Question:
I am wondering if my surgeon was being conservative?

When I went in for my initail consult, the surgeon explained that you can plan to lose 1/2 of your excess weight. I weight 254 pounds and am 5 feet 3 inches tall. My BMI is 43. Based on this formula, I would lose about 60 pounds. This seems like alot to go through for 60lbs. I know that the health benefits etc are more than enough reason to do this, but there is a side of me that can't get past this 60 pounds estimate. I don't mean to sound greedy or anything.... just concerened... Any thoughts? Thanks...    — Tracey L. (posted on March 25, 2002)

March 25, 2002
Yes, I think that the doctor was being EXTREMELY conservative. I was 254 pounds when I started out also. I am now about 140. My BMI is now 23. I read somewhere that if you are mildly MO, you can expect to lose 70-90% of the excess weight. (Most of the people I know fall into that category and have lost most if not all the weight)...Super MO, 50-70%. (I have about many though that have reached goal). I think that these are formulas, if you acquire good habits and exercise, you can succeed and reach your goal! Good luck to you.
   — Jeannet

March 25, 2002
Perhaps your surgeon said that you can expect to KEEP off fifty percent of your excess weight. You're a "lightweight" for bariatric surgery, and at your starting weight, many are able to lose 100% of the excess. The problem comes in keeping it off, especially with the proximal RNY, which is probably the procedure your doctor intends to perform on you. I have seen fifty percent of excess weight lost quoted as an average for long-term post-op proximal RNY's (that is, five years after the surgery). Your doctor is being conservative in quoting this figure to you, probably in hopes of staving off future disappointment.
   — Kay B.

March 25, 2002
I started out at 5'2" with a BMI of 43. I am now 130 pounds with a BMI of 24 at 10.5 months. I have seen lots of lightweights on this site with similar stats. You will likely not lose 43 pounds the first month like some, but then again your skin will probably snap back a lot better with the slower loss. Sounds like your surgeon is trying to prepare you for the worst so you don't come back and say "you said I would lose all this weight." It is only a tool and you will lose SOME if you abuse it but not as much as if you use it to your advantage. And I am sure that with your concerns you will do that!
   — ctyst

March 25, 2002
Oh! Thanks! I am feeling better already! Tracey
   — Tracey L.

March 25, 2002
I am no angel when it comes to my food. I often have tastes of this or that, so I'm definitely not perfect. Regardless, I have managed to lose 171 lbs. in 12.5 months. Accordingly, I have lost 73% of my excess weight, even though I started out quite heavy. I think 50% is a pretty conservative estimate for weight loss. On the other hand, I think 90% (a figure I have heard quoted on this site) may be a bit high. In my opinion, the average person will lose about 80-85% of their excess weight if they let the surgery work for them and exercise. Although some weight gain within 5 year post-op is common, most people only gain back 10-20 lbs., so the surgery is overall very successful and can be extremely successful if you work WITH it.
   — Terissa R.

March 25, 2002
From what I have read and heard, 50% loss of excess weight is typically the minimum amount you would loose, without a lot of effort on your part. If you strive to eat healthy, get exercise, etc. you will likely be more in the 75% range.
   — Dell H.

March 25, 2002
Tracey~ Your doctor is being concervative. My doctor quoted 75% of my excess weight is what I will lose. I lost over 100% of my excess body weight. I stuck to protein until I got there and never gave up, no matter how slow that scale seemed to move. I was going to do it. Keep a positive attidute and you will suceed! Good luck and take care. Mel
   — Melissa C.