What's the trick?

[MagnoliaGirl]

Hey guys! *I'm about to start my*pre op week for my sleeve on Aug. 28th. *I've been reading lots of threads here and*notice that some people lose much more in the first three or four months than others. *Can I get some advice on maintaining a higher rate of loss early on in the process? *I know myself and I'm afraid if I drag it out I'll become disenchanted and start a bad cycle again. Thanks!!!

[RehabNurse]

There is no trick or hack to speed up weight loss in those first three months, although some will surely disagree with me.

Many bariatric surgeons are reluctant to reveal this to avoid discouraging prospective patients, but your genetics drive the show regarding speed of weight loss after weight loss surgery during the first year.

People with two favorable markers on chromosome 15 are your rapid losers. Those with one marker on chromosome 15 lose at a slow to average rate, and people with no markers on chromosome 15 are your non-responders to weight loss surgery.

Also...men, super-morbidly obese (BMI 50+) people, and males/females under 35 years old are usually rapid losers. Typical slower losers are older females, "lightweights" with less than 100 pounds to lose, menopausal and postmenopausal women, racial/ethnic minorities, and people with metabolic disease (PCOS, hypothyroid, long-standing diabetes, insulin resistance).

[GigiUSA]

There is no trick or hack to speed up weight loss in those first three months, although some will surely disagree with me.

Many bariatric surgeons are reluctant to reveal this to avoid discouraging prospective patients, but your genetics drive the show regarding speed of weight loss after weight loss surgery during the first year.

People with two favorable markers on chromosome 15 are your rapid losers. Those with one marker on chromosome 15 lose at a slow to average rate, and people with no markers on chromosome 15 are your non-responders to weight loss surgery.

Also...men, super-morbidly obese (BMI 50+) people, and males/females under 35 years old are usually rapid losers. Typical slower losers are older females, "lightweights" with less than 100 pounds to lose, menopausal and postmenopausal women, racial/ethnic minorities, and people with metabolic disease (PCOS, hypothyroid, long-standing diabetes, insulin resistance).

That is very interesting!

[PokerGuy]

I agree with the above.. It's mostly genetic and also depends on the amount you have to lose.. The only external things you can do to speed up your weight loss are eat right/clean and exercise. And Avoid Sugar . Most of the biggest losers walk/workout 4-6 times a week. That being said I lost 1/2 my weight within 3 weeks after surgery. So, of the 60 pounds needed to lose I lost 30 in about the first 17 days.
Good luck.

[Christie13]

Rehab Nurse is a smart cookie. Definitely what she said. And also what Poker Guy said about eating clean and exercising. There is no magic. It is perseverance. One foot in front of the other. Follow the post op rules and don't give up. No two journeys are the same. You just have to know you are worth it and work your sleeve. If you feel that you will get frustrated when you are not losing fast enough...you may want to seek counseling. Because it would be a perfectly good waste of this opportunity you are being given.

[NYCGIRL000]

You can't possibly anticipate what you will lose. I lost 17 lbs on a 10 day preop, then after surgery gained two lbs from fluids. After that, the first few weeks still on liquids lost very slow 1-2 lbs a week. Now I'm on solids and losing faster. This is important to remember: This is NOT a race. Nobody is keeping score. This a journey for you to become healthier and have a better life. I had my surgery July 15th and I am now down a total of 38 lbs and very content with that. If I lose 1-2 lbs per week, thats 1-2 lbs per week I am LOSING instead of gaining. You cannot compare yourself to anyone else. We all start at different weights, we all have different genetics, as long as you follow the diet EXACTLY and do what your supposed to, it WILL come off. It may take a year or two to take all your weight off, but if you do what your supposed to, it will happen. if you don't have the patience for this and the stalls and slow weight loss at times, you will be miserable and fail. I had a week where I lost nothing on 500 calories a day. it happens. Don't worry about the number on the scale, worry about eating properly, getting enough protein and liquids and the rest will fall into place.

[sraebaer]

No trick, just follow all the rules your surgeon/nutritionist gives you. People lose at different rates, so no need to compare yourself to others. You'll do great!

My only "trick" would be to have someone hide your scale that first month. It messes with your head, especially early on.

[NYCGIRL000]

Agree, hide the scale..when I wasn't eating and either didn't lose or even GAINED I would lose my mind. Hide the damn scale!

[Linda51]

I agree, hide that scale! I hate it that my friends all want to know how much weight I've lost. They never ask how many medications I've been able to discontinue or how much more active I've become--those are the true victories!

[NYCGIRL000]

Exactly! who needs em!