Post-Op Guidelines As Given By Western Bariatric Institute

Kalah7Renae12Vera

I know many of you are interested/concerned about the foods I am putting in my pouch, so I thought this would help answer any questions. Attached is a link to the post-op booklet I was given by my Bariatic Institute. I am one month gastric bypass post-op, I have been instructed to stay under 900 calories a day. I began 5'7 at 330 pounds I lost 40 pounds pre-op and have only lost 10 pounds since my surgery a month ago, putting me in at about 278 pounds now. How much did you post-ops lose the first few months?

http://www.westernbariatricinstitute.com/default/patient_information/WBI-RNY.pdf

Laura8603

Here were my stats:

I'm 5'7" tall.

Highest weight: 339 *BMI=53
Surgery weight: 311
Month 1 (9/2-10/2) -30 pounds (281 lbs)
Month 2 (10/2-11/2) -18 pounds (263 lbs)
Month 3 (11/2-12/2) -18 pounds (245 lbs)
Month 4 (12/2-1/2) -14 pounds (231 lbs)
Month 5 (1/2-2/2) -12 pounds (219 lbs)
Month 6 (2/2-3/2) -9 pounds (210 lbs)
Month 7 (3/2-4/2) -12 pounds (198 lbs)
Month 8 (4/2-5/2) -9 pounds (189 lbs) * "overweight" bmi
Month 9 (5/2-6/2) -10 pounds (178 lbs)
Month 10 (6/2-7/2) -8 pounds (170 lbs)
Month 11 (7/2-8/2) -11 pounds (159 lbs) * "normal" bmi
Month 12 (8/2-9/2) -7 pounds (152 lbs)
Month 13 (9/2-10/2) -5 pounds (147 lbs)
Month 14 (10/2-11/2) -7 pounds (140 lbs) * reached goal weight

Currently I weigh 135.

grim_traveller

Here are my stats:

I am 6'3" tall.

Highest weight was 475 in December 2008.

Weighed 411 in April 2012.

Surgery weight on 08/21/12 was 359.

Month 1 (08/21 - 09/21) -24 pounds (335 lbs)
Month 2 (09/21 - 10-21) -21 pounds (314 lbs)
Month 3 (10/21 - 11/21) -19 pounds (295 lbs)
Month 4 (11/21 - 12/21) -21 pounds (274 lbs)

Currently my weight is 264. My surgeon wanted me to reach 250, and my own goal is 225.

Kalah7Renae12Vera

Both of you lost so much the first month, I don't know what's wrong with me... but congratulations to both of you on your amazing losses. I hope I will be as successful.

grim_traveller

If you are doing what you are supposeddto be doing, don't worry about the details. I know a couple of people who lost a lot more than me at first, and I was a little disappointed. Just work hard, and it will happen.

There's nothing wrong with you. Everyone's different. Eat what you should, add more exercise as you lose, and you will be surprised at the results.

annwyatt69

I was concerned at first with my "slow" weight loss, but my surgeon explained it in percentages to me. I was 246 in January of 2012, when I first started working with my nutritionist and him. I eased slowly into changing to a healthier eating pattern and lost some weight slowly. By the day of my surgery (September 27, 2012) I was 218. The first month I lost about 18 pounds. I knew others who had lost over 30 and I was not happy with my results, though I was doing exactly as my program told me to do. He told me that because I had lost more than 40% of the body fat I needed to lose already, my loss would be slower. He assured me that I was doing awesome. He also told me, when I asked whether I should join a gym, to only do that if it was something I could live with for the rest of my life. He told me that the best exercise plan is "to keep moving," doing everyday things that you would do for the rest of your life--like yard work, gardening, walking, housework, parking farther away. If you are a person who can deal with spending an hour or more a day at a gym, that is fine--it's just not the answer for everyone. I was at my thinnest when my sons were young and I had to chase after them all day long. They kept me on my toes. I am three months out now and have lost 51 pounds since my surgery. I have 20 to go to reach my surgeon's goal, and twenty five to go to reach mine.

Kalah7Renae12Vera

I was concerned at first with my "slow" weight loss, but my surgeon explained it in percentages to me. I was 246 in January of 2012, when I first started working with my nutritionist and him. I eased slowly into changing to a healthier eating pattern and lost some weight slowly. By the day of my surgery (September 27, 2012) I was 218. The first month I lost about 18 pounds. I knew others who had lost over 30 and I was not happy with my results, though I was doing exactly as my program told me to do. He told me that because I had lost more than 40% of the body fat I needed to lose already, my loss would be slower. He assured me that I was doing awesome. He also told me, when I asked whether I should join a gym, to only do that if it was something I could live with for the rest of my life. He told me that the best exercise plan is "to keep moving," doing everyday things that you would do for the rest of your life--like yard work, gardening, walking, housework, parking farther away. If you are a person who can deal with spending an hour or more a day at a gym, that is fine--it's just not the answer for everyone. I was at my thinnest when my sons were young and I had to chase after them all day long. They kept me on my toes. I am three months out now and have lost 51 pounds since my surgery. I have 20 to go to reach my surgeon's goal, and twenty five to go to reach mine.

That is a great loss, and wonderful advice! I am guilty of letting my activity slip as we have been traveling and hosting the holidays but now i a good opportunity to get back into my routine. Thanks for your response, it's so easy to get discouraged or afraid that that your doing isnt working when you have worked so hard to get as far as you have and have taken drastic measures. Thanks again

annwyatt69

You are going to do fantastic! When you hit the times that the scale just doesn't want to move, keep in mind that your body is adjusting to its new "role." During this time you might see other changes--more muscle tone, loss in inches. Make sure you keep record of your measurements. Take pictures periodically. Other people might see the changes that you don't see. We tend be our own worst enemies and most critical of ourselves. You have taken the first step and it will be an amazing journey.

