Ideal weight

I started at 240 lbs, had my surgery in February 2015, at 6 months post-op I weighed 164 lbs....I had lost 92% of my excess weight.....5 weeks later I am down to 158.2 lbs as of this morning ....my ideal weight according to my surgeon and 3 lbs away from my personal goal ! I am in disbelief and beyond grateful for my journey......and terrified of staring maintenance in the face.....

I have lost and gained back so many times, I can't help but be afraid.....any words of wisdom ?!

Weigh often and track your food. If you creep up more than a couple of pounds, reel it back in before it gets away from you.

Congratulations.  You've done a fabulous job working that sleeve and getting so close to your goal!  Nice job. 

Now the challenge of maintenance.  I was terrified of the transition to maintenance, but what I found is that I had to consider it a plan just like in weight loss.  Its just a plan with a bit more calories and a bit more flexibility.  Don't think of it as being done.  Obesity is a disease, and the sleeve is a tool to help us manage the disease, but it isn't a cure.  Its a life-long commitment to controlling our diets.  But you can do it. 

I found that when I added calories to my meals, I wasn't getting the best foods, so I switched my strategy and added a fourth meal of the same quality as my weight loss diet.  This worked for me.  I had a little flexibility for cheats, and when the scale went up, I could cut back to three meals and be back in weight loss. 

Of course, its never as easy as it sounds on paper.  The cheats become habits and have to be managed.  Vacation and stress take their tolls.  But all in all, its possible. 

Welcome to maintenance, and keep us posted on what works for you.

best wishes,

Carol

May I ask how tall you are? I have been hanging out at 157 for a month or so now (Im 5' 3 1/2") and everyone keeps telling me that I look great and don't need to lose anymore and the surgeon won't give me an idea of what I should weight. I am wearing size 10 pants and medium shirts, which I am extremely happy about, but I can't help but feel that I SHOULD lose more just because according to the BMI chart I have to get to 143 just to be in the normal range. To me, maintenance is a piece of cake (ha ha) because I have been maintaining this weight for awhile. Losing has gotten to be really hard. I need to stay at 800 calories a day to lose and my body seems to want to eat 1200, which maintains me.

I'm not the OP, but my stats are pretty close to yours so I thought I would chime in. I am 5 feet 4 inches and started out at 242 and am now 145 lbs. which is just a normal BMI. My personal goal weight is 135 lbs., so I am still in weight loss mode. I wear a size 4  pant most of the time, some styles it is a 6 and mostly mediums, sometimes small for tops. Right now I am averaging 750-850 calories per day. Once I hit goal I plan to increase calories by 100/day for a weeks time and if I am still losing, I will continue the pattern until my weight stabilizes.

Thanks for answering. I'm trying to get back in weight loss mode. Trying to go back to eating 800 calories a day. But im having an acid problem, taking Prilosec but its not really helping. Makes me feel hungry all the time. I had an EGD with Dilation, hoping that would help but all it did was make my stomach hold a little more food. Not what I needed. I think I will try harder and just pop a tums when my stomach starts begging.

Hi :)  I am 5'7". At first the surgeon wanted me to loose 75% of my excess weight, but at 158 lbs, I am no longer overweight and it puts me in the normal categorie:) That's 100% excess weight lost according to surgeon...I think the ideal weight ranges, they just told me not to go under 120....no worries !!!

I am a size 10 now and wear M/L, depending on the cut. I cant believe you are only eating 800 calories ?! I had to start increasing to 1200 calories after my 4 month appointment....to not mess up my metabolism. I was terrified...I eat between 1200-1400 calories daily now, but do excersize very regularly and get my 10,000 steps daily.... My NUT says to maintain, I should be between 1500/1700 calories for my build and activity level.   Are you trying to get to 143 ?

Im wanting to but not sure i can. Im eating 1200 now and maintaining. I keep trying to eat 800 but i always seem to get 1200. I guess i should just be happy where im at. I just sometimes feel like im settling for 157 because its gotten so much harder to lose.

wow you are doing great. I'm so happy for you.

Maintenance is very scary!  I decided to go 2 lbs under goal to give myself wiggle room and on the advice of my therapist - weight myself daily.  I ended up 4 lbs under my goal and now if i hit 2 lbs under goal, I scale back or up the exercise until I am back at a weight I feel happy at.  I think we have to keep it a focus of our life - read these boards faithfully, track your food and weigh yourself.  If it isn't in the forefront of what's important to you, i can see how a few lbs could slip back on. Good luck!