[maryanncrow]

Dear fellow weight loss friends,

I had lab work done recently and the results came through snail mail to my house just today. Before WLS, at the age of 39, I had high cholesterol and had been prescribed a statin drug to lower it, but the statin drug caused my liver some stress. But today, I found out that my soldium, potassium, other electrolytes, as well as liver function tests were all very good! This is good news for me and I'm very happy about it!

My blood sugar is 75 (normal is between 70 and 99), so no diabetes for sure! My total cholesterol was 167 (normal under 200) which was around 250 before WLS and statin drugs. My B12, hemoglobin, magnesium and parathyroid hormones (which my dr. says can often become low with gastric bypass patients) is also normal.

Now I am working to get out of the obese category.

Guidelines for Percent Body Fat for Women
WomenNormal15-25 percent
Overweight25.1-29.9 percent
ObeseOver 30 percent

Seven months ago, my Percent Body Fat was 55.9. Right now (5'1") and 191 lbs., my PBF is 36.1 and so I have a ways to go to reach "overweight", no less "normal". When I get to 150 pounds, I'll have a PBF of 28, so I'll need to reach 130 pounds to be within the "normal" range for my height. I believe the last time I saw that weight I was in 7th grade - I wonder if I can get down to that weight and keep it off???
Like my Mom always said, "I'm not overweight, I'm under-tall!"

If anyone has suggestions for the last 60 pounds, I'd love to hear about them - thanks in advance!

Mary Ann

[DocSanae]

Originally Posted by maryanncrow

Guidelines for Percent Body Fat for Women
WomenNormal15-25 percent
Overweight25.1-29.9 percent
ObeseOver 30 percent

Congratualtions on the excellent report.
One thing about the guideline above. This is for body fat percentage, not BMI (body mass index) so I hope you don't have the two mixed up. Also, with body fat percentage, the guideline for middle age women is more lenient that what's listed above, and if you are over 45 years old (in some cases, post menopause--there's a discrepancy here) under 30% is concidered permissible.

The guideline for BMI is:
below 18.5 low
18.5-24.9 normal range
25-29.9 overweight
30-34.9 obese class I
35< obese class II

[maryanncrow]

Thank you for pointing out the difference between "percent body fat" and BMI. I am not sure what the difference between the two are. Can you explain further, please?
Thanks, Mary Ann

[DocSanae]

BMI is calculated from your height and weight.
Body fat percentage is measured by various appliances, some scales have the body fat percentage measuring function. The most accurate measurement for body fat is done by CAT scan calculations. With the scales, a method called impedance calculation is used.

When referring to obesity, the standard that is used is BMI, not body fat percentage, as there is some inaccuracy with the most available method e.g scales, and the differences can range from 3-5%.

[genmel]

Just wanted to congratulate you on yoru excellent weight loss! You are under 200 and I know that feels good. We had surgery a week apart and I just wanted to say congrats! Also, I also want advice on getting the last 60 or so pounds off!

[Queenofthenile]

Congratulations Maryanncrow on your successful results! You must feel so awesome.

[greensgirl19]

Congratulations!! After you do something like this and they tell you that you'll lose weight, but nutritional problems can arise, it's nice to see weight loss and perfect nutrient levels!! Awesome job!!

[maryanncrow]

Thank you for responding. There's something about this format where other people who are going through what you're going through can read and empathize and encourage a person - it really helps!
I'm very happy with my nutrient levels remaining at good rates - I'm not anemic and I've had no hair loss at all. I took liquid protein supplements for one year before surgery and continue to do so. I try for 40-60g of protein every single day. I've never drank so much milk and ate so much yogurt before, but I believe that's the "secret" to my good nutrition. I drink lactose-free Skim milk twice a day and eat Dannon low carb yogurt once a day. If I keep drinking enough, then I avoid being hungry.

Here's my typical day:
liquid vitamins at 7:00
Carnation sugar free breakfast drink plus 1/3 cup Carnation low fat milk powder, 1 tsp. Fiber Sure and 1 cup of lactose-free skim milk at 7:10
9:30 one Dannon low carb yogurt
10:00 Starbucks tall Skinny Vanilla latte, decaf
11:30 one frozen dinner (Kashi or South Beach) plus one apple or orange
drink water or Crystal Lite all afternoon, sometimes orange juice
5:00 dinner in small amounts
6:00 until bed I keep hydrated with skim milk or another Starbucks decaf skinny vanilla latte, or water or low sugar juice or Crystal Lite

I'm not a calorie counter, so I'm not sure how many calories this is each day, but it seems to be working for me.
I found a link that may be helpful to estimate how many calories you need to take in in order to continue losing weight: Diet Calculator, Body Fat Calculator

Does anyone have ideas on counting calories? What's an easy way to do this? Thanks in advance.

Here's a picture of me at my highest weight in June 2008 in Potsdam, Germany:

[DocSanae]

A lot of people on this board use FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal
Take a look and see if this is the type of thing you are looking for.

[BOOTS]

Yes Im Also Struggling To Lose My Remaining Wt Which Is Slowing Down Alot, Yet Im Strict And Im Back At The Gym Again.

Wow Im Still Considered Obese Class I !!!!! Im Still Obese!!! It Seems Like Forever Till I Will Be Considered Normal. So Dont Worry Hun We Both Have A Long Way To Go