ErinShannon

I am 5'8" - my highest weight was 357lbs.

I started my two week post op diet, August 14th, 2012 weighing 346lbs.

The morning of surgery, August 28th, 2012 I was 328.2lbs.

Weight Loss Per Month:

Sept 2012: 24.4 lbs
Oct 2012: 10.2 lbs
Nov 2012: 16.4 lbs
Dec 2012: 8.2 lbs

I've been frustrated that things have slowed down some...but overall I've lost 97lbs total and I can't beat myself up over that. I hit my highest around June, so in about 6 months I've lost almost 100lbs. When I stop and think about it, that is awesome.

It has helped keeping track of my measurements - I've lost 37.5 inches just since the morning of surgery. I am down 5 pants sizes and 2-3 tops sizes.

I have to stop and look at the overall big picture instead of getting hung up on the scale and the numbers game. It's hard - I am addicted to the scale. Keep up the good work! You can do it!

13turtles

Everyone, I am so glad you posted this! I have been beating myself up today since I am almost 4 weeks out but only 20 pounds down since surgery. I forget that losing 20 is great for my first month, regardless of when it came off. I think that I had it in my mind that I should be seeing crazy numbers, but forgot that sometimes those numbers are not on the scale. I have watched many of you lose, as I was in Pre-op stage, and now think wow! It gives me a great amount of hope!

Kalah7Renae12Vera

Thank you Erin, you have made such amazing progress, and you are right, I shouldn't get so caught up with the numbers, but I too am an addict.

I am 5'8" - my highest weight was 357lbs.

I started my two week post op diet, August 14th, 2012 weighing 346lbs.

The morning of surgery, August 28th, 2012 I was 328.2lbs.

Weight Loss Per Month:

Sept 2012: 24.4 lbs
Oct 2012: 10.2 lbs
Nov 2012: 16.4 lbs
Dec 2012: 8.2 lbs

I've been frustrated that things have slowed down some...but overall I've lost 97lbs total and I can't beat myself up over that. I hit my highest around June, so in about 6 months I've lost almost 100lbs. When I stop and think about it, that is awesome.

It has helped keeping track of my measurements - I've lost 37.5 inches just since the morning of surgery. I am down 5 pants sizes and 2-3 tops sizes.

I have to stop and look at the overall big picture instead of getting hung up on the scale and the numbers game. It's hard - I am addicted to the scale. Keep up the good work! You can do it!

hathor1943

Here are my stats
Height - 5'2" BMI - 56.5 Ideal weight - 125 excess weight - 184
weight loss
10/12/09 - 309 BMI 56.5 Consult visit
12/28/09 - 288 56.5 21 Day of surgery
01/14/10 - 272 49.7 16
02/04/10 - 262 48 10
03/08/10 - 246.2 45 15
10/11/10 - 192.1 35.1 54
01/17/11 - 180.7 33.1 11
01/20/12 - 159.1 29.1 21.6
01/27/12 - 158.8 29 .3
02/13/12 - 163.0 29.8 +3.2
03/09/12 - 159.9 29.2 3.1
04/25/12 - 160.0 29.3 +.1
10/31/12 - 164.0 +4.0
11/10/12 - 162.0 2.0
01/11/13 - 173.2 +11.2

As I said, I'm back on track weighing and measuring; I never want to go back to being as heavy as I was, that is not an option.
I am determined to drop 20 pounds by April when I have to go back to see the dietician. I don't think the goal weight of 125 pounds is realistic for me, I am happy in the 150's.

meangrl29

It also depends on how much you weigh. I'm 5'7" and weighed 253 at the time of my surgery. I barely qualified for it to be covered by my insurance. first moth after, my weight loss was so small compared to friends that had the surgery. But I was comparing with people who were shorter and heavier than I was. the percentage is what matters. 20 lbs weight loss in my first month was 20% of my total expected loss. that's pretty good.

dorky_kelly

This thread makes me feel so much better! After surgery, I lost 20 lbs right away. Then time crept by and I lost about 5 more pounds. My goal was to lose 35 in the first month. I was so mad--how could I have reached a plateau already???!!! But now into my second month I have dropped a few more and am feeling better about it. And I know that I have dropped inches (because my pants have dropped, haha).

I was 349 day of surgery, then 322 four weeks later. So about 27 lbs. in the first month.

Thanks for sharing, everyone!

Maylene1217

Everyone is different. I don't recall month by month but I reached goal and more in 10 months. went from 253 to 140, Kept going under and was told to eat more after reaching 125. Ended up gaining bad habits and now I maintain 150 but want to be 140 again. Just finding it hard to get there as I'm over 3 years out and lose slower now....

Andrewimm

I'm 6'0 and am three weeks out from surgery today and have lost 30 lbs. (I've been stuck the past 4 days and havent lost a pound) but here are my stats....

My heaviest weight was 386.

Weight when starting pre-op diet 362.

Surgery weight on 12/27 = 327 (35 lbs lost)

3 weeks out = 297 (30 lbs lost/ 65 lbs total)

Kalah7Renae12Vera

I never thought of looking at the percentages, that is a point well made. Hearing all of your stories just confirms what I already felt... people are always saying that bariatric surgery is "the easy way out" but I see all of you struggling, still fighting and I just wish everyone could know what it really takes to make the achievements you all have made. Congratulations to all of you on your weight loss, and best of luck on your goals.