Just want to say hi and thank you

[Guest guest]

I would like to introduce myself. I have been " lurking " for awhile,

however, I had to wait for my one year mark to post.

First, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who posts in

this group. Your posting have provided with a wealth of information

that I know I could not have gotten from anywhere else. The

information gives me alot of insight into some of the problems or

concerns I experienced. Thank you all very, very much. I also

dearly love the humor that is bantered back and forth. I need that

alot of times, especially after a rough day at work. Thanks for the

laughs at times.

My open RNY was done on May 2, 2002 when I was 45 years old. My

weight the day of surgery was 269.5. My current weight is 165.4.

This surgery has been a lifesaver for me. This surgery was the

seventh surgery I had between April 2000 - May 2002 (the last five

surgeries, to include the gastric bypass, were performed by the same

surgeon).

I have been heavy all my life. I wore the " chubby " clothes as a

child. I had to lose weight to get into the military. I actually

starved myself for the final 30 days--had only one cheese omelot and

alot of water and diet soda during the whole 30 days--to make sure I

lost the last 27 lbs. I needed to join the Air Force. After getting

out of military in 1980, I quickly went up to 200 lbs and never

looked back.

By the time I had my surgery, I was on six medications. Now, I am

on just one--Synthroid for hypothyroidism. My surgeon told me

because of age and hypothyroidism, I may only lose to 200 lbs. I

was estactic when I surpassed the 200 lb mark. My next goal is 150

lbs. And if at all possible, my final goal is 130 lbs. I have gone

from size 26/28 and 2X/3X to 10 or 12 depending on the cut and

medium for most tops and sweaters. My surgeon feels now that I just

may make it to my goal of 130. What I find so funny is that people

are trying to tell me to " stop losing " , that I have lost enough.

You should see there faces when I say I still wish to lose another

35 lbs.

I have fears like everyone else. I have fears that every plateau

will be my last and that this is all the weight I will lose. I fear

of regaining my weight. I strive for 1200-1300 calories per day.

My PCP said I should really be doing more like 1500. I try to

exercise 3-4 times a week by bike riding 2-3 miles. Now that it is

swimming season, I will be going into the pool also. My weight

comes off in chunks. I won't lose for 4-6 weeks or more and then

around 10 lbs suddenly comes off. It scares me at times because I

am never sure if this is my last plateau or not. I am always

secretly praying that it isn't my last plateau and estactic then

the " chunk of weight " comes off. Thank goodness.

I have two big questions, please. How far out do we truly lose

weight? I have heard 12 months, and I have heard 18 months? Also,

am I eating too little calories or should I be more like 1500, like

my PCP is recommending? I read that if you get too low of caloric

intake that your body goes into " starvation mode " and slows down.

Even a recent Redbook article said not to go below 1200 calores

because it decreases our metabolic rate by up to 45%. I know alot

of people say not to worry about calories, but that is the only

weigh I can ensure I won't regain my weight.

I am taking one piece of advice to heart. This is just a tool, not

a cure. I know that for a fact. This tool has allowed me to lose

weight I never could on my own. I am still hungry 24/7; however, I

am willing to fight the urge since I see the results and am pleased

with them. It will be a lifetime struggle to watch what I eat, but

I eat so much healthier now than I ever have in my lifetime.

Protein first, then veggies or fruits, VERY LITTLE bread/rice/pasta

(they all sit too heavy and waste valuable space in my pouch). I

eat what I want, just smaller portions and alot more nutriously. I

figure I have to do something that I can live with for the rest of

my life.

This post is longer than I expect. Thank you all for listening and

allowing me to be part of your group. Like I said, all of your

insight and personal experiences are invaluable to me. Thank you

for taking the time to share with all of us.

Chris

Open RNY/5/2/02

269.6/165.4/130 (I hope)

Dr. Garner (fantastic surgeon, both general and bariatric)

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Chris. I wouldn't worry to much about the window of

opportunity. I have started loosing again, all be it slowly at 22 months

post op. You will do great.

Lori Owen - Denton, Texas

SRVG 7/16/01

Dr. Ritter/Dr. Bryce

On Fri, 02 May 2003 22:31:14 -0000 " thebeachhippo "

writes:

> I would like to introduce myself. I have been " lurking " for awhile,

>

> however, I had to wait for my one year mark to post.

>

> First, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who posts in

>

> this group. Your posting have provided with a wealth of information

>

> that I know I could not have gotten from anywhere else. The

> information gives me alot of insight into some of the problems or

> concerns I experienced. Thank you all very, very much. I also

> dearly love the humor that is bantered back and forth. I need that

>

> alot of times, especially after a rough day at work. Thanks for the

>

> laughs at times.

>

> My open RNY was done on May 2, 2002 when I was 45 years old. My

> weight the day of surgery was 269.5. My current weight is 165.4.

> This surgery has been a lifesaver for me. This surgery was the

> seventh surgery I had between April 2000 - May 2002 (the last five

> surgeries, to include the gastric bypass, were performed by the same

>

> surgeon).

