What constitutes a centurian??

When I was at my check-up the other morning, I was asked if I was a member of the Centurian Club, which I promptly replied no. She said that I could become a member if I wanted to. I said that I couldn't, that I hadn't reached losing 100 lbs. I was told that the rules had changed, and now it was a loss of 60% of your excess body weight to join. I always thought that a Centurian (in the WLS sense) was a person who had lost at least 100 lbs. On the last weigh in before surgery, I was 223.3 and I was 143 that moring. That is a loss of 80.3 lbs (although I go from when I first saw my surgeon, when I was 235 lbs, or a loss of 92.2 lbs). I was a lightweight compare to most patients who have WLS, and I feel it would be wrong for me to join until I have lost (and maintained) a 100 lb loss. I kinda compare it to the Daughters of the American Revolution - ya gotta prove something in order to join (in my case, I had to prove an ancestor fought or rendered patriotiic service in the Revolutionary War). I would like to hear your two cents on this topic.

sorry, i've only got 1.2 cents so i feel it would be wrong to comment.

As a fellow HF patient - they have both 100lbs+ weight loss rules AND BMI rules - specifically for those who start off as 'lightweights'. You would need to contact Wanda for the specifics - I don't recall what they are but I know that if your BMI was around 40 at the time of surgery, it needs to be a certain amount to be considered 'centurian' (even if you've lost less than 100lbs). Take care, Nicole

Well, I was told is that the rules had changed, and now it was if you lost 60% of your body weight, you could join the Centurian Club. I was never given a goal weight, but I wanted to lose 100-115 lbs, depending on how I looked and felt. I know that there are probably many people on this board that have lost 100 lbs and not even lost 60% of their excess body weight. I guess I believe that if I have NOT loss at least 100 lbs and maintained it, then I shouldn't be allowed to join, and I wouldn't want to. I don't think it would be fair to represent something I'm not. This is not to say that I'm not proud of my weight loss!! I am very proud of what I have done....

hi good morning, what is the centurian club????? marie

My recollection of what a CENTURY means is 100. ONE HUNDRED. Is this the centurian club at your medical professional office or on this board? I would ask to speak with someone there who can tell you WHY the rules have changed and indicate that if the proceed to call it the CENTURIAN club, then they need to remain 100 lbs lost OR change the name to 60 percent club. It's all about wording, ask specifics: why, when what who and where. get answers and speak up and tell them how you feel. fight it girl!! stacey w

No, it's not thru the board - it's via Henry Ford Hospital. I would think that perhaps other offices/drs have something similar. I'm really not going to persue the matter. They meet in downtown Detroit (at night) and I was already flamed roytally on another board for voicing my feelings about it (a) being in an area of Detroit I'm not comfortable with at night and (b) being too far. Even the support meetings are down there. I get my support from this board and from another support group that is much closer!! I AM NOT FLAMING ANYONE IN THIS GROUP!! Sadly, they cannot respect my opinions....

There is really nothing to fight for or about. It is considered to be an honor to meet the requirement for Centurian night a Henry Ford Hospitals Bariatric Program. Through this program (which is #1 in the State) we are given an amount of weight to loose pre-op. It is usually between 5 and 50 pounds depending on your weight. Losing the weight pre-op will not disqualify you from having the surgery. Our "official" weight is recorded from our final weigh in the Wednesday before our surgery. Not everyone will lose 100 pounds post-op from this point. If you started as a "lightweight" and don't have 100 pounds left to lose, when you reach a normal B.M.I. you will be invited to join the Centurian Society. This gives everyone who has worked hard to lose their excess weight a chance to make it into the Centurian Society. It is A very special night and it is very inspiring for the people who look forward to becoming a part of the Centurian Society. It's really to bad that some people can't see the blessings they have been given and tear down the very people that have help to save their life. Take care. God bless, Annette