Stopping the Weight Loss

[LadyIvy 159]

I have a concern that I am not sure I share with everyone. Over the years, I have gotten used to (and even come to like) being slightly bigger. I think I look healthy at about 20lbs over what my doctor says is my target weight. Those BMI scales do not take a lot of things into consideration, like muscle mass, bone structure etc. I have been approved and am waiting for a date. However, my husband and I are concerned I will have problems stopping the weight loss at what we feel is good for me. I don't want to get too small. I am only worried because I have a friend who's mother had a gastric bypass and now she struggles every day to keep weight on. I would like to find my "grey" zone and stay in it. Have any of you had problems stopping the weight loss? Has it been a struggle at all? What did you do?

Thanks again all

[Rootman 1,101]

It really won't be too much of an issue, at 6 months you really start to pick up more of an appetite as the stomach is about as healed as it's going to get. You will then be able to eat more. As the difference in what you NEED to eat to stay at the weight you are and the amount of calories you are consuming narrows the weight loss will slow then stop. It is surprising how just a SLIGHT increase in calories can keep you from losing and actually put a few pounds on. A few hundred calories a day is all it takes, that's a candy bar at worst or a few pieces of bread at best.

I too was worried after by weight just flew off for 8 or 9 months. I've been stuck at 210 pounds now for about 2 months. I am comfortable and I look good and after some soul searching and whining on the forum ( ) I just made a decision to not even try to lose any more. I am technically overweight by 20 pounds and 10 more pounds beyond that to my initial goal. I'm just going to sit here and watch my diet and maintain my exercise regime, if I lose more than OK, if not I am going to force myself to be satisfied at the tremendous progress and success I have already achieved.

[minniekitty 44]

I also am worried about that. I would like to weigh 135-155 lbs; my ultimate goal will be determined by how I look and I feel in my new body. I don't want to be skinny, but would love to be curvy and voluptuous (instead of flabby lol). I agree with Rootman- monitoring your calories should help.

[emily_0192010 168]

I don't think you'll need to worry, for most people those last 20 pounds are the hardest to get off! From reading on here it seems like most people eat fairly low carb during their losing stage and then up their carbs during maintenance. The low-carb while you lose is to make sure you get your Protein in, generally there is just no extra room at first for carbs, but after a year or so it seems like people are able to get in both their protein and some extra carbs.

[Raine 170]

Like it is said above, you up your calories and your carbs after you lose to your goal and you should be able to maintain. Here is a link to a calorie calculator that I have used to figure out what I would need to consume once I get to my goal weight, with and without exercise. I found it helpful.

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/

[iegal 460]

Hi Ivy;

Took this journey with many other SoCal sleevers and this is our hot topic of conversation at one year out. My disclaimer - none of us are too skinny and I mean that with BMI or health issues. None of us are non eaters - DUH or we would not have required VSG surgery. Your body will know when to stop, really. As Rootman said, you start to eat a little more too.

There are about 6 of us in southern CA that support each other, each having different surgeons - all getting sleeved within two months of each other. One beauty has not hit weight loss goal at a year out (under 100 lbs to lose total) and still privately struggles since she has balanced out at "overweight" down from "obese". She would love to get down to a "normal" BMI range but her body resists. The rest of us are at or lower than we ever dreamed of getting in normal BMI range.

Listen - we are all professional dieters on this site and know what NOT to eat to gain weight. Worry about hitting goal learning better healthy habits prior to surgery, practicing those tenants (eating healthy with proper calories, Protein, take supplements’ and Water) during weight loss phase and then worry about maintenance food still is a major part of my life, but my hunger no longer owns me. So, the glory of the sleeve is if you need calories, add healthy calories such as cheese, greek yogurt, extra slice of meat, a dab of guacamole or sour cream. YUM.

Do not worry about anything other than hitting goal and learning new habits to create a new healthy you. I have no regrets, a mini miracle. Love my sleeve!

[Thomas CPA 496]

At 195 my doctor and I determined that for my body frame to not go past 180 instead of 150 and I am starting post op month 3. Talked with dietician and due to my exercise routine we increased caloric intake and the metabolism is starting to become stable.

Congratulations on achieving your goal.

[sleeve 4 me 910]

When I hit my goal of getting to a normal BMI weight I thought OK my body will stop...uh guess what? SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE to my shock I dropped 5 more lbs. immediately WITHOUT trying. I started adding more carbs and eating more and now I bounce between 5 and 2 lbs. under goal. I do not diet, but for the most part try to eat well. I keep my eye on the scale and am really trying to keep the balance of it all. And so far, so good.