Question:
Why do some lose better than others?

Does the type of surgery (distal/proximal, etc.) have anything to do with how someone loses? Every before and after picture is an inspiration but I did notice some have achieved greater weight loss when they have started out at the same weight as others, identical BMI's and height. More determination to lose? Different eating habits? Exercise?    — PVail (posted on November 2, 2003)

November 2, 2003
Some of it is genetics, the rest is up to us. Some will naturally lost faster than others but in the long run, it's the keeping it off that matters. Ultimately, it is up to US to put our tool to good work. It will only take us so far, but our choices and exercise habits will ultimately determine our success. Good luck!
   — Happy I.

November 2, 2003
Hi Phyllis, Yes, the type of surgery does have something to do with it. A good comparative chart can be found at http://www.gr-ds.com/forpatients/Comparison_Html.html . Of course, the way that each individual surgeon does a surgery has something to do with it too. My surgeon's patients tend to lose weight better, more effortlessly than other surgeon's post-ops - not because of who the surgeon is, but because the surgeon believes in a certain set of protocols when performing the surgery. It's VERY important to know exactly what your surgeon intends to do in your surgery - not just because it's your body - but you have a lifetime to live with your surgery! Hope that helps! dina
   — Dina McBride

November 2, 2003
Well. Boy is that the million dollar question OR what? In general, you have to have a good surgery PLUS a god plan. You can adhere faithfully to a bad program and have it take you down after a coupla years. Of course, you don't KNOW it's a bad program, obviously. Some have just "not enough" surgery for their particular body. Some do great with a bad surgery, a bad program AND a lousy attitude... for awhile. I had a good surgery, a good plan--the proof is that every time I think I should change the plan (add sugar), I gain wt. You'd think I'd catch on, huh?
   — vitalady

November 2, 2003
I think I hit my goal faster then most because I was obsessive about losing the weight as fast as I could. I watched my daily calorie content, I exercised 5 days week. Of course I hit plateaus but after a couple of weeks they would stop too. I think you have to work hard and exercise and watch your calories if you really want to get the weight off before your weight loss stops.
   — Patty H.

November 2, 2003
I believe that genetics, age and past history of obesity play into how fast and how much weight is lost, as well as diet and exercise and determination. I have been overweight since I was a child.( I remember hearing the word "diet" when I was about 7 years old, from my pediatrician.) My body does not know what the "correct" weight for me is, and I haven't lost anything since about May. I was a lightweight when I had surgery - BMI 42. I have always been compared to my father's mother, who I never knew, but from pictures, she was short and fat. (My mother and her mother both are small framed and never weighed more than 100lbs! I got the genes from the wrong end of the pool!LOL!) I am also 47 years old, plus I have done so many diets ( including Optifast - twice) and screwed up my metabolism. Even though I haven't reached my goal after a year, and seem to be stalled, I refuse to give up. I still do cardio exercise 6-7 days per week, and work out with weights every other day. I am pleased to have built muscle, and my blood pressure and lipids are normal. My insulin levels are within the normal range without any prescription meds, so I have stopped the race to becoming diabetic. I watch my diet pretty carefully, drink plenty of water and do what I am supposed to do. (I admit to occasional dietary indiscretions, since I am only human!) I feel twenty years younger and have more energy than many people my age (and younger!). I firmly believe I am doing everything I can do to lose the rest of my weight, but there are some things I can't change that may be preventing me from reaching my goal. i don't think determination is one of them, I had surgery knowingf full well it would take plenty of effort on my part ot make it happen. I am currently stuck at a weight I was at 20 years ago and stayed at for many years so I think that I am at an old "set point" and having trouble budging from that. Bottom line - everyone is different in past history and genetics, and that affects how much and how fast the weight goes!
   — koogy

November 2, 2003
I wish I knew the answer to this question. I started with a BMI of 56 and it's now 33.5 after a 127 pound weight loss since my proximal RNY 1 year ago. I still have about 50 pounds to lose. A friend who had the same surgery done by the same surgeon a few months before me and is the same age as me lost to her goal (90 pounds lost) by never exercising, never drinking water, not taking her supplements, not watching the carbs, grazing, etc. Basically, she didn't follow ANY of the rules. I think she was a volume eater and the RNY helps her with this and she was able to lose what she wanted. Sure, I lost more weight than she has by following the rules very closely (I am at the gym 5 hours a week, drink tons of water, get my protein and supplements, low carb diet), but she's at goal, but I'm not and don't know if I'll make it. I've had to come to terms with the fact that I'm not meant to be thin and learned that I can not compare myself to others' progress.
   — Yolanda J.

November 3, 2003
Luck of the draw, assuming everyone is doing the same effort etc. I have lost large amounts of weight very fast twice in my life with not a really good explanation. Yes I did what I was supposed to both times and yes the 1st time I was exercise obsessed but since WLS I have gone overboard not to overdo in the exercise area so that I stay with something balanced and that I can live with the rest of my life. I am doing things no better than most in my support group yet I have pretty much passed everyone up, even people 1-6 months further out than I am. I'm down 187 lbs in 9 months. Today is my anniversary. I actually got to the point that I did not want to say what I had lost as I did not want others to get down on themselves, like they weren't doing what they were supposed to, as I know most were and in many cases doing more than I was. <p>I am truly convinced that weight training is a huge piece of this puzzle. I had been doing weight training since 1994 all the way through a 200 lb regain. Even though I wasn't able to do as much towards the end, before surgery, I still went into surgery with a lot more muscle mass than many SMO. I also then got back to weight training at 9 weeks PO. I couldn't do much for walking at that stage because my hips, feet and low back hurt and cramped so much, but I did what I could. I just kept trying to advance it as I could. Weight training turns your body into such an efficient fuel burner. Certainly walking alone 2 days a week would likely not have produced the same results. I went to 3 days at about 7 months PO, when my body could handle it. While walking is great and I enjoy it, I believe the weight training has helped me drop the inches and lbs the most. No scientific proof, just my gut instinct based on how things have gone for me.
   — zoedogcbr