Introduce myself and can you go too far?

[TwoStepsBack 15]

Hi Everyone!

I've been browsing your forums for a week or so now to help me make my decision whether to go for the surgery or not, and I thought it was about time I introduced myself.

If all goes well I am looking at being sleeved in early September, but there is just one question I have which I can't seem to find the answer to anywhere online...

Once you reach your ideal weight how do you stop losing? I have seen a few people whose tickers are now showing underweight, and I know someone who lives near me who has had it done and is now painfully thin.

Does this happen a lot? How do you stabilise your weight when you can only eat such small amounts?

I have been underweight before as an aneorexic teenager and I looked terrible. I really don't want to end up there again :tongue_smilie:

I hope someone can give some feedback. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

L x

[deletedsally 8]

The amount of restriction that you experience initially is far greater because of post surgical swelling. As you get further out from surgery, you are able to eat increasing quantities of food. At almost 4 months out from surgery, I am losing about 2 lbs. a week. It would be easy for me to stop losing completely if I added some high calorie items each day. You can increase your calorie intake by drinking a little with meals to speed up digestion so so are able to eat again in less time, eat more frequently, eat some calorie dense foods (like peanut butter), and replace your zero calorie beverages with things like juice, Boost, Ensure, and whole milk.

[pumpkin07 32]

I am 5 mos. out and my weight loss has slowed so much. For me I'm now thinking it won't be a huge issue at this point. I hope not. But my doctor did caution me about this too. I personally think the size might be a factor - size of boughie. I'm a 34 and often wish I could eat more, but the size I have seems to keep me from gaining and I am still slowly losing. But it is down to just 5 lbs a month now. I think I'll have more trouble getting to my goal than I thought.

[mila1013 0]

the question of getting too thin is but a temporary issue if at all, the "tightest" you will be is at the begining of surgery over time that will somewhat disipate, furthermore a dietician can help move food around if it that does become a temporary issue, years out the issue is potential regain as with all wls, band, sleeve, RNY,DS. Anorexia is an eating disorder and really is a psychological issue which manifests itself through eating, those 2 issues are vastly different, to address underweight due to anorexia is a psych issue to address underweight due to sleeve is a nutritional/volume/type of food issue, which could easily be temorarily addressed by high calorie liquids. I would not worry about getting underweight do to the sleeve , as that can be addressed with dietary modifications, it is the regain that is very difficult to address after all the wls........

Mila

Edited July 23, 2010 by mila1013

[breezy 8]

Tiffy has posted some things about her journey that might interest you. She is currently underweight but feels like her body likes where she is. She eats more times during the day and has increased her carbs and calories to keep from losing more.

I DREAM about the day when I'll have to eat a piece of cake to keep from losing weight!!!!!

[MINI-Me 196]

I think a lot of tickers showing overweight are misleading. Many of us were advised that our goal should be to get to a BMI of 25. That is the top of the normal scale - I've set mine a bit lower since I want to be mid-way on the normal scale giving me room for a bit of bounce-back and to be a healthy me.

The weight loss for me has been steady and quite frankly, impressive - I've never experienced anything like this before. I had nutritional counseling before surgery, but really haven't felt I needed support on the weightloss journey.

I am now 8 pounds from goal & considering dropping my goal to 125 which, if achieved, would put my BMI at 20.2 (Normal is considered 18.2 - 25). As I get closer, I may decide that is too low and maybe just go to 130. I'm not sure at this point.

However, I do plan on meeting with a nutritionist when I am ready to maintain. I don't want to go back to mindless snacking to get in extra calories. I want to be healthy and not fall into patterns that will cause regain. I figure I've invested this much into losing, isn't it worth a little more investment to maintain?

Good questions ... let us know how we can help while you do your research.

[Jane_J 117]

Hi L, I seem to have stabilised at my current weight of 136/7 lbs and it's easy to up your intake to more calorific food, like Peanut Butter, cheese, beer, wine, that sort of thing. As long as you get your Protein and healthy salady stuff in 1st there is always a little leeway for goodies when you get to the end point of the weight loss journey, which is rather nice.

Jane x

[TwoStepsBack 15]

Thanks very much for your feedback everyone.

It is good to hear that with some sensible choices and subtle changes, the calorie intake can be upped enough to maintain ideal weight or thereabouts.

Now I only wish I could speed up time and get my consultation to come round sooner! I have spoken with three surgeons from different providers about my options and they all think that the sleeve is the way forward for me. Now I only wish I could get on with it!

It is great to read your stories, and to know that if before or after surgery I have any questions, I have someone I can ask who has been through it. Invaluable.

xx L xx