Realistic Goals

I know I'm going to get a plethora of opinions on this, but I'd like to know... ...what is a reasonable weight loss goal?  In other words, how much should I expect to lose monthly...at 6 mos...at one year, as long as I'm consistent with my follow-up care and exercising regularly? I'm currently at 260 and will be taking a remarkable trip on January 1 to do something I never thought in a million years I would be doing.  If I really work hard, how much can I expect to lose by that time? 3.5 mos...first fill won't come for another month, so I'll only have 2.5 mos with any kind of restriction.  Is it reasonable to think I could be down to 225 by then (35 pounds down)? Thanks! Cathy

Well, how much are you wanting to lose by then?  Realistically? We're suppose to be able to lose 2 pounds per week at the most - for it to be a healthy weight loss.  Does that feel realistic to you? What are your thoughts on this.  Have you set a goal?  Start with small goals and do it 5 pounds at a time. Tonja

I'm such an ex accountant.  35 pounds in 3.5 months is what, about 10 pounds a month?  10 plus 10 plus 10 plus 5....yep.  Factor in THE HOLIDAYS  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas.  Uh, add 5 pounds back.  30 pound projected loss.  OH, factor in the BAND.  subtract 5 pounds.  35 pound projected loss.  Factor in water, and followng band rules (no drinking with meals, no skipping meals) add .5 to confidence level.  Factor in regular cardio, add another .5 to the confidence level.  Add another .5 for being at the beginning because in this case it works in your favor, you lose faster.... Ok, yes, I think that is a reasonable goal. As a former risk manager, I would also add that you might want to set mini goals AND an alternate, non scale goal for the same time period so you feel successful no matter what.

Well, the good thing is that with hitting the holidays, she will have had a fill or two and that is going to help!  So Cathy, what do you think of th calculations?  BTW, feed us a line of what this 'something' you thought you would never do in a million years!  Don't leave us hanging like that! Tonja

I loved the calculations.  I was figuring 10/month, but wasn't taking holidays into consideration.  I was worried about the five weeks until I get a fill and hoped I wouldn't gain during that time. I want to tell you guys more than anything in the whole world.  I want to shout it from rooftops.  However, I've been sworn to secrecy, until a BIG announcement is made.  At that time, I'll be posting on here...as it's pretty substantial (nothing as awesome as Kilt inspecting, mind you, but awesome nonetheless) I promise I'll tell you as soon as I can.  Cathy

Can we make guesses?  Can we play the hot/cold game?

You can guess...but I can't divulge anything...trust me, I've been living with this since before my surgery (and, it's part of the reason I wanted to have surgery). I promise to let you know as soon as I'm told I can, which hopefully will be within the next couple of weeks. Cathy  

Cathy I was told by my pcp that if you stay on a 1200 calorie or less diet and drunk the required amont of water and exercised you can possible lose 6 pounds per week and still be healthy. Thats basically what I have done on this pre operative diet. The key is to stay on the program which I didn't a couple of times....tuna whole wheat subs is my down fall. Since you are 3 months away and you stay focus even through the hoidays i believe tha not only can you achieve it but pass it. Its up to you.  And as for the secret! Now I am curious and keep wanting to quess what it could be! You sure know how to keep a girl in suspense!

Pattye, I think that diet plan sounds great for my to start as my pre-op diet. I am still trying to find a new PCP that will approve the WLS and do my 6 months diet, exercise and nutrition councelling, but theres nothing to say that I can't start that diet before I even get an appointment with anyone.

Natalie I go to a doc here in the city that is 100% behine WLS.....got to Living OUR Dreams a yahoo WLS support group...got to files and click on doc's there is a list of wls friendly ones there.. If u need help pm me.