Question:
Losing too much weight?

Hi, I am exactly one year post op. I am down to 121 pounds. I have been eating higher calorie foods to try and stop losing weight but it doesn't seem to be working. Does anyone feel that they've lost too much? When does it stop? Any advice is appreciated!    — Melissa C. (posted on May 28, 2002)

May 28, 2002
I've been going through the same things as you. I am 15 months post-up and still losing. I would like to stop so I have also upped my intake quite a bit. I do have some stressfull things going on, like building and moving into a new home this week. I have been busy physically also. I am hoping that when all this calms down, I can concentrate more on my intake. I went from 298 to 119 as of today. I have been getting negative comments and am tired of it. I am not trying to lose, but people think I now have an eating disorder of the opposite kind. I would like to see the other comments you receive on this question. Good luck and one thing my doctor did tell me was, keep in mind that you will gain some back after you hit your end point. He told me between 10-15 pounds will come back. He also told me that all my labs on my bloodwork are great and not to worry. Have you had your labs done recently?
   — Janie C.

May 28, 2002
Try adding more carb's to your diet especially if you are very active. That way you will burn those first before you burn any protein or muscle. Also, I have read that on the average, most people gain back an average of 10 to 20 pounds after they level off, so I'd give it some time. Congratulations!
   — Angela B.

May 28, 2002
I agree with the posters who say you usually gain back 10-20 pounds. I have seen quite a few posts about people who are worried that they are losing too much, and who are eating high calorie foods to gain weight. Why would you do that?? It just perplexes me, since we all know we have had such issues with trying to lose weight. I figure if I get 15 pounds below my goal weight, I will probably end up at my goal weight in the next few years because of the liklihood of regain. I would rather start out really thin and end up normal that eat high calorie foods to stay normal and end up overweight again. If people comment, just tell them about the liklihood of regaining soon.
   — Jennifer Y.

July 26, 2002
I am 10 months out and came here just now to ask this exact question. I am 15 lbs. out from my goal weight now, but still losing 2 - 3 lbs. per week, which seems high to me. I'd forgotten about the rebound thing at the end, so I guess I'm just going to keep losing until I get a bit below my goal of 160, and then wait and see. I have to say that I've never, ever been in a situation where I thought I was losing too much, too quickly! It's a little bit scary, but I'm just going to take a deep breath and remember that my body knows what it's doing.
   — Karen I.

October 21, 2002
Unfortunately, our bodies sometimes find their own levels and it can be above our goal as happens with many, and it also can be lower than our goal, as happens with a much smaller number. We have seen several people go through our support group who just lost and lost and got to where they were told to eat anything that they could tolerate to keep from loosing. Remember, becoming Aneroxic is a slight possibility with this operation. I would recommend following your dr and your dietician's addvise the best you can and what your body is telling you. One of my co-workers had a long spell of over a year of looking wasted, but then eventually started putting on weight. Just be aware and keep your doctor aware and if you still keep loosing, keep your blood levels checked on a regular basis to make sure you are not becoming anemic or your protein levels go to low.
   — Elizabeth K.

December 4, 2002
I am almost 9 months out and have lost over 160lbs and hit my first goal at 8 months of 160lbs. Now I am heading towards my stretch goal of 140 at warp speed. Doc is not happy with how fast I am loosing since I should not have hit goal within such a short time. I do take in sugar and more carbs than most, and dump :P, but I still loose like crazy. I remember hoping that I might hit 180 by Christmas and here I am at 158 :) Well I still have a ways to go before I waste away, but being 9 months out and still loosing is kind of a concern.
   — smedley200

