New Set Point?

[maintenanceman 285]

I'm 13 mo post-op and have been in maintenance for 4 months. I'm surprised by how much I can eat and find that no matter what I eat (within reason), my weight is locked between 146 and 149, with an average of 147(ish). I would say I average between 1800 and 2000 calories/day.

Pre-surgery, my weight was remarkably stable @ 235(ish) for 20+ years, regardless of what I ate. I wonder if my body is unusually good at regulating weight?

I'm curious. What are experiences of others who are in maintenance? Did the surgery create a new set point for you?

[catwoman7 11,179]

it does create a new set point, but keep in mind that that set point may be a bit higher than you are now. Lots of us gain 10-20 lbs after hitting our lowest weight - usually in years 2 or 3 - before stabilizing. Of course, you can always lose that rebound (if you experience it - again, most do - although it's not inevitable), but if your new set point is where you ended up after the 10-20 lb rebound, then it will be a real challenge to get back down to your lowest weight - and keep it there. Hopefully, where you are now IS your new set point...if so, it shouldn't be too difficult to maintain as long as you monitor yourself.

Edited April 13, 2023 by catwoman7

[maintenanceman 285]

Thanks @catwoman7. Is there science behind the 2-3 year rebound or is it a case of "backsliding" on the post-op diet/lifestyle?

[catwoman7 11,179]

actually, with any kind of weight loss, surgery or not, regain is super common after you have a loss (I'm taking a nutrition course on obesity and weight loss right now at the university, and we've talked about this in class. Even among merely "overweight" people, even if they lose 10 or 20 lbs, a year later, give or take, the regain starts. Happens to most people, surgery or not). I think it's some of both - science and backsliding (starting to slack off a bit on the "rules", letting a few bad habits sneak back in - but also, your body always seems to want to go back to its set point (which in our case, should be much lower than it was before surgery). You can take the regain back off again, but it's programmed to go back to its set point, so if you want your weight lower than your (new) set point, it'll be challenge getting back there again and keeping it there. I've pretty much given up the ghost on it because even though I'd like to lose it again, I think my body is happy where its at, and I'm getting tired of the constant battle... (my weight where it is is fine- I'd just prefer to be about 10 lbs lighter)

Edited April 13, 2023 by catwoman7

[maintenanceman 285]

Thank you! This is so helpful. To be honest, I would probably look better with another 10 pounds… so if I do regain a bit, that’s ok. I will try to hold the line, though.

[Arabesque 7,035]

The new set point is the best gift of the surgery (well I think so). All those years fighting our old much higher set point. Trying to lose & then putting the weight back on again as our body would try to get back to its set point weight where it was happiest. Now your body is happiest at your lower set point so it is easier to maintain this weight.

Can we increase our set point again? Yep. That’s how it got so high in the first place. Can you keep it pretty much where it is now? Yes. But it takes work. Watching calories & activity levels. Unfortunately what you are doing in regard to these things may not be sustainable in the long term on many levels. It’s too restrictive to maintain. It doesn’t complement your lifestyle & the things you want to do. Life can sometimes through crap at us & our circumstances change: job changes, family issues, pregnancy, health issues, hormonal changes for women, medication changes, relocating, etc. And yes sometimes simple complacency when we let some new habits slide & revert to some old ones.

Also there is some resettling or stabilising. But it won’t all happen straight away in maintenance. Your remaining fat may resettle in different areas of your body (your face so you look less gaunt & your body shape - my hour glass shape returned yay but not my butt sob!). After the stressful period of your weight loss, your metabolism, hunger/satiety hormones, set point, etc. will settle which can affect your weight. And you may physically be able to eat more as your digestive system stabilises too. Interestingly, an additional 100 calories a day will result in a 10lb+/- gain over a year (so 20lbs over 2 years) which could explain the bounce back regain many experience.

I’m 3years 11 months (as at yesterday) & have had minimal regain. I was 48.2kg at my lowest then settled at 48.5-49.5kg for about a year. I unexpectedly went to around 50.5-51kg mid my 2nd year. I thought oh no bounce back beginning but I stayed there without a change for about a year. Then we changed my HRT med & abracadabra I lost a kilo & seem to have stabilised for the last few months at 49.5 - 50kg without doing anything but the med change. I’m interested to see what the future will bring as I’m really still quite a newbie.