is the tastier food.

I am starting an exercise regimen now so that I am used to it later.

So to keep this honeymoon period as long as possible what do you recommend? Not eating carbs?

Yes. Pretend like carbs cost $10 apiece - cash!

Yes. Pretend like carbs cost $10 apiece - cash!

Wow good way of putting it