Solids and their effect on weight loss

[btradio]

As I am a few days away from starting solid foods again, I have been wondering what the effect on weight loss was for people. I have been losing quite a bit on the liquid phase as I imagine most of us did. (I am down 34lbs. in 19 days so far.) So what happened when you started solids? Did you continue to lose at a decent pace? Did it slow way down? Did you gain? I am just curious what to expect.

[macleay]

As I am a few days away from starting solid foods again, I have been wondering what the effect on weight loss was for people. I have been losing quite a bit on the liquid phase as I imagine most of us did. (I am down 34lbs. in 19 days so far.) So what happened when you started solids? Did you continue to lose at a decent pace? Did it slow way down? Did you gain? I am just curious what to expect.

I lost 20 pounds total on the pre-op and liquid phases. Immediately after getting on solid foods, I began playing around with 3-4 pounds: I'd gain them, and then lose them and then gain them. It took me a really long time to get good restriction (5 fills). The only way I'd relose those pounds was sheer willpower. Then last week, my band finally kicked in and I've got awesome restriction. Have lost 6 pounds this week and feel like I'm back in the game again!

My purpose in boring you with all this info is to tell you that some people struggle after going on solids until they get good restriction. I think I'm probably one of the slowest losers I've read about, so you'll probably do way better than me--in fact, you've already lost more than me! :lol:

If you are lucky, you'll have some restriction right out of the gate. Be sure to eat the right foods--protein first, then veggies, then carbs if you have room. Follow the rules about drinking before and after eating. Avoid the empty calories that go down easy, like ice cream, etc!

If you're like many people, you will need at least a fill or two before you feel restriction and many people gain some weight between the liquid phase and when they have restriction, so try not to beat up on yourself if you do--it's perfectly normal. Just follow the rules Dr. Miranda gave you and get fills if you need to.

Good luck--you're doing really really well so far!!!!

[ripcityrenegade]

Hi Brian, My weight loss has slowed since beginning solids. I am still losing though. The hardest thing for me now that I can eat a little more is to stay disciplined and remember my band and I have to work together to succeed. I still can't lift for a while so I hit the treadmill and try to stay busy and not get back into old habits that I'm sure all overweight people do. It sounds like your doing good. I have been looking and posting in here a lot and get some great support and suggestions to help when I seem to be slipping. Keep me posted bud my first solid was a 2 egg omelet and I was full after about half. Don't forget to pound that water. TC Kevin

[karenci]

For me, returning to solid foods meant having to 'diet', despite Dr O's philosophy to the contrary (maybe I won't have to 'diet' when I get enough fills so I have restriction, I hope!) When you return to solid foods go slowly, eat small bites, chew thoroughly, etc and watch your intake! I CAN still eat a whole pizza, but the band makes it easier to stop after one slice. I used to eat a lean cuisine for lunch and think 'ok, that was a nice appetizer, now where's the meal?' and now I can make it lunch - but it still by no means fills me up (I have had just one fill so far, hoping to go for another in about 3 weeks) and I still have to exercise willpower, just not as much I plateaued after going on solids for a couple of weeks but was happy not to gain. Now weight loss has slowed to a pound per week and that's on about 1500 calories a day. So, in a nutshell, it's not going to be as quick and you'll have to watch your choices, but if you do your weight loss will continue at a slower pace. Remember to exercise, too - it really helps (and keeps you out of the kitchen :-)

Karen

starting weight: 217

surgery day 3/18/10: 205

post-liquids 4/8: 193

first fill 5/1: 191

5/26: 187.5

[ValleyGirl]

I lost 21 pounds in 21 days on liquids, then started solids a couple days before Christmas. I gained 5 back over the holidays and before the first fill:( I've gained a few times since being banded but I lose it really quickly as soon as I pull up my boot straps!

Sabrina:)

[elgatogordo]

As I am a few days away from starting solid foods again, I have been wondering what the effect on weight loss was for people. I have been losing quite a bit on the liquid phase as I imagine most of us did. (I am down 34lbs. in 19 days so far.) So what happened when you started solids? Did you continue to lose at a decent pace? Did it slow way down? Did you gain? I am just curious what to expect.

