MAINTENANCE

[GreenTealael 25,157]

It has been a while since a maintenance mega thread has been created. Can we share how things are going?

For everyone officially maintaining vs losing, please share:

1. Pre op weight, BMI or measurements

2. Surgery type

3. Lowest post op weight, BMI or measurements and when it occurred

4. Maintenance weight, BMI or measurements and when it occurred

5. Bounces (up or down) in weight, BMI or measurements and when they occurred

6. Methods used to maintain and what has/has not worked

7. How your life has changed (losing vs maintaining perspective)

8. Words of wisdom/cautionary tales/stories of beating the odds

Thanks!

[kristieshannon 1,598]

Great idea!
Pre-op weight/BMI: 286lbs 49.1 BMI
Surgery: VSG 08/2019
Lowest weight/BMI 142lbs 24.4 BMI Feb 2020
Maintenance weight/BMI: 150lbs 25.7 BMI

I bounce from 145-150. I’m happy and healthy here, although at 150 a smidge over “normal” BMI. My doc is happy too.
I maintain by continuing to use My Fitness Pal daily to track intake, exercise and weight. I exercise regularly, mostly walking and biking.

Life is so much better in so many ways. No worries about a seat extended on planes or intruding on my neighbor’s seat. Buying whatever clothes I want in the regular section. No more aching knees, ankles and back.

I was one of the statistical many whose relationship was negatively affected by my surgery. I went through a divorce about a year and a half post op. However, I’m now in a relationship that is happy and healthy with a wonderful guy who supports me in every way.

[ms.sss 15,247]

I absolutely LOVE to pull out my historical spreadsheets! thanks for giving me an excuse to do so!!!

1. Pre op weight, BMI or measurements

2. Surgery type

VSG (Sleeve) October 24, 2018

3. Lowest post op weight, BMI or measurements and when it occurred

4. Maintenance weight, BMI or measurements and when it occurred

Stabilized at about 115 lbs (BMI 21) around June 2020 and stayed that way for about a year or so. Unfortunately i don't have measurements for that time but i think they were similar to my lowest post op weight above.

5. Bounces (up or down) in weight, BMI or measurements and when they occurred

around year 3 i averaged closer to 120 lbs (but rarely ever above 120), and have stayed that way until today (almost 6 yrs post op). This morning I weighed in at 119.4 lbs.

6. Methods used to maintain and what has/has not worked

• i track my food intake almost daily
• i weigh myself daily when i have access to scale (i also take my measurements once a month)
• i engage in regular exercise.
• i try to NOT eat to fullness (don't always succeed)
• if i want to eat something, i do, but i generally limit it to tastes/bites, vs full on meals.
• i generally ONLY eat things i really want to, and skip the stuff i deem "not worth it", as i consider it a waste of valuable stomach real estate.

7. How your life has changed (losing vs maintaining perspective)

i eat carbs now lol (i avoided them like the plague during weight loss phase, and a year or so afterwards). its been a while for me know and i do notice that i am not as worried as i used to be about regaining weight. i think i've learned to trust myself in that i can make good decisions about my health and weight maintenance, and that i know i am flexible/resourceful/confident enough to make changes and adjustments WHEN things change. i guess that is it really, i am exponentially more confident than i was before: in terms of decision making, self-image, relationships, dealing with stress, all of it. I am so much more CHILL. Life is really good (plus im super HAWT, lol)

8. Words of wisdom/cautionary tales/stories of beating the odds

Don't give into the angst. Don't try to do stuff that is beyond your abilities or desire. Don't compare yourself to others. Exercise. Drink Water, Wear sunscreen.

[GreenTealael 25,157]

Adding my info!

1. Pre op weight, BMI or measurements

249-250 lbs BMI of 44

2. Surgery type

VSG in 2017 then RNY in 2019

3. Lowest post op weight, BMI or measurements and when it occurred

150lbs BMI 27 around 1 year post op

4. Maintenance weight, BMI or measurements and when it occurred

155 lbs BMI 27 around 18 months post op

5. Bounces (up or down) in weight, BMI or measurements and when they occurred

I can bounce up and down 5-10 lbs depending on the season but my lowest was a 20 lb drop during an E.Coli infection

6. Methods used to maintain and what has/has not worked

What works for me: Weighing daily/weekly, spot checking calories, low cal/keto substitutes, 90% disciplined eating and 10% debauchery.
What does not work for me: gym membership as motivation, unsustainable diets and GLP-1 meds (as of now)

7. How your life has changed (losing vs maintaining perspective)

During the losing phase I was very rigid almost never went off plan, now everything I want can be worked into my plan and I’m more relaxed.

