Question:
Can someone give helpful hints regarding too much weight loss?

Okay, I realize I may get shot for this one. And, before I get flamed...YES< I will be seeing my doctor soon! I am 5'7 and down to 126 lbs at 1year post op. I am concerned because it is a real struggle to keep the weight from continuing to come off. (3lbs per month) I don't dump hardly at all. And, I am trying to increase calories. I would greatly appreciate helpful advice. I do have reactive hypoglycemia, and have to eat every 2-3 hours. Thanks, Paige    — Paige B. (posted on August 4, 2004)

August 4, 2004
I don't have any personal experience with this (sadly), but I've read that if you reverse the pouch rules it will help you stabilize... drink with meals, graze, eat refined foods (although not w/ you hypoglycemia!), reduce your cardio, drink higher calorie drinks. Maybe that would help?
   — mom2jtx3

August 4, 2004
What!!!!! I totally envy you. I haven't had my surgery yet but when I do I hope that I can lose the weight. Your right you should see you doctor. But good luck and Congrats on the weight loss.
   — Marcy L.

August 4, 2004
Paige..Congratulations on your weight loss! I am having the same problem. My surgeon said to sip with meals, eat more often, decrease exercise routine and add more good carbs to my diet. Yeah..I love fruit and gladly eat more..Sometimes it takes your body longer to adjust to WLS. Just monitor your weight and labs. I am 20 months post RNY. Started at 350+ and am 128 now.I have had arms done, breast lift and lower body lift. It's such fun to go buy size 8-10 instead of 28-30...Good luck..You'll do just fine.
   — dianne E.

August 4, 2004
Paige, my experience is that this is a temporary thing. Most people do not lose so much that their health is in danger. I had this situation and tried to stop the weight loss. I did stop it and then 2.5 years later 20 pounds came back practically overnight. It was very difficult to get them off again, but by then I was used to the small size and I liked it. You may be feeling stressed if you (or others) think you look too boney, but that will change too. Over time your face will fill out some and your butt will come back even if you stay the same weight. My advice is to make sure you are taking vitamins, getting protein in, and doing all the things you need to do to stay healthy. Don't worry about being too thin at this point. I am an inch taller and 2 pounds lighter than you and I think I look just fine. I'm almost 5 years postop so I don't have that gaunt look, though. Good luck! hugs, Ann.... RNY 9/10/99.... 260/124
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 4, 2004
You started with a BMI below 40 (36), so it is not unusual for you to go under, sometimes way under your goal. Eating every 2-3 hours is a good thing, and by adding more high calorie items to your menu, you should be able to stop the weight loss. Usually around the 2 year post-op period, many have a 10 percent bounce back, so I would be more concerned with keeping yourself from losing any more than a regain at this early point. If you add a few hundred calories a day (protein shake with full fat milk and yogurt, for example) and are still losing, add a little bit more. High calorie drinks, extra protein shakes and drinking with eating so that you are hungry again in a short period of time should work. I wouldn't suggest eating refined sugars/carbs though as once you start, its hard to stop. Your goal is to stop the weight loss, not get into bad habits.
   — Cindy R.

August 4, 2004
I am not concerned with "regain" at all at this point. Thank you SOOO much you guys. These are very good tips. I see my surgeon next Friday. I am in a size 4 and gaining some back would not be such a bad thing. I appreciate the encouragement. These have calmed me greatly! :)
   — Paige B.

August 4, 2004
I just turned 1 year 4 months postop on July 30th. I am currently 5 foot tall weighing 119 lbs. I wear anywhere from a size 1 to a 3. I feared getting to low also; however I've recently noticed my weight stabalizing. I've been at this weight for a couple months. It's the first time that's happened. I usually lost at least 1-3 lbs per month. So, I really don't think there's anything to worry about. It was absolutely a concern of mine for a while though. It's weird how you can go from worry about one extreme to worrying about the other. I wish you the best of luck. Just keep doing what you're doing. You'll be just fine!
   — Renee B.

August 4, 2004
Paige, It can be really frustrating to hearing all your life that you are too FAT to all the sudden you are too SKINNY! I have to say I find being called too thin more offensive than being referred to as fat! LOL I did get a little too low for my body type and height. I started at 323 and got down to 113. My body is not meant to be that small. I looked like a BOBBLE HEAD DOLL!! My plastic surgeon also made me gain some weight before he would do my tummy tuck. I am comfortable right now at 125 (I am 5'3 but also have a muscular frame). It has been a struggle to regain some weight and maintain it. I had to increase my caloric intake and also had to cut back on the exercise a bit until I got to where I wanted to be. I have been able to "normalize" now and am very happy! There aren't too many of us who end up losing too much and to be honest, you don't seem to get a whole lot of sympathy OR support from folks. They laugh and say "YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO SKINNY".. well, ummm... yeah ya can! And it can be somewhat more emotional being on this end than on the other. It has been tough..but still well worth the journey! Hang in there! Hugs, Kathie in Hawaii...
   — KathieInHawaii