If it's as simple as calories in vs calories out....

It takes more than a day or two.

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It takes more than a day or two.

I should explain-- I'm guessing since one calorie level (945?) and one gain (one lb.) was mentioned, we were talking one or maybe two days. The body is not that predictable.

I agree with asking your doctor.

This part here sounds like a dream situation, and am surprised someone with this 'problem' would choose WLS: "This is the regular thing for me - eat less than 1,600, I gain or don't lose. Eat more, I lose."

How come I didn't lose weight when I ate 945 calories? And here's the real kicker: I had weight loss surgery that makes me only absorb 20% fat, 60% protein, 60% complex carbs. So my absorbed calories was closer to 400. And I gained a pound. This is the regular thing for me - eat less than 1,600, I gain or don't lose. Eat more, I lose. I see people post all the damn time that it's as simple as calories in VS calories out. My BMR is 2,000 cals a day. So if I eat less than 2,000 absorbable calories, by that statement I should lose weight. But I do not when I drop too low.

Soooo....maybe it's not that simple. Just sayin'

If what you're saying is true for you, weight loss surgery doesn't seem like it was a good idea

You had weight loss surgery. Obviously you are going to have other factors impacting the energy balance equation than people without medical issues on both the calories in and calories out sides. That doesn't make calories in vs calories out any less true.

I'm rather new here but I like to creep and read what others post since often its of some value. I'll say what at least is working for me.

You will lose weight with that big of a deficit but its going to be VERY slow and its probably very unsatisfying (in many ways). You don't "gain weight" off a true 1200 calories.... You can't create matter out of nothing. I was eating like 1000 calories at first, sometimes lower, thinking that's what I had to do-- but I was creeping along (even going back up) in the 'loss' category'.

Some of the 'weight' you see isn't actually real lbs. Eating 945 calories, no way will make you gain a lb in a day. You probably had too much sodium and retained more water than normal. You should be drinking 140oz a day from what I've gathered on here and others and keeping my sodium below that suggested amount as much as possible (If I go over I drink more water). Sometimes on these hot summer days some water will stick around but it isn't much as it was before.

You need to bump up your calorie intake so that your body can have fuel to actually burn the weight. I bumped mine to 1500 on non work out days and 1650-1700 (ish) for work out days and already 1 week of that change and I've lost 3 lbs this week. Your 'sweet numbers' can be different, and probably are. I've read on here many success stories at all different amounts, just have to keep messing with it till you find it. I'm sure there's a better number for me too, I'm new so still working on it.

Make sure you're tracking your food correctly as well. Track everything-- salt, pepper, butter, any seasonings, sauces etc. They all add up real fast. Anything you put in your mouth try and find it on the database to add in. Make sure the weights/proportions are correct as well you may be eating more than you think. I'm still working on being OCD about sizes atm. And you can work in good treats/snacks you don't want to give up but don't make your whole day 1500 calories of chocolate etc. Try and balance in veggies in every meal, get fiber, and LOTS of protein.

Try and add in strength and cardio 3 times a week even if its around your house or something. Could definitely help. (Diet is the more important part to losing weight though).

Most important thing I learned was that it takes time. It doesn't happen over night. I got real bummed multiple times but just stay positive. As long as you took to gain the weight its going to take it to come off (or more). Its more of a lifestyle and journey more than anything and it takes patience of a saint. I'm only a month in and got a ways to go.

Now I'm not 100% sure on how the surgery factors but from how you describe it " makes me only absorb 20% fat, 60% protein, 60% complex carbs" sounds like you'd need to eat actually more in order to absorb your actual goal if your absorption is cut by more than half. Maybe someone has a similar experience to help on that front but you definitely shouldn't be living on 900 calories/day.

A calories is a calorie.

If not tell me how the heck I lost 22 pounds?

How long ago was your surgery? Maybe your body is still in recovery/adjustment mode if its pretty recent. And I wasn't inferring you were lying about your log, just stating what commonly happens and it could be something you didn't realize (aka covering the bases). If you aren't eating enough to actually gain weight then its not going to be real weight.

It takes some time. You won't magically wake up and be 10-15 lbs less because of a surgery paired with 900-1000 calories. From the very little that I just looked up on WLS:


"Lose weight for 18-24 months after the procedure

Lose 30-50% of excess weight in the first six months and 77% of excess weight within 12 months of surgery

Maintain a 50-60% loss of excess weight 10-14 years after surgery"


^That's quite a bit of time to see results. (Like with most anything). Does your doctor say when you can see results/changes, what to expect or commonly when?



Edit: 70lbs is a big deal/accomplishment to have lost so far.

WLS can alter many things...metabolism, hormones, insulin resistance, water retention ect. It can not alter reality and change the laws of thermodynamics. If you had said you don't lose at 1000 calories a day, not knowing your TDEE after WLS, it could be (like .0001%) that your metabolism went so low that you are now eating above TDEE, but you stated you lose if you eat more than 1600. Scientifically gaining on 900 and losing on 1600 is against the laws of energy and thermodynamics, you would have the key to the best weight loss plan in human existence and I am sure your doctor will be conducting many studies on your unique situation.

In this class we are all required to eat 1200 calories a day, otherwise we go into what is known as starvation mode. Meaning any calories that we eat are turned into fat, our metabolic rate slows down making it harder to lose weight.

This made me laugh out loud, in one thread we have found the answer to weight loss and world hunger.....awesome work for a Saturday.