8. Words of wisdom/cautionary tales/stories of beating the odds

Cautionary tale:

Don’t suffer in silence with reflux, push for answers and relief.

Absolutely never compare yourself to anyone else.

Don’t guilt spiral after a little weight gain, try to correct it as soon as you notice. A small gain is very likely in our population after reaching your absolute lowest weight. I remember when I first joined there was a some chatter about being absolutely perfect or you’ll gain it all back and it made me really anxious. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and other tools from your team. We are not quite the same as the never obese population so our bodies may play by different rules.

Word of wisdom:

Document your journey if you can. I don’t really remember what it was like to be in my obese body anymore, I only vaguely remember feeling bigger.

Have other goals apart from losing weight. Once the newness of WLS wears off you may want to continue the momentum of achievement.

If you want plastics (and there are no obstacles beside fear) definitely go for it. The recovery can be tough but it completed the journey for me and others I know.

[Arabesque 7,033]

Okay here we go.

1: Pre op stats

91kg BMI 35

2: Surgery

Gastric sleeve

3: Lowest weight post surgery

48.5kg BMI 18.7 at about 18 months.

4: Maintenance weight

48.5kg. Stayed there for about 18 months when I suddenly increased to about 51kg. Realised I wasn’t absorbing my HRT med after my gall removal. Changed my meds and my weight slowly settled at around 49kg after another 18 months. The last 6 months has seen me back to 48.5 again though I was 48.2 this morning. Strange is I actually eat about 300 calories more now (last 2+ yrs) than I did when I initially stabilised.

5: Fluctuation

Initially my fluctuation was exactly 1kg so 48.5 - 49.5. Weird I know. It’s been more 700 - 800g the last 18months so very narrow.

6: Methods to maintain & what worked or didn’t work.
Work out a sustainable way of eating which doesn’t restrict or limit what you want to do & how you want to live your life. (I know I say this a lot but it’s worked for me.) Still be flexible with your eating style. Don’t be afraid to make changes: different foods or food types, frequency, etc. If it works & you can still maintain great. If it doesn’t drop it & try something else.

I don’t enjoy traditional exercising. No gym for me, running miles or getting sweaty. Around 18 months ago I started my exercise snacking (stretches & using resistance bands) habit. Not to burn calories but to regain flexibility & to support my back. Muscle toning has been a bonus. I enjoy it, it’s easy and I do it or a variation every day.

7: How my life has changed

It’s just easier in a whole lot of little ways & other things are much sweeter. Yes, I work at maintaining. I’m more aware of what I put in my mouth, its nutrient value & how much I eat but a lot of this is second nature/habit now so not as much ‘hard’ work anymore. Generally I feel more confident though I wouldn’t say I was lacking confidence before. I’m honest enough to say I’ve become more vain though I was always conscious of how I presented myself to others. It’s just a lot more. Just ask my cosmetic physican - LOL!

8: Cautionary tales & words of wisdom

Always advocate for yourself. Not happy with an answer ask more questions, for more testing &/or a second opinion. Do your own research & go back with more questions. Be honest. Ask for help.

Be flexible. Make the best decisions you can in the situation. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go the way you thought. Things/life happens. It’s how you pick yourself up & move forward again that matters. Find what works for you in regards to how & what you eat, what activity you do & so on. Research, cherry pick across many strategies & plans, test them out & adopt those which work for you. There is no one right way just what’s right for you.

This journey isn’t a straight, flat road in one direction. There’ll be hills and valleys, rugged mountains & deep, wide rivers. There’ll be blind corners & round-abouts. You’ll face detours, delays & road works. Your destination may not be where you initially planned but it will be a wonderful, amazing & far better place to be than where you were before you started. And there will be many other fabulous destinations ahead of you.