I believe it's the same. You have a honeymoon period of about 12-18 months where you body doesn't absorb the calories as well. After that it catches up. So you will have to watch your food intake, follow the "pouch" rules and exercise to not gain the weight back. The surgery is a tool. I hope this helps.

Yes it does, thanks Vicki, I thought it was along those lines but just wasn't informed enough to give an answer, but thanks to you now I can.

Have a good day
Michele

Yep - Vicki nailed it. I am 20 months out and I have to be very mindful of what I eat and how much exercise I get in for the weight not to come back on.

Not a dumb question at all. I have worried about this because I have a friend that has lost way WAY too much weight. She looks like skin over bones. I think you have to be sure to do what you are told. Eat small bits, chew and continue the rest of our lives. I have wondered how people put the weight back on because if I eat one teaspoon after I am full I will get sick. Everyone is different.

Following your plan is key. Once you hit six-months post-op, you should be eating the foods you'll eat the rest of your life. You'll stick to your eating plan of meals per day and amounts per meal. Some of us will continue to keep empty carbs out of our diet. Also, exercise will continue to be a part of our lives until we can no longer move.

The easiest period to lose weight is in the first six months post-op. Meanwhile you will "settle" within 18 months and then go into a "maintenence." Maintenence means you are just eating the amount of calories you need to live. Food is fuel, not a drug for comfort or anxiety treatment.

If you fall back into habits of not exercising, eating junk and not drinking enough water, you can gain weight just like going off a "diet."

This is a lifestyle change that uses a tool, gbs. The tool works, but you have to use the tool well and be respectful about it.

I'm about 6 months out and within 10 percent of my goal. I lost 2 pounds last month. I want to lose 25 more pounds, which I should over the next year. I'm really in a maintenence pattern, because the way I eat now is the way I will eat the rest of my life.

My best to you.

HI Michelle,
AAs has been said, it is similar...to any maintenance program in that you have to make good choices , as always to avoid the regaining, but each person's body will determine what that means exactly.

What IS common for all of us that are keeping it off, exercising, low carbs forever, healthy food choices. That honeymoon period Vicki mentioned is very real, and the time you want to maximize your good choices, set up new, positive habits and routines, so that when life settles into "normal" again, you will have the accomplishment of weight loss and new skills to carry you through.
:-)
Cindy

Thanks so much guys, you are all fabulous and you have validated to me that this is the right path for me to follow.

I am treating my 20 day pre-op diet as the way forward by getting used to drinking plenty of fluid and eating small amounts and chewing slowly and thoroughly so that when I have my GB my brain is already getting used to this new way of processing.

Because if I have learnt one thing from you guys, it is that the mind and not the stomach is the thing that needs re-educating.

Thanks for your advice
Have a great day
Michele x