Can we not lose it ALL??

I think i was considered a lightweight at 281 lbs. I lost 100% by the end of the first year and now at 13mo, I'm at 102%.  I'm not sure what my surgeon's average is tho.

That is great! Thanks for replying!

To some I was considered a light weight but at a 46 BMI that was not the case. I was 5 feet 6 inches tall and 285 pounds.  I lost 100% of my excess weight in a year.  So it is entirely possible, it may take some longer, but if you watch your carbs while in your weight loss window (I never did, but would have if I needed to) and exercise.  You should get real close to losing it all.   Some of the people that you read about who claim to be failures, just did not put any effort into losing, i.e. they did no****ch the carbs or think to themselves, "I bet if I cut the carbs I could get to goal" or drank full-sugar beverages.   Keep asking those questions, I think you are going to be a great DS'er because of the amount that you have asked! Kym

Thanks so much!!

An average is just that - an average.  Some people lose 100% or more, some lose 50% or less (although, not many!)  coming up with an average.  I have lost 63% EWL in 7.5 months.  Right on target, but not as fast as some of the superstars!  I'm in this with the attitude that I *can* lose 100%, although I may have to work harder than some of them.  But I will worker even harder if I have to! What I do see here on OH is that some people never get to goal . . . . but usually because they find themselves extremely happy at 10-20 lbs over and not having to every think about it again.  They're happy there, so they stay there, knowing that they 'could' lose the next 10-20 if they worked at it, but they'd prefer to just keep on doing what they're doing! ETA:  80% EWL is considered 'normal' or the goal for the first year.  Again, some do more, so do less, but then the final 20% would be after the first year (and plastics!)

Thanks...I am sure that if I never made it to goal I would be extremely happy as well!

It stands to reason that the higher the BMI, the tougher it's going to be to get to goal weight.    Just in my personal observation, I've noticed that those starting over 300 pounds are less likely to hit goal, and also to have a a more significant regain later on.   Like I said, nothing scientific here, but I'm on a couple of boards.    Those under 300 tend to reach goal and maintain better.    My surgeon feels that some people will just need to work harder at it in the long run.   I lost 120% of my excess weight, and that's without (I hate to admit this) exercising as regularly as I should.   I plan to start though, because I need to build muscle mass.  I started swimming right before my internal hernia surgery and will start again as soon as I'm cleared to do so.

That's funny Julie b/c I think it is the other way around.  I think lightweights take longer to get to a normal bmi.  I assumed it was b/c they must not have eaten as much as us big girls so us big girls have a more drastic weight loss. And I see on avg. more 300 pound girls at goal then I do lightweights.     I havent observed enough people with regain issues to make any comparison.  I can only think of maybe 3-5 people Ive seen regain any weight...and I have no idea what they weighed originally. Hmm...very interesting!   Ah well...Im at goal! And having no problem maintaining..I need to stop losing! lol

The averages of 65% for RYN and 85% for DSers is for long term. After 5 years accordingly the average Excess weight Loss that was kept off was at those percentages. For me those odds are damn good ones - but - the weight loss is a plus , the ability to no longer need diabetis meds, high blood pressure meds or Cholesterol meds would make it worth it even if I only kept off half. Of course I would love to have it all gone and get plastics, whether this happens or not I love my DS lifestyle of being able to eat and enjoy my food and have the most active life I have had since my early twenties.

I cannot weight to be active again! Thanks for sharing!