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ok all you experinced wls folks. I am 9 weeks into the pre surgery 1500 calories diet. I've lost 24 lb. When crunching the numbers...rate I'm losing now..minus 70% excess weight loss they say the surgery can do...I'm not sure I'm happy with that ending number. SOOO oh experinced ones...do I fight to get more off now? or do you recomend waiting to see what the surgery can provide and working on the final number then??? I'm at 330 now...I'd like 150 170.

To be honest, I don't worry about the numbers. I figure when I get to where I want to be, THEN I'll look at the numbers. I realize that they need to give us some sort of "goal." But every person is different and you really don't know what you will "look" like when you get that first 100 pounds and more off. There's lots of things invovled that can change your goal weight - how much excess skin you have, your age, along with your height and bone structure. So - just my humble opinion - don't sweat the numbers at this point...just keep working hard (congrats) and take it as it comes (well as it goes).

Hey Linda! When I had surgery on July 14, 2005, I weighed 311, I am now at 205, 8 months later. I am still losing a pound or two a week (and I haven't even begun exercising yet!). My goal is to reach 160#. It will happen so I am not worried. It will happen to you, too. Like the earlier post, don't sweat the numbers! It will come off if you use your pouch like you are supposed to. Darla

Hi Linda, You really can't worry about the numbers. What you need to keep an eye out for is how you feel and the way you look. If you are happy with the way you look at 170, then that is where you should be. I don't know if this is coming out right... Let me give you an example from my experience. I started out at 244. I am almost one year out and am currently at 134. This weight that I am at is still 18 pounds heavier than I was before babies. BUT, I currently LOOK thinner than I did when I first got pregnant. You have to take into account the excess skin and whatnot. The number that the scale says isn't necessarily what you will look like. My BMI is down to like, 22.1 or something like that. I am wearing a size 6 jeans and a medium top. But if I look at my actual weight, I don't think that is that great. So I guess what I am trying to say is don't worry so much about what the scale or the numbers say. Not only that, but the 70% may or may not be what you lose in the end. With the surgery and exercise only (no specific pre-op diet) I have lost 104%. Remember that the fist six months is when you lose the most weight. THis is when you need to be really diligent about following the program and exercising. You need to continue to follow the program after the first six months obviously, but take advantage of that six months to drop as much as you can. Good luck and I hope this helped, and didn't confuse you too much. I know it isn't the clearest response! Danielle

Hi Linda, I had my surgery in Jan 2004. I weighed 279. I now weigh 129. In March of 2005 I fell and fractured my shoulder. I had never gotten into any excercise program and wasn't able to after the fall and 2 surgeries. I take one day at a time and try to concentrate on getting my protein in, vitamins, and lots of water. I am just now ready to start getting into excercise as I attended water aerobics for the first time last night. I've been seeing a few celebs that have regained some of their weight. I don't want that to happen to me. In a way I don't regret the lack of excercising till now as this will help me maintain and possibly loose a pound or two in this next year post-op. Good luck to you! Terry

Thank you all for your posts. I can really find some creative ways to put pressure on myself unnecessarily. After receiving your emails, I can see that is exactly what I'm doing to myself. It's the "all or nothing syndrome", I might not be twiggy when it's all done sooo...yes,I'll have some of the nice cheese crackers! sabotage! I'm a pirate on my own ship. I am so glad I am on this pre surgery diet. I am really learning what I need to know emotionally and nutrition wise, before the "Golden 6 months" happens. How helpfull it is to have this support board. Thank you all so much for helping me recognize the Blackbeard in myself. I shall work very hard to slay this monster!