Question:
Is it unrealistic to expect to lose more than 70% of excess weight??

It seems as though many who post here have reached a personal goal, and some of those goals are very low, some under 150 pounds. These people have obviously lost 100% of their excess, I know I wont be satisfied with a 70% loss, and would like to know their Secrets!!    — donnalawbabe (posted on December 14, 2001)

December 14, 2001
The trick is then KEEPING it off and that's where we usually have the problem. Part of the battle is the type of surgery you choose, then how it is constructed and then the post-op regimen you follow. Some work great for awhile, but they set you up for failure and the more diligently you follow, the more down the wrong road they take you. Unfortunately, many don't realize this til they hit the 2 year wall. Heartbreaking. There are things that work better than others. Some surgeries get the wt off faster, some keep it off longer. So, it totally depends on your personality. I got lucky and fell onto the right surgery for me, but 7 years ago, I had no Net, no mass research I could do. I knew just a few people. The ones who vomited daily & were not thin and those who were thin, but did not vomit. So, I chose my procedure accordingly. But I only had a choice of 2, not the gazillion there are today. I'd choose mine again and my doc again, but I knew NOTHING when I chose it then. I research "what works, what doesn't", so that helps me maintain today.
   — vitalady

December 14, 2001
Their Secrets are two words "Determination" & "Dedication" no surgery type is a cure all/end all for ever being obese again or getting to your goal weight i.e. your BMI for your height.. All surgery types have "Windows of opportunity" in which to lose the maximum amount of weight before our bodies figure out what has happened and elongates or widens our organs to compensate.. It's then up to our own self to utilize the tools and lessons we learned the first 18 or so months post-op to maintain.. Which means eating and cooking right...low fat, low carb, lots of water, protein, and exercise.. little to no sugar, some manage a little sugar well, some can't.. I don't want to know if I can or can't eat sugar.. I know my weaknesses and it's better I think I can't have it :) I really don't desire or need it anyhow... My tastes lean more towards spicy meat dishes, nothing satisfies or fills me like protein... I'm 2 years post-op at my goal weight and very happy.. The secret or key is within you.. How bad to do want to make this a success.. WLS is a tool... YOU are the mechanic.
   — Victoria B.

December 14, 2001
It is absolutely possible for you to lose 100 percent of your weight. I am 16 months post op and 10 pounds from goal. I started on 8/16/00 at 469 pounds. In 16 months I have lost 319 pounds. You hold the key to your success. You just have to remember that this surgery is a tool and you are in charge of how well you do. They key for me is water, water and more water. The more I drink the more I lose. I also am careful to take all of my supplements and get in enough protein. Please e-mail me any time if I can help at [email protected]
   — DeeDubbs

December 14, 2001
Well the lower your BMI the easier it is to get to goal. The super morbidly obese like my wife have a tougher time. But I know lots of post ops at chart weight, they tend as a group to exercise and worked hard.
   — bob-haller

December 16, 2001
Hi Donna, Keep in mind that those of us who have been morbidly obese for years usually have a high bone density, making our bones heavier. When we get to our target weight, we still may weigh more than a lifelong thin person, but we may appear to weigh the same and wear the same size clothing. Our bone density can make up the difference in what the scale reads. Good luck to you.
   — Alicia V.

December 17, 2001
I was told that I could lose 70% of my excess wt the first 14 mos. The rest would be up to me. Like was said before - determination and watching what works. The more you have to lose the harder it is to get to 100% of excess wt loss. I started at 463. I lost 70% of my excess by 1 yr post op and went beyond it by 14 months. The rest has been years of work, research and determination due to a relapse I am now at goal, 100% of excess gone. Rita in Vermont
   — vt_rita