Losing too much

Hello December family! I had surgery on 12/14/04 and have now lost 114 pounds. I started out at 230 and now weigh 116. I am only 5' 0" tall. I felt really good and liked my weight at 120-123 or so, but I am continuing to lose. I have lost 4 pounds in the past 6 days. I know that I am not even close to being considered "under weight", but I don't want to lose any more. I wondered if anyone else has had this problem, and what you were told to do about it. I am definitely eating - three good meals a day plus snacks (mozzarella string cheese and SF popsicles). I am drinking my protein shakes, and am pretty good about taking my vitamins. Any suggestions?? (Boy, what a switch this is, huh?!?!). Thanks for your support. Tracy 12/14/04 230 / 116 / ???

Hi Tracy I don't know what to tell you as it sounds like your eating well but your right about it being a switch. A year ago we complained of gaining and not being able to lose. I don't eat all that well myself and I have been sitting at 159 for a short while. I bounce between 159 and 161lbs. Call your surgeon and ask him/her what gives and how can you stop the weight from dropping. Keep us posted. Hugs Donna 338/159

Checking out your new picture on your profile. Nice looking family you have there Donna

Thanks Donna!! I will call my surgeon and see what he says. It is an interesting problem to have, after dealing with the complete opposite for so many years!! Tracy 12/14/04 230 / 116

You don't mention details of how much you're eating each day. How many calories? What breakdown of protein vs carbs? It sounds to me like you've not changed your diet tremendously from your WLS diet. Have you added in more complex carbohydrates? Immediately after surgery we stick to lowered levels of carbs, but now that you have burned through your weight reserves, you need to add more carbohydrates in to support your metabolic needs. How much exercising are you doing? If you're doing a lot of exercise, and continuing to lose, then obviously you're burning more calories than you are taking in. You may need to cut back in the quantity of exercise that you're doing. I think talking with your dietitian would be a good idea so that they can give you information about transitioning to maintenance. Hope this helps, Sue O.

Hello Sue, Thanks for your reply. You are probably right - I really haven't changed my diet much from when I had the surgery! How can I expect to maintain when I am still "dieting"!?!?! I can eat more than I used to, but I really do eat basically the same things I was eating over the past year while trying to lose. I also think that I need to increase my complex carbs. Thanks for your advice. Tracy

Tracy, Are you working out?? Adding muscle to the mix will stop that.. I have stopped working out from getting sick for the last 2 weeks, and started losing fast again.. My pcp said stop you are starting to look sick, well I was sick so she can kiss my butt lol.. Anyway when we had the surgery our body ate the muscle to survive, now we have to add it back into the mix.. Try doing some arobics or something that involves 5-15lb hand weights.. Michelle

Hello Michelle, Thanks for your advice. I was working out at Curves, but have stopped doing that due to lack of time and being a single mother of two very active children. I try to walk on my treadmill at home when I can, and I get little bits of exercise when I can, but nothing formal anymore. When the weather gets nicer, I will start exercising more. Thanks for your advice! Tracy

Tracy, I was just reading an article in a magazine about WLS and how most post op patients loose over their ideal weight in the first 12-18 mos and then regain up to their ideal body weight in years 3-5. Maybe this is you. Deana

Hello Deana, Maybe that is me. I e-mailed my doctor, and he said that as long as my labs are good, and they basically are, and I am feeling good, there is nothing to worry about right now. I am not even close to being underweight, so my mom needs to just chill out and stop worrying because she is the one making me worry!! Ha! Thanks for your response. Tracy