Is this it?

[JMA2019 43]

I’m 11 months post op. I’ve lost about 80 pounds since surgery. I currently weight 167-169, at 5’8. I have been going up and down a couple of pounds for the past month or so. No matter what I do I can’t get lower. I’m scared that this is it. Has anybody experienced this at this stage? Hoping it’s just a plateau and not the end of the loosing game for me.

[AZhiker 2,252]

I got "stuck" with the last 15 pounds. Intermittent fasting (IF) did the trick for me. There are lots of posts here on the topic, with good explanations of the variations of IF. Personally, I feel so much better with IF, that it is now a permanent lifestyle change. I do a 16/8 variation that works by fasting until about noon to 1 pm, and then eating all my calories before 8 pm. I do my best to exercise during the fasting state, as the body has already used up its glycogen stores in the liver and muscle, and has no option except to start breaking down fat into ketone bodies. I am NEVER hungry, and have lots of energy and mental clarity in the mornings. IF boosted me down to my goal weight and is a great tool for life.

[JMA2019 43]

Thanks for the info! Definitely going to look into this!

[summerset 5,261]

Your BMI is 25.5 - why are you scared that "this is it"? You're at a normal weight already.

[catwoman7 10,981]

6 hours ago, summerset said:

Your BMI is 25.5 - why are you scared that "this is it"? You're at a normal weight already.

^^^ that was my reaction, too. You've done much better than the vast majority of WLS patients, and you're at a normal BMI to boot. What were you expecting?

[Lanie992 168]

I think you're doing great for your height! You really are in the "normal weight" realm as others posted.

But I understand - we all have a goal. Definitely try the intermittent fasting thing. It has helped a lot of people and it's not hard to do at all.

[tarotcardreader 196]

14 hours ago, summerset said:

Your BMI is 25.5 - why are you scared that "this is it"? You're at a normal weight already.

But bmi 19-24.99 has best health outlook so original poster should be allowed to reach for it 🍀

[catwoman7 10,981]

1 hour ago, tarotcardreader said:

But bmi 19-24.99 has best health outlook so original poster should be allowed to reach for it 🍀

of course she should be allowed - but only 10-15% of bariatric patients make it to a normal BMI, so she's already one of the few who pulled that off.

also, that range you gave - it depends on age, too. I don't know how old she is, but a lot of doctors these days like their older adult patients at a 23-27 BMI. Older folks in that range have the lowest mortality rate.

[Pckeys 28]

17 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

of course she should be allowed - but only 10-15% of bariatric patients make it to a normal BMI, so she's already one of the few who pulled that off.

also, that range you gave - it depends on age, too. I don't know how old she is, but a lot of doctors these days like their older adult patients at a 23-27 BMI. Older folks in that range have the lowest mortality rate.

I'd also add that it's entirely possible the OP is carrying around some excess weight in lose skin which has nothing to do with health outcomes/BMI etc.. this can be as much as 15 - 30 pounds!

[summerset 5,261]

9 hours ago, tarotcardreader said:

But bmi 19-24.99 has best health outlook so original poster should be allowed to reach for it

Nobody talked about that OP isn't "allowed" to lose more weight. People are allowed to lose all weight they want.

However, it should also be allowed to put things into perspective. And "being scared that this is it" when one is 0.6 BMI points overweight, coming down from morbid obesity - maybe it doesn't hurt to provide some different POVs, especially when taking into consideration what catwoman7 and Pckeys said.

Do 0.6 BMI points really warrant "being scared"? In which way? Health concerns? Come on... If one can go lower without much hassle, why not. However, I'd be very cautious to start the dieting-merry-go-round again because of some vanity weight.

ETA: I know that loose skin can be a huge mind f*ck when it comes to body image and "feeling fat" so if that is the case OP has my 100% sympathy. However, things still should be seen in a realistic way: this has nothing to do with e. g. my cardiovascular health.

Edited August 16, 2020 by summerset

[tarotcardreader 196]

8 minutes ago, summerset said:

Nobody talked about that OP isn't "allowed" to lose more weight. People are allowed to lose all weight they want.

However, it should also be allowed to put things into perspective. And "being scared that this is it" when one is 0.6 BMI points overweight, coming down from morbid obesity - maybe it doesn't hurt to provide some different POVs, especially when taking into consideration what catwoman7 and Pckeys said.

Do 0.6 BMI points really warrant "being scared"? In which way? Health concerns? Come on... If one can go lower without much hassle, why not. However, I'd be very cautious to start the dieting-merry-go-round again because of some vanity weight.

ETA: I know that loose skin can be a huge mind f*ck when it comes to body image and "feeling fat" so if that is the case OP has my 100% sympathy. However, things still should be seen in a realistic way: this has nothing to do with e. g. my cardiovascular health.

Each persons experience is through their perspective her feelings feel very valid to her and im sure there are others on her that aspire for more than “be lucky with what ya got already”.

[JMA2019 43]

Yes, while I am happy with my results this far, I would still like to loose a little more. It’s a big mind game when you loose for so long and all of a sudden it Stops and goes up. I do have a lot of extra skin in my tummy and breasts. Planning on having that corrected when I’m cleared by my surgeon. I’m teetering on the BMI chart of Normal weight/and overweight. I’ve worked really hard to try to stick to a healthy diet to get this weight off, and just not ready to see the scale stop and head up.

[summerset 5,261]

On 8/16/2020 at 8:32 AM, tarotcardreader said:

Each persons experience is through their perspective her feelings feel very valid to her and im sure there are others on her that aspire for more than “be lucky with what ya got already”.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. She is and you are - and so are all the others on this board. If OP only wants to be cheered on, an internet board is the wrong place to be. There will be critical voices and one has to deal with them, too.

[tarotcardreader 196]

On 8/15/2020 at 8:22 PM, summerset said:

Nobody talked about that OP isn't "allowed" to lose more weight. People are allowed to lose all weight they want.

However, it should also be allowed to put things into perspective. And "being scared that this is it" when one is 0.6 BMI points overweight, coming down from morbid obesity - maybe it doesn't hurt to provide some different POVs, especially when taking into consideration what catwoman7 and Pckeys said.

Do 0.6 BMI points really warrant "being scared"? In which way? Health concerns? Come on... If one can go lower without much hassle, why not. However, I'd be very cautious to start the dieting-merry-go-round again because of some vanity weight.

ETA: I know that loose skin can be a huge mind f*ck when it comes to body image and "feeling fat" so if that is the case OP has my 100% sympathy. However, things still should be seen in a realistic way: this has nothing to do with e. g. my cardiovascular health.

Yes, health concerns are a very good reason for her as she has statistically better health outcomes being between 19-24.99. I have several degrees and pretty much argue from a position called fact. This posters feelings are valid and don’t shame her for going for it!

[Hop_Scotch 1,627]

11 minutes ago, tarotcardreader said:

I have several degrees and pretty much argue from a position called fact.

Not sure how having several degrees relates to the discussion, but then I only have one.