Response from my RD regarding a weight stop point

[AnnieG]

I was concerned about the goal weight I understood my drs office set, so I asked the RD. This was her very heartening response.

"We try to not set goal weights so I’m not sure about that 129 pounds.

Really the most important thing is that your hydration and nutrition is optimal, including compliance with a daily MVI/mineral regimen.

We also want you to “feel” good. You may feel great at 129 or you may feel worn down and yucky at 129 so the number is really just arbitrary. Numbers can look good on paper or per the BMI chart but if you don’t feel good or aren’t healthy, that number is not worth it.

Your body will know when to slow down and stop losing weight. It’s like a thermostat. With weight loss surgery you reset the thermostat to a new setting and your body is going to level out when it reaches that setting, just like the thermostat at home.

Focus on eating regularly throughout the day, every 2-3 hours and pack in as much nutrition and variety as you can (which I know you have been doing). Hope this helps some!"

So Ann02 and sraebaer arrived at the same conclusion! Hooray!

[Dutchie]

Thank you Annie!
This is very helpful.

[Ann2]

I think the thermostat metaphor is something people can relate to. But I would feel better about that lovely metaphor if I knew there was any actual science underlying it. And by "science" I mean hundreds and thousands of subjects in controlled studies who didn't just self-report re their behavior, since self-reports in the areas of eating and weight control are notoriously inaccurate.

I can, however, report on my own situation. When I hit 150 pounds I thought I was done. BTW, 150 pounds was my own goal (never even told my surgeon that). Anyway, at 150 pounds I started eating 1700 calories/day, thinking that would keep me from regaining. To my great surprise, during the next 9 months I lost another 15 pounds, down to 135 while averaging 1700 calories/day. And there my weight loss stopped. I stayed at that weight for nearly 2 years, during which time my average daily calories rose slightly to 1,750.

Then last September I decided to eat more veggies and fruits and have been eating 8 a day since then. In eating more veggies and fruits, I am now eating an extra 100 calories a day -- 1,850 daily cals on average. From September through mid-January I lost three more pounds. And there I stayed until a month ago.

In the past month, I've endured significant stress and lost yet another 3 pounds because I've been eating less. Happily, I've now stopped losing weight and am slowly working back up to 1,850 cals/day (I'm at 1500-1600 right now). I'm betting when I get there my weight will settle in the low 130s.

All that's to say, for me, weight loss appears to be a calories-in/calories-out thing. What works for me isn't "science," but just one person's experience. I don't know how extrapolatable it will be to you or anyone else. That's another way of saying "Your mileage may vary."

[AnnieG]

I think the thermostat metaphor is something people can relate to. But I would feel better about that lovely metaphor if I knew there was any actual science underlying it. And by "science" I mean hundreds and thousands of subjects in controlled studies who didn't just self-report re their behavior, since self-reports in the areas of eating and weight control are notoriously inaccurate.

I can, however, report on my own situation. When I hit 150 pounds I thought I was done. BTW, 150 pounds was my own goal (never even told my surgeon that). Anyway, at 150 pounds I started eating 1700 calories/day, thinking that would keep me from regaining. To my great surprise, during the next 9 months I lost another 15 pounds, down to 135 while averaging 1700 calories/day. And there my weight loss stopped. I stayed at that weight for nearly 2 years, during which time my average daily calories rose slightly to 1,750.

Then last September I decided to eat more veggies and fruits and have been eating 8 a day since then. In eating more veggies and fruits, I am now eating an extra 100 calories a day -- 1,850 daily cals on average. From September through mid-January I lost three more pounds. And there I stayed until a month ago.

In the past month, I've endured significant stress and lost yet another 3 pounds because I've been eating less. Happily, I've now stopped losing weight and am slowly working back up to 1,850 cals/day (I'm at 1500-1600 right now). I'm betting when I get there my weight will settle in the low 130s.

All that's to say, for me, weight loss appears to be a calories-in/calories-out thing. What works for me isn't "science," but just one person's experience. I don't know how extrapolatable it will be to you or anyone else. That's another way of saying "Your mileage may vary."

OH my dear friend, you made me laugh! My "mileage" has always varied -- in everything. I just think I'll have to listen to my inner self (not the one who said eat eat eat, but the one who says health health health!

I'm at about 800 calories a day at 4 months out, but fixing to increase to 900-1000 at 5. Lots of energy but tired of the same foods. Went out of my comfort zone over the weekend with no ill effects, with the grandkids and my daughters. Apparently fun grandma is back

Thanks for your genuine insights!

[Christie13]

I had "chosen" 120 as my goal weight and my PCP thought it was a great number based on my stature and build. My body had other ideas. At first I wondered if 108 was too thin. But now that I am used to seeing myself that way I can tell you that I am completely happy and feel great at this weight. Totally loving it. Ironically I saw my ex husband this past weekend for the first time since I lost weight and he told me I was "too skinny". I just kind of laughed as he totally got fatter. LOL. (My current husband has lost weight and looks fabulous!!)

[Ann2]

"You're too skinny!"

SMDH.

Just this morning, my banker told me to go eat a hamburger. I suppose he thought that was something clever to say.

Naturally, this is a guy who's gained 50 pounds in the last 10 years. Hey, it happens. I get it. Middle age. Kids in high school and college. He's in the thick of it. Literally.

People tell us all kinds of things to protect their own egos, their choices, and the consequences of their choices. But none of their self-protection blather should be taken onboard by us as advice or instructions. It's just blather.

Bless their hearts.

[DHB]

"You're too skinny!"

SMDH.

Just this morning, my banker told me to go eat a hamburger. I suppose he thought that was something clever to say.

Naturally, this is a guy who's gained 50 pounds in the last 10 years. Hey, it happens. I get it. Middle age. Kids in high school and college. He's in the thick of it. Literally.

People tell us all kinds of things to protect their own egos, their choices, and the consequences of their choices. But none of their self-protection blather should be taken onboard by us as advice or instructions. It's just blather.

Bless their hearts.

You've got to write a book. Too much wisdom for just this little forum.

[AnnieG]

"Bless their hearts. " down here in NC iis followed with "let's take him/her a casserole". Ann2 thanks for cheering up my early morning. You guys all rock!

[Fab50]

you have done a FANASTIC job......you all but met your goal weight in only 4 month. That is astonishing!!!!