Calories needed and suggestions to start weight loss again?

I had gastric bypass in 2007 and have lost about 100lbs, but have hit a plateau since about a year after my surgery. I haven't whole-heartedly tried to continue losing weight since then, and want to know how many calories I should be consuming to start up again? Since I already don't eat alot, I'm unsure of what amount is best. I'd like to lose another 40-50 lbs, maybe less.

Hi Casee-

I too had wls in 2007. I was 315 and got down to 190. Sept. 2010 I was 203.  So, the day the kids started school I joined Planet Fitness, stopped drinking diet soda, stopped eating cakes and candy etc. and stopped eating chips of all kinds.  As of today I am down to 141. I am eating about 1100 calories. I have plain greek yogurt with sf jam and wheat germ, cottage cheese with sf jam, almonds, string cheese, apples, strawberries, unjury shake with frozen strawberries, and what ever I make the family for dinner just a smaller portion. I try to exercise for 45-60 min 3-5 times a week.

Good Luck to you!

Hopefulinnj

Hi, thanks for sharing your strategies! And Congrats to you!! It gives me hope that someone else was able to take control and lose even more weight after hitting a long plateau. I'm about to turn 23 and I just want to lose 30-40lbs more. 1100 calories seems like a manageable amount, I guess changing what foods I eat and exercising more will be key.

I do have a few questions for you, if you don't mind.
I know that we aren't supposed to drink diet soda initially due to the pain in carbonation, but since it has no calories, how does avoiding it contribute to weight loss? I have cut back a lot on diet soda but I do have it sometimes.

Also, may I ask how tall you are? I'm 5'6 and weight 180. My starting weight was 276. I'm not certain of how much more weight I want to lose since I don't know how it will look. I don't mind being curvy, and I've had an arm lift and full tummy tuck which has helped my shape. I'm fairly satisfied with myself, but I would like to be more proportionate- my top is smaller (I'm nervous if I lose more I'll have no boobs left! ) and my lower body is big. Did you notice as you continued losing weight that you became more proportionate?

Thanks again!

Hi Casee-

Sorry, I just saw your post. I've been told by my doctor and by the the owner of the nutritional store I go to that Splenda reacts just like sugar in the body.  I was told to use Stevia. I now drink flavored seltzer water. So, I still get the carbonation "taste".  I used to drink Crystal Light like it was going out of style so, now I just drink plain water. I was also told not to use coffee mate or any creamers like coffee mate. Now I use 1/2 and 1/2. From looking at the different cartons nutritional values I use Land O Lakes. I look at all labels to make sure there isn't sugar in the ingredients. Although, today I pigged out. I had my greek yogurt, then it was down hill from there. I had 3 TBLSP of almond butter, then a lot of almonds with cranberries, then a sleeve of the Do-Si Dos.  I'm not good on w/e with the kids and the husband home. I get out of my routine. I'm dreading summer. The gym doesn't have child care. (never thought I would be worried about not getting to the gym) LOL!


I am 5'7".  I have a lot of extra skin. I am not excited to be putting on a swim suit.  I went yesterday to a surf shop looking for board shorts? I was thinking board shorts and a tankini top.    I would love to get a lower body lift. Just can't afford it.  I have gone from a size 26/28 (9/2007) down to a 6 (3/2010) so you can imagine.  I have a decent shape  38-28-39, but my legs I can't stand.  I don't even think toning exercises would help.


Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help with anything else.

Hi Casee,

How are doing? Good to see your interest in taking care of your health. I do have some experience from one of my best friend. She also done Bypass surgery in 2010 June and she reduced almost 110 lbs. Then because of some medications she took, she again put some weight in some regions of her body(such as thigh region, in arms, some more in belly). And because of the medications she became more tired and she could not able to do any work regularly.

Then from the suggestions from Doctor who is the president of Queens Hospital New York, she took Inherent Health Genetic test specially for her tiredness, to reduce extra weight, food also with reduced sugar level, to maintain her inside outside beauty and for lot more.She took almost all the suggestions given by the Doctor(Queens hospital). Now she is in perfect health. She is now working in night time and studying in school. And her age is 54.

Please do visit this given website. The website link is www.integralbeauty.info and initially she tried with genetic test and from the suggestions she took perfect pack, skin hair and nails, snack bars,Slimmetry, meal bars and meal replacement shakes along with some exercise.(NOTE: all the products she took are organic based and the bars are just 100 calories and with no sugar) Search with the names mentioned above in the above link.

My best suggestion is first take the genetic test and from that suggestions you can easily reduce weight within 2 to 3 months. This test will also give you suggestions on the chances of heart attack and cancer based on your genes.

Please let me know if you need any help to find out the details about the genetic test. I will get from my friend.

Hi Casee,
I had my bypass in 2004 also. I lost from almost 400 to 370 before the surgery then lost down to 145 within a few months. My daughter was my coach and exercise partner. In 2008 I had foot surgery and had to stay completely off my feet for several months and the pounds packed on until I was back up to 220. Now, at age 61, I'm starting over. I have given up chips, and diet sodas but there are some that have no sugar substitues (like coke 1). I switched to caffein free coffee and tea. The exercise is still difficult  so I walk on my treadmill shorter periods of time but more often. I also use whey protein shakes since my oncologist told me not to use soy. It makes you gassy but works better than soy for me. By the way, I'm 12 years cancer free and I really think losing weight helped me there. Good luck girl !

This is for anyone on this thread...Not trying to sound like a know it all but have some pointers that have helped me w/ successful wls. I had rny in 2007 and lost 100-105 lbs, which is all I needed to lose. Just had a baby 7 months ago and am back down to my prepreg weight. Exercise, eat lots of protein AND  incorporate strength training 2-3 times 45 min a week, to see results. Limit carbs, notwithstanding fruits and veggies. TAKE your vitamins. I take Boiotin, Vit D, Fish oil, a prenatal instead of multi. I still drink a lot of coffee, but I also drink lots of water. I've tried a lot of protein bars over the last 4 years and Atkins have proven to be the BEST by far all the way around- their availability, price, low sugarAND  high protein(must have BOTH-b/c some have tons of protein, but tons of sugar w/ it too), and most important, they taste WONDERFUL! mY HUSBAND EVEN EATS THEM- A TESTAMENT IN ITSELF!lol! My favorite is the Choc chip granola, but all of them are great! You can get them online, of course, @ Wal-mart, Target, etc. Good luck and hope this helps!

What a timely post. I realize that the real reason for my own personal plateau is poor choices. In August I switched work schedules. I used to work only 2 days a week and went to the gym 4-5/week. I was able to eat pretty much what I wanted and hadn't gained and even continued to lose a bit. Now I work 5 days and week and maybe work out 1/week. Now the pounds have been creeping up. I've gone to see a nutritionist, the real issue is me and my choices. Thanks for all the wonderful advice.