Question:
15-18 months out? Lost less than 100 lbs.?

Anyone out there, at least 15-18 months post-op, who has not yet lost 100 lbs.? If so, how tall were you, how old were you, and how much did you weigh on date of surgery? Wondering if "lightweights" (BMI 40-42) can get to goal weight. Thanks.    — Cathy S. (posted on November 20, 2002)

November 20, 2002
Well, I started at age 32, 277 lbs., 5'6" and had my surgery 7/25/2000. I lost 90 lbs by 6 mos out. Around 6 mos. out I made some really bad food choices and drank many sugary alcoholic drinks. I think this, and the fact that I have a disorder (PCOS) that likes to hold onto weight- makes it more difficult to lose weight, I stopped losing. I cut out the sugary drinks, and started eating better- but I still inched back up to 195. I started eating much better and exercising, but I have seen no other loss. So, technically I have remained 195 since that initial 6 mos. loss. I haven't been gaining, but I am no where near goal (150). Currently I am pregnant (4 mos.) and have only gained 1.5lbs (I weight 196.5) - as soon as the baby is born, I am going to do all I can to lose whatever I gained, plus try and achieve MORE, if I can.
   — Karen R.

November 20, 2002
I can't answer the first part of you question but I can the second part. I was a lightweight with a BMI of exactly 40. I a now six months post op . Down 106 pounds, which is 6 pounds below my goal. I hit 100 pounds in 5 months. I have gone from a size 22/24 to a 6/8. Read my profile for more.
   — Linda A.

November 20, 2002
I am 5'3", 260# pre-op. Now at 16 mo post-op I keep flucating between 167-164#. Lost 90# in the first 10 months and have not yet been able to reach the surgeon's goal of 160# (my personal goal is 145#). I plateaued for 4 months, lost 4# and now seem to have plateaued again. It has been very frustrating.
   — LLinderman

November 20, 2002
I had my surgery July 9th, 2002. I started out at 289lbs, I have lost 144 pounds and now weigh 145lbs. I lost most pf mine durning the first 7 mos, and then it slowed way down. I have continued to lose until now, which I am happy with my current weight and do not want to lose anymore. There were weeks I would not lose anything, so do not be discouraged. I found I had to constantly remind myself to drink water, when I was drinking my water I did lose, when I slacked up, the weight loss stopped. Hope this helps.
   — Valerie M.

November 20, 2002
I started at 245-250 (depending on what scale), BMI 40-41, 5'6", age 32. I am now 1 year post-op and have just reached goal although I think I want to lose 4 more pounds. I have lost 96 lbs. so not quite the 100 and I hope to lose the full 100 in a couple more months. The slow loss is frustrating especially when you follow the rules and see others lose so much faster than you. I do love the fact that I don't need to have any plastic surgery though. Also, I have been on this site for almost 2 years now and I have never seen a lightweight lose as fast as Linda Almonte, so don't compare yourself to her, it could be depressing. She must be a distal by-pass to lose at such a rapid pace, I hope it slows down for her. I bet it was fun losing that fast though:~)
   — Cheri M.

November 20, 2002
I was a light weight with a BMI of 36-37. I was 48 when I had surgery, now 18 months out. I qualified for WLS due to lupus which is a co-morbidity factor. I have lost 60 pounds and am about 15 pounds from goal weight. My loss was VERY slow compared to everyone else but I am thrilled to be thinner. Lately, I have not been following the rules and therefore am not loosing at all, but not gaining either, so far. It is nice to be able to shift my focus from weight loss for awhile without dire consequences. I still exercise (treadmill every day) and weight train 3 times a week, so that helps.
   — Bobbi G.

November 20, 2002
I'm right there with you as I'm 16 months out and down about 85 pounds. I'm very greatful, I thought it would have been more by now. I drink the gallon of water per day, eat protein first and walk a few times a week. I guess I'm just not ment to lose the weight... terri
   — Terri H.