Question:
Anyone else afraid of not reaching goal weight set by surgeon?
I need some reassurance here: all is going well with the weight loss, although it has slowed down. I did not have a goal weight set by my surgeon until I saw him for my 6-month post op check-up. I'm really happy with the weight loss and I just take it as it comes. But now that I have an actual goal weight ( 155 lbs.), I'm scared I won't be able to reach it. Is this irrational or normal? How did you deal with this? Thanks-- Beth Lap RNY, 2/10/03, 313/202/155 — lizinPA (posted on September 23, 2003)
September 22, 2003
The way I try to look at it is ANYTHING is a gift. If I hit goal weight
(140) That would be wonderful; if I don't and stay right where I am, that's
ok too. Its a heck of a lot better than my pre-surgery weight. I've never
felt this good in my life.
— lorien
September 22, 2003
I think about this all the time. I have over 200 lbs. to lose to get to my
surgeon's goal weight for me. Instead of thinking about the big picture I
set small goals for myself. The last goal was to get to 250. I hadn't
weighed that since I met my husband over 7 years ago. The next goal is to
get to 200.<p>
Reaching those small goals makes this seem much more do-able. Otherwise, I
think I would get to freaked out about reaching the end goal. At my last
visit with the surgeon he actually said all of his patients have been going
below the goal he set for them. I walked out of there thinking yeah right,
but now I just keep thinking about the small goals and maybe he will be
right. <p>
lap rny 10/10/02 378/246/165
— ckreh
September 22, 2003
Bravo, Bravo, well said Linda (below) I never really sweated "hitting
goal"....now that I'm not too far away, I think about it more- but I
knew ANYTHING was better then where I started. I started in a size 4X
30/32..I'm now wearing a size 16- now mind you, a thin woman would CRINGE
at the thought of a size 16- but I'm happy- sure I'd love to be a size
12...but how can I complain ? Best wishes Kim
— WABBIT F.
September 22, 2003
I too was terrifed, not so much of missing my goal weight but, of failing
on the post-op program in total. I tried to set realistic short-term goals
which I viewed in terms of pants sizes. After my first two months of
weight loss, I tried to map out where I could reasonably expect myself to
be at set intervals along the journey-- I was blessed to exceed most of
these short-term goals. The short-term goals provided great incentive to
stop any plateaus within days of their starting (because I knew that I had
a goal to reach that was in my near future and not some lofty ideal weight
goal that was years away). It seems to have worked for me--- 255 pounds
lost (and below my goal weight) in 11 1/2 months. Good luck to you.
— SteveColarossi
September 22, 2003
My surgeon didn't set a weight goal for me. From the very beginning, he
said that maintaining a loss of 65% of my excess body weight would be a
success. At not quite six months out, I'm only 15 pounds away from that.
I think the extra pressure of a lower goal weight might be daunting, and
even discouraging. I had the surgery because my diabetes and blood
pressure were getting worse, and it was scaring me. I haven't had symptoms
of either condition for four months now, and my feet, ankles and knees
don't hurt me anymore. I feel great, which was my true goal all along. I
also thought, before surgery, that if I could ever get into a size 16, I
would be deliriously happy. I last wore that size at age 14. Well, today,
I'm sitting here in a size 16 pants and a 14/16 top. And, I'm not done
yet. Will I ever get to the insurance chart weight? Probably not. Does
that bum me out? No way! Enjoy everything you get from this, and don't
sweat the numbers.
— Vespa R.
September 23, 2003
Beth, I can totally realte. You know, I was happy just plugging along
until my six month check up when I asked (pushed even) what my 'goal'
should be. Can you say stupid! Now, it seems that no matter how hard I
try to put it out of my mind, all I can do is 'worry' that I will never
make it! The funny thing is that both my surgeon's nurse and my primary
agreed that I would probably exceed goal...and all I can think is that they
must be crazy! Hang in there. I keep telling myself that I've come a long
way and that no matter what the scale says, that I am healthier and more
active than I have been in years. And even if I never see my doctor's
expectations, that this surgery was/is still a success. But, you know
what, we both still have quite a bit of time left before the weight loss
stops all together...and I won't be too suprised if we both make it there
in the end! Good luck!
