Two week post-op checkup...and a little disheartened

Oh if only it were that easy....motivation is not enough for some.  It just is not.  I spent a long time trying to equate my effort to my results and it just doesn't happen that way for everyone.  If you've got a broken metabolism, you can exert all the effort you want, and the weight will not come off.  that's why i had surgery.

Don't let him get you down!  You were able to lose over 30 pounds prior to surgery.  There is no reason that you can't keep losing and get down to your goal.  Yes the first 100 might be easier but you'll be learning about good eating habits, exercise and general taking care of yourself along the way.  Good luck and keep up the fight!

Thanks Karin!

I exceeded my surgeon's expectations and he gets a big grin on his face whenever I come in for a checkup. Your surgeon wants to have you do fantastic, it makes his reputation better. He sees so many failures and will be so happy to see a successful patient instead.

And if you had RNY there is malabsorption. Not with VSG. The malabsorption makes the weight come off faster in the beginning. I know that I still have some of mine left and it will six years next month.

Thanks for all the encouragement.  I feel better. :) 

I am two years out and my surgeon refused to set a "goal weight" for me.  He told me that, statistically, most people lose about 70-75% of their excess weight.  I have other metabolic issues that made this very hard to predict.

That was just about what I lost.  I'm about 5'3" and started out in the 240's (with a BMI in the 42-43 range).  I'm now just under 170 pounds and my BMI still has me as overweight (around 29.9).  I am JUST under obese, but some days I drift back.

My goal has always been HEALTH, not weight or # of pounds.  It's just too hard with my medical issues to go for that.  I've maintained my weight loss for a year.  I'm off of my BP and cholesterol medicines, and several other meds.  I'm a type 1 diabetic, and I take less insulin now and get more out of it.  I guess my point is, I'm better - a LOT better.

If all you are able to do metabolically is the average, and you weigh 200 pounds and not 370 pounds, you will also be a LOT better.  Try not to get too focused on the end point.  A lot can happen and every single person has a different body and a different response.  Do everything you can to follow directions and focus on today.  Focus on your health, not your weight.

Congrats for getting through the surgery!  You did it!  What feels like a ton of work right now will soon not feel so overwhelming.  At 2 years out, I almost forget that I had the surgery.  I eat more normally and the life adjustments I made along the way are just who I am now - no stress, no anger, no hard work.  They just are part of me now.  You'll get there.  Take care of today and let the rest reveal itself as you go.

Keep the faith!

 

 

Thanks.  Your comment about focusing on health rather that weight is a good one.  That's what motivated me to go down this path in the first place.  I guess my concern though is that at 200 lbs I still will not be as healthy as I want.  Though I will surely be much healthier than I am today!

Well, that's one man's opinion and we ladies know what that's worth!  LOL

Seriously though, I would hardly consider that number "a limit". His statement was most likely based on his experience with other patients and on statistical data, both of which were expressed as averages. But you aren't an average, you're you! As you read the posts on the forum and other sources on WLS, it's clear that not everyone follows the protocols exactly and too many flaunt a lot of the rules. I keep thinking of the woman who was angry that the post-op malabsorption  was not offsetting the calories from her daily snack routine, which was unchanged after surgery. DUH!  So keep in mind that people like that are included in the progress numbers. 

Do the best you possibly can to follow each of the rules. As you near the healthy BMI range for your height, work with your doctor to assess what is healthy and what looks and feels right for you. A weight you enjoyed at an earlier age might not be appropriate for you some years later. Most importantly---don't let what may (or may not) happen down the road sabotage or burden your thoughts and plans today. Using this tool effectively takes focus and effort, so don't waste your energy on 'maybes'.  Take it one day at a time and experience the joy of the changes you are making, one at a time!

Thanks.  That's what I will do...just focus on today and doing the best I can today to work my tool.  Tomorrow will take care of itself! 

I thought my realistic weight would be around 220.  I figured I'd lose about 130-140 pounds. My surgeon told me I would beat that easily. I thought he was on crack. Today is 9 months post op. I am under 190. 5X shirts to a medium. Pants were 58. Today I am wearing 36. Suit jacket went from 60 to 42. Dress shirt went from 20-36 to 15 -34. 

If you make up your mind that this is your new life and do what you're supposed to do it will come off. We won't all have the same results, but it will come off. There are people in my support group that have been maintaining 5 to 10 years. It can be done. Hopefully I will be one of those people in 5 years. I am really working hard to never go back to my old ways.