Question:
25 years old...5'5, 295 lbs. ANY POST OP THAT WAS IN THAT RANGE?

I know that everyone loses at a different rate depending on what they had done, who they are, how old etc.. What I am tyring to figure out is just a general idea of what is considered normal for someone like me. I am 25 years old, 5'5, 295 lbs. I want to get to about 140lbs. or less. I am having open RNY-proximal on July 23rd, and am hoping to be at 199 by Christmas. Is that unrealistic? Not trying to compare myself to others...but want to make sure I am setting realistic goals for myself. I plan on following the plan just as my doctor instructs, and I also plan on exercising A LOT! Thanks for reading this.    — Shawnie S. (posted on July 7, 2002)

July 7, 2002
I had a vgb on may 13th and I have gone from 246 to 205 since then. So yes, I really think that is realistic. Remember that you are human though.
   — tara W.

July 7, 2002
I had open RNY May 21, 2002. I am 5'6 3/4 and started at 304.5 now at 255. I think you are setting very reachable goals for yourself. Good Luck!!~
   — Sassy M.

July 7, 2002
Hi. You are exactly where I was when I started. I am 5'5" and weighed 295 on the day of surgery (12/17/2001). I am 201 today. Bear in mind that everyone looses differently, even with the same starting statistics. I am 11 years older than you are, however, and I think that is in your favor. Re the exercise -- as soon as your doctor clears you for lifting, begin to do some resistance training (ie: weightlifting). Aerobic (walking, biking, swimming, stairmaster, etc.) is important for building endurance and cardiovascular fitness, but the anerobic (resistance) exercise is essential for building lean muscle mass. (Curves offers an excellent combination of the two types of exercise in their program.) In the early post-op stages of this surgery, a good part of the weight loss we see comes from loss of muscle. Not a good thing. So, by taking in our protein and doing resistance exercise we can prevent this to some degree. (When the numbers on the scale go down, it's hard to care whether it's fat or muscle, but we have to care! After all, the heart's a muscle, too!) Sorry to go off on a tangent, and forgive me if you already know all of this. Best of luck to you on starting your new life. I wish this surgery was an option to me when I was 25! With Aloha, JK, RN
   — Joya K.

July 7, 2002
There is no way of knowing how fast anyone will lose the weight. If your looking for that type of results, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. How fast have you ever lost a lot of weight before? How successful were you on any of your diets? Well, this will be much better than that, and you won't have to try so hard at it, so just let it happen at the rate your body determines, and good luck.
   — Ron E.

July 7, 2002
I also had my surgery (Lap RNY) on 5/21/02. I started at 290 and am down to 253. I am hoping (like you are) to get to around 140.
   — sheltie

July 7, 2002
Well..I am not trying to set up myself for failure or disapointment...just trying to set goals. If I don't have goals in mind...I easily lose sight of things. I realize that this surgery is a tool though, and I do not expect it to do everything for me or be easy. I expect to change my life completely in both diet and physical activity. I hear that some people lose 50 or 60 or more pounds in just a month, and I know that is probably a bit unrealistic for me, but I was just trying to get average ball park figures although I know that everyone is different.
   — Shawnie S.

July 7, 2002
Hi Shawnee--I was 25 years old, 5'5" and 280 pounds when I had my Open RNY proximal in October of 2000. read my profile to see my own personal weight loss record. I think you are setting realistic goals for yourself. I currently weigh 157 pounds and am very happy with my progress. I had gotten down to 140 pounds when I was sick 6 months ago with a bowel obstruction, but have since healthily gained back up to 157 pounds again, as my doctor had instructed. It seems my body likes this weight with me, as I have been stable here for quite a while. I would like to get those last 15 pounds off and be back at 140 pounds, but everyone commented how gauntly I looked then, so I suppose that this weight is good. There are pictures on my profile as well. Good luck, and feel free to email me if you like.
   — enjo4