Question:
Why does weight lost slow down 6 months out for RNY patients?

I am 9 months out from having RNY surgery. I lost 42 lbs prior to surgery and have lost a total of 138lbs. I exercise like crazy going to the gym 6 x a week. I swim a mile 3 or 4 times a week. I keep a record of EVERYthing I eat. I have a large calorie deficit -anywhere from -800 to -1500 calories and I am loosing at a snail's pace. Yikes! Any suggestions? Thanks Sarah    — Sarah108 (posted on June 2, 2011)

June 2, 2011
Hi, Congrads on your journey, I have had the same problem. Your at a plateau you need to increase your calories. My surgeon and my PCP told me that I was working out way to much for my calorie intake like you are doing. I was at 800-1200 cals. per day as well. workout 6 days a week etc just like you. I am down 150 lbs one year out. My Dr's told me to increase cals to 1600-1800 per day even on my day off. I broke my plateau I am still losing around 1.5 lbs. per week. When they told me to increase my cals. I freaked like how am I going to get all that food in, along with all the water and vitamins? It was tough at first but it's like second nature now. Good luck on your journey!!
   — slvbullet

June 2, 2011
My weightloss did not slow down because I followed to the "T" what my Dr told me to do. They said no carbs until I lost 75% of my weight loss, and I did it, they said exercise and I did it.Once I added good carbs my weight loss slowed down big time. Now, when I am up a lb or so, I cut down on my carbs and then I lose. It is not easy but it is sure fun being skinny. Good luck!
   — FSUMom

June 2, 2011
I'm 20 months out with an RNY and have lost over 180 lbs with 12 to go. I find that when I up the excercise and cut down on the cut way down on the carbs, I still lose well. Not like I did in the beginning but I'm not complaining.
   — Kathleen W.

June 2, 2011
I completely agree with the first poster. If you increase and feed your body it will stop tring to hold onto every last bite you do give it. I needed to add complex carbs so that my body had an energy source. Still avoid those nasty simple and processed carbs, but get rid of all the carbs and you don't have a source of energy to fuel your workouts. Your body decides you are starving it and stops letting go of anything. If nothing else, try this suggestion for 2 weeks and see what happens, then go back to limiting yourself if it doesn't change. The other thing I would try is to change up what you are doing. Add strength training--it won't cause you to "bulk up" if you are using light weights, but it will tear down muscles that will need to be repaired--uses up more calories, makes you stronger, and more defined. Kimberly A successful butterfly since 2009
   — scootermedic

June 2, 2011
May I ask how many carbs you allow yourself a day? I'm on a plateau as well and am reducing carbs and increasing my protein but would like to know how many carbs I should be taking in....good information on this post. Thank you!
   — Jo R.

June 2, 2011
Thanks everyone for your replies. Hmm maybe the problem is that somedays I have to high carbohydrates. My diet usually consists of high protein and complex carbs like vegies but I do allow myself tarte champignon from Trader Joes. 1/4 slice contains168g. I log all my food on calorie count.com ( a great website by the way) I also before a workout a high proteins shake mixed also with the powder ENDURANCE which has a 4 to 1 ration of carbs to protein. which has 20 gr of carbs. I do weight strengthening exercise at least once a week along with circuit training. I am up to 200 lbs on the leg press machine. I heard also from other people to up my calories which I am doing but somedays it is hard to get 1600 calories in a day. Does anyone know what the optimum number of carbs should I eat. I never really counted carbs before. But I do know that if I don't have my endurance protein shake I will be just exhausted. There are times when I have to split up my workout and go to the gym 2 x a day as I am too damn exhausted to do an entire workout - especially if I swim 60 to 75 minutes and then try do my weight lifting routine.
   — Sarah108

June 3, 2011
I lost 140 in seven months and got low in weight. But at some point your body gets used to its new self. I work out like crazy, love it by the way because I never really exercised much. But now 17 months out I still work out regularly and take in 2000 calories a day but my diet is still protein and veggies and fruits with little carbs. Don't lose weight much but am building muscle like a mad man. So your body could be making more muscle now and you are losing fat but the weight go nowhere. To me congrats are in order as you are now a normal human being with your weight, eating and exercise.
   — postalmoose

June 3, 2011
You will hit many plateaus during weight-loss. I had a two month plateau in my first year and thought that was it for me. This is where the tape measure becomes your friend. You will notice during this time you will lose inches. I am three plus years out and hit many plateus during my journey. I found that drinking alot and going back to basics and eating like I did right after surgery for a few days would break the plateau, or just eating protein only. You've lost a tramendous amount of weight and congrats are in order! Hang in there. My nutritionist told me to keep it under 1300 calories for life. But hey! You're already a success story! Good luck to ya!!
   — lesleigh07