Question:
For those that have *LOTS* of weight to lose...
Losing weight is a challenge for most of us, even with the surgery. It is uplifting to read all the success stories from people who used this wonderful tool to help them overcome obesity. But many of us have an extra challenge. We are more obese than the average morbidly obese person. I was 487 when I had the surgery, and have lost 115 lbs in 6 months. That's the good news...but I'm still morbidly obese. And although I plan to lose at least another 100 lbs, I will still be considered obese. I know, I know, I should be thankful for the success I'm having now...it is certainly an improvement and has made a drastic change in my life for the better. But it's such a long road..., and most likely I will still be considered obese according to the BMI calculations. I am determined, but I feel discouragement slipping in where there used to be hope. Anybody else stress about this? Thanks for reading. — Sporter (posted on November 21, 2002)
November 21, 2002
Hi Steve, you are not alone. I also have that same dilemma and I am
awaiting surgery. The first clinic I went to is requiring me to lose 10%
of my weight. That is 42.8 lbs before they would begin to consider me for
surgery. I am hoping that the new center can help me out before it is to
late for me. I have already beginning to set up my support system for the
gym and for work. I am desperately praying that this will allow me some
success. Had I had known 100 lbs ago this surgery existed and that I could
receive it, I would have had it done. Hang in there.
- Lela
— [Deactivated Member]
November 21, 2002
Hi Steve. I had surgery 8-7-02 and have lost 75 pounds. I still weigh 290.
According to the BMI chart I should weigh around 165. (I am 5' 11") I
agree, it is frustrating. I have a very large frame and I asked the doc if
I would ever even be ABLE to weigh 165, and he said "No, you would be
way too skinny if you weighed that" and he told me to shoot for 190.
If I weigh 190, I am still considered overweight, if not obese. So I am
trying to not pay attention to the BMI charts. I realize that the chart was
made for a reason, but I truly think that it doesn't apply to everyone. Try
not to get discouraged, you are doing a great job. :o)
— fropunka
November 21, 2002
Steve, I understand how you feel. I weigh 431 lbs and have a BMI of 67.6. I
need to loose 250 lbs at least, in order to be healthy. I will still be
considered obese. I don't give in to negative thoughts, for the most part,
because I know I am doing the best I can. I just want to be healthy.If I
also look much better, than that's a plus.. I have always been able to lose
weight, even a 100 lbs, more than once. My problem is keeping it off.
That's where I know this tool will do the job for me. Try and stay focused
on what you have accomplished already..as encouragement for the
balance...Blessings, Leslie
— Leslie E.
November 21, 2002
Steve, to start with, you are a lightweight: I was 494 day of
surgery....but, kidding aside, I know EXACTLY how you are feeling. There
was a time between 12-24 months that I was EXTREMELY jealous of the people
who had reached goal weight while I still had so far to go. Especially
people who had surgery after me. It seemed like it has taken forever just
to get to where I am. I am 2.6 years post op, and still have about 40-50
pounds to go. I just finished up a series of 6 surgeries (3 planned, 3
complication corrections) of reconstructive surgery to remove the excess
skin of my 255 pound weight loss. My arms were done on Monday and I am
currently going through a body perception distortion because my proportions
are all off. she removed about 2/3 of the flesh of my arms and as a
result, I feel like I look barrel chested now. My thighs are still huge,
even though I had a lateral and medial thighplasty, because there is only
so much skin that could be removed at once, but I had to have it done so I
could walk and exercise. I will NEVER be 125 pounds, on my 5'6"
frame. My surgeon has suggested that I shoot for 180. I am shooting for
feeling fit and healthy rather than relying on some external definition as
to whether I am obese or not. Meanwhile, as you journey this road, be
gentle with yourself. Patience and deferred gratification are two things I
still struggle with, but I have used this process to strengthen my
character in both these areas. Maybe you can too. Good Luck...feel free
to email me.
— merri B.