September 14, 2003
Hi I am 2 years post op. I never stopped losing. I started at 230 pounds preop. In July of this year I hit my lowest at 89 pounds. I have just now recovered from a revision of my surgery and have been able to gain 10 pounds since as of today(98 pounds now). My Dr gave me all back what he bypassed and left me with my pouch only. I have a feed tube and consume four cans daily of my prescription drinks for tube feedings. These feedings are the sole reason I have gained weigh. I still am unable to eat to not loose weight meaning if i eat food by mouth in place of a can feeding I will loose 2-3 pounds that day immediately. All this time I thought I was the only one out there struggling with this unusual circumstance as it is uncommon to loose too much. I would not be unhappy at 100 pounds since i am only 4ft 10 but I am afraid of how will I ever be able to eat food by mouth and sustain my weight with out my tube??? My dr said he would have me try at 110 pounds but if i cant then I would have to have a complete reversal and get my stomach back too. that would make it my 5th open surgery and my dr said i would gain all my weight back too. So to me this means I dont want that with all my heart. I wish I had the answer of when will it stop for you as for me it never did and I still dont know if I can control it for me. Keep in touch i pray all goes well for you. Tammie Sue Bruner, Cloverport KY
   — Mercedes_Baby_boo

February 4, 2004
Gosh, I love this sight. Im 18 mos post op and I havent lost any more weight since 15 mos post op and I didnt expect to lose anymore but Ive dropped 10 lbs in little over a week. I am around within 5 above my ideal weight. Thing is I also have a huge cast on my leg so thats got to weigh something. Anyway I hope I stop losing to I can give any more up. Im a little worried but giving my body time. I ve already been hospitalized for very low blood count. I feel normal though I eat everything I truely want just I never eat much because I cant. Again I feel good physically and mentally. I started at 254 now 120 , 5'3 small bone structured.
   — niteshadow181

February 18, 2004
I'm almost 2 years out and I've lost 125 pounds...down to 110 now which is way too low for me at 5'5". I was down to 105 which was skin and bones around Christmas time due to stress. So I've regained 5 but it's a daily struggle to maintain. I've been told to drink Ensure and Carnation Instant Breakfast but those are so expensive. It does indeed sound funny to be told to eat "more fattening" foods when that's what we've tried to avoid all our lives! I still don't regret having this surgery for a second!!!
   — Susan Z.

December 29, 2004
Hi everyone,I am 8 months post-op and here I am asking the same question.I am 5'2..I started out at 215 lbs pre-op and I am now 113 lbs. I love the weightloss but my body is beginning to look silly. My head is bigger than my waist.. I wear a size 1-2 and I have no boobs.. ok..fine I look like a lollipop.. that will give you a better visual. I am getting implants in april YAY for me.. but I am concerned about losing too much weight.My Dr has told me to increase my carbs as well as calories.. and to eat 5 meals a day at 400 calories each.. and still try to get in my fluids? HOW? anyways.. I can't do it without being sick to my stomach everytime I eat.. I tried eating a whole peanut butter sandwich and felt sick for an hour afterwards.. I am just confused.
   — LesaPurdy

February 14, 2005
Are you at your Ideal weight or in the normal BMI range? I am there too prior to my first year. People are constantly telling me that I have lost enough now, or oh my stop it your tOoo Skinny. But I ck my percentage of body fat and know my BMI. I let my Dr worry about the Techincal parts of my blood work and all. Please do not allow society tell you how to eat with your new system. The Doctor knows best! Stick to your High Protein, low fat low sugar diet. Add Protein, try sticking in a protein <low carb> shake in there between lunch and dinner breakfast and lunch. But remember the Foods you ate before to get to the point where you were before surgery can sneak up on you again after 2 yrs post op also. Take this time to establish good healthy RNY Eating habits now, so that the wonder of this tool can work as it should.
   — Andrea Z.

June 6, 2005
I am 8 years post op and after about 5-6 years I did re-gail about 20 lbs but lost it and actually have lost another 15 lbs the past 3 months and don't know why. I know it is weird as we spent so much time worried about losing weight but we also want to be healthy. I actually would like to gain about 10 back. I'm proof that long term post ops still struggle and I also eat pretty much whatever I want including sweets.
   — kim A.

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