Need VET opinions

So I basically have been struggling since about 8 months post-op as far as losing goes. I stalled horribly in months 8, 9, 11, 12 and half-way through 13 (I'm a week or so shy of my 14 month post-op.)

I know (and follow!) the rules of the tool: I exercise daily (and have been a regular exerciser for 7+ years now), I get in about 64-80 oz of water a day, I get around 80-110g of protein daily, keep my carbs around 20-60 daily and take all my vitamins. (And I track my daily intake about 70% of the time.) 

I have always seen the VETS around here say between 600-800 calories a day, less than 30g carbs, is optimal for losing. So I was always figuring "I'm close" but I really was doing around 1000 calories a day, and even was encouraged by a bariatric life coach to up my cals to 1200 (based on how much I work out), and had 2 weeks of that (even some 1400 days!!!) with still no measurable loss. So I dropped back to 1000 after the 2 week test period was up. 

A few weeks ago I decided to try and trim the calories. I did 5 days of 600-800 daily and I lost -5lbs in 5 days. Now it could have been just that after 2.5 months of NOT losing my body was ready to give up some pounds. Or, I'm inclined to think that the VETS around here were right! DING!

However, I consulted with my NUT and she felt that 600 is way too low, that it is near starvation. She okayed me for 800 but no less than that. I am planning to start my new plan come January (I will be happy to maintain through the holidays) but after that I'm ready to finish this job.

I know every surgeon is different, and I know that not everyone loses on the same amount of calories, carbs, etc., but I welcome your opinions and advice! TIA!

All I know is my surgeon says 600 to 800 calories per day, less than 40 carbs and 70+ protein. I did that and it worked. He says eating less is more important than exercise in the weight loss phase though exercise is a very good thing. He says that going into "starvation" mode by keeping calories too  low and thereby slowing weight loss is a myth and doesn't believe in it. reducing calories is the best plan.  Again, thats just my doctor's opinion and there are lots of different ones out there.

Everybody has "bumps" in this journey. Mine came earlier on when I was losing quite slowly and doctor thought I would never get there. He said to increase protein to 80 and that did seem to speed up weight loss as it got faster in the later months. go figure. I think it was because I became naturally more active as I felt better.   

You will get there because you are motivated and thats the most important thing.   Diane

Ditto what Diane said! My surgeon was her surgeon's partner so of course they both had the same plan and thoughts on this, but so many of us have been so successful following the advice of Drs. Cirangle and Jossart.

I stayed at 600 calories for about the first 9 months and then it crept up to about 800 calories. My  weight loss slowed dramatically, but I got there. On the other hand, I now eat significantly more, maybe 1500-1700 calories a day w/o gaining (I took up exercise AFTER losing the weight), so I don't believe that going super low cal  for some months wrecks the metabolism either.

Welcome to the maintenance board!

Lizanne

Diane and Lizanne, thank you both so much for your replies. I think I am going to try it. I don't think my NUT would argue if I actually got results. She was concerned that the 600-800 is hard to do, and I'm not going to lie. It IS difficult this far out to keep my caloric intake so low. But I am a lucky sleever who doesn't experience hunger. As long as I eat about every 3 hours I rarely show any physical signs of hunger.

So I think it is do-able and I might as well try it and see what results I get. I don't think 600 is maintainable for the long haul, but I've already proved to myself that I can maintain on 1400 calories daily, so I'm not as worried or stressed about maintenance after my experiment of doing higher calories.

And thanks Diane for the comment about being committed ...I didn't come this far to give up on the last 20lbs or so! :-)

I agree with Diane and Lizanne, of course I too had Dr. Cirganle.  But here's the thing, look around and see who most of the VETS are on this board.  Most of us, not all, but most followed the same eating program until goal.  600 cals is hard to do after six months, but 700-800 is doable if you concentrate on eating dense, lean protein and green veggies and less cheese and nuts.  I would also recommend making some very low calorie and carb soup and having that on hand if you get hungry.  I used to make my Green Chicken Soup recipe and have it in the house for whenever I wanted something.  You just have to be very creative and watchful with the calories, but it can be done.  I also agree with Diane that your attitude is awesome and shows that you will make it to goal and will maintain when you get there.

