Question:
How possible is it to lose 200 LBS via RNY? Or should I diet pre-op?
Hi, I'm 6'0" tall and weigh 357 LBS with a BMI of 48. I'm awaiting pre-authorization for the RNY surgery. It seems that you can lose 100-150 Lbs after surgery with disciplne and exercise, but what do you think are my chances of losing 200 LBS? What would be the best way for me to maximize my weight loss? All protein for 12 months? Two hours of exercise per day? OR should I try to lose at least 50 LBS BEFORE surgery and then hope that I could lose the other 150 LBS post-operatively? — Alison P. (posted on June 4, 2002)
June 4, 2002
Your chances of losing 200+ lbs. are very good. I am 15 months post-op and
have already lost 180+ with very little effort on my part. I still have
about 36 lbs. to go, which are definitely fighting me, but most of my
weight is GONE. Yippee!!
— Terissa R.
June 4, 2002
Even though I started out 43 pounds less than you, I had a higher BMI as I
am only 5'6". So, technically I was heavier than you. I don't think
it would matter if you lost 50 before, becasue if you don't lose it before,
you'll probably lose it after. In fact the more you have to lose going
into surgery, the faster you'll lose after. If you have concerns about the
state of your health going into surgery, sure you may want to try to shed
some of that extra weight. But, don't put any undue stress on yourself to
get it off before. As far as how much you will lose: Everyone is
different, I have learned to not compare myself. I eat no carbs, drink
tons of water, and exercise vigorously every day. Yet, I don't lose as
fast as others. At almost 4 months and down 77 pounds, I wouldn't say I am
a slow loser, but at times it has upset me that others seem to make little
effort and lose faster. I'm pretty much over that, though, becasue no
matter what, I believe the patterns I am setting by eating right, getting
my nutrients and exercising are the things that will help me keep it off in
the long run. Sure, I think about my goal every day and and hope and pray
that my body doesn't fight me in meeting it. But, aside from that, I feel
more fit than ever and I think I owe my new, boundless energy to the
exercise. The best advice I can give you is to do everything that will
make you as healthy as possible, for the long run. The weight loss will
then happen as it happens - fast or slow, but it will happen - and at
least you will feel strong and know that you are doing your best. Best
wishes to you!
— PaulaM
June 4, 2002
My BMI was 50. I'm 5'1" and now weigh 110#. So, I was carrying myself
+ all my 4 cats! Ow. I lost 150. Not much in the scheme of things, but
more than double me. One of the ladies in our live group has lost (sit
down) 293#. AND SHE IS STILL LOSING! Less than 2 yrs out, she started over
500. She is practically bouncing off the walls now! Same doc, so she
follows the same regimen I do.
— vitalady
June 4, 2002
Click on "Find Peers" and check out my cousin-in-law's info. He
weighed a little more than you when he had his surgery, August 2000. In
March of this year he had a panniculectomy and body lift. Today he weighs a
little over 180. His name is Tony Rushing. He is my inspiration and will
talk to anybody about his weight loss. He is truly a wonderful person
— Chris S.
June 4, 2002
Alison, my daughter's BMI was 69 and she weighed 406 at the time of her lap
RNY. She has lost 220 lbs. and was still losing until pregnancy put the
weight loss on temporary hold. She only had 40 more pounds to go before
reaching "goal" and doesn't foresee any problems reaching it.
Good luck!
— Diana T.
June 4, 2002
Alison, One of the ladies has lost an amazing 450 pounds in about 2 years.
Incredible! She looks great.
— Brenda P.
June 4, 2002
I am 6' 8" tall and had my open rny in Oct of 2001. I have
lost 200 lbs already. Yes, it is possible. I follow my
doctors diet and walk everyday. Your rate of weight loss
depends on your body and metabolism. Don't judge yourself
with ANYONE ELSE!!!! We are all different and lose at
different rates. My wife had her open rny in June if 2001
and has lost 95 lbs. Her weight loss speed is slower than
mine. Of course, she had less to lose than I did. You
can do it, just trust yourself.
— OLD RODEO C.
June 4, 2002
You certainly can lose 200 lbs+. I had open RNY in Feb. 2001 and started
at a top weight of 670 lbs. the day before surgery with a BMI of 71.0%. As
of 05/31/02, I have lost a total of 407 lbs. and I am now at about a 27%
BMI with only 18 lbs to reach my doctor's goal weight for me (I am 6'
10" tall - that is why my goal weight is 245 lbs.) I have not had any
skin removal surgeries - although I would like to. I assume once these were
done, I would probably be below goal right now. In short, to answer your
question, yes you can lose over 300 lbs. or even over 400 lbs. with WLS.
Good luck!
— Juan C.
June 4, 2002
I'm glad these other posters have had success. However they seem to be
tall. I'm only 5'3 and need to lose 190 lbs to get in the
"middle" of the "Normal BMI range". I'm not having any
success. I can't seem to lose anymore than 73% of my excess weight and it's
not that I'm not trying. Perhaps it's only the "tall" people who
can pull it off. ;)
— Danmark
June 5, 2002
I started out at 340 and 5'5" and now 15 months later I am 150 so that
is a loss of 190 pounds. I would like to lose another 10 pounds to say I
lost 200. I am having a tummy tuck in July so that should get rid of the
rest. Good luck.
— vanessa R.
June 5, 2002
Please don't take this the wrong way, but I think that if you're 6 feet
tall, losing 200 lbs is way too much. You'd be down to 157, which at your
height is a BMI of 21.3. Still healthy, but almost on the border between
thin and ideal. Using the weight loss calculator, it says your ideal
weight would be 169, putting your BMI at 23. ANYWAY, I guess it's your
choice, and maybe you were just rounding the numbers, but I just wanted to
put that out there. PLEASE don't get too fixated on the numbers. I am too
obsessed with getting down to 150 (I'm 188 now and look normal, especially
if you don't notice the hanging skin!), and it's something that I don't
think I'll ever be happy with, even when I do get to my goal (which I have
to add is 30 lbs less than my surgeon's goal). Then I'll probably want to
be 140. It's hard not to be fixated on that goal number, but if you give
yourself a range, I think you'll be much happier with how your weight loss
is going. <br><br>
I also wanted to say that my surgeon requires his patients to TRY to lose
weight before their surgery. The less weight you have to lose, the closer
you will be to your goal. And there's less risk of complications. I'd say
go for it. Do the best you can. Start exercising, watch what you eat, but
don't "diet". If you can start exercising now, you will be more
inclined to exercise post-op. Too many of us just can't start, and
starting an exercise program is the hardest. I wish I had started as a
pre-op. Good luck!
— Becky H.
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