Success or settling

Lets make up a person: Bob.  Bob is someone I know (not me obviously) who had WLS (5 years ago) when they weighed 300 pounds.  Bob lost 70 pounds but has since gained 50 back.  So, he is only down 20 and now weighs 280 and has stayed the same for about 3 years. Now, to me, he really isn't any different that he was 5 years ago: still obese.  But, Bob didn't keep gaining and become 380 or 450 pounds so, in one sense, surgery stopped his gaining even if he didn't lose very much. Was Bob "successful"  ?

If I were "Bob" I would do a self evaluation of my eating habits/exercise program and then follow-up with my WL surgeon....there may be a medical reason for his low weight loss and big regain...I wouldn't accept a 20 pound loss from WLS and would be hurt, upset, and questioning "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED". But that's just me... I had 2 major goals as a post-op...to be healthy & happy....so I'm a success in my book...but according to the charts I'm still overweight and never made it to "goal". So, I'm sure you will a variety of answers to your question.

Success is such a relevant term.  I would say whatever Bob thinks is success should be the marker.  If I were Bob, I wouldn't feel successful because I didn't reach goal or maintain the initial weight loss.  However, your point about stopping the weight gain in itself is an accomplishment.   I wish Bob the best on his journey.  Maybe he can find some new energy and determination. Wanda

If I were Bob I would feel that I was not a success. A 20lb weightloss is good, but not good enough for a 300lbs person to improve their overall health. In fact, after going thru everything I went thru with wls, I would feel ripped off! I didn't risk my life to hop up on that surgery table to only lose 20lbs!!! Has Bob had his surgeon check things out to be sure there's no failure in the surgery itself? Does he accept responsibility for this due to improper eating, not following the plan, etc. I have to admit that fear of failure is one of the things that keeps me working hard at it.

Thats a tough question.... for me there are so many factors to determin ones success - only that person could decide if the sugery was successful for them. I do like the point you brought up that Bob is able to maintain the weight and has had no further weight gain... if that holds true thru the future then perhaps in their eyes the surgery worked in the way 'they' wanted it. Personally being over 280lbs at my heaviest, if I dropped 70lbs down to 210 and regained 50lbs and 5 years out weighed 260lbs I would consider myself a failure. Thats of course looking at it from 145lbs... if I had never known any different perhaps I would be happy? Who knows, once you get a 'taste' of thin then things change... I realize now how I stuggled with the extra weight and how much it hurt my body... I never want to go back... if I hadnt lost the weight I would have never know.

Personally, I think it sucks! It is like you could have had 2 black eyes and since you missed a punch and only got one life is grand.  That is one of those back door blessing types of things.  I know Bob didn't have surgery because he wanted to be 20lbs lighter. Bob is still at risk for all the obesity diseases as he was pre-op. Success??? Who cares if you call it that the point is is he satisfied and happy? Best, Leila

If it was me, I'd be quite disappointed. The statistics usually say "success" is a loss of 70% of excess weight, with at least 50% of the excess weight still gone after 5 years. If Bob's happy, that's great, but RNY isn't the least bit fun and he sure did go through a lot just to lose that little bit of weight.

Just looking at numbers alone I'd say anything less then 50% maintained isn't anything to be too happy about (although it's still better then 0%). He has been successful - but could he be more successful? You betcha. I really believe in the cardinal rules though and have faith anyone can relose anything gained baring any mechanical malfunctions. Evetually it will come down to input vs output for all of us so sticking to what we learn is vital for long term success. I live as if malabsorbtion is a thing of the past now and don't bank on it keeping the weight off forever without me doing what is needed. Keeps me on track I guess. Wishing Bob good luck in his health quest. Jen