Question:
6 months post op...need help!!

I am 6 months post op gastric bypass surgery. I had to do a 4 week liquid diet prior to this and lost 33 pounds. Since surgery on jan 5th, I have lost an additional 115 pounds. I weighed 408 when i started my liquid diet, and i weigh 260 right now. When is my weight loss gonna stop. I know of so many people who stopped losing weight after 100 pounds, but i am bigger so i would I hope i could lose more. I am 5'1, so i need to get down to 150. Any advice.    — jackie L. (posted on July 8, 2009)

July 8, 2009
It sounds like you are making good progress. I was told that your body finds its own "happy place". When your body reaches that number on the scale you will plateau. I am down 100# since 1/8/09 and still losing. But I have a total of about 225 to lose. Good luck and keep up the good work!!!! We are proud of you!!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 8, 2009
Your body will know when to stop. Just be sure to eat the right amount of calories or you will either stay the same or loose to much. You have actually lost your weight pretty fast. That is excellent. If you do plateau, bump your menu around, eat something different and throw your metabolizm off to have to work overtime for the "strange" item in your stomach. It sounds weird, I know. But it does work. If your body gets used to eating the same foods, it is just doing the same work, if you eat different foods, it gets to metabolize different. Congrats on your wls.
   — Kristy

July 8, 2009
You're doing really well. Keep up the great work. My surgeon told me that there is a "honeymoon" period when our bodies lose weight really fast. Enjoy the ride.
   — Kathleen W.

July 8, 2009
I would add some exercise to the daily routine..this will get the metab up and running also. Congrats on it all. You are doing a great job. Eat your 3 meals with no snacking, drink your 64 oz and make sure you get the protein in. Bump it up a lil if you feel you can. I was getting about 75 grams at my optimal weight loss pace. I am holding now...at a few pounds below goal. Most people continue losing for a 10-12 month period..your body may be just catching up right now. Don't lose faith. if you do all you are suppose to, it will come off. Best of luck to you! hugs,kim
   — gpcmist

July 9, 2009
I am also 6 months post op. I had surgery on 1/8/09. I have lost a total of around 100lbs....from what I lost before my surgery and what I have lost since the surgery. Now I am stuck at a plateau. I went from 286 down to 190. I am wondering if I will lose any more. I have been stuck here for about a month now. It is frustrating.
   — Lyndsay30

July 9, 2009
You can continue to lose for the first two years. Mainly the firs one, then slowly after that. Slow downs are common but just keep on the right foods and you will lose more over time.
   — trible

July 9, 2009
I had gastric bypass in 11/08. Started at 400 lbs and now weigh 245 losing 155 lbs. Still have about about 70-75 more to go. You sound like you are right on the money with your weight loss. Just keep your protein high and it comes off easier. Remember what DR has told you and you will be fine. Good Luck and keep posting. We must provide each other support. Before you know it you will be at your goal. Yes!
   — Tina B.

July 10, 2009
There is no guarentee that you will get to 150 lbs...and the body usually wants to hold on to a little extra weight (15-30 lbs)...especially after the rapid weigh loss it goes thru...That's why you hear so many panic towards the end of ther first year because they have 20-30 more pounds to lose and are almost at that year mark...Those last several pounds are some work to lose. You have done wonderfully so far! Good for you! Some heavy weights do not make it to a normal weight, but they do make it to a HEALTHY weight and drop all or most of their comorbidities! I was 315 lbs and had a personal goal of 160 lbs...But realistically I had already set in my head that the average weight loss was 100 lbs and if I made it to 200 lbs I would have been content so long as I was healthy again...I made it to 158 and gained back 8 lbs landing me at 165-ish pounds give or take for the last 5 years! I am still overweight according to my BMI...but it's just a number! My hip to waist ratio says I am not overweight even though my BMI says I am...WHO CARES??? I feel GREAT and have no more comorbids... I'm an average sized person and feel quite normal and content! So work hard like you've been and you will get healthy...But don't worry so much about exact numbers and if you still do...then kick it up at the gym or pool or how ever you enjoy working out and get that body smoking...Exercise is by far the ultimate tool to losing weight and getting fit in my opinion and experience...I hate hate hate the gym...So I have to challenge myself to get in exercise...It is my goal daily to stay active and find exercise in everyday hobbies and chores...I swim for cardio...I garden and do all the yard work as well and I became a carpenter just after surgery and now I renovate/re-build houses. My first year after surgery I took a job as a hobby with a deck company and built some 13 two story decks that summer...I got the best work outs of my life doing that all summer and swimming on weekends and free time. So hating the gym is not a bad thing as long as you don't get lazy and make excuses...I know because I can give you a hundred excuses why I "can't" make it to the gym...but I cannot honestly give a good reason why I can't get off my butt and MOVE!! LOL So...I hope that gives you a little incentive because exercise matters greatly!!!!!!But it doesn't always have to be in a gym! Also, don't worry so much about numbers but about your health and about making healthy changes that last the rest of your life! Good luck! You are doing GREAT!
   — .Anita R.