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.
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