18 Months Out - Stopped losing at 1 year out. :(

I have been overweight since early childhood and obese since puberty... so I've never really had a healthy "adult" weight.  The lowest weight that I can remember was 160 pounds, but I was only in 5th grade at the time!  And the only reason I remember that weight was because I was used as an example in my phys. ed class of how fat I was.  I also don't think I was at my current height of 5'7" yet, but I was probably close. Anyway, I think I'm just being mopey lately because the success I've had from this surgery I could never acheive on my own and I am much happier at 185-190 than I was at 315!  I never want to go back to that place. I think I actually might not be eating enough now that I'm exercising so much... so I am going to try adding some healthy calories to my diet and see what happens.  

You have done great, Lisa!  Try to remember to focus on the positives - better health, more physical comfort and strength, stamina, improved self-esteem.  There is so much more to this journey than a number on the scale!  You are a tremendous success - keep that in mind!  I think it's much easier to make changes when we're in a positive frame of mind.  Good luck to you. Carlita

Hey Lisa! Hear me out on this, okay?   You mentioned you are 5'7".  Did you and your doctor establish a realistic goal weight for your body shape/size?  I ask this because when I told my doctor what I wanted to weigh, he said that my goal weight was not realistic for my body size/shape and I would be disappointed with my results if I focused on that number. I'm also 5'7" with a medium to large frame and average body shape.  I thought 138 pounds was a MAGIC number; my doctor thinks 160 is much more realistic.  I was mortified, shocked and horrified!!  Based on my current weight, I would simply LOVE to make it to HIS weight goal at this point!  All I'm trying to say is that the weight our bodies are comfortable with and the weight our heads are comfortable with are not always compatible, so keep your expectations realistic so as not to disappoint yourself if you don't lose those 40-50 pounds.  Had I continued to focus on my goal weight instead of my doctor's goal weight, I would be very disappointed with my 160 pound weight loss and that is ridiculous to do to myself! Hugs! Kristi 

WOW Lisa, I have been dealing with the same problem.  I am 17 months post op and when I reached my 1 year point I stopped losing.  I have lost and gained the same 3 lbs. a least a dozen times since November.    I too am 5'7" but I started at 368.  My doctor told me a realistic goal was to get below 200 lbs.  I have 21 lbs. to go at this point and then I would like to lose an additional 20. I am going to try some of the suggestions you received here and see if it helps.  It helps to see that others are having the same problem. Susann

Hello Lisa from a fellow NY-er.  I'm not far from you....just east to Rochester!  You are not alone!  I actually just responded to another post from someone slowing down 7 months out and that was me!  Even though I continued to lose, once I hit the 1 year mark, that seemd to be it!  I'm 5'5" and currently around 171.  My goal was 145.  Today I'm I'm 14 months out and the scales haven't moved in months.  My Dr is thrilled with my BMI and thinks I've done great but as a very goal oriented person I've been very frustrated!  I feel wonderful physcially and work out with a trained reguarly.  I know that I'm not perfect with my eating but make good choices most of the time. Anyway, wanted to make sure you know you're not alone.  I find this site very inspiring and when I come here I do much better with my own accountability.  Hang in there and best of luck to you! Kara