Question:
Any long term post ops find themselves starving to lose weight?

Hi everyone. I am going to 4 years post op in July, and although very happy with my weight loss of almost 200 lbs, I never really did reach my goal, and I would like to drop about 30 more lbs. The odd thing is that in order for me to do this, I am practically starving myself, because if I don't, I don't budge and will gain. If I eat let's say more than 400 to 500 calories a day, I gain weight, like 10 to 15 lbs in a few days, back and forth. I exercise, and don't eat bread, or carbs, take my vitamins and read labels all the time looking for hidden sugar. I had the surgery for the obvious reasons, but to think that I have to starve myself to lose was not what I bargained for. My family thinks it is ridiculous that I have to do this, but they too see the same problem, I gain weight with normal food (1000 good calories a day) consumption. I find myself existing on protein shakes or facing 10 to 15 lbs and maybe more if I kept eating "normally". I've had my pouch checked and I am in tact, but I think it's because my metabolism is so screwed up from all the stupid diets I did prior to the surgery. I guess I am just looking to see if anyone else suffers from this. This has been going on for some time, because before I used the Atkins diet to lose most of my weight, now I can't even do that. And for anyone attempting to be negative, yes, I exercise, yes I get my protein, water, etc, no sugar, no carbs, I mean I am doing it all RIGHT. AHHHH!!! lol. Thanks for any replies.    — Carey N. (posted on March 8, 2005)


March 8, 2005
Carey, It sounds like to me that you have put your body into starvation mode. This will make it almost impossible to maintain or lose weight. What I would recomend if for you to see an RD that specializes Bariatic surgery patients. The other thing is have you changed your exercise routine in the last 6 weeks? If not it is a good idea to change your workout routine every 4 to 6 weeks. Best of Health to You, Shawna
   — Shawna G.

March 8, 2005
Hey there...... sorry to hear the woes.but it sounds like you are doing what you should(wish I had the same advantage you did of the instructions) Anyway..from what I have seen and read it looks as though it's not your pouch or your body metabolism but it may be that your common channel has stretched back out and therefore you are absorbing way more and passing on less.....which can lead to regain and a stoppage in losing. It is NOT uncommon.this may be an aveni=ue to investigate with your PCP or surgeon if you are still in contact with them. BEST WISHES
   — Wings In Waiting

March 8, 2005
How many protein shakes are you drinking and are you counting them in your calories. When I started up on the shakes as recommended by some high profile people oin this site, I gained.
   — **willow**

March 8, 2005
After looking at your profile, I am wondering if maybe you are at your body's comfortable weight and are trying to lose too much? Focus on the positive and congratulations on your amazing accomplishment in losing so much weight!
   — **willow**

March 8, 2005
Congrats on 4 years without serious weight gain. Don't be so hard on yourself, you are aware of things that you are doing, and overall it sounds like you are doing good. I agree with the other poster, maybe your body is at it's goal weight. I am surprised about the amount of calories that you are taking in. I am 19 month post-op and I am taking 1200 to 1500 calories and 80 to 100 grams of protein daily. My WLS surgeon once told me to lose more weight I have to have more calories and protein. Maybe you are not eating enough calories, and your body is storing fat again. Shake things up and let your body know that it does not have to store fat, and try more calories. Also, changing your excercise routine might shake things up. Keep up the good work. Do you have access to a dietitian?
   — cindy

March 8, 2005
It's not ABNORMAL to regain after a few years. You might want to pop over to the Grad list and ask around there how people are dealing with their regain. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

March 8, 2005
You sound like me. I'm 15 months post-op and have only lost 45 lbs.(nothing in the last 10 months). Last week I had my "resting metabolism rate" checked by a nutritionist at a local hospital weight management center. My rate was 1,140 calories a day. She told me it would be virtually impossible for me to lose weight with my metabolism that low - I would have to starve myself and would then gain anything I lost back as soon as I ate. She strongly suspects I have low thyroid and suggested I have my PCP give me the T4 and TSH thyroid tests. I'm going to my doc on Friday for the tests. The resting metabolism rate test (which is the calories your body burns during a day without any activity/exercise)is very easy. You fast for 4 hours, do no exercise, and then breathe into a hand held piece of equipment called a "Body Gem" for 3 to 10 minutes. I used Google to find who had the Body Gem in my area.
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 8, 2005
Carey, I am having the same problem 18mos out, cant seem to budge past 222lbs, I had got down to 218 and now back to 222 but want to loose another 15 to 20 lbs. I am really having to watch how much I eat and I can probably eat about three time as much as I could 2mos post op. I had one doctor tell me that the pouch does not stretch but it almost has to. Something has definatly changed. I very happy with my loss of 130 lbs but didnt realize that I would have to struggle with eating again. I don't have the answers but I certainly understand what you are going thru.
   — gragsdal

March 8, 2005
Boy do I hear you. I'll be four years out in May. I started off at around 319.... my window pretty much closed at 12 months... at least it took another year to SLOWLY lose 20 more pounds. My body settled on 162-165. I had wanted 129 or 130 to get in the mid range of the Normal BMI for my height. I never could lose. I did try going almost no carbs for awhile, and lost 10 lbs. As soon as I went off... 10 lbs + 5 lbs more went directly back on. So I never dieted again as this happened pre op.... lose one pound and gain 3 back type thing. So I never could lose. Then around Thanksgiving I'd had bad stomach pains and diareaa. Well, I lost 13 lbs in one month! Not trying ether. I got to 151. Now I hover 151-155. Anyway, sounds like your metabolism is screwed. Which is why I had WLS... so I don't diet anymore, lest it get screwed on this side of WLS and what can we do then? Anyway, I'd see your surgeon and perhaps get some tests. It does'nt sound right. Good luck and don't think you are the only one. You are not.
   — Danmark

