9 month doc app't this week!

I had my 9 month follow up app't on wednesday and I have lost 81% of my excess body weight. I was told to expect the weight to stop coming off. So its the time for a plateau and that should not bother me. I still can't believe i weigh between 150-160 pounds. Looks like a lot more in the mirror. i guess my "head" needs to catch up with the weight loss. The surgeon stated PS should not be an option for at least another 9mo to a year. He stated the excess skin would still be there no matter how i had lost the weight. He stated if I built up a bit of muscle from weight training/weight lifting- the muscle could fill out the skin a little but it would still be plenty of excess. THe elasticity of the skin is gone in many areas- its not casued by extreme fast weight loss but rather decades of overstreched skin from obesity. Some people seem to think RNY causes the excess skin problem. I think that is just another one of their excuses not to have RNY because that statement is not true- what the issue really is for many is fear of confronting food addiction. I do not spend much time on trying to convince others of the facts about RNY - especially if their comments seem only motivated by a desire to attempt to knock me down a notch. I figure some do not want to celebrate my success with me and if they are obese they are on their own journey - like it or not- and will be elightened to the facts eventually. One odd thing was the doc at my 6 mo appt stated some bloodwork was due at 9 mos and this week he said nothing was due until 12 months....hum. He did say my PCP can go ahead with the dexa scan since i have been having more bone pain in recent months. Xrays showed some arthritis in left shoulder and left hip but that was probably there when I weighed 300 pounds too.

Hi Karen, Wow, you are doing so great! 81% is awsome. My surgeon said that a WLS success is for 75% excess weight lost. So you have exceeded that! I know that my skin has lost elasticity. Plenty of people that have lost weight, either with surgery or without, have experieced all the stretched skin. I agree, your success will prove the facts and others will have to make a decision for their own journey. For me, the stretched skin is all worth it. Knowing I am healthier, more fit, and smaller is enough for me. I don't like the loose skin but I can live with it if I have to. I hope your pain gets diagnosed and you get some relief. Again, congratulations.!!! Hugs, Robin

Karen, How wonderful to have lost 81% of your excess weight! I am going for my 1 month check next week so I am still such a newbie! I admire the work you have done and are doing. It was good to hear what you shared about the excess skin because I am hoping that I will have plenty....(How is that for irony?? I just assume it is going to be a fact of life. Good luck with the bone pain. That must be no fun at all. Julie

Congrats!!! I can't wait to be where you are As for the skin, it can tighten up a little between now and a year from now just from adjusting to it's unstretched state. Also, you said, "Some people seem to think RNY causes the excess skin problem." Is that anyone in general or do you mean other surgery types?

Karen, Congrats on you loss! That's awesome! ~Heather