Question:
For women w/ start BMI around 47... has anyone NOT lost 100 pds by 6 mos
but still gone on and reached their goal weight? I'm a slow loser, and am concerned about the 12 - 18 month losing window that I hear about. Thanks! — [Anonymous] (posted on November 4, 2001)
November 4, 2001
I think my BMI was around 49. It took me 8 months to hit that hundred. I
lost 150 ultimately, took about 13-14 months to finish it off. I got better
at protein supps & water about that 100# mark, so I think that's why it
moved along so well after that.
— vitalady
November 4, 2001
You asked the magic question on my mind. I started out with a BMI of 47
and November 16 marks my 6 months and I am still stuck at only a lost of 75
pounds and it is driving absolutely NUTS. I feel as though I have failed
the plans of this surgery.
— Karen B.
November 4, 2001
My goodness! 100 pounds in 6 months? What is the rush? I started with a BMI
of approximately 52, although I can't remember exactly right now, it was
between 52-54. Anyway, I lost almost 60 pounds at 6 months, and at 11
months I am at 98 pounds down. I am very satisfied with this rate, my skin
doesn't sag as much as some, my body adjusts to each weight plateau and my
surgeon thinks this is perfectly healthy and safe rate, as well as
"typical." Please don't EXPECT to lose that much that quickly.
You may be disappointed. Yes, many people do, and you may be one of them.
However, if that is your expectation, you may be surprised and
disappointed, even depressed. I see this on the Q & A so often. People
keep wondering why they haven't lost 100 pounds in the first 3-6 months.
That is because it isn't TYPICAL. Yes, many do, but MOST do not. It is
always difficult to compare your rate of loss with that of others. I hope
you can lose that much weight that fast, if that's what you really want.
However, you mentioned the 12-18 month window. That is only a guideline,
again, an average. I've known people who were still losing after 2 years.
Everyone is different. Follow whatever your doctor's post op plan is, and
if you lose that much great! But please don't beat yourself up about it.
I've seen too many people on this site do that because they felt they
didn't lose enough those first 6 months. Sorry for the long response, but I
felt I had to say this. Good luck.
— Maria H.
November 4, 2001
My BMI was 47.4 pre-op, and I had "only" lost about 80 pounds at
the six month point. I remember being so disappointed and absolutely
certain that I would be the one person in a million that this surgery would
not work for. What I had to remember are all the factors that determine
rate of weight loss (age, gender, hormones, previous dieting history,
exercise, compliance with water and protein intake, etc...) and what I had
to do for my continued sanity was to put the scales in the closet, limit
weighing to once a month, and stop comparing my weight loss to anyone
else's....simply trust the process and stick to "the rules". I
am now 19 months post-op...my weight loss stablized at -145 lbs
approximately 3 months ago, leaving me approximately 10-15 lbs. from goal.
My abdominoplasty and armlift surgery should rid me of those remaining
pounds in a couple of weeks. I was one of the "slow losers", but
I am right where I should be now, and couldn't be happier! Just keep the
faith, and enjoy the journey....it will be the best trip you ever took :-)
— Diana T.
November 4, 2001
I know that everyone is very anxious to get to goal after surgery. This is
not MAGIC just a tool, its how you choose to use it. You still need to
choose the correct foods, drink that water and try to exercise as much as
you can. I had my surgery on 8/16/01 and have lost 61 lbs this is more
than I could have asked for. My doctor told me it would talk me 6-7 months
to loose 70 lbs...Im not even 3 months out and have lost 61 so every one is
diffent with the speed. Im sure and I know it will slow up and I need to
prepare myself for those plateus. I need to lose 120 lbs so I am 1/2 way
there and I am quite please.
I think we all need to be happy and pleased with what we have lost and not
use the words "only" when describing out losses. Every day is a
new day and use it to your advantage. Enjoy life and this wonderful
journey GOD has blessed us with. The weight will all come off in due time!
Enjoy LIFE! ALL the best melissa
— Melissa S.