March 8, 2005
Hi Carey, First of all, congrats on your loss. I wanted to write you with my experience of a low carb diet as well. I was on one called NuWeigh for years, counting carbs, checking in every other day, buying and using supplements, and lets not forget vigorous excercising, I managed to lose a total of 100 pounds; but the down side to this ritual is I noticed if I didnt continue and maintain exactly to a "T" that I gained weight instead of lost. I now find myself stepping onto the scales weighing more than I did the previous day, I still excercise and try to stay on a somewhat low carb diet, but I just think because of the low carb thing that my body adjusted to it and is forcing me to live low carb if I want to lose weight or maintain weight, nonetheless I am almost back up to the size I was that led me to low carb diets to begin with and am waiting for SWL aproval. I was on the low carb diet for 2 1/2 years, had a nervous break down and thus the medications and off low carbs. I am hoping to have lipo suction and skin removal after I have my SWL, in hopes that without all the old extra fat cells I wont have to worry about them feeling the need to stretch out to the size they were used to being. I've done alot of reading up on it and to my opinion is the way to go, even if somewhat out of pocket expense, would be the way to go after drastic weight loss and low carb diets in hopes not to regain. not sure if this helps you but maybe give you one alternative to fighting back with a body that doesnt want to work with you after a low carb diet. I know mine rebels everytime I think high carb foods. hang in there, you've made it this far, surely theres a solution to an ending. good luck and congrats at the same time.
   — sachi48sims

March 9, 2005
I can eat up to 2000 a day and not gain, but even if I eat 1200, I don't lose. I do exercise and I lose inches but the scale stopped at 218 a while ago. I know to lose now I need to go below 800 a day. Just don't want to do it to myself. I have been dieting since I was 12 years old. I am actually tired of it. I guess I am not in the same boat, as I can eat sensibly and not gain, but it is frustrating to eat what I would consider dietary calories and not lose. The only thing I can think for myself is to increase the weight lifting. It will make me gain weight but lose inches. And the muscles will eventually help me lose the fat. We've obviously tried it all, as we had the surgery as a last resort. I wish you luck. Maybe we should get our basal metabolism tested?
   — mrsmyranow

March 9, 2005
good morning! i am 13 months post-op and am doing the same thing you are.. i thought if i went back on liquids/protein bars that would help, but it's not. i work out 90 minutes a day and burn, burn, burn, but nothing. i am sooooooooooooo hungry all the time. it feels like it did before surgery. (plus i don't dump).. i tried eating fruit as a replacement, protein shakes, and anything else i could, but, no luck. i swear my stoma has stretched!i have medi-cal and not sure if they will pay for me to be checked. this sucks... i too wish i could use this tool wisely, but, it just doesn't want to work. i've been on the other website.(the grad one) and, i see no help.... sorry to bum you out more, but my heart is with you! patricia
   — riotgirlp

March 9, 2005
oh how I hear you. For the most part, I can eat pretty well and even snack some and stay within a 10 lb range. But nothing, no effort that I do make will budge the scale any lower for me than 250 lbs!!!! OK I started at 370 and I am 6' tall so 250 really is a lot better. But it is a huge disappointment for me. I wish I had paid more attention when I had surgery and asked about a more distal RNY but it is too late now. My surgery is intact because I still have days when I have food get stuck. If I stick with dense protein my meals aren't big. Even a couple of months of serious exercise only manages to get a couple of lbs off of me and I go right back up to my weight range. It is very frustrating indeed.
   — SARose61

March 9, 2005
I don't understand how this is can happen but God made us all different. I am 20 months out and eat five small meals a day, even eat chocolate sometimes, and the only exercise I do is running after three small children all day long and I am not gaining any weight. My doctor is not a fan of protein so I don't drink those but I make sure I take all my vitamins, drink lots of water, and eat lots of meat and veggies. I hardly eat bread because it makes me full after two bites. So I eat a lot of meat and fresh fruits and veggies. I guess that I am just blessed so far because I am still losing...slowly...I have only lost about 2 pounds in the last 5 months but I am not complaining down from 245 to 140...I would be happy if I never lost another pound. I would try eating more small meals through out the day so that your body doesn't feel deprived and will let go of those unwanted pounds. Good Luck! Truly!!!
   — jenniemminor

March 9, 2005
My Dr told me last week that if I dont eat breakfast that my body goes into a starvation mode and thats why I am not losing weight.. I guess drinking a protien shake is the same thing as eating breakfast.. Do you normally eat breakfast? Good luck.. Susan
   — susan17821

March 10, 2005
I'm no expert at only 18 months out, but I've seen a lot of posts here and try to absorb the good info I read. Everyone who has had these types of problems says to change up your exercise routine, change what, how much, and when you eat. If you're not into weight training, I would definitely make that a big part of your exercise routine. Building muscle helps keep the metabolism going. Also, personally I have never been a fan of real low-carb eating, and from what I've seen on here from folks who eat that way, it is a very "unforgiving" way of eating. Once you get into it, it's really hard to go back. I tried Atkins once as a pre-op, and just couldn't hack it. Fortunately, my doctor advocates a balanced diet, and that is what I have followed since surgery, and still do. I don't do protein shakes anymore, but I still use protein bars occasionally to help stave off hunger attacks. Congrats on your success - I hope you find the answers you are looking for. Best wishes. Lap RNY 9/11/03, 270/163
   — Carlita




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