Question:
How much should you lose down to when you have an Open RNY?

My surgeon said that with me weighing in at 308 and for my height 5'5 that my ideal was around 150 and that I would probably lose down around 190. This didnt sound right to me. Thought I would lose down at least to my ideal?    — Deborah B. (posted on September 6, 2003)

September 6, 2003
Depending on the surgery you loose up to 80% of your EXCESS weight, everyone is different but most people remain over weight even after the surgery, just not morbidly obese. Good Luck To You!
   — Saxbyd

September 6, 2003
In the bariatric surgical field they consider a loss as low as 50% of EBW a success technically, so you must really weigh the factor of why you're having surgery. If you're looking to have a perfect 100% weight loss your expectation are too high and not in line with your surgeons expectations at all. Your surgeon should have explained that they only expect you to lose about 70-75% of your excess weight. Basically you'll take your current weight, subtract from it your ideal weight to figure out how many excess pounds of body weight you have. Of those pounds you can then plan on losing about 70/75% of that, so yes you will have 25-30% of your excess amount on top of your ideal body weight. That is the goal that your surgeon is giving you. Remember though you can use your surgery as a tool and could very well get down to your ideal weight but those last pounds will most likely come off the hard way - diet & exercise just like a normal sized person would. I know it may not be what you wanted to hear but best to go into this with your eyes wide open and with realistic expectations. Then if you do better, so much the better. If not, you won't be disappointed or feeling like a failure in some way. I hope this helps.
   — Shelly S.

September 6, 2003
According to the Met Life height weight tables if you are 5'-5" for a small frame you should weigh 117-130, medium frame 127-141, large frame 137-155, so the 150 is on the high side for your height. <p>Personally I think your surgeon is too high on his number. Please understand I am one of those that has no goal or desire to get to some number in an insurance table. I'm 5'9 and for a medium build I should be 153. Definitely not a goal for me. I do not care if I am still classified as obese or overweight. Sure beats super morbidly obese in my book. My surgeon and I actually had the same number in mind without discussing it, which is 200. We never even discussed a goal weight till I was 6 months PO. I think because I had so far to go he just wanted to see how things progressed and not give me something that seemed like impossible, which I think was good for me. I feel 200 is very attainable for me and a very realistic number. Being tall I should be able to carry off 200 quite well. I've been to 240 before and know how life was then, so even that would be okay and it's only 40 lbs away. <p>I think 190 is fine for an initial goal but ultimately you will determine how far you go. My surgeon did say I could likely get into the 180's but it would take a lot of hard work. My physical body issues might limit me enough that it is not attainable. Heck I cannot even imagine weighing 200 much less 180. I've never seen those numbers as an adult. Assuming you use your tool to the max and stay very low carb you can likely get lower than 190 and possibly approach the 150 but it may take 2-3 years. The window does not slam shut but it closes way down and it will become much more difficult to get to those insurance charts. Most people do not get into a size 6. I will be very happy at a 12-16. Pants will likely always be at least one size bigger. <p>An open versus lap has nothing to do with your eventual weight loss. It may have something to do with pain and how fast things heal but won't affect the long term. Set mini goals along the way and when you reach them celebrate with a new piece of clothing or something that is important to you. Just knock off the weight in small chunks. I've been amazed how my body has cooperated in just 7 short months. I wish the same for you! Just work the tool and learn the new habits you will need for a lifetime and you will do great. I truly believe that our bodies will know when it's time to stop and that number could very well be different than you or the surgeon have. You are going to do great!
   — zoedogcbr

September 7, 2003
heya hun..my surgeon says you should aim for a 70% loss of the actual wt you should lose..but.. i think when it comes down to it..everyone is different..some lose alot..some its still a hard road.. in the end..just get healthy..good luck..
   — johanna F.

September 7, 2003
Hi! It's true that most people don't lose down to the "ideal" weight that the chart says you should be, but it can be done. I started at around 430 pounds and my doctor just wanted me to get to 230 pounds to be a success. I, however, did not see that as a success so I kept going and dropped almost another 100 pounds. I admit that it was not easy and required lots of hard work, but it has been well worth it. I think it's up to you to decide what weight works best for you and what you want to weigh. As long as you're willing to work for it, you can achieve whatever goal you have in mind! Good luck on your weightloss journey.
   — Traci H.

September 7, 2003
I would think there is no reason in the world we can not reach our goals. Reasonable goals. I am 5'6" and large framed. My goal, reasonable I think, is to reach 150. I have this magnificent tool now that is enabling me to do just that. In 10 months I have lost 191 lbs. The weight loss has definitely slowed down considerably. I am very bad about consistent exercise. I do move and get around a whole lot better than I have in many, many years, but I don't 'exercise' with any consistency. I need to, I want to, I will! I get on kicks and go like a bat out of hell. I drop weight faster. Then for whatever excuse, I decrease my exercise and the weight slows down. Hmmm So, if I want to reach my goal, I must consistenly exercise. I get the message. My excuse for not exercising like I should is pure laziness. I work and when I get home I don't want to put on the walking shoes and head out in the 100 plus degree weather. But if I want to reach my goal, I will! Doesn't take a tree limb to fall on MY head! lol
   — Ginger M.