So far to go- can u relate?

I am sure you all can relate... so allow me to vent for a moment. I started at a BMI over 50 and now am 6 months out. I have lost 85 pounds since surgery and 130 total since my highest weight. Which I am soooooo pleased about. I am very thankful for everything that has happened thus far in my WLS journey. But, I can not help but wonder when this all will slow down and when I will stop losing. The average expected weight loss for my surgery type (VG) is a loss of 138 pounds, which I am drawing near too. Others who had their WLS the same time as me are in onederland and nearing their goals. I still have 100+ pounds to lose and I just feel like the honeymoon is definately over and I worry about my wieght. While I am pleased to have lost so much, I still have so much more to go. How do you all stay focused and motivated?

You need to keep thing in perspective. You mention average weight lost. That means some people lost more and some less. You surely aren't going to be one of the lost less since you are doing so well at this point. You can't compare yourself to people who needed to lose less than you did. If you ran a race and others started before you would not you get there first. You are hurting yourself by worrying about your weight. Try to develop the mind set that you will quit losing when you reach goal. It is typical to slow done as we get closer to goal. It does get harder to lose. Many people continue to lose well into their second and third year. Keep up the good work and enjoy each milestone. Hugs, Loris

M, I've lost 150 and I'm 13 months out. I really hope to lose at least 37 more lbs, which would put me at 199. I have spent some time worrying about whether or not I'll get there, but, I realize that is not helping me. I focus on the great health I'm experiencing and how freakin' fantastic it is that I can do so many things that my weight kept me from doing! You are doing great! Hang in there! Lori 384/235.5/199

M.M. I have the same concerns that you have, I spoke to my surgeon during my 6 month post op ( I had loss 110lbs) I still have at least another 100. I asked her if I was going to slow down, around month 8 or so, since I have heard of people doing that. She said no.. because I have so much more to lose than others, that the weight loss will continue at good pace. I have never heard about your surgery VG. Maybe you could explain it to us. Take Care, Lynn

Lynn, VG is Vertical Gastrectomy- sometimes called VSG... it is strickly restrictive, no absorption intervention. They removed a large portion of my stomach- actually taking it out. My intestines were not touched. There is great information about it on www dot lapsf dot com.

HI MM I started at 442 lbs. and was 430lbs at surgery March 30, 2005. I had open RNY (long). I too worried like you that I wouldn't get all my weight off in the "honeymoon" period ... wondered if I'd do as well as others I knew. I've two cousins who were two years out in May ... they've lost 210 lbs and 173 lbs. respectively. In a little over 14 months, I've lost 204 lbs. So you see, you can't lump yourself into an "average" type of mindset. My cousins are amazed that I've "caught up" with them in such a shorter period of time, but my thoughts are it's simply an individual thing ... and it's how you work your program and keep your mind set. Try NOT to think in terms of the whole amount to lose. Instead concentrate on small goals and let that distract you from the total you want to be able to lose. Personally, I use a 25 lbs goal system ... simply concentrating on getting 25 lbs. off, and then when I've gotten that 25 off, I concentrate on the next 25 lbs. If I hadn't tackled my journey that way I have to wonder how successful I would have been by now and if I would have been discouraged long ago. As for focused and motivated ... no one can manage that 24/7 ... but you just do the best you can and think of all you've come through to get where you are. That's the best motivator I know of (short of this forum ... these people can motivate you any time you'd like ... they're wonnnnnnerful!!! ) I have about 70 more lbs. to get to a goal in the vicinity of 165-170 lbs. For me, that's only 3 more 25 lb goals (and who'd have thought I'd be saying "only" about 70 lbs!). Your perspective changes as you go along. How you're feeling right now will be so different when you're further out. I think all the 1year+'ers will agree on that. Just keep the faith. All the best to you, Myra G 442/430/238/165-170

I can totally relate to what you're feeling because I've been feeling the same way myself. I started at 396 and have lose 140 since my surgery on 10/25/2005. I would like to lose another 90-100 pounds and some days it feels like that may never happen. I tend to lose for 10-12 days, then stay around the same weight for 10-14 days. It gets frustrating when I'm doing all the right things and staying the same weight. I'm still following the plan, but worry what I'll do when the losing periods get shorter and the maintaining periods get longer. I look to this board for reminders that those of us who had so much more to lose will have a longer journey than others. I'm going to try the suggestion from a prior poster about thinking about my loss in 25 pound increments. Somehow that seems more manageable than thinking about losing another 90-100 pounds. Perhaps that will bring me some peace and hope for being successful. I hope that I can manage to stay focused on the rest of my journey, and wish the same for you. Kellie Lap RNY 10/25/2005 396/256/155-165?

I can totally relate to the whole getting to the finish line. I started at 492 lbs....i lost 20 lbs preop...and had surgery in feb. I'm down 135 lbs since surgery, and while thats good i'm like when am i going to wake up thin...lol. Don't pigeonhole yourself. You have a tool to help you lose weight for the rest of your life. You get filled much faster then before surgery. I had the DS where they do a VSG and also intestinal rerouting...and i know with the VSG stomach you can't eat as much as you use to..and you get filled a lot faster. Heck if you want to eat less..just drink a bit of water before you eat....i hear some people do that and they call it "water loading". Because we have a fully functional stomach, the water doesn't just leave right away..it takes a few minutes to drain. (just an idea) I know it will work itself out for you. scott