November 4, 2001
I had a bmi of 56 when I had my rny. It took me a year to lose
120lbs. and I'm still 30lbs. from goal. It's never too late.
I'm three years post-op and I intend to reach my goal. It's just
going to take a long time and I have finally accepted that I am going
to have to work very, very hard to lose each pound. That 12-18 month
figure is just an average. Don't take it too seriously; but DO try to
maximize your weight loss in the first 12 months when it is easier. As
long as your pouch is intact, and you are willing to sacrifice, you can
always lose weight. But, it's slow going...and you have to sacrifice big
time! One woman in my group has lost 250lbs. She's wearing size 8 jeans.
It took her 6 years! She's my hero.
— [Anonymous]
November 4, 2001
Just to be SURE your eating is on track, and not doing something you
shouldnt start a food diary. Write everything you put in your mouth for a
couple weeks then take the diary to your nutronist for a consult. This will
help you to feel better about your loss and is a good idea in any case.
Your probably fine but it never hurts to check.
— bob-haller
November 4, 2001
I had my lap rny in mid Feb and have lost 137 since then and 147 since I
started my mission to get it done. My bmi was about 47 when it started. I
don't even try and it comes off, now much slower and at the most 15-20lbs
left. My surgeons office was a little worried because I lost soooo much
sooooo quick. I do know each person is different. Just go with it and do
what you are suppose to and you will do just fine. goodluck
— Patricia C.
November 5, 2001
I had surgery 1/8/01 with a starting BMI of "only" 44, my weight
was 263. By six months I had lost 110 pounds and now at almost 10 months I
have lost 132. My original "goal" was to weigh 139.(although my
goal weight was not important, in fact I was past my goal weight before I
realized it). I now weigh 131. The weight loss has slowed down
considerably, which is exactly what I want now. I wear a size 8 and am
perfectly content where I am. I really don't think that BMI has a lot to do
with the rate of loss. I read that here a lot, but I lost extremely quickly
and was a "lightweight"-LOL. (I never felt like it though). The
rate of weight loss is extremely individual. I would just go with the flow
and realize that this is a complete change of lifestyle and not an
"event" like a diet is. Best of luck. Shelley
— Shelley.
November 5, 2001
I had a pre-op BMI of 47, and at 6 months I had lost 68 lbs. Maybe it's
because I had a slow start on the exercise because I was sick for most of
the 6 months (had my GB taken out at 5 months), and I suffer from disabling
chronic pain, but I expected this weight loss. I agree with the above
statements about how to avoid sagging flesh by speedy weight loss--I feel
better off for it. I don't snack in-between meals, and during meals a few
bites of whatever is sufficient enough for me, provided what I eat is
mostly protein and non-fat. If this is how I eat for the remainder of my
life, then I'm grateful enough for keeping the weight off and never going
back to my original BMI (which has happened too many times).
— Susan W.
November 5, 2001
For what it's worth, my surgeon doesn't buy into the idea of a certain
"window" that then closes. He contends by personal experience
that so long as post-ops continue to eat sensibly (protein, water, watching
fat, sugar and calories, etc.), and exercise that there is no reason why
weight can't continue to be lost, regardless of the time frame...but of
course, you'll want to follow the advice of your own surgeon.
— CaseyinLA
November 5, 2001
I started with a BMI around 47...5'7", 296 lbs. I am just over five
months out and have lost 90 pounds. I asked my surgeon yesterday if I was
'on-track'. He said, "Where you are in where you need to be. It's not
a race. Everyone loses at different rates. Stop worrying about the numbers
and just enjoy the changes in yourself. You look great!" He's so
right. I would LOVE to lose the next 60 pounds I need to get to the
insurance chart 'goal', but man! Life is a journey and I don't want to wish
away the trip! I'm planning to enjoy me today and celebrate the tomorrows
as they come. Afterall, tomorrow isn't promised to us, so I don't want to
wait to celebrate or be happy. Best wishes to you. You'll be fine!
— Sharon L.
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