Still need some answers

Hi All,  ? # 1       I have been researching so much on several views of WLS.  Most say that you will lose 50 to 75 % of your weight within the first 18 months.  So does that mean that after 18 months you just stop losing.  That has me puzzled.  I need to lose 186 lbs to get down to my target weight.  75% would only bring me to about 200.  Thats not a healthy weight either.  That would still be 50 lbs overweight and clinically obese.     I did not come this far to not go all the way to my goal.  Can someone give me some insight.  Does anyone reach 100% excess weight loss.  If not I am planning on being the first. ?#2 I have read that other folks sign a living will and write goodbyes to their loved ones.  Is that pretty standard?

hi there  My surgeon said I would lose 75 to 80% of my access weight with minamal work from me. He said if I give it my 20% (exercise) I would lose 100%. You surgeon is giving you a tool and what you do with it is up to you. Drink your water get your protien in and exercise or become more active. after 18 months you start to level off and then you would start your maintaining part. You would still have your tool to help you. You add a little more calories and you will maintain not lose. I did write letters to my kids and husband just in case. It was the hardest thing for me to do next to saying goodbye when I went to have surgery that morning.

My doctor goes with the patient being able to loose at least 70% of their excess weight. I lost most of mine in the first 12 months. No you do not just stop loosing. My husband lost until about the 2+ year mark and lately he has really been pushing his exercise and proper diet and he has lost another 5#. You do need to be realistic and know that some of your weight that you cannot loose in the very end probably is excess skin and the only way that you will loose it is with PS. That is what happened with my DH, his PS yielded 18# of excess skin. He is still considered obese and for the most part is ok with that. Just keep in mind that it is just a number with the amount of weight lost. There are so many other accomplishments that go along with it. Each one of these is personal to that patient. Just start making a list of things you want to do and make those as part of your goal in addition to your #s lost.  #2. No I did not make a living will. I already have a will with my DH. And I also felt that my faith in Jesus Christ was enough to bring me through. If He wanted to take me home to be with Him then so be it, that is a much better place than on this earth. Christine

Leave it to you Christine to put the best spin.  And I agree if the Lord was gonna take me out he probably would not have made the surgery possible.   I understand being realistic.  I have thought about the weight of excess skin.  So ok.  If I am being realistic I am going to say that my excersise will probably be mostly walking.  My husband and I live near the lake and use to walk for an hour everyday for lunch.  I know that  I wont join a gym but wont the walking be enough?

Well, cardio is very important but keeping strong muscles is just as important, so somewhere down the line think about adding muscle strengthening. You will find what you like to do best when the time comes. Having healthy muscles helps burn more fat and it tones and defines your body. Chris

Hi there ... I was one of Alex Nagle's "firsts" it will be 4 years ago this Monday!! Anyway ... this surgery is nothing magical.  "Typical" and expected weight loss with gastric bypass surgery is 75% of your "excess" weight.  You are statistically considered a success at that point (in the surgeon's and others' eyes).  You do have a "honeymoon period" where you will lose weight *almost* no matter what (so that is the time to really re-learn behavior -- be it eating, exercising, etc.) ... and after that 12-18 month period, oh yeah ... it gets harder to lose.  You can eat more (usually in amounts as well as variety) and often times bad habits start to creep back in.  I have seen many people have a regain -- from 10-20 pounds to ALL their weight back (I had a 20 pound regain between my 15th and 25th months post-op, which I have since lost, along with another 60 on top of that). So, while it is not impossible to continue to lose, it does get more difficult the further out you are.  I know several people who have been successful (according to MY standards) with this tool.  Successful to me is getting to their goal and maintaining long term (note:  not everyone's goal is to lose 100% of excess weight, or to be a size 2).  Those I see who do achieve their goal and stay there are those who have changed their eating habits completely (in four years, I have never intentionally even tested myself with sugar) AND combined an habitual exercise program,  and participated in some type of therapy (be it counseling, support groups, etc.).  So, to answer  your question.  I know many people who have reached 100% excess weight loss.  I still hope to be one of them (long story) ... but, you have to ask yourself why you're considering doing this ... to be healthy, or look like a supermodel?  If its the latter I'd suggest you re-think surgery. For most, this will be a life-long struggle.  We won't just one day be able to wake up and start consuming 4000 calories a day (well, you might be able to, but don' t expect to not gain weight). Well, not to be smug, but why sign a living will to say goodbye right before surgery? Since most people are in worse shape (physically) prior to surgery than before, you should perhaps write your goodbyes even if you don't have surgery.  I'm sure more people die of their co-morbidities than they do of this surgery.  But honestly, I think that is really a very individual thing, and probably having a living will might be a good idea anyway. Just my .02 Best to you ...  Karyn

 

So, may I ask whats wrong wanting to look like a supermodel LOL? I know many ppl that had this surgery and their goal . firsthand was to get healthy but beyone this..yap they would want to look like a supermodel...why not. isnt this a goal too?

I think if you worked hard getting to your goal. you deserve to look like one....if this wasnt the issue then why do ppl get PS?

wouldnt you think they would just simply stop at the weight lose and not do anything else?

Just curious

There is nothing wrong with wanting to look like a supermodel (turning 45 tomorrow, I don't think I'll realistically ever even get close to a supermodel "look").   People just shouldn't expect this surgery to magically do that for them.  It is still hard work.  IT IS A LIFELONG STRUGGLE for most of us.  And if you want to and have the means to dish out thousands for plastics afterwards ... go for it (I know I will if/when I get to that point) ... but the priority plastics that I'll get done will be the procedures for which I have problem areas (rashes, strain on my back, etc.) ... and then, if I can find a way to afford it, I will go for things that are more for vanity.   I have also seen people not knowing WHEN to stop the plastics (yes, that too can become an addiction).   I just think the motivation for this surgery needs to be health related first ... that's why insurance companies are so strict with the BMI and comorbidities ... and essentially, where you take this surgery (how far you get) is up to each and every individual.  But some that I know who have gone through their plastics are looking VERY good ... but you also realistically have to consider whether you even will be able to go through plastics or not, (and not just "expect" that you'll be able to get it done after you've lost your weight) ... and I do know people who are more depressed now with excess skin that they can't do anything about, than they were when they were at their top weight.  Just something to consider. I respect others thoughts and don't expect anyone to be offended by my opinions.  Or hopefully they're not anyway. Karyn

 

At age 54 I am not looking to be a model but I would like to look normal.  I think I can speak for most of us when I say that we have all struggled with this weight issue for years.  We have all been to the WW and Jenny Craigs and tops and so on ..... . I use to be able to lose but since I had chemo in 03 have gained (yes gained) 100 lbs on top of my already 245.  Have done every manor of diet, but at the end of the day even for the most dedicated dieter if you dont lose in a month then you give up.  Its human and I am human to a fault.  I need this tool to help me lose along with healthy eating and excersize. 

ps insurance companies are in the business of making money thats why they make you jump thru the hoops because they think you will give up and most do. It is not because they care about your health.  

I'm not saying once you get this tool...that the only option is to get PS. I'm just saying many needs it to obtain what the tool helped them to do...and doing this it will change the way you look after you lose the weight....and for now i dont need ps...but if in the near future I feel I do then yes i will...