Weight loss has stalled even on 800 calories

[Sylver75]

Quick synopsis: I'm 48, need urgent neck surgery or could end up paralysed. In Ireland, private hospital. I was told to get below BMI 50. Did it. Then told 47. Did it. Then told I had to lose 10% body weight compared to my last appointment.

I'm 7.5lbs away from that. My pre-op appointment when I'll be weighed is in less than 4 weeks. A dietitian from the hospital told me to increase protein when she got involved a couple of weeks ago so I went from 500/600 calories per day to 800. I lost 21lbs in 22 days.

I gained 3.5lbs last Saturday (I weigh daily), put it down to my period starting. Lost 3.1 by Tuesday. Lost 0.8 by Wednesday. Gained 0.8 this morning.

I'm only 1lb less now than I was a week ago. I will be turned down for surgery again if I don't lose 7lbs. Realistically, I need to lose more than that as I weigh first thing in morning in just my underwear. At the hospital, it will be in the afternoon/evening and wearing the lightest clothes I can find but still more than what I wear when on my own scales.

I am weighing and tracking and drinking lots of water. I spend the first few hours after going to bed getting up and down to the loo, it's exhausting.

Breakfast: 2 eggs, hard boiled or scrambled, tea
Snack: Fridge raiders or a cheese stick
Lunch: 100g cooked chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion
Snack: Easy peeler orange 🍊
Dinner: 100g cooked chicken, stir fry veg or salad
Two litres of water at work plus what I drink when I'm at home or on lunch break.

I have one slice of dry toast on a Sunday as a treat. Pretty much no carbs outside that. I tried protein yogurts but I don't like them. I add cottage cheese to scrambled eggs occasionally.

I really can't miss this surgery again. I will end up paralysed without it.

Has anyone any idea what I'm doing wrong? I was doing great but everything has ground to a halt.

Indeed

She's a fucking quack 😂😂😂

I really feel for you OP.
I think I remember your previous posts.
If it's worth anything, in the next 4 weeks I wouldn't worry too much about fibre.
I know it's a numbers game for you now ie protein/nutritional value vs calories you are "allowed" and my advice for this extreme period before the weigh in would be less chicken and egg, more turkey, tuna in water, salmon, prawns + broccoli if you can manage it. And a really good multivitamin + minerals and omega 3 capsules. Very best of luck.

I'm all for turkey, tuna in water, salmon, prawns - but what's the issue with chicken and eggs, @VanellopeVonSchweetz99 ?

Overweight people complaining about starvation mode are often criticised on anorexia forums

@PaminaMozart no issue! Great stuff. But if it's down to an extreme numbers game, ie maximum amount of protein (to get the thermic + sating effect) for your "allowed" daily calories, I'd have turkey over chicken and/or eggs.

Completely agree.
800 is so low, what happens after the op with regards to weight gain?

OP needs to lose weight quickly for an operation, she isnt after 'lifestyle advice' about long term weight loss, she has a task that she needs to fufill

Hope its going well OP

@soupfiend
I'm aware of that thanks. I was asking because after a medical procedure if her calories need to remain so low then recovery is going to be slow.
I work in the nutrition hence my sensible question

Just wanted to reiterate this very sensible advice.

Mumsnet is awash with disordered eaters OP, go back to your Dietician.

@SilverCatStripes
agree 100%.
I've seem some really bad advice on here, stick with your dietician who knows your medical history and will ensure you're not putting yourself at risk.

You work in 'nutrition' but you think starvation mode is a thing. OK

Why would her calories need to remain so low after the operation

I by no means said starvation is recommended, far from it.

I was asking the expectations of her weight after the op, if she needs to stay at a lower weight as advised by her GP/surgeon.

I love it on here when you state you have experience or knowledge and people love to shoot you down when I was simply asking a question.

@soupfiend

Well surely if you work in “nutrition” the answer is obvious?

after the op weight loss is less crucial as you aren’t facing a general anaesthetic deadline. So after the op o/p isn’t aiming to lose as much as possible by a certain date.

so after the op a more reasonable calorie deficit plan can be followed with the ultimate aim of a healthy weight.

You agreed with a poster who thinks 'starvation mode' is a thing and that poster had also implied that OP wasnt losing weight because of it

My surgery date has been pushed out again to 2nd May but pre-op day remains 17th April. Staffing issues is the reason, apparently. That has me peed off but moreso, when I told the nurse who rang with the news how I've been struggling to lose the last 4/5lbs, she said "don't even bother coming to your pre-op appointment if you haven't got it all lost". I cried for most of the day after being told that. I'm doing my absolute best, five weeks of below 800 calorie diet. I'm exhausted, constantly cold and an emotional wreck. Am I really gonna be so much healthier by losing another 4lbs or so? What about what the pressure and stress I've been under to lose weight super fast is doing? I feel like I'm never gonna have this surgery, every time it gets close, an obstacle is put in my way.

OP, you will lose that final few lbs, you cant avoid losing it if you're sticking to that level

Once its all out the way and you're stronger I would be making such a complaint about this. Im shocked at how you're being treated and spoken to, and you say this is private? I dont understand?

Go to the pre-op regardless, and make a complaint to PALs about this whole process.

The constantly shifting goal posts and the insane pressure on you to lose weight at a ridiculously fast rate is just not acceptable.