Question:
Have I stopped losing?

I am 14 months postop. I started at 253. I had the "micropouch" done. I am down to 180 pounds which I love, but my goal was 140-150. I have not lost anything since October. I feel like a failure in many ways. I need some advice. I am going for a plastic surgery consult next month. How much can you expect to lose from this? Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated.    — Jan H. (posted on April 22, 2003)

April 22, 2003
Jan, I didn't look at your profile so I don't have any idea of your age. I was 55 when I had my RNY done 17 months ago and weighed 346. I now weigh about 171 and haven't lost any in months. My surgeon is thrilled - I wanted to get to 150. He wanted me at 200 or 190 at the lowest - saying that I would look and feel much better at those weights. I had my panniculectomy done February 4 of this year and my surgeon expected to remove 15-20 pounds of skin and tissue. In reality, he only removed 5 pounds. I was very disappointed - I was counting on much more. However, after the surgery I lost another 10 or so pounds. I have come to accept that I have reached my body's desired weight and am not worrying about it now. My goal is to maintain. I am hoping to have my thighs done - liposuction and skin removal - if I can prove that it is medically necessary. I think I might lose another 10-15 pounds if that happens as my thighs are enormous. Congratulations on your weight loss and good luck with your PS consult.
   — Patty_Butler

April 23, 2003
Jan, I will tell you what I tell the others that post questions, it is important for you to keep your profile updated, otherwise we cannot provide the best advice to you. Your profile is still pre-op. I, too, am 14 months post-op and started at 249, and have had a weight loss every month since I started-though the past few months are not much! Your not losing anything since October is curious. I went to your profile to see how you are eating-what and how often, protein, calories, exercising ,water intake etc but without that info its difficult to offer suggestions or help. Plastic surgery is usually done when you are within 20 pounds of goal. How much you lose thru plastics vary depending on how much they take off. A tummy tuck can range from 2 pounds to 15 or more.
   — Cindy R.