NSV and question about metabolism

[DHB]

My gym does regular testing to see how we're progressing so today I had my first measurements and metabolism test since surgery. My weight loss has been slower than many here, but I was thrilled to see I've lost 18+ inches overall. Especially happy to see I was down 3.5" in each thigh! Even my neck is half an inch smaller. (For you new to the forum, this is a celebration of a Non Scale Victory or NSV.)

So here's the question: My metabolism test showed that my metabolic rate has actually increased from 1,200 to 1,450. I have been working out regularly and (hopefully) building muscle. (I'm 64 years old, btw.) My trainer's view is that this means I should be adding more calories and that my slow weight loss may be due to too few calories. As I have mentioned before here, the nutritionist and nurse in my practice have given me totally different guidelines on calories. The nurse says stay around 750 (which is about where I hit most days) and the nutritionist wants me at 1-1,200 calories (an amount I find difficult to hit without making "poor" food choices). Honestly, I find neither one to be very helpful so I've mostly been using an online guideline from UCSF (which recommends moving up to around 900-1,000 calories for months 2-6).

I'm eating 60-90grams of protein/day and drinking at least 64oz. But I've only lost 1 lb in 3 weeks. So, those of you with months/years of experience, what would you change if you were me? Thanks!

[simplyseahorse]

Hey Dale,

Not surprisingly, I have to agree with the nutritionist on this one. It seems so strange that you might need to eat a bit more to lose weight, but your body goes into "starvation" mode and tries to hang on to every tiny calorie it gets, slowing down your metabolism even more so that you don't use as much energy. Many times people have had to just push their calorie and protein intake up 100-200 calories even to sort of shock the system and get things moving. This happens in non-surgical weight loss, too, the body decides on a set point, when we just couldn't lose those last 5, 10, 20 pounds.

[Dutchie]

Don't beat yourself up, you are just two months out!
Of course you cannot eat much!
I was able to get to 900 calories in month 8 or 9 and slowly got up to 1400 cals now, at 1 year out.
I am not sure that metabolic tests show the right results wilt wls patients, since they get a totally different set point after surgery.
I am your age and I didn't loose as fast as all the younger women, but hey, I got there.
So, since you already know, you won't be physicaly able to get to those 1200 cals, without eating crap, just use you own common sense and do the best you can, as I am sure you already do.
You're loosing inches fast and that is just as important as that number on the scale.
You will get there!
Don't sweat it.
Have considence in your body and in this process.
You'll be fine!

[Ann2]

Dale, this is quite timely. See the post I made over on Annie G's latest thread at https://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/...ad.php?t=66607

[DHB]

I forgot to mention that my son gets married in May, so while I try to have my eye on the long term, shorter term I'm hoping to maximize weight loss in the next few months to avoid wearing a muumuu to his wedding.

You all give great advice. I'm looking for ways to increase calories and protein, like drinking protein water for 16oz of my water. Of all the challenges I imagined in life, the need to eat more was never, ever on my list.

[Dutchie]

I think you are a beautiful woman and you will be a wonderful mother of the groom.
Just do the best you can, there is no way of speeding this process up.
You still have three months to go.
A lot will change in three months!
Don't buy your dress too soon, mine was too big at my daughters wedding...

[DHB]

I think you are a beautiful woman and you will be a wonderful mother of the groom.
Just do the best you can, there is no way of speeding this process up.
You still have three months to go.
A lot will change in three months!
Don't buy your dress too soon, mine was too big at my daughters wedding...

Oh thanks! I have the most fantastic (size 2!) daughter-in-law to be, so whatever size I am on that day I'll be a happy mess. I just want to know I've done everything possible to be my best and not be self-conscious so I can fully enjoy the day.
I think all these different opinions by "experts" is what makes me crazy. If I know what the 'rules' are I can try to follow them. To be honest, it's still hard to have confidence in my body or the process. In less than 3 months I've had two episodes of 2+ weeks with no loss at all. If my body is trying to tell me something, I haven't figured out what language it's speaking. Glad you can help translate!

[Dutchie]

Sigh, "experts"...

[mandyjdc]

I’m kind of in the same boat, Dale. I can barely get in 700 cals per day just because there literally is not enough room in my stomach to eat more than a couple tablespoons of food at a time. I’m a little over 3 months out. And I’m losing kind of slowly as well. About 1 lb per week. My nutritionist told me to up the calories as well, so I might add a tablespoon of low sugar peanut butter or raw nuts to my diet and see if that helps.

[Aussie Girl]

Being an x-bander I am prepared to lose more slowly than others and have taken on the advise here and have protein/broth powder at the ready to add to my coffee/water/food for a extra boost of protein and calories if I need to.

[Aussie Girl]

Dale, this is quite timely. See the post I made over on Annie G's latest thread at https://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/...ad.php?t=66607

Probably the best advice on this forum, thanks Ann2 !

[Christie13]

I suggest eating more. When I was losing very slow I found that upping my intake got my scale moving again. You definitely need more calories when working out.