Question:
I am a super morbidly obese individual. How much weight can I realistically expect
to lose? To get to chart goal I need to lose 300 lbs. To get to PCP goal, I need to lose 250. I am mobile and increasing my walking. I am doing all the pre-op stuff I have researched. Losing 150-180 pounds is definitely better than where I am now. All thoughts welcome. Thanks. — Kelly B. (posted on September 21, 2002)
September 21, 2002
You can definately lose that amount of weight. Check out this lady. She
is amazing!!!! Good Luck.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=Williams960055966
— cherokey55
September 21, 2002
I am a super obese person as well. I started out at 427 and according to
those charts, I should be 134 pounds at 5'4" (yeah, right...). My
PCP didn't set a goal for me, but I've set a mid-range goal myself of 220,
which would be a 207-pound loss. If I hit that, I will attempt to
continue below 200.
<p>
At this point, I am 9 weeks post-op after an open RNY on 7/17. I just got
weighed at my PCP's office on Friday and I weighed 344 pounds - a loss of
83 pounds. My PCP's assistant looked through my chart and said that they
never had a weight on me since I could not be measured on their scale -
since 1996. So, at this point, I weigh less than at any point in the last
6 years and I am still losing at a good clip. At our support meeting last
Saturday, I weighed in at 353 pounds so I had a 9 lb loss this week. If I
can do it, so can you!!!! JR
— John Rushton
September 21, 2002
Kelly...I just wanted to add that I only had 2.5' of my intestines bypassed
(I was looking at Donna Williams profile - the one listed below and she had
9' bypassed), so I will probably not approach the 333 pounds Donna lost.
The surgeons at HUP bypass the same amount of intestines no matter who the
patient. They feel that it provides the best results with the least
problems....JR
— John Rushton
September 21, 2002
Hi Kelly, Im also extreemly MO. I have read some wonderful success stories
from people who have lost very large amts. of weight with this surgery. I
plan to be one of them in the not too distant future...lol
I don't think it is expecting too much, if you are willing to do the work
to get the weight off and keep it off. This is the tool to do it. Lots of
luck on your journey
— laury
September 21, 2002
Kelly, have you considered the Duodenal Switch procedure, rather than the
RNY? It typically results in a greater percentage of sustained excess
weight loss for SMO patients. You can read more about it at
www.duodenalswitch.com. There's also a very active Yahoo group for those
interested in the DS ([email protected]). If you do decide to
go with an RNY, I would seek out a surgeon who is willing to do a medial or
distal bypass with a very small pouch (no more than 30ccs, and 15-20ccs is
the best for maximum "staying power"). Best wishes!
— Tally
September 21, 2002
I was "technically" super, with BMI of 50, but at 262, I
certainly don't feel qualified to equate myself with those who are really
suffering. Having been in support groups for years, I can tell you of a
few of our great stories. Man of 33-35, start wt about 576, now below 200,
2 yrs out. 2 guys done around the same time, 23 & 33, both around 480,
both settled in the 180's. Woman of just over 500, at 5'3", hit 250
lost by her 1 yr anniversary, and at 2 yrs, is still losing, now below
200#, but I'm not sure exactly where. I could go on, but yes, it is
possible to expect to have reasonable loss. These people did not all have
the same surgery (or same doc), but they all followed the same post-op
plan.
— vitalady
September 21, 2002
Well the AVERAGE loss is 75%. That can be improved by lots of vigirous
exercise and sticking closely to the eatng plan. You might coonsider a 2
part surgery. My surgeon does these on the super morbids since its safer
and a easier adjustement for the patient. First part is bypass, then weight
drops a good bit and 6 months or so later the stomach is reduced. This
limits OR time as well. If you want more info on the 2 parter of friend of
mine Bll Caratta is one. Drop me a email and I will see if he can contact
you. I dont have his email address. <P> Honestly you might not get to
chart weight but you will be so much healthier why worry about it? Your
heavy bone and muscle structure will take a lifetime to shrink away and
thats heavy stuff. Now do demolition or other heavy exercse for 5 hours a
day shoveling debris besides your regular job and you will suirprise
yourself.
— bob-haller
September 22, 2002
Kelly: I was a super morbid at 407 lbs. pre-op. I have lost (so far)
nearly 200 lbs., putting me in the "overweight" category but out
of the "obese" or "super obese" categories. All my
co-morbidities have resolved, and I am much happier and healthier. Will I
ever reach "goal" weight? Probably not, if you go by the charts
... but I think I will definitely reach my personal goal of being under 200
lbs. Good luck - I'm sure you'll do great.
— Terissa R.
September 22, 2002
Hi Kelly, I, according to the BMI chart was in the super obese category
with a BMI of 59.2. I will be 14 month post op from the RNY LAP at the end
of the month, and have dropped 175 lbs, with approx 25 more to go. That
will put me at the 200 lbs mark! :). I think your goals or dr.s goals are
very realistic. I see no reason why you wouldn't achieve them with WLS.
Good luck to you
RNY LAP 7-30-01
— Carey N.
September 22, 2002
Hi Kelly, I had surgery 18 months ago. I started out at 425lbs. lost 230
lbs. and now weigh 195 lbs. I'm 5'3 and the top weight of were I should be
is 142 lbs. My personal goal is to weigh 150 lbs. The chart that shows
what I should weigh after bariatric surgery says I should get to 206 lbs.
so I made it to that goal. I believe it is possible to get to a goal weight
but you have to continue to work it. The weight loss does slow down. If It
takes me another 18 months to get there thats ok. If I don't I'm ok with
what I weigh now. Think positive, anything is possible.
— Carla S.
September 22, 2002
Hi Kelly - Thanks for asking this question, I needed to see the responses!
My goal is to lose 260, and I am not always convinced it is possible, so it
really helps me to see some success! I've lost 62 so far in 8 weeks, so I
am 23% of the way there! I know it's going to slow down and I don't want
it to!!!!!
— jen41766
September 22, 2002
My highest weight shortly before surgery was 319. I lost alot of weight a
month before WLS... so my offical weight was 305 although I count from 319
(why not? I worked for it!) So my goal is to get MID WAY IN THE NORMAL BMI
RANGE. This, for me is 129 lbs. So I need to lose 190. I've only been able
to lose 152. I'm grateful, but disappointed too. Anywho, my surgeon says
70% loss is average. I'm at 80% but still trying to lose it all but without
much success. Some can, but many of us can't seem too. I guess the main
thing is to hopefully not gain what we've lost back as I have seen MANY
gain it back!
— Danmark
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