5 months out next week and only lost 1 pound this month :(.

Donna L.
on 9/5/15 4:45 pm - Chicago, IL
Revision on 02/19/18

Actually, caloric restriction is known to affect longevity with a positive correlation.  It increases mitochondrial biogenesis (i.e., increases energy metabolism).  An example:  http://www.sciencemag.org/content/310/5746/314.short

In humans, caloric restriction is associated with metabolic decline only in the absence of protein and thyroid hormone (an example: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1108368).  Additionally, if you are still overweight and have body fat, you are not anywhere near starvation mode, since you have available fuel.  

Now, if you have low thyroid hormone, or low iodine levels which decreases available thyroid hormone, then a low calorie diet will not provide enough raw materials for the body to run.  Since we are bariatric patients, we are typically on very high protein diets and supplement with high amounts of vitamins so this does not apply to us.  Obesity is a very hormonal disorder, as well, and is not merely a function of calories in and out, though that is the main factor.

Anorexics disprove the starvation mode myth.  I've treated clients who are 5'7" and weigh 80 pounds - and are still losing weight on 500-600 calories a day.  If starvation mode engages and you retain weight when calories are too low, how are they still losing weight?  I mean, many bariatric patients eat under 800 calories a day (we are basically surgically anorexic) and still lose weight, particularly if they are on a low carbohydrate diet which keeps serum insulin low.

I guess, if starvation mode is real, these phenomenon would not function.  If it is real, then what is the causes of these occurrences?

I follow a ketogenic diet post-op. I also have a diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Feel free to ask me about either!

It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much...the life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully. -- Seneca, On the Shortness of Life

Grim_Traveller
on 9/1/15 6:05 am
RNY on 08/21/12
On August 31, 2015 at 6:50 PM Pacific Time, Tonyrv2 wrote:

Sometimes you have to eat a little more in order to lose weight because your body goes into hibernation mode because of low caloric intake.  Everyone is different, but my advice is to make an appointment with your nutritionist and between the two of you I'm sure you can come up with a plan to get you back on track.

 

Human beings don't hibernate.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

(deactivated member)
on 9/1/15 8:34 am

Hibernation mode, Starvation mode, Survival mode are all names for the same thing.  When your body feels its not getting enough nutrients your metabolism will start to slow down.  This contributes to stalls in weight loss.

 

Grim_Traveller
on 9/1/15 8:59 am
RNY on 08/21/12

Bunk and ho ***

On a long term, very low calorie diet, your metabolism will slow down. The studies I have read point to a maximum of a 15% reduction, but that was in individuals with 5% body fat who had already been "starved." For people with lots of excess fat, your body has no need to "hibernate." WLS actually provides a metabolic boost.

Stalls are not about some crap notion of "starvation mode." Fat loss continues as long as you are in a caloric deficit. Fluid retention creates what we think of as stalls. Although most "stalls" are the result of people getting lax in their diet and consuming more calories.

Every single study that places people in an environment where calories are tightly controlled results in consistent weight loss. 

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

(deactivated member)
on 9/1/15 11:39 am

Fine...provide a cite, thats all I'm asking.  I've looked for definitive proof of what your saying and have yet to find the research that backs it up.  In the meantime, thanks for your opinion.

Grim_Traveller
on 9/1/15 1:26 pm
RNY on 08/21/12

You're the one who made the initial assertion that hibernation mode was a medical fact. I'm still waiting for your scientific evidence.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

KayDeeCee
on 8/31/15 6:51 pm
VSG on 01/26/15

What is your Goal Weight? You have lost more than 100 pounds since your Highest weight! That is great! Is your Goal Weight realistic? :-)

5'7" HW 256 (1/6/2014) SW 236.2 (VSG: 1/26/2015) CW 165.5 (01/10/2016) Total Weight Lost 90.5
Pre-Op: -19.8; Month 1: -19; Month 2: -12.7; Month 3: -9.9; Month 4: -7.2; Month 5: -6.4; Month 6: -2.8; Month 7: -3.7; Month 8: -4.2; Month 9: -0.6; Month 10: -2.1; Month 11: -0 Month 12: -2.1

GOALS: BMI Normal = 159 (6.5 to go); 100 LBs Lost = 156 (9.5 to go); FINAL GOAL: 139?? (26.5 to go)

Sandra F.
on 9/1/15 5:57 am

I stalled month 5-6.  Keep to the plan and you will start to lose again.  Don't lose faith.

    

      

grayC
on 9/1/15 6:43 am, edited 9/1/15 6:43 am
VSG on 05/01/13

Unfortunately (or fortunately) depending on how you look at it..

It is harder to loose weight the lighter you are...

 I and many on here lost most of our weight in the first 6 mts...

depending on your calorie/carb intake you may have to cut a bit...

   

        
Tracy D.
on 9/2/15 1:07 pm - Papillion, NE
VSG on 05/24/13

How tall are you and what is your ideal BMI range?  If you're getting really, really close then it's normal to have a huge slow down.  You may be hitting maintenance mode.  

 Tracy  5'3"     HW: 235  SW: 218  CW: 132    M1: -22  M2: -13  M3: -12  M4: -9  M5: -8   M6: -10   M7: -4

 Goal reached in 7 months and 1 week

 Lower Body Lift w/Dr. Barnthouse 7-8-15

   

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

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