18 Months Out - Stopped losing at 1 year out. :(

Alright, I didn't want this to sound like a mopey, woe-is-me post - but I'm just not having a good day!  So, here goes... At about 1 year post-op I literally just stopped losing weight.  It was like a switch went off and my body wouldn't let go of another pound.  The problem is, I'm still about 40-50 pounds overweight. So, here I am over 18 months post-op... at the same weight I was 6 months ago... and still 40-50 pounds overweight.  I've talked to other people from around my surgery date that have made their goals or even exceeded it.   I feel like I could eat better, but it's not like I'm going nuts and overeating or snacking too much.  AND I've actually been working with a personal trainer for a few weeks now, so I know I'm getting enough exercise. Could my body literally just be stuck?  But stuck at 185 pounds at 5'7" seems crazy to me.  Ok.... sorry for the rant.... I just needed to get it off my chest!!! :)

You mention working with a personal trainer for a few weeks .... were you exercising before that?   The first thing I would do is go to a site like sparkpeople.com or fitday and actually log in what you eat in a day.  You may surprise yourself.  Are you getting enough protein?  Too many carbs?  Are you drinking at least 64 oz a day in water?  Are you eating too much or even too little? Personally, I like sparkpeople.com.  It gives me a personal recommendation based on my exercise routine.  I've been using the site for months now.  It seems to be dead on the money.  It also has lots of interesting articles and tips.

Thanks Terri... I've actually been using fitday to track what I eat - and I'm getting between 1600-2000 calories a day depending.  I think that's pretty good, but I could probably knock down my carbs and increase my protein to make that better. I've never heard of sparkpeople.com, but I'll check it out!  Thanks!

Hi Lisa, I had my surgery August 2005 as well, and I have lost very little since the 1 year mark.  I could stand to lose another 50 to be normal, but I am content where I am.  I eat a lot, it seems (some days I am starving all day).  I have just started tracking what I eat on fitday, and it is about 1200-1500 calories a day, and close to 100 carbs (gasp!); however, I have a very active lifestlye (kickboxing 3x/week, raquetball every day, walking 10 miles a week, and working 70-80 hours a day), and if I don't have the carbs, I am completely drained!! BNut according to fitday, I need 3300 calories to maintain my weight, so shouldn't I be losing??? Anyway, I don't have an answer, but I am in the same situation, although I am fine with it, my life is great now, so that was my real goal. Take care

It sounds to me with all that exercising you're doing, that your body could be in starvation mode.  I exericse a lot and several times had to increase my calories to kick start the weight loss again.  1200-1500 is just barely enough to keep you alive.  Why don't you do me a favor and humor me for just a few days.  Throw in an extra protein bar/snack or two for a few days.  Get those calories closer to 1800.  Just do this for a few days and see what happens.  You may be surprised!

Thanks for the idea Terri....Honestly, it seems like sometimes I eat all day long, so much it scares me!!!  I realize it is a lot compared to 3 months post-op, but nothing compared to pre-op when I could eat a 16 oz steak, onion rings and 2 baked potatoes.  I hear some people saying even 3 years post-op they can't eat bread, rice, etc, but no problem for me.  I can easily eat a sandwich (again, pre-op, it would have been 2 sandwiches and chips and a whoopie pie) or 1 1/2 cups+ rice and beans.  But, Saturday night, I had tomato soup for dinner with some cheese in it, and finished just over half and I was stuffed.  Strange the way it works. Carrie

OMG Lisa....I just looked at your profile and I can't believe it is you!!!!!  I remember you from around surgery time.  You look absolutely beautiful!!!  Congrats on your success so far, and I know you can make whatever goals you really want!!! Carrie

I was so surprised to see this post,,I am in the same situation! I stopped losing at about a year out, stuck between 195-200,,up and down. I lose and regain the same two pounds. Like you, I dont eat a lot,,about 1200 calories a day, give or take a hundred. I watch the carbs. IO admot, I dont get the water in,,and not much exercise. I need to do that and am waiting for the cold weather to change back so I can get out and walk. I was just wondering if I was done too,,maybe we all need to start a challenge of some sort, ya know? Like working out so many times, or upping our water or calories... Blessings Betsy

Lisa, Just a few thoughts based on my experience...  How do you know you are still 40-50 pounds overweight? What's your body fat %  (not BMI)? I'm 5'7" and at 175 my body fat % was 20%.  But my BMI said I was still overweight.  They told me NOT to lose any more.  Naturally I didn't listen and tried to lose more anyway.  I went down a few pounds and then started the other way. You may be where your body wants you to be.  The weight charts would have us all be anorexic. Congrats on the weight loss! Deb

Hi, Lisa.  I have a few thoughts on this that I would like to share with you, and a couple questions for you as well. Have you always been overweight?  If not, what was your lowest adult weight that you found fairly easy to maintain? I'm asking you this because I feel that our bodies do go back to a particular weight, like a "set-point" that we've all heard about.   I was a heavy child, but when I reached puberty, I lost my "baby fat" and grew several inches at the same time.  I reached a a height of 5'8", and my weight stabilized at around 175-180.  I was able to keep it there pretty easily, as long as I maintained a fairly active lifestyle.  I really began to gain weight again after I started taking birth control pills, and then when I discontinued them to become pregnant with my son, and never resumed as active of a lifestyle. When I was losing weight after WLS, I went down to a low of 160 after about 1 year post-op, stayed around 165 for a year or so, then jumped to 175, and am now at 185.  Some of this is my fault, I will admit, but I also think it's just that my body has settled on this weight as being appropriate for me.  I was recently gaining, but have stopped that by controlling my diet a little more and getting more exercise.  I don't kow if I'll be able to lose any weight now, but I think I can live with myself at this weight.  It's certainly better than the 240-260 range I used to be in.   Good luck as you continue on.  I hope that you will find the answers you're looking for.  Just remember the success that you've already had and try to build on that. Carlita