Starting weight question

Hey, I've got a question for all of you. What weight do you go by as your starting weight? Is it the day of surgery? I had a starting weight of 237# when I first started my process with the Dr for my surgery, but I was still trying to lose some weight on my own, so the day before surgery I weighed 223.5# at the surgeons office which means that I had lost 13.5# in that 2 months waiting for my surgery. So how do you all do it, do you count that weight lost before surgery or do you just take it from right before surgery? Is it cheating counting that weight? I would really appreciate seeing what you all say. Thank you Loni

If you've lost it, count it!!! The only thing I don't count is the 11 pounds of fluid I gained in the hospital. Right before surgery they weighed me, and thats the weight I go by. Prior to being in the hospital I lost like 6 or 7 lbs. I don't really count that, but you had a significant weight loss before surgery so I would say count it!!! Either way... you are doing fabulous... congratulations!!

I go by the highest weight I ever was... I count every pound I have lost!!

Hi Lori, I go by the weight I was when I started this process with the doctor. He counts that as my start weight. I lost 6 pounds in the few weeks prior to surgery and that, to me is the beginning of my new life, so I count it as well. I think most will count it unless they were told to lose 50 pounds to have the surgery or something like that. Fran

The weight I was on the last day at the hospital is the weight I go by. I gained weight while an inpatient from the IV's and surgery. So I was 3 lbs heavier leaving than what I was coming in. I count every pound! I wish I had measured my body parts to record the loss also. All I know is I am loosing pounds and inches, I am healthier, happier, and just enjoying each day of my new life. Monica 330/287/??? 12/06/04

After my insurance approved me, I had my first actual visit with Dr. Arnold. I weighed 250. JAbout a week or two before my surgery I weighed 243. I start with the 250 because surgery or not, it is pounds I lost. I have no idea what I actually weighed the day of my surgery, but after my last meal I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than 250! Karen 250/217/???

Hi Loni, I have never really trusted the scale readings at the doctor's office, whether it was my surgeon's office or my PCP's office. They are in use all day long by many patients, and I know for a fact that they are not calibrated as they should be on a daily basis, or not calibrated CORRECTLY, even then. Pre-op, I was told to lose at least ten pounds prior to my surgery in order to shrink and soften the liver. I lost almost that much, but actually I go by the weight registered on my home scales on the day of my surgery before I left to go to the hospital. I try not to let the reading from the scale at the doctor's office bother me as it is ALWAYS going to read more than my home scales, and more often than not, unrealistically. What my own scale tells me is a pretty reliable gauge, I figure. So many times before I had the surgery, I would be on diets and be so encouraged by what my scale showed as a loss, only to go to the doctor's office, be weighed in, and end up crying because the loss would not register! Well, I refuse to let that bother me, again. They have their records...I have mine...heehee. God bless you! Pat

Pat, Oh my goodness I know just what you mean about the Dr's office scales. I had to go in due to an illness and they weighed me 10 pounds heavier than I had weighed just that morning. I just wanted to cry and then I decided that I just wasn't going to listen to what they said and follow my own scale at home. You have a great attitude, thank you for your help. Loni 237/187/105