I don't even know anymore

I suggest you make an appointment with an Internal MD.  I am concerned about the edema.  I agree with the person who suggested that you may have low thyroid.  It should be checked as well as your BP.

I have to cut down to 800 calories a day in order to lose a pound a week.  I do not get dizzy or lethargic.  I eat mostly dense protein and drink a lot of water.  My body just burns much more efficiently than before surgery.  Tonight for dinner I am having half of a seedless cucumber with a small tomato and some fat free dressing.  This a high carb splurge for me.

Normally I have a serving of cheese, or fish, or meat.  Five small meals a day with about 100-200 calories each.  No bread, rice, potatoes, noodles, sugar, etc.  It is hard for the first day or two and then my body adjusts.  I weigh myself everyday and stay always aware of my weight.

It is not really easy, but it is the choice that I have made for myself.  Eating more calories does not work for me.

I don't think 800 calories really points to a body that burns calories efficiently. Anything under 1200 calories is considered starvation by every doctor in the world, and that happens after surgery, sure. But it's surgically induced and starvation isn't the only component promoting weight loss (read about Polypeptide YY, it's interesting). The only remains of the surgery we have this far out is the restriction part. Frankly, going to down to 800 calories might produce some results, but it also further slows your metabolism so you won't ever eat normal again unless you do some serious work with your body and I won't even list what prolonged starvation can do. One could read up on anorexia and it would be pretty much that same. I am unwilling to batter my body anymore. I want to lose weight, but I want to be healthy too. 

I live on 1000-1100 calories a day 5 days a week and 1500 on the weekends to maintain at 128ish, I am also 5'5.  It is an age thing also, I am peri-menopausal at 49 years old so if I eat more I gain weight, sadly thats life.  I had to start being careful at 4 years out and have had to keep cutting back calories to maintain the older I get.  But I do not have any of the issues you are dealing with, no thyroid or other issues, I don't eat all day long and start eating at dinner and I have no bloodsugar issues based on this either.  If I eat I need to keep eating, if I don't eat at all I make dinner time without issue.  I drink all day long.  This is why the 5 days a week are easy, I don't eat while I am at work.  I am a systems analyst so I don't really move around much all day, basically tied to my computer otherwise I might need to eat during the day.  I don't feel like I am going without on my plan, I eat a very nice dinner every day, have two healthy snacks and never feel actual hunger.  I do have RH if I eat something sweet, so I try to avoid no more then 3 bites of cake or two small homemade cookies, it is a huge learning curve and unfortunately the game changes all the time.

Firemuse, have you ever had your metabolism tested?  New gadgetry can give you a fairly accurate RMR number.  These test can often be found in health clubs, nutritionists offices, etc.  The reason I ask is I believe you are very correct.  At 1300 calories you should be able to lose weight.  But unless you know what your metabolic rate is, you are just guessing at what your body actually needs. 

Let me ask too, and I'm not being nosey, but how old are you?  You probably are well aware that our metabolic rate declines each decade once we enter our 40s.  The one sure way to rev the slow down is to increase your lean body mass and muscle mass. And when you say you exercise, are you weight lifting and doing cardio?  I truly believe (and most exercise scientists support) that strength training is a key factor in maintaining a metabolically active body.  

As for your edema, I'd be concerned.  Very concerned. Could be so many different things, I personally might worry about congestive heart failure (but then I'm a go right to the worst diagnosis possible kind of gal ~sorry~).  Dizzy and lethargic could be telltale signs as well.  I think it worth your time and effort to get a diagnosis.  Thyroid, CHF, or something else.  

I don't think you need to drop below 1300 calories per day.  As a matter of fact, if you find out your RMR you can actually eat precisely the number you need to invoke a calorie deficit and lose weight slowly and healthfully.

I say get a metabolic rate test, get thee to a doctor to explore possible diagnosis for your edema and other symptoms and get metabolically more active on the cellular level (lift weights and lift strong).  I hope that you are able to solve your dilemma, best wishes!

I've never had it tested. I've done some Google searches on the MedGem test and few things came up in my area. I might look some more. 


I'm 32. I had the surgery when I was 25. I had emergency gallbladder surgery in September and they ran a bunch of tests before surgery and my EKG was normal. All my other levels were normal, except I had elevated liver enzymes but that was to be expected because I was having a gallbladder attack. So I don't think it's anything like CAD. I'd really put all my money on my thyroid. As I said in a prior post, my tests aren't normal and indicate Hashimoto's.  And I have all the other symptoms -- cold hands and feet, hair loss, loss of energy, dry skin, weak and achy muscles, etc.  

As for exercise, during the winter I do about 20 minutes of hard cycling and 20-30 minutes of walking 3+ times a week. When the weather is good I go do a 2-3 hour hike once a week. Usually I ski in the winter but I'm not this year. During the summer I mostly go outside and hike and do some light mountain biking. I really don't do any weight lifting. I live way out in the boonies and the nearest rec center pretty much sucks. They have an exercise bike and a treadmill plus a few classes and that's it. I usually do beginners yoga, but I've had two injuries in the last 3 months and haven't gone during that time. 

 

Not enough information given, but like the ladies said before and my entries. Vitamins, water, exercise, full blood panel to see what's low or even high (maybe), portion control. At 1300 calories, what's you eating? Still needs to be protein first the complex carbs. Simple carbs will keep you hungry and mess up your nutrition and stress you out.

My endocrinologist told me if I start gaining to come see HIM as some labs testing is not as accurate  My thyroid issue was missed for years.

first of all you should consult with your doctor and after that take a wise step about it.

I see that this post was made by a "deactivated member", but I just have to say...no contact with the surgeon?! I am from Denver, and Dr. Snyder is one of the best! He would never leave one of his patients hanging. I know he requires monthly visits for a year. Why did this person never go to their follow up appointments? And then wonder why they are gaining back... Just saying.