My experience on the liquid phase was pretty similar to yours. When you start solids, the weight loss will slow down. But if you follow Dr. Ortiz's instructions (eat 1/3 less, small bites, chew thoroughly, avoid liquids until 30 min after meals, etc), the weight loss should continue slow but steady. I went on solids on April 26 so I am about 30 days out from that date. I lost 24 lbs on the liquid phase after surgery and then 7 lbs since going on solids. So expect weight loss of about 2 lbs per week after going on solids.

[damalove]

Pre-op: lost 11.5 (3.83 per week)

Liquids: lost 10 lb (3 per week)

First month of solids: lost 10lb (2.5 per week)

So yes, it slows down, but from a crazy-fast rate to a more normal rate. 2lbs/wk is great, reduces ur chances of having more hanging skin, etc.

We got bands to lose gradually and at a healthy rate, right? A more natural rate? So this is it. It will slow down even further as you near your goal, but thats ok. The way the pounds fall off the DSers freaks me out. This way those that dont know I have the band will see me gradually slim down.

Dama

[AngieB]

Keeping in mind that once you hit a level of restriction, the band can be VERY FRICKLE! That being said, there have been days that I could not eat a frozen lean meal! Ha! What the band does to us!

Every once in a while in a pinch I will do them. For the most part, I stick with non processed foods. Cooking for my family I seem to have left overs so I frequently take that for my lunches or stick to protein only, like a filet of talapia.

Oh, I want to thank you SO MUCH for the warm beverage trick.....I am actually drinking a sugar free hot cocoa right now. My lunch didn't seem to do the trick for me. This is keeping me satisfied!

[Lindsay]

It didn't slow down for me, because of the fact it's solids - it was more of a 'still eating like crap' thing.

That's usually the case.

If you watch every single thing you put in your mouth, you will lose weight.

Especially if you're taking in less calories than you're burning ...

Just make sure you're exercising at least 45 minutes a day, and of course you'll see results.

And I would highly recommend starting a food journal. You'd be surprised how many cal's we all took in pre-band.

[skinnyagain]

I would hope that your weight loss would slow. You cannot keep loosing at that pace and stay healthy. You didn't gain the weight over night, and the slower it comes off, the more you are able to keep it off...forever I hope....

I see that those folks that have more weight to lose, lose faster in the beginning and then it slows...Then the body begins to adjust to the lower caloric intake, and thats where we all need to move our butts! My weight loss has been slow for the most part...I have/had to lose a total of 55-65lbs...So its been almost a year and a half and I am a bit over my halfway mark...

For you I would hope for finding your sweet spot, early on....and have steady weight loss!!!! Good luck!

Kim

[Smiley]

I think you have received the answer to your question. What you need to remember is that slow and steady wins the race. The weight didn't go on overnight and it will not continue to fall off overnight. Besides, you need it to come off slower so that the rest of your body can keep up with the changes.

[jhawkchick75]

I can't remember my exact amount, but I gained back about half of what I had lost on liquids between going to solids and my first fill. My fill doctor was pleased and said many people gain most of it back so I had done good. Welcome to what some call "bandster hell!". Utilize the tricks like benefiber or fiber choice caps around 10 and 2 and drink lots of water and really hit those proteins. Tuna is what saved me not sure why but a little bit keeps me full for a really long time. Once I got a couple fills in me it was much easier, but this is by far the toughest time. But it does pass!

[karenci]

Keeping in mind that once you hit a level of restriction, the band can be VERY FRICKLE! That being said, there have been days that I could not eat a frozen lean meal! Ha! What the band does to us!

Every once in a while in a pinch I will do them. For the most part, I stick with non processed foods. Cooking for my family I seem to have left overs so I frequently take that for my lunches or stick to protein only, like a filet of talapia.

Oh, I want to thank you SO MUCH for the warm beverage trick.....I am actually drinking a sugar free hot cocoa right now. My lunch didn't seem to do the trick for me. This is keeping me satisfied!

I'm glad it's working for you, I don't know what I would do w/out my sugar-free morning mochas!!

[hopingforachange]

Great questions and awesome replies I am gathering as much info as possible.

[tanyagal2]

I am new to this also, having only gotten my band 4 weeks ago. What I decided to do though was immediately go on a weight loss program as soon as liquids were done to keep me focused. I joined Weight Watchers online and although I am eating solid foods now, I am following the program. Its easy compared to the liquid phase! I figured this way I could eat solids, but still watch what I am eating and keeping a healthy outlook...