Hi There,

I don't count calories.  But I have in the past and think I am probably getting 600-800 per day in right now.  During the weight loss phase I was probably getting around 700-900.  However, I had put back on 13 lbs from my low and needed to get that off.

So, I went back to basics and even cut out some healthy snacks, I started walking again, and I have now lost 15 lbs and I am at my dream goal and all time low of 140 lbs...

It was only hard for a short time, then became easier and now is second nature.  I am done losing, but have not changed a thing.  I am afraid to make any changes.  But I will soon, and all I will add is healthy snacks back in.

After I am sure I can maitain properly, we will eat out every once in awhile and have the odd off plan treat...  but these will be the last to come back in and never like they were after I got to goal.

I am thrilled to be here.  I have dreamt of being here.  I love it here.  I highly recommend you go for it.  Get it done, it feels fantastic.

All the best and big hugs,

Cindy

This is what I say:

1) You have to do what works for you. Your NUT can give you advice but in the end it's your body and your journey.

2) It's a lot easier to lose if you work out because it gives you more leeway in your eating. Not just because it burns some extra calories but because it raises your metabolism.

3) If you aren't tracking your food, then you are probably eating more than you think you are. Studies have shown this over and over. And you have to also measure and weigh. Maybe not every time, but periodically because our portions grow over time if we don't.

There are other things that can help but those are the biggies.

My information tends to be the same as the Cirangle patients, since my surgeon trained with the San Francisco group when he started doing the surgery.
I am maintaining on about 1200 calories, but can easily drop a few lb by dropping calorie intake to between 8-900. I track calories occasionally just to be sure that I'm staying on target, but mostly I have learned how to maintain.
So far so good.
Best of luck to you as you continue your journey. You have done a fantastic job, and am much more committed to the task than I have ever been. I have never liked to exercise, but love to be active and have appreciated the ability to get really active again. It helps me maintain my weight within bounds.

My surgeon also recommends 600 - 800 calories a day during weight loss - and the stats he has been compiling with respect to % of excess weight lost for his patients are looking impressive.

For me, I found that while exercise was great for health, strength, cardio health, stabilizing blood sugars and a bunch of other important things, it didn't make much of a difference to my weight loss  - then it really was a matter of eating fewer calories.

I do find now, at maintenance, that strength training and HIIT (high intensity interval training) keeps my metabolism going (along with my increased muscle mass) and this allows me to be a lot more liberal with my food.

Having said that, when I notice any creeping upward on the scale (the indulgences that are all over the place during the holidays are pretty much always the culprit here!), I just go back to pushing protein a bit harder and sticking to the basics in terms of my food choices.

Good luck! I am sure you can do it - and it took me a bit more than 18 months, so go for it!

I think what helped me to accept where I was at, was having a hydrostatic body fat test done. It showed a relatively low body fat and good muscle mass for my age and height and I am happy with this. This test is very accurate. Calipers can be, if they are used by someone who is skilled in the technique.

Strength training will also help to preserve and build lean muscle mass, as you are losing weight. This will help to boost your metabolism, so that even at rest and for several hours after working out, your metabolism will be higher.  Cardio is important, but strength training is also crucial, especially in maintenance. It is important to mix up the type of exercise that you participate in. You need to keep your body guessing. If it becomes too used to certain exercises, the body doesn't have to work as hard and it becomes more difficult to lose weight.

Food logging is crucial during the weight loss phase, and especially during maintenance. Portion creep can occur very easily. I still measure, weigh, and measure my food. It helps to keep me mindful and accountable. I have been maintaining within a 2 lb range since mid-April.

Gail