Fact vs reality on total weight loss?

I am in the process of completing all of my pre op requirements for RNY and I am curious about the real life total weight loss from those who have had surgery at least one year ago.  The docs keep suggesting that it is expected that an RNY patient will loose 70% of their excess weight but in all of the posts I've read it seems like those on maintnence seem to have lost more than 70%.  I know every body is different and has different results but just looking to hear people's experiences.

I am a little over 1 year out and have lost 100% of my excess weight.  I was surprised as my starting BMI was on the lower end (35).  My surgeon quoted the same expected loss as yours did, and that seems to be in line with what I have read in the literature, and it varies somewhat based on the surgery performed.  My surgeon was focused more on the effect of any weight loss on my health(blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc), so if I had lost 50% EWL with improvement in my health problems, he would have been ecstatic.

I lost to 15 pounds below goal and have been maintaining that loss for going on 5 years.  My BMI is right in the middle of "normal".  I think ANYONE can lose 100% of  their excess weight if they stay with the program and change their relationship with food.  The surgery is the easy part but, remember, they operate on your stomach not your brain.    Fixing your mindset where food is concerned is what will dictate whether or not you will have success.

Great response !!

When I have seen the 70% figure in the medical literature it is usually in reference to weight loss maintained at 5 years, NOT initial weight loss.  

I personally only know one person who did NOT lose more than 70% of their excess weight initially (and that person started with a RNY then modified to a modified DS (her RNY pouch with a DS-like bypass).  I know a number of people who have regained 20-30 pounds in the 5-10 years since they hit their lowest weight, though, and for some of them that would be close to 70% of excess weight loss maintained.

Lora

At 6 months out I had lost 75% of my excess weight.  At 7 months out, I'm still losing...and I will make sure to keep going in that direction :) xoxo

I don't know how to compute the math to get my percentage of excess weight lost (I'm horrid at math!), but I have lost 158 pounds from my highest weight of 389 pounds almost 2 years ago.. I agree with the answers, you HAVE to work the program, that includes changing your mindset, which is not an easy feat. Good luck on your journey!! :)

I am 19 months post-op revision LapBand to RNY and I have lost 110% EWL and am in maintenance.  I agree that most of us will reach or get very close to the 100% EWL by the end of the honey moon stage.  It is then up to us - dedication to staying on plan and keeping an eye on the prize to maintain that weight loss through the years.  Completely possible but not a given.