Who "qualifies" as a WLS Grad?

Hi! This is my first post on this board. I was wondering, what qualifies a person to be WLS Grad? Do you have to be at goal? I am 15 months post -op and have been blessed with loosing -273 pounds. I still have 42 pounds to go to get to my goal of 150. I am finding it very difficult to continue to loose. I walk 30 minutes a day and lift weights. I continue to weigh and measure everything I eat and keep track of it on "Fitday.com". I drink no less than 80 ounces of fluid a day (SF). So, needless to say, just as I have been amazed at the miracle of this weight loss, I am now, just as dumbfounded as to how it has halted! That is why I have come to this board...to read about your experiences. I wonder if it is ALWAYS this hard to loose the last amount? Well, thanks for letting me share! God bless you all! Love, Cindy 465/192/150

Welcome to the Grads board, Cindy!! You are quite the accomplishment!! Wow!! You are a tremendous success and in such a short time period!! I'm astonished! I look forward to getting to know you! Best, Vanessa 252/237/135

Thank you, Vanessa, for your sweet words of encouragement! I look forward to getting to know you too! Cindy

Welcome, Cindy!! You definitely qualify as a grad, as you are a year post-op. Your success is phenomenal!!!! Stalls are frustrating. I suggest you shake up your workouts. Maybe try some different kinds of cardio. But hey, 273# in 15 months is just amazing. Concentrate on how far you've come. If you keep at it, you will get there. Also, you might consider that you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-30# of excess skin (at least!) after losing that much weight. No amount of exercise or deprivation will change that. So make sure your goal weight is realistic. Please stay here with us, and keep posting!! Hugs, Connie -147#

Connie, Thank you so much for your words of wisdom & for your encouragment! And congratulations to you on your 147 pounds gone!!!! PTL!!! Good for you! God bless! Cindy

Cindy.. WOW! You are most definitely a "grad" on many levels. I'm so impressed with your journey, I spent the past hour reading clips from your profile. I'm in awe at how well you've done, and I wish you much continued success! I wouldn't be surprised, if you were at or below goal, after reconstructive surgery. Have you checked into it yet? Best of continued luck and success in your journey. Wendy

Thank you, Wendy, for taking the time to look at my profile. Also, thank you for your encouragement! Yes, I will be going to some PS seminars this spring to decide on a doctor. I posted on the PS board a few weeks ago with a question simiiar to the insight that you gave here. I was told to not look at PS as "weight loss". That I needed to get to goal and maintain before having PS. I never thought of having PS as a form of loosing weight! I just don't want to have to bust my rump trying to get to 150 pounds if I really don't need to. (I set the goal of 150 NOT my surgeon.) I mean, if I am carrying around 20 or 30 pounds of excess skin, then why would I want to try to get to 150 and end up at 120 - 130? Am I making any sense? I am looking forward to the PS seminars so that I can ask these questions to the surgeons themselves. Thank you so much for your insight! Have you had PS? God bless! Cindy

Hey Cindy, My insight might not be what it should be. I know MOST people suggest you are "at goal" before pursuing reconstructive surgery, (ps), however, I think its dependant on the individual. You might be able to relate.. I haven't talked to many that could. Started out so morbidly obese (over 400), we are from a different mold, ya know? For me, I had my first round of reconstructive 11 months post op. I had to get rid of the masses of hanging skin, so that I could continue with my journey. I was not able to physically exercise like I knew I should. The skin and weight of the skin prevented it. When I'd try, I was hindered by severe rashes and infections, due to the friction of the hanging skin. Could I have prolonged the surgery.. Probably.. Absolutely, actually.. But for me, it was the next logical and much needed intervention in my journey, and I dont regret it. I lost 21 pounds of skin during my tummy tuck and thigh lift.. But following that, I lost an addition 30+ pounds. I felt SO good about myself, it gave me the self-confidence I needed to really exercise hard, and follow a routine. I joined a softball team.. ME! I've been playing for a few years now, 2 seasons a year. Yes, I have had a re-bound. I need to really focus and get serious on overcoming it.. But those brief years when I was at my lowest, were so worthwhile. I had such reservations about pursuing PS b4 hitting goal. I was on the web 24/7 practically. I could not find pics of folks in my condition. I found my PS group thru the web, and sent an email. An angel answered me. Dr. Merrill. He initially told me that he would want me to lose an addition 25 pounds, and be at maintenance for 6+ months b4 touching me. He had experience with gastric bypass patients. I emailed him back with my history/stats. He agreed to meet with me for a free consult. Initially he REFUSED to combine my tummy tuck with my thighs. After seeing my loss in person, and the redundancy of skin issues, he agreed to do the combo, and fought on the phone with my insurance to get it approved.. even tho he gave me a 10% chance of coverage (my WLS was self-pay). I absolutely will love this man forevery for the confidence he gave me. I was amazed at the results. Sadly, he is on a mission for the church, out of the country, for 3 years, and I cannot turn to him now. I miss him. Anyway, I ramble.. PLEASE, do what is best for YOU and follow your heart in your journey. I'm gonna book-mark your page, cuz I know you'll be a success for years and years! and I look forward to seeing you progress. Wendy

Wow, losing 273 pounds is extremely impressive. Congratulations to you. I would just echo the thought that you must have quite a few pounds of excess skin to be factored in to the excess weight you still carry. When I had my extended abdominoplasty in September, I dropped the rest of my weight down to goal. The surgeon removed 8 pounds of skin, and then I just kept losing the rest in the next two months. I now have a normal BMI, yet I know there is still at least another 8-10 pounds of skin on my legs, butt, back, arms, and breasts. So, I am not sure how much more you might actually have to lose. What has your surgeon said? Debra M. 351/170/142 pre-op/pre-plastic/current

Thanks, Debra, for sharing your experience with me. It is very encouraging! Thanks again! Cindy