For how long? (ramblings) ;-)

...do we continue to lose? I have heard different numbers, from the largest chunk of weight being lost in the first 6 months, to 24 to 36 months post surgery. We are considered "sucesses" if we lose anywhere from 50-80% of our excess weight (depending on your surgeon), but what if we desire to lose 100% of our excess weight? What does that mean? Does it mean it will be difficult to do so? Let's say we only lose 75% of our excess weight (I guess in a given time frame)...then the tool no longer works? How long do we continue to lose weight? People often type in their messages, "X number of lbs gone forever!" ...but are they really gone forever? We could find them again! We'll have to work HARD to keep them off! How long does the tool work? What about the fact that our intestines elongate and adapt, eventually? Our pouches will still be small, but will we not have the malabsorption in terms of calories? Yet, I know we'll have nutritional deficiencies (or battling them, at least) for the rest of our lives. Here is the deal: I want to lose 100% of my excess weight and keep it off. I'm willing to do anything I need to do to get there, or I wouldn't have had the surgery in the first place. I think most of us agree. So how difficult is it going to be to do this? I guess everyone is different? I hate that there are no concrete, water-tight answers! I am just full of questions today, I realize. These are all questions I should ask my surgeon...IF I could only get a hold of him!!!! Chele

I have these questions too Chele. My Dr. usually says the average is 80% but everyone is different. He says the first 6 months is most important for developing the tools we will use for our entire life. He said the "window" is anywhere between 12-18 months and is different for everyone. So, that being said, I guess no one really knows for sure! Leeanne

My doc told me that all though the "tool" works for 18 mons the most weight loss occurs during the first 6 mons. He told me that if you are not on track during that initial 6 mons your setting yourself up to not be able to reach your goal by 18 mos. He said many many patients slack off in the beginning because they are loosing weight and figure they don't have to do anything "extra". He sees these same patients not only NOT reach goal but start gaining weight before 18 mons postop has approached. Kinda scary. I went on that site you posted the other day and I am only looking at 77% according to them. That is unacceptable. But at the same time I can say with a honest heart there is nothing more I can do. I think that I have followed every guideline above and beyond the requirement. Arg. Dawn

I always wondered the same thing. I bet if you post this on the main board, you would get some good answers. It's kinda scary to me because I have a lot of weight to loose. What if I just stop after 6 months? Then I'll still be considered obese. My surgeon says the first 6 months is very important because you loose lots of weight. After that, you really have to work and commit to loose the rest. I'm willing to do that to get where I want to be. Good question to ask my surgeon when I see him in a couple weeks. Kay

Hi Chele, you worry and question things like I do. My daughter went to the same surgeon as me and she told her she could easily lose 155 lbs. She weighs about 290, I didn't figure out whar % that is, but she also quoted to me at the beginning that I could lose around 80% of mine. I went to the surgeon for my checkup yesterday and i have lose 56 lbs. She said it was really good, but I am like the rest of you I want it off. I think everyone is really different. Also I thing your age and activity level has a lot to do with it. I have been on the treadmill 30 min. a day and can see a drastic weight loss difference. We will all be fine in the end, I just think skinny. Have a wonderful day, Rosemary

LOL Rosemary **I just think skinny** I do too!!! When I am at the gym and I think that I bottomed out and can't do any more...I close my eyes I picture myself standing on my diving board wearing a bikini. Sometimes I visualize the current me, which brings on motivation; or I visualize the me at goal weight, which not only brings on motivation..it's gets me excited too!! Dawn

Chele, I can only speak to what my surgeon says, but this is from a conversation he and I had at my 3 month check-up last week. When I told him I wanted to be at my goal weight by 6 months, he reminded me that I have 12-18 months to lose at a consistent pace (slower as it goes out in time, but probably more rapidly than a "normal" person dieting). He then said that I will always have this tool. I know a 2 year post-op person who had gained about 10 pounds and he reminded her at her check-up that she still has the tool and if she follows the protein/water mantra, she would take off those pounds and be back in control. I think they quote that 12-18 month period as the time that you lose the fastest and the most substantial amount, but you will always be able to lose weight, just like any other person. You'll jus****ch your calories and up your exercise. Anyway, I hope that helps so you're not so worried about not being able to lost it all. I think like anyone, the lower you get, the harder those last pounds become. But, even though the pounds/month might be lower, it will probably be close to the same percentage of your current body weight at that time. Lisa S. 227/174/140