At goal but still losing...

At about 9 months post-op, I am at my surgeon's goal which is 160 pounds. I think I could stand to lose some more- especially the drooping skin. My hips and thighs still seem a bit larger than the rest of me- a bit out of proportion. Of course that is where most of the excess skin is hanging too.... I am trying to eat more food and not be restrictive about what I eat - meaning i will eat more complex carbs (can't do much sugar though). i just wonder though if that is a bad habit to start- eating more carbs that is. Any suggestions from post ops? I wonder what the surgeon will do/recommend if the weight continues to drop and gets too low? Anyone with that experience? I have to say this is a strange concept for me---trying to maintain my goal weight. It's still a bit surreal that I even weigh what I do. I am still in denial I guess- especially when I look in the mirror with few to no clothes on... Karen

Karen - Although I can't offer any words of wisdom since I'm not at goal yet, I did want to offer my congrats!!! You've done an amazing job! I would guess that your decision to opt in some more complex carbs is a good one, as opposed to "bad" carbs. Keep up the good work! Teresa

My doc never gave me a goal weight, but my personal goal was between 145 and 150. I've been maintaining now for about 4 months now. The first few weeks were kinda difficult to find the right combination of carbs and calories. I would suggest slowly increasing your Total Carbs per day by 5. So, if your carb level for loosing weight was say 30 Total Carbs, do 35 for a couple of weeks. If you are still loosing, up it to 40 for a couple of weeks. Keep doing this until you level out. Then you will know how many carbs you need to maintain and you know how many you need to lose weight. When you start getting a little out of control, you can go back to the lower carb level to loose the couple of extra pounds you might have gained. I was also a little scared about adding more carbs and food into my eating plan when I first reached goal. But it does get easier if you take it slowly. It is also a good idea to have a RANGE as your goal instead of a set number. That way you don't totally stress if you gain a pound or two. The fluxuation of a few pounds per week is actually normal. Good luck! Kee

Thanks for all the advice and well wishes. I haven't had to count calories, carbs or anything since the surgery. The surgeon and dietician stated as long as I'm losing and lab values are OK- no need to keep a food diary. I really do not want to start keeping one but I know I should. I have little discipline now and i am sure i will need it in the future. I have a few mini tootsie pops everyday and sometimes cookies that have 6-10 sugar grams per serving. Even the decedent Pepperidge farms large chocolate chuck cookies I have had (although it was more than a week before those 8 cookies were gone). If i go over 10 grams of sugar in a serving- i tend to get a less than favorable reaction (gas, stomach discomfort) and if LOTS of sugar- will get dumping syndrome. My latest addiction though is oddly enough---SOUP. I feel so good after a hot cup of homemade chicken veggie soup. I think its the combination of broth and solids that make it enjoyable as nothing gets stuck in my throat. I suspect my continued weight loss- although its slowed considerably compared to the first 6 months post op- is due to malabsorption/IBS. I have a 9 mo follow up appt next month so I'll see what the doctor and nut suggests. Karen

Hi Karen, congrats on your success. I have been maintaining for about 6-8 months now, but must maintaining my eating otherwise I too will continue to lose. I am 5'7 and keep my weight around the 153-157 range and I am in a size 6 pant/skirt...bigger up top because of the girls...but you get the idea... Anyway, I give myself a range....I am dedicated to getting in my protein, but do eat carbs, both simple and complex....fruit, veggies and whole grain rice and even sometimes a bit of noodles, (not spaghetti, as I can't tolerate it, but bowtie is fine)...anyway, you will find the magic equation...it just takes some time and some experimentation. Also, I do eat small amounts of sugar....nothing like sugar to keep on the weight!! Anyway, I want to congratulate you once again...welcome to healthy living!!!! RAE