Question:
Have any 400+ pre-ops made it to goal?
How close to goal were you within the 18-24 mo. 'window', or did you reach goal within the window? — [Deactivated Member] (posted on August 28, 2002)
August 28, 2002
I would like to know this also. I am 5'2" and weigh over 400 lbs. I
would be devastated if I didn't lose all my excess weight. I am scheduled
for surgery Oct. 10, 2002
— Patricia C.
August 28, 2002
I started out at 409 and am now at 225 17 months out, I need
to lose 40 more lbs. to hit goal so I am very interested in
your question as well. I'll just keep increasing exercise
and stick to the plan and forget about that stinking window.
Good Luck and God Bless!!!
— lisa M.
August 28, 2002
Calandra (and Patricia), the absolute FIRST thing the two of you need to do
is to come to grips with is a realistic definition of "at goal".
If you are going into this with the attitude that "if I don't get to a
size 8, I will once again be a failure", I worry for your eventual
state of mind. However, if you set reasonable goals "regain my
health", "regain my dignity", "live an active
lifestyle", yes I'm sure you can make it to these goals. As I've said
multiple times on this board, I'm not saying you (or anyone else) shouldn't
try to lose as much weight as you can. I just don't feel someone should
use "getting into a size 6 swimsuit" as the sole criteria for
"success". Kevin
— meilankev
August 28, 2002
Kevin, you give some solid advice. However, people might look at your
profile and see that you've lost all of your excess weight with little or
no sagging skin and be a little envious. Everyone always says not to
compare your weightloss with others but it's human nature. People do it all
the time on here. Your point is valid. I think goal shouldn't be a number
on the scale or slipping into a size 6 swimsuit. My brother had RNY in
1999. Started at over 500 lbs. If you were to look at him today he would
appear overweight. But he's a far cry from the way he was. And not just in
appearance. He's healthier than he's ever been. He bought an annual pass to
Disneyland and loves going to amusement parks. He's out and active and
living the life he always wanted to. Would he rather have a washboard
stomach, broad chest and an otherwise muscular, slim body? Sure. But the
goal was to escape from his prison of fat. And he did that.
— Jon W.
August 28, 2002
Kevin, I appreciate your comments. I certainly do not have unrealistic
goals. My 'goal weight' on paper is supposed to be 135 (right). I am 424#,
and would be satisfied at 200, as long as I'm healthy. Thanks to all others
for your advice. Keep it comin'!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 28, 2002
Jon, thanks for your kind words. But the fact that I consider myself
"at goal" is solely because I had no illusion of me regaining a
body like an Olympic swimmer. I wear 36" pants and some of my shirts
are still XL. If I go by my doctors chart, I'm still ~ 30 lbs overweight.
But, from the start, I set goals that were attainable, based on health and
lifestyle. An alternative could have been for me to obsess over those
pesky excess pounds, just to be disappointed on a daily basis. Either way,
I ended up at my present weight. But, my way leaves me in a much more
positive frame of mind, and an unabashed fan of what this surgery has given
back to me. If you don't believe me, go back and find my post from a few
months ago entitled: "Evils of WLS that no one wants you to
Know". You can find it by doing a search for "kevin".
Thanks again. Kevin
— meilankev
August 28, 2002
Super morbids are unfortunately less likely to get to chatt weight. My wife
is one and supers bodies really want to be heavy. Thats why the average
loss is 75% of the total overweight. You can exercise heavily to get the
last pounds off, my surgeon sys the he does the hard work the last 30
pounds is the patients responsiblity. Now walk a few miles dailyt, swim,
play tennis and ALL the weight will melt away...
— bob-haller
August 28, 2002
I am 17 months out from RNY and as of my last weigh-in four weeks ago, I am
2 pounds from my "goal weight." I started at 670 pounds. It is
certainly possible for anyone to reach goal.
— Juan C.
August 28, 2002
When I had my first consult with the WLS we agreed that because of the
genetics of women in my family, a reasonable healthy goal weight would be
between 180 and 200 pounds. I started day of surgery at 494 and am now
240, with one more skin reduction surgery to go that will take off about
another 10 pounds. I fully expect the last 30 to go when I am able to
resume my exercise regime (biking and yoga). However to be scientific
about the whole thing, I intend to get an underwater weighing that will
show me the percentage of body fat. THAT is the true "goal"
determinant. Remember I have thicker bones and muscles from all these
years of carrying around 300+ extra pounds. So if my percentage of body
fat falls within normal limits, no matter what my weight is, I will
consider my 'goal' achieved. (My 5'4" sister was 155 and the Army was
always threatening to throw her out until they assessed her body fat
content which was well within the normal range. We are just muscular
women. And, muscle weighs more than fat!)
— merri B.
August 29, 2002
Thanks all for your input. Juan - great job. It seems to me though that all
the men I've seen on the site get to "goal". I figured it was the
difference in male and female metabolisms. Don't worry, I'm not trying to
take away from anyone's hard work! ;) I asked this original question more
out of curiosity. I guess on this site, "goal weight" can mean
either chart goal, or personal goal weight.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 29, 2002
Calandra, check out Donna Williams, Lake Worth, FL's profile. She posted
on the message board a few months ago that she had reached her goal weight.
She weighed 469# on 081600 and was 136# on 060602, one pound more to her
goal. Out of all the profiles I've read, hers had to be one of the most
encouraging. When I was done reading it, I was in tears I was just so
happy and proud of her. Good luck in your journey!!
— Julia T.
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