Really metabolic adaption, slows the metabolism down but only an extremely small amount and NEVER starts adding fat/weight or even really stalling fat loss.

After seeing these posts daily, knowing that the people who post this nonsense have access and the ability to read the forums and know the truth....I am starting to believe these people just like the answer that makes them feel better about themselves. "I am fat because I eat too little", sounds much better than " I am fat because I love to stuff my face". To have sustainable weight loss, only seems to happen when the person can stand up and say..." I got fat because I ate too much and may have gotten lazier". Things slow down for many reasons, but you can adapt.

OP if you just had WLS, I am assuming your doctor has you on a strict diet and keeping track of you. Gaining a lb. tells you nothing, my weight moves 4lb everyday, unless I get a new number out of my range I have no clue if I gained or loss. I would also assume having an operation would cause inflammation through the body as it heals and adjusts, plus the physical stress of an operation can cause water retention. Honestly any weight loss you have had is probably hidden by many lbs of water.

It is frustrating when the pounds don't come off at the same rate that we reduce caloric intake. There's a lag. It takes time for the body to adjust to new diet plans. Keep doing it anyway.

Carbohydrates are great for quick energy. But if it's not used, it gets stored more readily than protein.

Protein is a slow-burning energy. And it's slow to get stored up. And it's the first one the body goes to before stores to use up when we don't provide it with energy on demand. Because it's easier to break down protein for energy.

3500 calories equals 1 LB. Whether that's made up in protein, carbs on the go, or fat stores, well that's the trick to weight loss, isn't it.

Metabolism is a tricky thing. It depends on gender, age, activity level, resting metabolic rate etc. The good news is, over time, metabolism can be changed. Over time, metabolism can speed up or slow down depending on what you do to effect the desired change. And it doesn't happen quickly. But it happens.

Now... you've had surgery. Your body is automatically going to go into safeguard mode. Why? Because it's essentially been assaulted. And it needs to recover. And that will affect your metabolism.

The average toddler uses 1400 calories a day to maintain their weight. That's a very young person with boundless energy with (one hopes) not much worry to their day. Adults are different.

I have struggled with weight loss all my life. Here's some things I have noted though;
- fewer calories eaten than what I use will result in weight loss (that doesn't mean healthy weight loss necessarily)
- if I starve myself to try to maintain a steady weight loss, my body will revolt and plateau. It will simply resist giving up calories if I don't give some in exchange for work performed. And it doesn't want much really, just enough to know that it's not starving. My body can outlast my mental will to starve myself. It always wins. So I've learned I'd better do as it says and not starve it.
- I have much better success eating processed carbs (anything that isn't the raw material) earlier in the day than later in the day; so breads and cereals are better in the first part of my day, and 'starchy' fruits and veggies compensate for carbs in the latter part
- diet pop will stall my weight loss and increase my blood pressure (sodium maybe?)
- less than 8 glasses a day in water results in a plateau and makes exercising a draining matter
- caffeine drinks are better in the early day than later as they too cause me to plateau but only if I continue them in the afternoon
- exercise is mandatory for sustained weight loss and body toning every single day
- a carb snack before exercise goes a long way
- fruits activate my salivary glands so I have to remind myself to limit them to 2 servings a day when I know I'll be having a main meal soon after... easier said than done... and yes, I need to have more servings of veggies to compensate
- fiber is my friend; I use Pgx granules to make sure I get 30g a day. or at least, I try to remember that. I find it really does make my yogurt parfait much more satisfying - as well as my white egg english muffin I favour for breakfast
- weight really does fluctuate throughout the day; as much as 5Lbs for me. So I take my best weight if I really must weigh myself daily, and sometimes I do; but I try to remember that what counts is that at the end of the week, I'm still looking at a downward trend. And I don't care if that means even an ounce - as long as its down.

And... I'm still learning. It can only get better with more knowledge and a good understanding on how to apply that knowledge. Did I mention I"m still learning?

Try to give yourself a break. You're making a good decision in making choices on how you eat and how you exercise. And if the weight isn't coming off as fast as you'd like it, well, that's just your body saying it's not ready to give it all up at once just yet. Take smaller steps in your regimen. This week it may show up in poundage, next week it may show up in measurements. If something is changing for the better, then your weight loss plan is working for you. Keep it up.

I believe in you. You will be successful.

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How come I didn't lose weight when I ate 945 calories? And here's the real kicker: I had weight loss surgery that makes me only absorb 20% fat, 60% protein, 60% complex carbs. So my absorbed calories was closer to 400. And I gained a pound. This is the regular thing for me - eat less than 1,600, I gain or don't lose. Eat more, I lose. I see people post all the damn time that it's as simple as calories in VS calories out. My BMR is 2,000 cals a day. So if I eat less than 2,000 absorbable calories, by that statement I should lose weight. But I do not when I drop too low.

Soooo....maybe it's not that simple. Just sayin'

You gained a pound of what? Perhaps you gained 5 pounds of water weight due to retention from elevated cortisol levels due to the stress your putting your body through while at the same time losing 4 pounds of fat. Unless you are undergoing regular DEXA scanning there would be no way to tell.

According to you, you're unable to get appropriate advice from the "professionals," due to the fact they're not sufficiently trained for your particular situation (Was there no screening process? Did you have any control over this?).

I don't think it even needs to be said that you can't compare your "calories in / calories out" equation to the typical individual. You had a procedure with the intent of altering your body's natural function.

Of course, you could just be posting this as a vent, or as a cautionary tale against WLS. If the latter, you have succeeded exceedingly well, IMO.