I want friends..lol..and have a lot of ?? for you guys

Hey guys even though I have been presented with a road block for the time being I still want to pursue the surgery. I realize that I am going to need all the support I can get...so I dont want to be a lurker anymore!! I want some friends...lol. (i feel like a 2nd grader...will you be my friend??...lol). But I have a question for all of you...were any of you (those who are pursuing the surgery and those who have had it) afraid that after the surgery you wouldnt be able to lose enough weight to still live a normal life?? I have 200+ lbs to lose and feel that it just wont happen. My goal is to be between the 140-160 range ( I am now 370 and losing..yay). I have no idea how I let myself get as big as I am now..and am majorly beating myself up. I have done a lot of research on the surgery and everywhere I go states that with RNY that the most you will lose is 50-75% of excess weight...some get to their ideal weight but it isnt typical!! I dont know. I know that even losing 100 lbs is an awesome milestone but I want to be normal..and live a life with no restrictions what so ever!! Am I setting my hopes too high?? Am I just worrying over nothing?? Please let me know... Thanks Dawn

Dawn, if you want, check out my profile. I will be 10 months out on 2/10 and have already passed my personal goal. 2 more pounds and I will be half the weight I was weeks pre-op. Of course, results are not typical (had to throw that in). The key is to do everything the way you should. The biggest obstacle for me has been emotional, but I am overcoming that. Good luck to you and feel free to write. I can be a friend.

Dawn, Yes, it is true that not every wls patient will reach their ideal weight. But I have found that most of the folks I know got close enough to their goald that they were happy. Now, not all of them have kept off all their lost weight and they are more upset/diappointed by their regain than by the fact that they didn't lose it all. That being said, most of the wls folks I know that were 100% complient and followed their surgeon's food plan and exercised lost most if not all of their excess weight. Being 100% complient means exactly that - following the plan all the time, never pushing the limits. I won't say that I never cheated, but I bet in my first year post-op I can count the "cheats" on 1 or 2 hands. All of us are afraid that we will be the 1 person that wls doesn't work for. After all, we've all dieted and failed so why should this be any different. Well, it won't be if you don't decide that you will do whatever it takes to be successful. For me, it was truly a matter of deciding to live my life or to accept that I was headed towards living my life in a wheelchair due to back, leg & knee problems. Sp I HAD to make this work for me. If you are motivated enough, you will do what is necessary, including counseling if needed. Once you make up your mind that you are going to do it and be successful, no matter what - then you're well on your way! Good luck! Vickie J. "Most dreams are lost by giving up what we want MOST for what we want at the MOMENT."

Dawn, You can do this! It may take you a while and you may hit more than one roadblock along the way (Many of us did) . Look I am already considering myself one of us! Is that too funny or what! For instance I had to lose over 50 pounds in order to get a heart cath before my cardiologist would clear me for the surgery. I have lost 79 so far and on Friday I had my heart cath. Next step: surgery. My point is if it is worth having it has to be worth working for. Not everyone will reach their goal weight but almost everyone that I have ever talked to or read about acknowledge that they lost enough of their excess weight to make life worth living again without the daily struggles that we as obese and SMO people face. Hang in there Dawn and don't give up your dream! Oh yes While I am thinking about it this may be a good time for you to investigate Vocational Rehabilitation as a source for your surgery. Several people on this site have had their surgery through Voc. Rehab and I am sure they would be happy to share their journey with you. Take care and stay strong! Kat

Just like John said, follow what your suppose to do..this is what I did. I was so compliant for my first 2 years it made people sick. I hit my doctors goal at 10 months....150 pounds lost and I kept going for a total loss of 197 pounds. I am also not typical....at 5'9 I went from 327 to 130 and a size 4. Everyone's journey is different, you don't know how your body will respond, it is a roll of the dice. I am very glad I took my gamble! Some people don't get to goal, some go beyond goal....you don't know what is going to happen until you do it. Tracey

Hi Dawn, I always stress to patients to do everything - and I mean everything - according to your surgeon's book post-surgery. So many (myself included a few times) get complacent with the seemingly easiER weight loss that they start to slip down the slope towards not reaching their goal. I am 26 months out and about 10-15 pounds from goal. Will I make it? Yes, eventually. But I am half the woman I was before WLS and that has made all of the difference in the world!! And don't beat yourself up. You are loved just as you are. Now we're just going to catch the outside up with what is inside. MUAH! HTH, Kristen

Thanks guys...this really helps alot!! You guys are really awesome. Thank you so much. Dawn

you will lose as much as you want to lose..... good luck with it... you will do great! lex

ha ha...what a small world...lol...I LOVE your name..lol