65% of excess body weight

I have lost 65% of my excess body weight. By a lot of surgeon's standards, that means I am considered a success. But, how can I be a success when I have so much more to lose. It feels like maybe the surgeons aren't giving us enough credit that we can go all the way and lose ALL of our excess body weight. When I went to my first seminar, I was told that on average, WLS patients lose between 65 and 75% of their excess body weight. Well, I only have 18 more pounds to get to 75%. It's seems as though the goals will never end. Once we reach one goal we are still not satisfied. Or at least I am speaking from my own experience. Currently I weigh 211. That is how much I weighed when I graduated from high school 8 years ago. The thing is, 211 at 26 years old looks WAY different than 211 at 18 years old. After all this, it's still about how I look....sigh...that feels disappointing. Rachael

I know how you feel. I have only lost 49% of my body fat and the doctor thinks that great. I know I should be happy about it too, but I feel like I've stopped losing weight. I still have to lose 60 pounds to get to my final goal. I mean, we've all done so well and we should be proud of ourselves but it does seem like the goals never end. Well, keep up the good work. We have to stay positive!

Good Morning Rachael I think 65% is a medical success. We have seen many people (rather most) who lose much more. My surgeon expects me to keep loosing for about 1 year to 15 mth's. I think we set goals both small and large for ourselves to help stay on track... You have done so very well its exciting and you have to be proud of yourself. But Keep setting goals and look at the small ones, the big ones may or may not come. I think that if we do what we should with exercise and food God will put us at the weight we are meant to be at. Don't you think that perhaps this journey with in yourself will make you a better clergy/ minister.. you will have so much insight into yourself to look back on when helping others in the future. I can tell you that I would love to see you preach when you are finished with school. I bet you will be a great comfort to all. Anyway sorry to go on.. that's what my 24 year old daughter would say is a "mom" speech! Take Care Jean

I do not know where I am in %, but I would say that it is close to 95%. I had my 6 mo visit and we talked about changing my goal to 10 lbs lower and he got pretty stern with me. asked me to stand up and show him where I would find that 10 lbs to lose. I showed him my tummy, all the extra skin and he said, if you lose that 10 lbs, and then when you get plastic surgery to remove all the skin you lose another 10 lbs, you will be 10 lbs under and that is not healthy either. just get to ideal weight plus 10 and chill.

(((((((((((((Rachael)))))))))))))))))))))))) you are way too hard on yourself sugar girl. YOU are going to be a rousing success, you will get to goal in your own sweet time and we'll be at the finish line cheering you on, no matter when that is. I'm not at the weight i was before i had kids....imagine my shock and surprise when i looked at this body naked and why the heck do i have a kangaroo pouch in front and for cripes sake who stole my hooters and replaced them with cow udders, loose floppy ones at that? My socks are getting paranoid because my nipples are constantly staring at them (probably tmi but if you even smiled it was worth it). I want you to stand there with your head held high, y our shoulders back and your tummy sucked in as far as it will go and get out there and greet the world, you are beautiful, smart, funny and very pretty to look at so stop worrying about the nonsense. ANDI

Freaking hilarious!!!

it's true though isn't it, i nursed all three kids and boy oh boy they said it was healthier but i'm wondering for who cause my body looks like a train wreck without clothes on! With power panties and clothes on though i can pass for plump and i'll take that. Hugs, ANDI

Krikee! Since I am only 6 months out, I am not too hard on myself for the skin stuff. I mean....I am putting a lot of stock in the fact that SOME of it will go back to normal!!! Thank God for Spanx higher power panties!!!

I totally understand how you feel. I am 1 pound from having lost 70% of my excess weight but I don't want to stop there even though I would be considered a success. My surgeon's goal for me was to lose 75% of my excess weight or 112 pounds. But my personal goal is to get to 130 (I am only 5 ft. 2 in.) so this is a good weight for me. Hoping to be there by one year post-op.