Question:
Goal Size.....

I had surgery 6/18/03...I weighed 348lbs 5'8, so i've lost 111lbs w/no complications through the grace of God and having a knowledgeable surgeon. My question is my ultimate goal is to wear a size 10-11, and weigh 170lbs. I want to hear from post-op individuals who started around my weight and height who reached their goals... I know that we all have different bodies (porportions) but any input would be appreciated. I loose on average bout 10lbs per month. I exercise on my gazelle 5 days per week @ 3miles per day. I snack troughtout the day eating nuts, fruits anything that is mostly protein and i eat carbs prob once on the weekend...I cut my carbs drastically...I just want to reach goal! It seems like that last 40 or 60lbs is hard to get off! I always seem to hear alot of stories of people loosing quickly and getting to goal that i almost sometimes think that i am doing something wrong. So I would like to hear from anyone over 348lbs that lost slowly but got to goal...thanks Nicky, 348/237 ultamate goal 170    — Nicky-28 (posted on May 10, 2004)

May 10, 2004
I started at about the same weight around the same time and have lost about the same amount. I hope to weight 170 but it seems like it may not happen for me? I am cutting the carbs as much as possible but I get horrible headaches and low blood sugar w/o some carbs. I walk an hour a day 5x a week but I know I need to get back to the gym and lift weights. That's what really burns calories in the long run. Best of luck! Myra
   — mrsmyranow

May 10, 2004
My stats are almost identical with yours. My surgery was 6/9/03, down 115 lbs. I started at about 343, I am now down to 228. I am a size 16 but people think I look smaller, I agree, all due to strenght training. My goal is 190. I dont know if I will get there either, but I wont give up. I cranked up my strengtht training and increased more protein and I started to drop again. I hope you make it.
   — Lisa G.

May 10, 2004
To the original poster and the responders. You are all doing great and making great progress. You aren't even 1 yr PO yet and quite close to goal. Remember 18 months is usually the window of opportunity and it can go on long after that if you work the tool. It just will be very slow, but still will move. <p>I started almost 100 lbs higher (442) and I'm 5'9. I reached goal at 12-3/4 months because of having my lower body lift at that time. Otherwise I was 17 lbs from goal going into PS. I suspect I might not quite be at goal yet if it wasn't for the PS, as the weight loss had slowed way down. This is very normal. So just keep doing what you are and stay focused. It will all come in time. My goal weight was 200 lbs, which is higher but for my body it works. My lowest has been 192 and right now I am hanging around 198 and working my way back down a little. I have another PS on June 7th and then my legs in November which will take off the remainder of the weight I want to lose. I figure when all is said and done I will be around 180-185, which is as low as I want to go. I'm wearing 14's and 12's right now because of the thunderthighs. I suspect when it all settles out I will be in 12's and 10's. I cannot even imagine those numbers as I think I went from toddler sizes to a misses 14, and then kept climbing right up the sizes. <p>I'm glad to hear you are doing weight training as I personally feel that is the key to well proportioned weight loss and long term success. Getting your metabolism up will serve you well in the long run for maintaining your weight. Just remember to not go so far into exercise that you reach a point where you have gotten obsessive just to get the weight off and then are not able to maintain your weight because you cannot keep up that level of exercise for the rest of your life. You don't want to end up being a slave to exercise. It should be something you enjoy and have fun doing. I do 3 days a week and hope to never exceed that in my required exercise to maintain my weight. Anything I do above and beyond that is because I want to and it's a family activity etc. I've been down the road of exercise obession and ended up regaining 200 lbs because of many things but one of them was an exercise routine that was totally unrealistic for the long haul. Keep up the great work!
   — zoedogcbr

May 10, 2004
Hello, Our stats are almost the same too. On the day of surgery I weighed in at 327lbs at 5'8". I am a little further out then you, so hopefully I can give you an idea of your "goal" weight/size. Preop I was wearing 28's 30/32, I am now a year and a half post op and weigh 150lbs and a size 12. Personally I have a VERY large frame, I have spoken to numerous other women who have the same stats as me, and many are wearing like size 8's- I also carried/carry most of my weight right in my belly- so I'm left with quite a large panni- I'm sure once that is removed (June 30th yipeeeeeeee) I'll go down at least to a size 10. When I was 170lbs (your goal weight) I was wearing size 16's. I hear many people say "I don't know if I'll make it to my goal" or "it doesn't look like I'm going to make it there" Well, we will all make it as far as we WANT to make it. The honeymoon is over for us, and what we lose now is UP TO US :) When I first had this surgery, I was sure that I would be one that it did not work for, I set my goal at 199lbs- I never ever thought I would make it to 150lbs and a size 12...AMAZING CONGRATS ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS, and even more so for your exercising. I think this is going to be the KEY to KEEPING off the weight you lose! Even though I lost so much, and watch what I eat. I did NOT exercise enough and now my body shows it. I know in order to KEEP this weight off, I'm going to have to GET MOVING !! Best wishes Kim
   — WABBIT F.

May 11, 2004
Hi, I had my surgery in July of 2002 and I was at approx. 330lbs at that time. I am 5'7" and I currently weigh about 167. I am very happy with my results and I am also waiting for my tummy tuck in August. I started off wearing a very tight 26 and now wear anywhere from a 8 to a 10. That alone is mind boggling to me. I do have a lot of people saying I am going to disappear after the surgery but there is no fear of that. I have a great support system and lots of friends and family helping me. All I can say is don't focus too strongly on the size of the clothing because all designers cut their garments differently and one can be much bigger or smaller than another. Just remember how healthy you feel and that is a much greater reward. Take care you are doing awesome keep up the great work. Here is to everyone reaching their own personal goals.
   — UMMADUMMASS

May 13, 2004
Hi--my stats are pretty similar. I started at 335, 5'5" tall. My surgery was 7/25/02, so I'm just about 23 months out. My "goal" (in my head only, my surgeon was much more realistic) was to weigh 144. I got pretty close--down to about 155, but I decided I was not looking good at that weight--my face looked old and gaunt. So I've put back on a little, and I am now around 160-165 (when I behave myself). I wear 8s and 10s and although I could use a tummy tuck, I'm not planning on having one. Very happy as I am!
   — AmyL