Question:
Is there hope for losing more than they are telling me?

I am 32 with a herniated disc in my back. Had back surgery for another disc 10 years ago. I have a difficult time with any type exercise and they tell me that I will probably lose only 50% of excess weight. Is there hope for losing more? And won't my back pain improve after taking off excess weight? I am hoping that it will and I WILL be able to move more. Please, anyone with any encouragement. Thanks.    — Cheri M. (posted on October 3, 2001)

October 3, 2001
Hi Cheri. I have found that a little exercise goes a long way after surgery. If you can walk for 15 minutes 3 times a day that is 45 minutes a day. Can you swim? Or do water aerobics? Those are easier on your back and joints. Even if you do just a little you will likely see much more of an effect than you would see before the surgery. Just do what you can and focus on your health. You will find that as the weight drops you can do more and more. I would think that the less you weigh the easier it would be on your back, too. Good luck to you and don't give up. You will find something you can do to get active!
   — ctyst

October 3, 2001
There is a TV show on cable here called <i><b>Sit and Be Fit</b></i>. I've got the website for you here as well: <b>http://www.sitandbefit.com/</b> <p> There is a section there where you can choose a video with an exercise program just for your problem. All the exercising is done sitting in a chair and this just may help you increase your metabolism and tone muscles as well! Good luck to you :o)
   — Jo (Part 2) C.

October 3, 2001
I have a herniated disc in my back too. The excess weight loss even 50% will help ease the pain in your back. There are slow stretches and breathing exersize you can do.
   — Theresa B.

October 3, 2001
I am almost too embarrassed to admit this, but here goes... I have not exercised 1 time. This is not something that I am proud of and I have made plans to change this. (I just joined a Country Club-now gotta find the time!)I say this to let you know that losing to your goal and beyond is very possible. I had surgery 1/8/01 and started at 263. For being a "lightweight", I have lost very quickly. My original goal was 139 and I now weigh 134.5. I did this without lifting a finger to exercise. Again, nothing I'm proud of or even recommend, but just wanted to give you my story so you can see that it is possible. Shelley
   — Shelley.

October 3, 2001
That sounds about right. I never really exersized after my rny four years ago. I have back problems also. I lost 120lbs. in 14 months with no exersize. That was just about 50% of my excess weight. Which brought me down to a size 16 dress from a size 28/30. I'm not skinny, but I'm so much happier and healthier and I look terrific. Don't get too hung up on numbers, think about your health and the quality of your life.
   — [Anonymous]

October 3, 2001
You have 3 tools available to you. The surgery type you get and how it's done, your post-op regimen (some are built to help you fail, because they don't take our peculiarities into account), and your ability to abide by a plan that makes sense. So, if you have the best surgery and bad post-op advice, you can get the 50% and that's all. Good advice, bad surgery, you can also maybe get 50%. So, it depends on how it all works together. You can potentially get and hold more wt loss, if you factor everything together.
   — vitalady

October 3, 2001
I couldn't exercising for long periods of time, intermittently, after surgery. I had alot of trouble with dumping and was pretty much glued to the couch every evening after eating. Every once in a while the dumping would ease up, and when I felt better, I exercised. Even though I felt better (energetic, fit, Saintly) when I was exercising, it didn't seem to affect my weight loss one way or the other. I lost 8-10 pounds a month whether I exercised or not. Now, 14 months out, I exercise quite a bit...but only because it is fun and I like it! I have found many activites which I truly enjoy and look forward to doing. So, this is my two cents...focus on eating right and getting all your protein and your nutrition while you are losing most of your weight. But then, when you start to feel up to it, try some fun forms of exercise. If you like to walk, take yourself to some pretty place where you can walk a few times a week. I made a list of activities I had always been curious about and never tried...then one by one, I tried 'em. Ticked em off as I went down my list 1. Roller Blading. Hated that. 2. Kayaking. Loved that. do it all the time now. 3. Water aerobics. Boring. 4. Snorkeling. Great! I don't know what kinds of activities you may be able to do with your back problem, but I'll bet if you make a list you'll find there are alot more than you thought there were. Actually, when I started writing this response it was just to tell you "yes. I think you can get to goal without exercising if you really concentrate on eating right."...but then I got sidetracked. I have heard from other people here who have not exercised at all and got down to the 'ideal' range. They did it by focusing on eating right, which is sooooo much easier after surgery.
   — Anne G.

October 4, 2001
It just erks me how some of these professionals spout stuff out.. I am so sick of hearing numbers and percentages when bottom line is that they don't know how much you'll lose and how quickly. Last night I went to my ssg meeting and asked straight out a number question (How many calories can I eat? Or How much do I malabsorb). They always try to answer but you NEVER get a straight answer. THEY DON'T KNOW! There hasn't been enough long term research to suggest that you will lose a definite percentage and how long you will keep it off. Now don't get me wrong, I am elated that I had this surgery. There is not an ounce of regret in my body. However, they cannot honestly tell you that you will or won't lose all your excess weight. I personally (no I am not proud) have not exercised much at all. I have lost over 90% of my excess weight. the only solace I can give you is that one study shows that the less you weigh, the more likely you re to lose a large percentage of the excess weight. If you are mildly MO, you can expect to lose between 70-90%. If you are Super MO, you can expect to lose 40-60%. I don't remember where those #s are from but I hope you find them encouraging. You are on the exremely low side of the scale and that will definitely work in your favor!
   — Jeannet