> They never tell you that part about losing weight, that the damage to your metabolism is already done and will never function normally again.

This New York Times reporting on weight loss and metabolism is highly relevant: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/02/health/biggest-loser-weig...

The study within strongly suggests exactly what you're saying: massive weight loss results in a massive loss in metabolism. The difference in metabolism is on the order of hundreds of calories per day.

I've lost a combined 150 pounds throughout my life and I'm down 80 pounds from my max. I am not in the exact same situation as you but I feel close. I, too, limit my calories to roughly 1,600 a day.

I wish this topic was studied more and the science was settled. If the study is accurate, what is there to be done about it other than learning to live with a significant caloric deficit for the rest of our lives? This is an issue that potentially affects so many people yet is so rarely discussed. Thank you for sharing your experience.