>

> I have been heavy all my life. I wore the " chubby " clothes as a

> child. I had to lose weight to get into the military. I actually

> starved myself for the final 30 days--had only one cheese omelot and

>

> alot of water and diet soda during the whole 30 days--to make sure I

>

> lost the last 27 lbs. I needed to join the Air Force. After getting

>

> out of military in 1980, I quickly went up to 200 lbs and never

> looked back.

>

> By the time I had my surgery, I was on six medications. Now, I am

> on just one--Synthroid for hypothyroidism. My surgeon told me

> because of age and hypothyroidism, I may only lose to 200 lbs. I

> was estactic when I surpassed the 200 lb mark. My next goal is 150

>

> lbs. And if at all possible, my final goal is 130 lbs. I have gone

>

> from size 26/28 and 2X/3X to 10 or 12 depending on the cut and

> medium for most tops and sweaters. My surgeon feels now that I just

>

> may make it to my goal of 130. What I find so funny is that people

>

> are trying to tell me to " stop losing " , that I have lost enough.

> You should see there faces when I say I still wish to lose another

> 35 lbs.

>

> I have fears like everyone else. I have fears that every plateau

> will be my last and that this is all the weight I will lose. I fear

>

> of regaining my weight. I strive for 1200-1300 calories per day.

> My PCP said I should really be doing more like 1500. I try to

> exercise 3-4 times a week by bike riding 2-3 miles. Now that it is

>

> swimming season, I will be going into the pool also. My weight

> comes off in chunks. I won't lose for 4-6 weeks or more and then

> around 10 lbs suddenly comes off. It scares me at times because I

> am never sure if this is my last plateau or not. I am always

> secretly praying that it isn't my last plateau and estactic then

> the " chunk of weight " comes off. Thank goodness.

>

> I have two big questions, please. How far out do we truly lose

> weight? I have heard 12 months, and I have heard 18 months? Also,

>

> am I eating too little calories or should I be more like 1500, like

>

> my PCP is recommending? I read that if you get too low of caloric

> intake that your body goes into " starvation mode " and slows down.

> Even a recent Redbook article said not to go below 1200 calores

> because it decreases our metabolic rate by up to 45%. I know alot

> of people say not to worry about calories, but that is the only

> weigh I can ensure I won't regain my weight.

>

> I am taking one piece of advice to heart. This is just a tool, not

>

> a cure. I know that for a fact. This tool has allowed me to lose

> weight I never could on my own. I am still hungry 24/7; however, I

>

> am willing to fight the urge since I see the results and am pleased

>

> with them. It will be a lifetime struggle to watch what I eat, but

>

> I eat so much healthier now than I ever have in my lifetime.

> Protein first, then veggies or fruits, VERY LITTLE bread/rice/pasta

>

> (they all sit too heavy and waste valuable space in my pouch). I

> eat what I want, just smaller portions and alot more nutriously. I

>

> figure I have to do something that I can live with for the rest of

> my life.

>

> This post is longer than I expect. Thank you all for listening and

>

> allowing me to be part of your group. Like I said, all of your

> insight and personal experiences are invaluable to me. Thank you

> for taking the time to share with all of us.

>

> Chris

> Open RNY/5/2/02

> 269.6/165.4/130 (I hope)

> Dr. Garner (fantastic surgeon, both general and bariatric)

>

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

I am 18 months out and still losing. Every time I think I'm done, I

lose a couple of more pounds! And, I also get the comments about

losing too much weight. I just smile and say " you can never be too

rich or too thin " . Of course I don't really believe that last part

but I hardly think I am too thin at 5'5 " and 132 pounds. I too have

found that if I do not eat enough calories, my weight loss slows

down. Recently I have added more calories and once again the pounds

are coming off (very slowly).

in Washington

Lap RNY Sept 2001

Minus 201.5 pounds

333.5/132

http://www.wworw.com

What I find so funny is that people

> are trying to tell me to " stop losing " , that I have lost enough.

> You should see there faces when I say I still wish to lose another

> 35 lbs.

>

> I have two big questions, please. How far out do we truly lose

> weight? I have heard 12 months, and I have heard 18 months?

Also,

> am I eating too little calories or should I be more like 1500,

like

> my PCP is recommending? I read that if you get too low of caloric

> intake that your body goes into " starvation mode " and slows down.

> )

[Guest guest]

> > I too have

> found that if I do not eat enough calories, my weight loss slows

> down. Recently I have added more calories and once again the

pounds

> are coming off (very slowly).

Why am I having such a hard time getting that through my head? It

just doesn't seem possible.

Tigger

[Guest guest]

Hi Tigger,

I think it is because we spent years with the diet mentality that

said you had to starve to lose weight. It sure did not help us to

lose weight then and it still does not help now. If you don't get

adequate nutrition, your body thinks it is in starvation mode. WLS

has freed us from the old diet rules but I agree - it is hard to

accept it as true. It seems too good to be true...

in Washington

Lap RNY Sept 2001

Minus 201.5 pounds

333.5/132

http://www.wworw.com

> > > I too have

> > found that if I do not eat enough calories, my weight loss slows

> > down. Recently I have added more calories and once again the

> pounds

> > are coming off (very slowly).

>

> Why am I having such a hard time getting that through my head? It

> just doesn't seem possible.

>

> Tigger