female only When did you stop losing weight?

[bluesclues 49]

Random question, but did you stop at your goal weight or continue losing weight? I didn't really have a goal weight set with my doctor, but have a goal set for myself. Saw a bariatric doctor after my surgery (different one, not my surgeon) and he said I would get to 120 lbs by the summer time. I'm at like 147 right now and have started receiving comments that I shouldn't lose more weight, and that I look too skinny :s

I thought we lose weight until our body decides to stop? Like I still have extra fat on my stomach and etc. so I still have weight to lose

Not sure if I'm making sense :/

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

A few things.... you are lucky that you haven't had to work really hard so far...haha. I had to push push push, eat low carb etc to get to a normal BMI.

People around you will always think you are "too skinny" but eventually they forget what you used to look like and they won't see it that way anymore.

Excess skin looks like fat. You can get thin as a rail and still have excess skin.

I was at a healthy weight even a bit heavier than goal, I consider the remaining "vanity pounds" and each person has to decide what is worth it to them - lower weight might be harder to maintain.

[Kindle 8,667]

I stopped losing when I stopped losing. Not a whole lot you can do about it. I started eating at "maintenance" level as I approached my surgeon's goal. I'm now 23 pounds under that. I've maintained the same 4-5 pound bounce range for 5 months with little effort. Not to say that won't change as time goes by, but I'll take whatever comes. Basically eat whatever I want, whenever I'm hungry. I choose to eat healthy 90% of the time and total crap the other 10%. I drink a 30-40g Protein smoothie everyday so I have the freedom of eating veggies, fruits and whole grains, instead of just Protein with every meal. I keep mental track of my fluids to make sure I'm hitting 64oz. That's about it. 12 month labs showed no deficiencies and I feel great. Obviously my body is where it wants to be right now. After people get used to seeing you at your new weight, they will stop with the "too skinny" comments.

And although I've been blessed with a loss that exceeds any expectations I had, I would have been just as happy at 170.....10 pounds above my surgeon's goal. Because I felt good when I got there. My BP was normal and all of my aches and pains were gone. Since that was my ultimate VSG goal, everything else has just been frosting on the cake (mmmm...frosting ????)

Edited January 23, 2015 by Kindle

[Stevehud 1,790]

listen to these ladies they are two of the best.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

You get to decide.

[bluesclues 49]

Thanks ladies. Yes, I haven't had to work too hard but with my other medical issues, now that has been struggle. I started with a lower BMI as well, but I def. need to be healthy now and for the future as well.

And yes, I'm not letting the "skinny" comments get to me. I just want to be healthy at the end of the day

[smpgastric 24]

I had surgery 5 weeks ago and my goal weight is 110lbs (I'm 5'3"). People are telling me that's way too thin. I'm reaching for this goal because my surgeon said I will definitely gain back some weight in about a year. So why not maintain 110 as long as possible then next year maybe I'm 120/125. As long as your labs and your doctor says your healthy I say keep going.

[lclemur 161]

Thank you, Kindle, for suggesting supplementing with a Protein shake during maintenance. What a great idea. My question is, do you make it part of a meal, a snack? Where do you put it? I am no where near that stage, but already thinking about how I am going to balance meals with reality and progress. Thanks!

[Kindle 8,667]

Thank you, Kindle, for suggesting supplementing with a Protein shake during maintenance. What a great idea. My question is, do you make it part of a meal, a snack? Where do you put it? I am no where near that stage, but already thinking about how I am going to balance meals with reality and progress. Thanks!

I don't keep track of meals vs Snacks. I just eat when I'm hungry...every 2-3 hours usually. It might be a Protein Bar, 1/2 burger, handful of nuts, Jerky, 1/2 Apple, couple orange slices, scrambled eggs, couple BBQ ribs, cup of Soup, edamame, small bowl of Brussels sprouts, chicken salad, etc. Which are meals? Which are Snacks? During the week I don't get any breaks at work so I'm basically nibbling all day. I probably eat more "meals" in the evening and weekends. I typically drink my Protein smoothie in the afternoon in between appointments. It may take me 1/2 hour or two hours to finish. I sometimes skip the smoothie on weekends because I've got the time to eat more. And I throw in an extra 32oz of Water to make up for the Fluid portion.

Like you said, maintenance is all about balancing healthy choices and reality.