End of Weight Loss? What Now?

[StarPower 0]

Hi,

I had a VSG in December 2016 and have been generally very happy with the results. I have gone from 224 to about 140 (I say about because I recently realized my scale isn't accurate--so frustrating!).

So... It's been over 14 months, I've lost more than the expected amount of weight, and I haven't seemed to lose (or gain) weight in the past couple of months. I'm guessing I may be done or I may get minimal additional weight loss from this point.

Anyone been there, done that and have advice on navigating that transition? I've been very focused on whether I'm under or over the top of the "normal" weight range (I should be just barely under if my above-stated weight is accurate). That feels very important to me even though I weigh SO MUCH less than I did! I'm happy to have my life back, but I admit it's a little bit of a downer not to see the needle keep moving down.

Also, I definitely don't want to gain weight back. I'm getting a lot more exercise now than I was before, but I'm concerned that will change after I move to a colder climate in a few months. I've noticed I can sometimes eat a surprising amount of food, like most of a restaurant portion of lasagna, or even 2 slices of pizza. Is that normal? For some reason, the healthier food, like meat, seems more likely to make me sick to my stomach. And after a long time being unable to tolerate much of it, I find I can eat chocolate again--probably not a great thing. And my reflux has come back with a vengeance after being completely absent for at least a few months after surgery.

Most of all, I want to keep the freedom of not worrying about food I've had for the past year.

Long-time veterans: did you keep off everything you lost? How? Is it realistic to expect I can continue to maintain my weight without dieting or putting much thought into it?

[Meryline 546]

Granted that I'm only 1 year post op on March 20th and I'm bypass, I talked to my nutritionist yesterday about this. How basically I have slim to none weight loss since December. She told me that I'll most likely keep loosing up to 18-24 months, it's just my body taking a break, and it might continue to do so for another month or two, but just to hang in there. I am at goal, but I would like to lose a little more fat that is stuck to my stomach and inner thighs. I'm at a fat percentage of 26% right now, which is well within normal range, I just want to be more lean. I have gone from 255 to 147.

[Mattymatt 491]

3 hours ago, StarPower said:

Hi,

I had a VSG in December 2016 and have been generally very happy with the results. I have gone from 224 to about 140 (I say about because I recently realized my scale isn't accurate--so frustrating!).

So... It's been over 14 months, I've lost more than the expected amount of weight, and I haven't seemed to lose (or gain) weight in the past couple of months. I'm guessing I may be done or I may get minimal additional weight loss from this point.

Anyone been there, done that and have advice on navigating that transition? I've been very focused on whether I'm under or over the top of the "normal" weight range (I should be just barely under if my above-stated weight is accurate). That feels very important to me even though I weigh SO MUCH less than I did! I'm happy to have my life back, but I admit it's a little bit of a downer not to see the needle keep moving down.

Also, I definitely don't want to gain weight back. I'm getting a lot more exercise now than I was before, but I'm concerned that will change after I move to a colder climate in a few months. I've noticed I can sometimes eat a surprising amount of food, like most of a restaurant portion of lasagna, or even 2 slices of pizza. Is that normal? For some reason, the healthier food, like meat, seems more likely to make me sick to my stomach. And after a long time being unable to tolerate much of it, I find I can eat chocolate again--probably not a great thing. And my reflux has come back with a vengeance after being completely absent for at least a few months after surgery.

Most of all, I want to keep the freedom of not worrying about food I've had for the past year.

Long-time veterans: did you keep off everything you lost? How? Is it realistic to expect I can continue to maintain my weight without dieting or putting much thought into it?

Maintenance may actually be the hardest part of the whole journey. This is where I have struggled so mightily in the past. I would lose a lot of weight and then be unable to keep it off. I think I need a reason to keep the weight off beyond my health. At present I am unable to think of a reason to keep the weight off beyond the abstract notions of health and happiness. Maybe once I see what doors are open to me once I am not overweight anymore, I'll have a better idea.

[TexasMommy80 297]

How tall are you? I will be 229 by surgery and my goal is 150-160 (closer to 160 for my personal taste). 140 May be a very healthy weight for you, so it may be time to go in to maintenance. I know we all want that low number, but our health is more important.

Age: 37

Height: 5’6

BMI: 37

SW: 241

GW: 150-160

MFP: Fit4LifeAR

[frust8 963]

Dang you're one of the few Texas didn't grow bigger, I'm 5ft8in ,323, a BMI of 47+, dreaming of a goal of 15/16 or in the range of 170-175, will I make it? Shoot I'm gonna try and try my best. Wanna hear a Texas joke? I was planning to spring it on Fluffy Chix but you're my victim instead.

Question:Why is a Texas girl's hair so big?

Answer: Because she's hiding so many good secrets!

I just love Miranda Lambert's music. I March around my house singing Not my Mama's Broken Heart, drives my son bonkers.! Snicker snicker! I sure ain't no Sweetheart of the Rodeo, I might not live forever but I'm going out fighting and swinging! And at 72 I am a force to contend with.

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery 5 years ago. This article describes my approach in the Maintenance phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

[Healthy_life2 8,324]

7 hours ago, StarPower said:

Hi,

I had a VSG in December 2016 and have been generally very happy with the results. I have gone from 224 to about 140 (I say about because I recently realized my scale isn't accurate--so frustrating!).

So... It's been over 14 months, I've lost more than the expected amount of weight, and I haven't seemed to lose (or gain) weight in the past couple of months. I'm guessing I may be done or I may get minimal additional weight loss from this point.

Anyone been there, done that and have advice on navigating that transition? I've been very focused on whether I'm under or over the top of the "normal" weight range (I should be just barely under if my above-stated weight is accurate). That feels very important to me even though I weigh SO MUCH less than I did! I'm happy to have my life back, but I admit it's a little bit of a downer not to see the needle keep moving down.

Also, I definitely don't want to gain weight back. I'm getting a lot more exercise now than I was before, but I'm concerned that will change after I move to a colder climate in a few months. I've noticed I can sometimes eat a surprising amount of food, like most of a restaurant portion of lasagna, or even 2 slices of pizza. Is that normal? For some reason, the healthier food, like meat, seems more likely to make me sick to my stomach. And after a long time being unable to tolerate much of it, I find I can eat chocolate again--probably not a great thing. And my reflux has come back with a vengeance after being completely absent for at least a few months after surgery.

Most of all, I want to keep the freedom of not worrying about food I've had for the past year.

Long-time veterans: did you keep off everything you lost? How? Is it realistic to expect I can continue to maintain my weight without dieting or putting much thought into it?

Maintaining is still work. Eat healthy and have times you indulge. when you see a weight gain, get back to eating healthy put some extra time in your workout to get your weight back down.

Weight gain can happen to any of us. Be aware of old habits and grazing (eating many high calorie meals over and over throughout the day)