Almost 5 months post op and losing weight very slowly

The 2nd  will be 5 months post op and my weight loss is ver slow. I am staying around 1000 to 1100 calories like the clinic recommended and exercising 30 to 40 minutes 5 or 6 days a week. I'm drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water and keeping my carbs and fat low I'm also hitting my 60 g of protein. I'm doing everything right as far as I can tell but my weight loss is only about 5 or 6 pounds a month last couple of months. Since last July I have lost 62 pounds and I'm very proud of that, 45 of it has come since the start of my previous op diet at the end of March. I'm having steady weight loss just not the big amounts I expected for the first 5 or 6 months. Any suggestions?

I feel so much better and my husband and I walked a 2 mile race a couple of weeks ago and finished just under 39 minutes. Maybe I just need to keep doing what I am doing and remember it's not a race to see who loses the weight the fastest, it's about getting healthy and staying that way.

Anyone else feeling this way? 

Based on what I've seen from other VSG veterans on the board, your calories might be a little too high for the weight loss phase.  My plan calls for 600-800 cals per day during weight loss, 1200-1500 cals per day for maintenance.  

You're doing well so far, but I think if you want to speed up the weight loss a little, you may need to cut back on your daily calories a bit.

You didn't say what you were eating, but remember protein forward. Protein and veggies mostly, then a little fruit or starch if you have room. Starchy carbs should be at the end of the list.

I kept my calories a little lower than you.  At 6 months, I was limiting myself to 800 calories a day, and I was losing about 10 pounds per month.  I'd suggest cutting calories if you can.  I not, then 5 or 6 pounds per month will get you there - it'll just take a little longer.

Congrats on losing 62 pounds.  That's a big accomplishment. 

best wishes,

Carol

I'm about 5.5mo out and my calorie goal is 800 per day. I try to get at least 80gms or protein, and My carb goal is 50 although I often go over that, I am usually around 70 or so despite my goal of 50. Very hard for me to stay so low. But I've been losing about 10 lbs per month. Just for comparison. You're doing well hang in there. Try upping your protein and lowering your calories and you should see some quicker loss. 

5-6 pounds a month, sustained, seems totally awesome to me!  Slow and steady wins the race :)

I've lost 80 pounds in the last 7 months, but I couldn't walk two miles if I was paid for it. I dropped a lot of weight initially, but that was because I had a very difficult recovery. I would much rather have lost it more slowly and steadily even if it meant that I would be at a higher weight now.

I agree with the other posters that 1000-1100 calories is a bit high. I generally stay between 700-800 calories a day. When I eat more than that, I maintain instead of lose. As you said, it's not a race. You're losing steadily and exercising and feeling better -- you must be doing something right!

psychoticparrot

When my Dr  told me to keep the calories around 1000 I was surprised also. I expected closer to 800 to 1000. She said the reason is for my health, there is less chance of hair loss and other side effects of the fast weight loss. I've steadily lost 5 pounds on average for 13 months. My doctor did say that because I had lost more in the pre-op diet stage that my weight loss might not be as significant as others who didn't lose as much to start with. I am able to exercise for 30 to 40 minutes at a time and I do feel so much better. I'm already down to an 18 misses jeans and a 1X in tops. 

Kara, if your medical team advises on 1000 calories, then I would stick with that. I know I am a newbie, but maybe you need to maximize your protein? It really depends on the stuff you're eating, etc. I'm at 2 months out and my minimum protein daily is 60g, but I usually get around 80.

A loss is still a loss and slow and steady does win the race. My medical team told me I should be losing at a rate of 10 lbs a month. That seemed low to me, but I trust them on it as a way to minimize side-effects. So far, I have had no issues of any kind with tolerating food, etc. 

So more protein helps you lose more weight, I didn't realize that. I'm hitting my 60 easily every day, somewhere between 60 and 70 grams is where I am. I use my fitness pal to track calories, protein and carbs. I need to lower my card intake, I've been around 75 to 95, I like crackers with my cottage cheese and egg salad. I need to drop the carbs back to around 40 to 50.