Worried I'll drop too much weight,

I completed my 6 months pre-op 2 weeks ago and I am down 43 lbs on my own. Was 250 when I started the process and am now 207. I intend to keep up diet and exercise until my surgery. My paperwork was submitted to insurance yesterday, so I'll have a date soon. I'm worried that I will go way below my goal of 160 post op and look gaunt. What do you guys think? I look really good at 140, but I thought a more realistic goal of 160 was better, since I am 5ft 6 and 44 years old.

Wow, you've done great to lose so much on your six month diet!  Good for you.

It's possible to lose more weight than you want to lose, but I don't think it's a real common problem.  The lower your weight gets, the fewer calories it takes to maintain your weight.  So like, when I weighed 200 pounds I would have lost a lot of weight if I ate 1500 calories a day, but now that I weight about 130, 1500 calories maintains my weight but doesn't make me lose anything.

You may need to make an effort to increase your calories when you reach your goal weight.  I did.  It was a challenge for a little while but now I can easily get enough calories in.

Thanks for responding Kelly, this makes sense.

You know, I was thinking this EXACT same question last night. Thanks for posting!!

I think you will find the weight that works best for you, and hold there.

That is what has happened for me- I have been maintaining at goal for the past 6 months, and it has been pretty easy. I can't eat much though, even though I run 5 miles pretty much every day. But then I'm 60 and my metabolism is low.

Great work losing so much on your own- you're ahead of the game!

I came close to losing too much, but then my calories and body stabilized, and I put a couple pounds back on. I'm much thinner than anyone thought I'd be (see the siggy if you want a laugh!), but I'm at a healthy weight, healthy body fat, and feel great. It's just that I have much smaller (albeit dense and heavy) bones than anyone ever thought.

Follow your plan, talk regularly with your surgeon's office, and things will work.

 With RNY it is very common to end up 20 pounds under your goal weight and to look gaunt and skinny for about one year.  Sometime around month 24 most people hit their lowest weight.  But the pouch has grown and the body learns how to overcome the malabsorption.

A 20 pound gain between month 24 and month 36 is common as malabsorption wears out, dumping ends, and hunger comes back.  It is extremely common to see someone look too skinny at month 24.  It is extremely rare for anyone to be too skinny by year 3.

Ok I had RNY May 20, 2009  and by Dec 2009 I was already below the doctors goal of 145 and then I had to have my gall bladder removed and the doc told me that I was going to lose another 10 pounds and I told him no, that I didn't want to lose anymore but he told me that once I hit the 1 year mark I would put back on those 10 pounds well I am now 2 and a half years post-op and I still fluctuate between 125 and 130 so to the one who said that after 24 months you will gain back 20 something pounds I didn't ....  and I do eat "junk" foods or the "no" list foods but I am healthy. I eat Hershey kisses with almonds in it, Pizza ( my fave!) I have even tried the wheat bread with peanut butter and bananas to "gain" a Lil back but I have stayed put.
I do feel I am to thin at 125 but I am comfortable at 130 and really try hard to stay there..

So to your question, Yes it is possible to lose to much weight I was 212 the day of surgery and had a goal of 145 set by my doctor but my lowest weight has been as low as 124 since surgery.  I am 5'5" tall and of medium build and am 35 years young so if you got to 140 I think you would look fine so don't stress over it your body will bring you and keep you where you need to be. I still do not stay hungry I eat healthy but I do add "junk food" too  I have the Lord to give the glory to though for my health cause without Him I think my health could be way different and I ask Him everyday to help me cause I have 4 children to raise and wanting more so I have to stay healthy for that... I hope this has helped you better understand that everyone's body is different and some do lose "to much" in their opinion but others think the didn't lose enough so it's all about how you feel and where your BMI is that matters.

The only thing my doctors gets onto me about is that I don't have alot of muscles but that is NOT due to this surgery it has to do with my disability of degenerative disc decease and fybromialiga and the fact that I haven't been able to exercise since July 2009 just 2 months after surgery My hip joint and my back and neck gave me so much pain that I just do walks outside with my kids not long ones but just to be out their with them and my doctor knows the situation and he made the comment  at my 2 year check-up this past June, that I was doing really good and that he was proud of me for keeping my weight steady and I told him that I was having trouble keeping it up and he said to increase my fats a little bit and to go have a McDonald's cheeseburger every now and again and I would be fine so I do and I am 

The main thing here is you do the things that is right for you and if you find something don't work then DON'T DO IT... I found out that I do not handle syrup or skittles well at all! My blood sugar will bottom out badly like in the low 50's if I eat theses so I have only had them one time since surgery and I WONT have them again  cause I don't want to go thru that anymore .. but just like I have learned over the past 2 and a half years about my "new" body you will too and you will find in time that the only real "rule" to follow is the one your body sets for you and the true weight that is good for you will be the one your body keeps you at the main thing I did and do is take the celebrate multi-vitamins designed for the RNY gastric bypass patients faithfully and still take them and I take calcium citrate with vitamin D and the I also take Vitamin D3 to help with absorption and I take an over the counter sub-lingual B-12 tab that dissolves under my tongue 3 times a week and as long as you are keeping up with that you will find that you will continue to stay healthy in the long run. 

SORRY FOR THE BOOK LOL but I wanted to explain my situation to you in hopes that it helps you. the only real reason you think you look to thin in because you and everyone around you has always seen the "big" you, but just give them and you time to get used to your new look and you will find in time they will even start telling you how good you are looking and how healthy you look too.

So hang in there it will work out in the long run if you lose "too much" in your book just stay focused on your vitimans and supliments and you will find in time you will look and feel just fine.
One more thing in to make sure you drink lots of water that will help balance you out too..... 

Be Blessed

I was down a 100lbs on the 6 month pre op diet. I've lost 220 altogether. I was once 481, then I was 450ish before the pre op. I was  380 the morning of surgery. I am 261 right now. I get told by family that I am looking too thin.