Kathy S - WLS Journey - Seeing the surgeon for that 1 year weigh in!

September 1, 2005

I was soooo excited to go downtown Chicago yesterday to see my Wellness Center counselor and doctor. I also, was going to see my surgeon Dr. Nagle. I was sooo excited. Everyone just couldn't believe it. The doctor said something that I was not aware of with all my research. He said 90% of the people that have WLS only lose 30% of their body weight. Say what? No way, would I have been happy doing this surgery and weighing in the 200's.

He said I was in the top 1% if not the best in losing weight that he has ever seen. Dr. Kurshner has written books on weight loss so I am very touched he said that.

Talking to the dietician was very interesting. She was a little concerned that I am still losing 2 pounds a week. She wants me to increase my cals to 1200 and maybe even go to 1500 to get me to stop losing. I can't imagine going to that many cals. She also mentioned to concentrate more on weights and that I could put on 5-10 lbs using weights. Now that freaked me out, chuckle, chuckle.. We are going to do a body fat count the next time I go there in about 12 weeks. I think it was November 28. When I told her I wanted to lose more she said to keep in mind if I do PS that will reduce my weight as well. She said to call her if I continue to lose past 128 on 1500 cals. While I understand where she is coming from I really don't feel we are in trouble here Houston. I am only 5'3" and would not worry unless I started hitting the single digits. Geez, I can't believe I typed those words.....

Next we went over to see my surgeon and he was not there. He was called away on an emergency. The ladies in the office went nuts over me. They had not seen me in over 9 or 10 months. I left a picture and they were going to show him when he gets back. I will be seeing him next week. But I was very disappointed!!!

My DH and I took advantage of the extra time and went shopping. What a novel idea. It was soooo much fun trying on everything. Then we had dinner outside and went on a carriage ride. I would never have done any of this before. I was always thinking people were thinking that poor horse, having to pull that big fat lady.

Until next time :-)

Take care,
Kathy

Updated thoughts - I am not sure where my surgeon came up with those numbers but have found through the years his numbers are not true. I bet he has changed his thought on that as well, otherwise we would not have surgery. Didn't you find it interesting how defensive I got when they suggested I stop losing? I had a number in mind and no one was going to stop me LOL We do get a little obsessed at this stage, but don't fear, eventually it all levels out and you find your comfort zone with "how you feel". I found 118-125 was the best for me. Not how I looked in clothes (yes I did look kinda cute) but how I felt. How I could move. It was amazing to me that I could do all the things I was doing (working on my weight loss bucket list) and not have my left side go numb. Not having to sit down after taking a few steps! Tag you are it! You are next!!!