— eaamc
September 23, 2003
My doc doesnt set goals. He says that 65 to 80% loss is what is expected
and is a success. He asked us what we set for our goal. Before surgery I
said anywhere between 145 to 160 would be fine for me. Now that I'm 10
months out and 157, I WANT to be 145. I really think no matter what we
lose we want more. I believe that I'll never be totally happy unless I hit
that "goal". Wonder what my goal will be after that one?? :)
Good luck to you. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 115+ and counting
— Siddy I.
September 23, 2003
Most surgeons set a goal weight based on your height and the insurance
tables, which in my opinion do not "fit" every body type. When
he told me that my goal weight was 130 I laughed! I knew that something
closer to 145 would be more comfortable and easier to maintain for my age
and body type (I was 150 pounds and a size 10 when I married 8 years ago).
So I set 145 as MY goal weight, and even more so concentrated on getting
back to that size 10. I am now at 147-149, close enough and a size 10 and
VERY happy and I have let the surgeon know that. Keep this in mind when
you worry about the goal set by your surgeon that its more important for
you to achieve a comfortable and normal weight for YOUR body type than to
hit any insurance chart numbers. Also keep in mind that the lower the
weight you go, the less you can eat (calories) to maintain that weight. I
LOVE to eat, so I certainly get to eat more calories to sustain a body
weight of 145 than I would if I had lost to 130. Those who go down to
sizes 4 or 6,good luck maintaining that small size!
— Cindy R.
September 23, 2003
Your goal weight is what YOU are comfortable at. I'd love to weigh my goal
weight but it is not going to happen. My Aunt's dr won't give them a weight
he wants them to concentrate on the fact they are losing BUT they are
getter healthier and feeling better. I am still almost 300 pounds but I
feel better than I have in 9 years. Lose what you can and be happy, the
rest will follow.
— Rebecca K.
September 23, 2003
From what I can determine from your profile you are 5'6" tall and your
surgeon has set a goal weight that will give you a 25 BMI. A 24.9 BMI is
the normal range. However, normal is something you need to determine for
yourself. My surgeon and I came to the same conclusion for a goal weight
which is 200 lbs. This puts me into the overweight range (25-29.9). I'm
fine with this. If I ever get lower that's fine but not a high priority.
<p>Your surgeon's goal weight while seemingly reasonable, may not be
right for you. I do not see myself ever falling into the Met Life
height/weight charts. I doubt I would ever be comfortable in a size 8 or
10 body. Even a 12 is hard for me to imagine. It's fine to work towards
your surgeons goal weight for now, but at some point it may become evident
that X weight is the right place for you to stop. You need to be willing
to accept that and maybe not fight for those last pounds. Only you will be
able to determine what size you are comfortable at. Keep an open mind
through the process and listen to your body! You are only 47 lbs from that
goal weight and likely would be able to get it or most of it off. You are
at the same stage I am. I had surgery on Feb 3rd, 1 week before you. We
are in exactly the same place. 70% of the way to our goal weights. I have
73 lbs to go. I have no doubt I will get there, just not sure how soon it
will be. The weight has definitley slowed down but that's to be expected.
You have made wonderful progress so far and as long as your continue to
embrace your new healthy life and follow the pouch rules you will
accomplish everything you set out to. Just keep your expectations
reasonable.
— zoedogcbr
September 24, 2003
If my Doc ever set a goal weight for me he never told me what it is. He
would only say "let's just wait and see where your body gets
comfortable" . at first I HATED that answer , but now I am so
greatful. I have set mini goals for myself, <200 was a biggie. Then 175,
then 150, now my goal is 130. I am 142 now. My biggest focus has been on my
lower cholesterol, of blood pressure meds. Less aches and pains. Not
feeling like an old person waking up all stiff and sore. Now I pop out of
bed , feel great , have high energy. Who cares about a number on a scale in
comparison to feeling so fabulous!!!!!!!
— **willow**
September 24, 2003
I woudn't worry about it. Hes your doctor and wouldn't set a unreachable
goal. However if you get there don't beat your self up. you have come a
long way just to today. you have lost over 100 lbs. That is a great gola by
its self. Good luck! Don't wory about it. Your body will tell you where you
what the goal it set for you is.
— spring A.
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