1-800-ASK-A-VET (Ask anything thread...)

I lost 155 total, 140 net loss. So it's possible.

But if your body wants you to bounce it will bounce. The trick is NOT thinking you are a monumental failure if you do so. I personally refuse to sacrifice my awesome 140 lb. loss for a 15 pound regain. I just won't do it!

How realistic it is to lose 150 pounds depends on a lot of things... mostly on how heavy you were to start with. Your height (which you don't mention) is also a key element!

If someone starts out with 200 or more extra pounds (based on the dreaded BMI chart), losing 150 pounds is not only likely, but almost expected. If someone starts with only 150 pounds to lose according to the chart, then that's much less likely.

You don't say how tall you are, how old you are, or how you are built (muscle mass and bone density play as much a role in weight as fat does), but -- with all things being equal and there not being some specific REASON that your doctor does not think you will lost 150 pounds -- I don't think it is unreasonable to expect to be merely "overweight" rather than "obese".

I do, however, think it IS unrealistic to EXPECT to be at ANY specific weight by12 months out. That is such an arbitrary time frame and regardles of how fast someone loses intially, the weight loss slows WAY down for some people after 6 months (and sometimes again after 9 months and again after 12). I was an "average loser" during the first 6 months (lost 100 pound exactly), but then was a very slow loser after that despite not significantly changing what I was eating (after 6 months, you CAN eat more, however, and are expected to do so). It took me 20 months to lose a total of a little more than 185 pounds and get to my lowest weight (which was a couple of pounds under my goal weight)... so it took me 6 months to lose 100 pounds and then took me 14 months to lose 85 more (it took 6 months to lose that alst 20 pounds or so!).

I know a number of people whose weight loss mirrored this.

Lora

From 318 to 131-135 depending on the day. It can be done.....exercise(cardio and weights) and nutrition to coordinate with that. It WILL make a difference.

Factors also determine outcome: starting weight, metabolism, height, etc.

Just wanted to let you know my surgeon told me 100 was also a realistic expectation... so let's look at it this way - anything else will be a bonus and make us rock stars!!  :-) 

I think that your doctor is entitled to his opinion, and your entitled to having a desired goal, and in the end, following the plan will result in the REAL BOSS weighing in (pardon the pun)..... your BODY is the one who decides what your ultimate capability is.... this has to do with the bones, muscle mass, body type, and just sheer stubbornness.

I was 350 lbs when I began looking into surgery, 293 when I had surgery, my lowest was 146 and this morning I'm 152, putting me at 198 below maximum, and 141 lbs lost postop.

It IS possible, no guarantees for any of us.  Remember the MAIN reason you did this is for your health and let the rest happen knowing you gave it your all.

Wow, I just want to say great thread, I'd like to see more 1-800-ASK-A-VET posts!

Re: Losing 150 post RNY and not being obese- definitely possible. Try nt to place so much value on the BMI classifications. Depending on your body composition, you may very well be a healthy weight and according to BMI charts "overweight" or "obese." It became my obsession to get to the "normal" classification and I was too thin even at the high end of normal, and turns out, my RNY surgeon said that my weight in the "overweight" category was healthy and acceptable. So let go of the labels, and let yourself be free. Just a vet speaking from personal experience.

Okay, question for the chicas in the group.

Have you noticed since your surgery that you smell different? And I mean EVERYTHING - I have noticed my sweat smells different, my hair smells different, my urine smells different, and yes everything else does too. I'm scared other people notice it too, although my husband says he can't tell any difference, I'm not sure I believe him.

So, I'm inquiring!

I noticed that when I cut a lot of GARBAGE out of my diet, pre-op, that my SMELLER changed..... I smelled nuances in things I didn't smell before.

so you probably don't smell as in have a new aroma, you just detect a change because you have a more acute sense of smell without all those nasty chemicals to foul you up.

Your sense of smell will be all over the place right now.  You are in ketosis so your body smells will seem intense during this time.  Do you smell a slight sweet smell?