November 21, 2002
The day of my surgery, I was 407 lbs. I have since lost 200 lbs. Yes, it
has been a very long haul ... and no, I don't consider myself done yet ...
but I feel very close to being the best I can do. I have not yet had any
reconstructive surgery, so my doctor said I needed to take this into
consideration in determining my weight loss success. "With
reconstructive surgery, you would be about 175 lbs., which is within
acceptable ranges for a 5'10" woman." I feel a world better
having taken off the weight ... and even though it has taken me over a year
and a half, I am SOOOO proud of this accomplishment! It was a LOOONNNNGGGG
road, but well worth traveling.
— Terissa R.
November 21, 2002
It's so refreshing to know that there are other people out there who feel
the same way I do! Bless this website! I, too, started out in the upper
400's (475 to be brutally exact), had my open RNY on 6/10/02 and am now
down 100 lbs. While I and my co-workers and significant other notice the
difference I am still generally the heaviest person in the room and still
get the comments and snickers (not the candy bar!). You feel as though
you've made such strides and have come so far but to the rest of the world,
BMI charts included, you are still considered dangerously obese. Know
what? Don't care no more! My "goal" weight would be considered
other peoples' starting point (I'm shooting for 240-250). I weighed 242
several years ago before an accident dislocated my back and destroyed my
knees and caused me to balloon out of control. At 242 and 5'7" I ran
3 miles a day, played racquetball in a women's league, lifted weights and
was big, healthy and felt sexy as a cat. I have anxiety about not
completely reclaiming my health and self-esteem, bother with what the scale
says. I just want to feel good again and I'm on my way. You will too,
Steve. Chins up! :-)
— Anna S.
November 21, 2002
Although I was a lightweight so I reached goal in six months, there is
someone I know that I think will be really inspiring to you. He started
out with a BMI of 112 and weighed 803 pounds. He is now probably around
220. Look under peers in CT for Peter Heridia. He has a great profile and
there is a link into his own website too. He is a great guy and should be
an inspiration to all. If you have trouble finding him let me know and I
will send you a link.
— Linda A.
November 21, 2002
I am so with you! I started at 440 and hope to be 200. The thought of
having to lose 240 pounds was/is overwhelming!!! I'm 3 1/2 months out and
almost 100 pounds down. Only (ha-ha) 140 more to go. I did have the happy
thought that when I get close (210ish), I'll be ready for plastic surgery
which will take off a little more! My success is motivating, but it is
still so hard to imagine. One thing that helps me is to set small
backwards benchmarks (see my profile) that I can check off as I go - that
way I'm always working for something that isn't so far away. Another is to
calculate the distance that I've come 100/240=42% of the way there!! My
most frustrating point right now are the constant plateaus. Out of 14
weeks, 8 of them have been basically stagnant. If I could solve that, I'd
be one happy camper! It is really hard, though, to change a lifetime of
habits and sometimes I find myself slipping up a little. Scary since I'm
so new, but I'm only human. Good luck!!!
— jen41766
November 21, 2002
hi there! i had alot to lose also. 5 9 370 to start now at 9 months out
have lost 160. i feel lighter than i ever have in years and am greatful but
i wonder all the time too where it will stop and level off at. im hoping to
be able to lose atleast another 50. best of luck to all of us! :)
— carrie M.
November 22, 2002
I am pre-op and I weigh 444. In 2000-2001 I lost 150 which put me at 360.
I was excited about my weight loss but what people just did not understand
that even with a 150 weight loss I was still morbidly obese. If I lost
another 100 pounds I would still be morbidly obese. I decided to be happy
if I could get to 250. Then I had a wonderful car accident which messed up
my back and foot and now I can't exercise like I use to. So I'm waiting
for a surgery date. I think it's my only option at this point. I may not
get down to 142 like I'm suppose to but at least I'll be less fat Good
luck I'll keep you in my prayers. At least you're on the road, I'm still
waiting to take my first step.:)
— Kimmie C.
November 23, 2002
I understand your concerns. I too need to loos another 80+ pounds to be
just above normal weight. If you ever need anyone to talk to, please feel
free to email me. I think the best thing this site provides is support from
people who understand that weight loss surgery is a just a part of the
whole.
— Gremlin Q.
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