When did you weight loss begin to stabilize?

I'm 20 months post op. I have lost over 100% of my excess weight. I am still losing weight even though I've upped my calories and decreased intensity of exercise. My BMI is in the "healthy" range of 18-25, so I'm not too thin. However, I am surprised I'm still losing with minimal effort (I eat anywhere from 1400 to 2100 calories depending on my restriction). I weigh my portions and eat with the guidelines of my bariatric program, but definitely since 1 year post eat more calorie dense meals and more frequently. Labs are fine and there are no thyroid issues. Am I really meant to be a tiny person?

When did you weight begin to stabilize?

I stopped losing when I was about where you are - 20 months out, I think..

I kept a pretty stable weight loss for about 10 months, when I started running, then started binge running. I actually got 40 pounds below my "ideal" weight.

My program, as I've oft repeated was 3 meals of 3oz protein, 1oz veggies.

As my weight was approaching ideal and my running was at about 30 miles per week Doc and I talked and we increased my meals from 3 per day, to 4 per day, to 5 per day, then 5 per day plus snacks I could fit in. I felt like I was either running or eating. Eventually, at 90 miles per week, I was eating 4 times a day plus 2 protein drinks. I finally stopped, as I said, about 40 pounds too light. I weighed what I did when I was a teenager.

I had my abdominoplasty, lost a lot of blood, had 8 units of it replaced, and I died a little. I couldn't do much of anything for a month, but my eating remained high at 4-5 meals a day but no protein drinks. Turns out running was outlawed for the foreseeable future. I didn't reduce to 3 per day until I had gained back about 80 pounds, about 40 too many.

As time passed I bounced between goal and 40 pounds above goal, wasn't terribly worried about weight since my personal goal was 50 pounds above goal. I didn't weigh except at annual physicals so it really was never on my mind. My measure is and has been how am I feeling? what am I doing? This was all where I wanted it.

In spite of certain cautions against running I've been testing waters recently to see how I feel. I just want to see if I can manage 3-5 miles a day for 3-5 days a week. If I am able to do this I might have to increase food slightly. I hope I can stay away from binge running though a 1/2 marathon might be fun.

At any rate, I think the message is clear. Add or take away food, add or take away exercise, until you reach equilibrium where you want to be. We can do it.

Did you ever think you would have such problems? Yeah, me either.

Good Luck,

Tek

I stopped losing completely at 18 months after surgery. I maintained effortlessly until month 30. Then I had a doctor appointment and had gained five pounds. I kind of laughed about it, because I was below goal. A month later I had another five pounds and another five the month after that. There had been no changes in my food or exercise.

I ended up back at Weigh****chers and have had to really be careful with food after that. I now gain very easily and it extremely hard to lose it again.

You are in the honeymoon period now. Enjoy it. It ends. When the body learns how to absorb calories again, it will work very hard to get that weight back. Use the honeymoon to learn good food and exercise habits that will stay with you for life.

I have the exact same experience as you. I have also rejoined WW. It keeps me accountable. I also must be mindful of everything that I eat.

Yes, I am definitely working on my food issues. I have consistently tracked everything I've eaten from a few months pre-op to date. Almost at at 800 day streak on myfitnesspal. I do exercise and use my fitbit as motivation. I was half marathon training, but since I'm not an outdoor runner and covid gym time restrictions, I now only run up to 7 miles 3 days per week and 2 days per week do other exercises (bike, elliptical, les mills classes on demand) to avoid injury. My life has really changed for the better.

I found that, for me, until about month 24 I could do anything (within reason) and lose weight... this means if I had more calories than what was on my plan, I'd still lose. I went to they gym or I didn't, I'd still lose, I had a bite or 2 of cake, I'd still lose.

THEEEEEENNNNN that stopped. I asked my doctor and he said it's the honeymoon phase of my body not really absorbing what I ate, but now, it, as White Dove mentioned, can put weight on very quickly and is hard to get off.

Use this time now, to understand what your food issues are, what your triggers are and how to deal with them. My weight really stabilized between 24-36 months. I have fluctuated between 10-15 up and down and I am ok with that.

My program was between 800-1000 calories per day so, I guess I would lose if I still stick to that. Now, I struggle with carbs, but not eating the whole bag (for me) is a victory. 12 years out and still working on shhh---tuff.

I reached goal at 17 months, kept losing until about 26 months and had to keep my calories high until I was about 36-40 months out...then I started fluctuating and had to start pulling back on my calories. That being said even at 6+ years out, I am always reevaluating what I am doing. I did this to be healthy and not just skinny and at some point I had to add more veggies and fruits and carbs to my diet.

The idea that you will stay at one weight and that is your goal is a fallacy. Even people who have never had a weight problem - still have weight that will fluctuate. My goal has been to stay in the range Of normal and I have done that during maintenance.

How big is your weight range? I am currently giving myself 7 pounds.

I look at in ranges of 10lbs. I preface by saying I am 5"11" tall. I am tall. Your mileage may vary. At start of Maintenance when I still had malabsorption, I more easily stayed in 160's. Now I would say my goal is to stay in 170's. I think +/- 175 is an easy place for me to stay. I am a size 6/8 in jeans at that weight. Who can complain? Have I been higher than 170's- yes. But still in range of normal for me. Do I still struggle with mentality of lower is better? yes.

I went for a Dexascan recently. While I was at the same weight from 2 years ago - 175, I had gained 3lbs of muscle from last Dexa. It is not all about the scale. I have gone for Dexascans periodically and I have been at my lowest Body fat percentage since surgery and my highest Bodyfat percentage since surgery at exactly the same weight on the scale.

Many things effect weight fluctuations... I will say I struggle with constipation... easy 4lb range there...

Hormones effect my weight. I am hypothyroid for many years. I have been on the same medication for years and suddenly it had to be adjusted down...been going through that for 3 months now... With Last change last month I suddenly gained 8-10lbs in 10 days. Horrifying? yes. Totally under my control? No. Bloodwork confirmed med change put me back into hypothyroid range so we are trying a different scenario. I am not happy about it but I will get back to my range.

Yes I need to pay attention and be honest with myself. I do make changes based on what is happening in my body. Non negotiables for me? 150g protein, Water, both veggies and some carbs everyday. Plus exercise.