Question:
Can you lose too much weight?

   — Debbie K. (posted on October 31, 2003)

October 31, 2003
Depends on what you mean by that? Most of us in these parts do shoot on past goal, then have bounce-back and park right about where we want to be. The only ones I've seen STAY too thin are also tremendously malnourished. So, too thin & healthy? Not for long.
   — vitalady

October 31, 2003
Debbie, Yes, you can. I've read quite a few profiles of patients who have lost too much. Part of not going there is knowing you've chosen the right surgery for you, the right surgeon with the skill necessary to perform the procedure appropriately for you, and knowing that you can follow through for the remainder of your lifetime with the appropriate post-op lifestyle for your surgery. It's a huge decision. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

October 31, 2003
Its a rare problem, our bodies know when to quit loosing. I went a bit underweight but bounced back and now fight regain, see my profile. I know Dr Hamad. She is a excellent surgeon and provides wonderful aftercare. Surgery takes but a couple hours aftercare is the rest of your life. Do you know about the pittsburgh yahoo group? Me and my wife Jen had dinner with a group of them the other night. All but one person was a post op all the ladies went to the womans room to strip and look at plastic surgery results. What happens is eventually we can eat more sand the loss stoips. Nearly all feel they are still too heavy. Dont worry about this, concern yourself with the important stuff like affording all new clothes!:)
   — bob-haller

October 31, 2003
Most of us never have to worry about it. Wish I had that problem instead of being 35 lbs from goal at 2.5 years post op.
   — Danmark

November 1, 2003
I suppose that you could also be too rich? For many of us, there is a "set weight" out there at which point our bodies will sort out that we are at a healthy and sustainable size. However, if you are continuing to lose because you are fearful of eating (which happens more often than many of us acknowledge) despite being at a comfortable goal weight, you could be "catastrophizing"-- meaning that you equate eating certain foods (or certain amounts) with immediately causing you to return to your pre-surgery weight. There is a balancing act that takes time to master. Wish I had a good answer for this one, but I too am struggling with this as I feel that I am thin enough (notwishtanding those freakin' NIH BMI charts that still list me as overweight), but something in the back of my mind refuses to increase my carbs or decrease my protein intake on a consistent basis.
   — SteveColarossi

November 1, 2003
Check my profile out -- I'm dealing with the same exact issue. I have a strong psychological resistance to the thought of increasing my eating / caloric intake. In my own case, the loss rate has definitely slowed down, but I suspect that I'll dip into the high 150s before it halts. Michelle's answer (regarding the bounceback) seems to be borne out by both anecdotal data and common sense. As long as we're getting our protein and vitamins and we're feeling good, I don't think we have much to be concerned about (my two cents). Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]