Question:
Before and After Photos

I see many people who weigh 175 "after" and they look very trim. I never considered this a thin weight for me and I am 5'9''. Does the body metabilize weight differently after this surgery? Or are many people very tall?    — Carol M. (posted on October 18, 2002)

October 18, 2002
I have reached about 179 (on a good day) and I am 5'3" (short)and started out at 300+. I am solidly built and look like I weigh in at about 150 or so. Even my doc did not believe I weighed 30 lbs more. so it does depend on the body type as well as height.Hope this helps. I also thought that I would like to weigh about 120 (as in the weight chart) but I now know I would look emaciated at this low of a weight. Hugs, MJ
   — mjvallee

October 18, 2002
There are a couple reasons why we appear thinner than what the scales say. For one, our bones are more dense from carrying around all that extra weight for so long, so we weigh more because of that. Our extra skin also adds to the pounds, but not the appearance. I am 5'6" and now down to 151 (I see the 140's right around the corner:~), and my body fat is in the normal range. I figure that I can subtract 10-15 lbs. from where I am because of bone density and extra skin. That would put me at around 135-140, which is a dream weight to me, but realistically I'm THERE! My WLS buddy had to put on some pounds after reaching her dream goal because she looked emaciated. She didn't realize that she was going to look better at 145 instead of 130. You will just have to figure it all out when you get there!
   — Cheri M.

October 18, 2002
After a lifetime of carrying around a ton of weight, we've developed muslces all over our body to carry the weight....and muscle is much heavier than fat. I was 145 lbs. in high school and a size 12.....I'm now 157 lbs. and a size 10....I'm sure it's because of the muscle.
   — Lynette B.

October 18, 2002
I weigh 171 right now and wear a size 8. I am just about 5'9". In high school I was 150 and wore an 11 but I look thinner now. I am not sure the reason.
   — Linda A.

October 18, 2002
I know...I wondered the same thing...especially since the phenomenon doesn't seem to be working for me. I'm only 5'2.5 and weigh 147. I still wear 12's and 14's....I see folks that weigh considerably more saying they wear like 8's and 10's????? NOT FAIR....lol...like I said to my hubby, I'm not too fat, just too short.<g> -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -135
   — KimBo36