Plateaued and worried

[Gnat 15]

I’m just more than 5 months post-op (sleeve) and I’ve plateaued for a solid month now: I haven’t been gaining but my weight fluctuates within 3 lbs of 276-279. So far 65lbs down since surgery in later December and I’m not complaining! But I’m revisiting what I was taught beforehand.

I know I’ve strayed a bit eating a sweet good here and there, but ALWAYS getting my Protein, Water, and Vitamins in. I’ve been having this irrational fear that my stomach is stretching too because I feel like my portions - although not as big as they used to be - are bigger than what I’m supposed to be taking in. For instance I just ate 2 stand n stuff taco shells with reduced shredded cheese and lean beef and veggies. And I’m uncomfortable, but not regurgitating any of it.

It’s the end of the school year and work has been nuts so I know I haven’t been exercising as much as I should. Maybe if I revisit the strict guidelines and get back into an exercise routine I’ll get back on track with my weight loss? But I’m reaching out for insight! Am I making the right moves in revisiting guidelines? Has anyone else had a similar experience? Am I irrational in thinking my stomach has stretched??

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Are you journaling your food every day? Do you see a dietician as part of follow-up?

I stalled for months, but now am losing again. There is no formula that fits everyone, but your dietician and surgeon's office can help you.

[Gnat 15]

I had one appointment with a dietician 3 months post-op and that’s it. They’re only available now if I start to gain or stall, I could call them but honestly they weren’t too helpful to begin with. They were kind of condescending and covered the basics as if I didn’t know how to eat...I always did, but emotionally depended on food.

I have been journaling and more often than not I’m eating 1300-1400 calories so I should probably cut it back a bit.

[Matt Z 4,140]

If you are feeling like you are eating too much, eat less. You always have the option to not eat as much as you make. Maybe you could benefit from doing the reset, which is pretty much just the pre-surgical diet again.

You didn't state what you were doing for exercise, just that you haven't been exercising "much". Basic minimums are 30 mins a day, but for WLS, it really should be 60+ a day, every day.

Check your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate, this is the minimum required calories to be alive, think coma, alive but not moving, that's what your BMR is), as we lose weight and get older, our BMR lowers, so pay attention, the amount of calories for myself, when I started at 32 years old and 370 lbs was 3030, now at 39 and 258 it's only 2285, 745 less calories. If I kept eating at what was allowing me to lose weight at 370, today, it would be too many calories.

Inch for Inch, Muscle weighs more than fat, and the larger the muscle, the more calories it requires for upkeep, so building some muscle mass will help with fat loss.

Are you tracking your body fat %? I've been stuck around 258 for a week now, but my body fat has dropped .7% over those 5 days. So, I might not be lighter, but I'm thinner and have more lean mass.

I know it sucks, and it's a fear I have personally, but as long as you are paying attention to your intake, output and are actually burning more calories per day than you consume, then you WILL be losing something.

Good Luck!