Question:
Stupid Question, If you lose 30 lbs. before your surgery,

will your 75% typical loss from WLS start at the weight at the time of the surgery or will your 75% loss come from your average weight? Example: You weight 360 and lose 30 pounds in 2 months before your surgery, your surgery weight is 330, do you lose (typically) 75% of 330 or 75% of 360?    — Andrew R. (posted on December 28, 2001)

December 28, 2001
i truely understand your? but some may think it is a silly one! im sure you know that you would lose 75% of the weight you are when you go into surgery
   — blank first name B.

December 28, 2001
I don't think it's silly. I too have wondered the exact same thing. I lost 14 pounds (approximately) the month before my surgery although I was'nt required too. And I've lost almost nothing these last two months and wonder where I should count my 75% from. (Hope all of us can lose 100% though).
   — Danmark

December 28, 2001
Not true "-" I lost 15 pounds before surgery. Highest weight was 230. Ideal weight (according to charts) is 115. Excess weight to lose = 115 lbs. I have lost a total of 92 pounds and am still losing slowly. That is 80% of my excess at 230 (loss of 92 lbs) and 67% of my excess at 215 (loss of 77 lbs). I expect to lose slowly for another few months at least since I am only about 8 months out. Everyone is different and it is NOT a stupid question. There are no stupid questions, only mean-spirited answers.
   — ctyst

December 28, 2001
Well, to really answer the question we'd have to go back to the studies. Some doctors may use the weight at your first consultation, others may use your weight at your pre-op appointment, that's certainly the weight my surgeon would use. But only because that was the only time he took my weight pre-op. He never took my height and I had guessed it wrong so I had to correct him at my last appointment. Height is important becaust it effects how much weight is considered "excess". These details are just to show how many things can effect the averages you see quoted. I think it's pretty hard to figure out exactly where your weight will ultimately land because it's effected by so many factors. Also, I've notice many people come up some from their lowest weight. To address the heart of your question though, a 30 pound loss from a starting weight of 360 is not even ten percent. That's not enough to throw the numbers off all that much. I would think that behaviours that led to pre-op weight loss are beneficial all the way around. However, worrying a lot about your ultimate weight can be very troubling. I like to think about how all the numbers with WLS are so much better than with dieting. Good luck
   — kcanges

December 28, 2001
Well, your first "poster" was so ignorant, they wouldn't even sign their name. Had to remain anonymous. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID/SILLY QUESTION. This is how we learn. I've asked my questions myself that I considered silly or stupid but there were always folks gracious enough out there to not belittle me, and they answered my questions. Keep asking. We're all here for each other. If I had to post something rude to someone, I think I'd rather not answer. At least that's what my Mommy taught me when I was about two years old. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything."
   — blank first name B.

December 28, 2001
I don't think this is silly either. I even disagree with the first poster saying that it's 75% of the surgery weight. I would think that if you lost that weight right before surgery, it may very well be included in the 75%. Please remember though, you are using that percentage as a guide only. You MAY, like me, lose 100% of your excess. You MAY, like some, lose 50% of your excess. It's an average only and just a number to guide you. It isn't written in stone sweetie and you will most likely end up with a percentage of your own. Good luck
   — Barbara H.