how much did you lose/do you expect to lose?

[cab0ad]

the seminar I went to said you can lose 50-75% of your EXCESS body weight. Has anyone lost more? what is your goal for weight loss? If it isn't too personal, what was your start point and end point? I'm right at 300 lbs and I wanted to get to 150 but that is way over the quoted 50-75% of your excess weight for my goal. Is it obtainable?

[WorkInProgress]

When I was starting my journey I wondered the same thing. The reason that they quote the success of the surgery in a percentage of excess weight is that usually if you have co-morbitities they subside and there is improvement with those percentages, but also, everyone is different.The important thing to know is that your journey is going to be specific to you. Yes, many lose more and yes, many do not. But I bet if you were to ask those that do not exceed the percentage that considers the surgery a success they would still be happy with their success. They could probably be happier if they met their identified goal, however the key is that they still lost weight and were healthier because of the surgery. Also, this is a journey. It does not have a specific end because this is a lifestyle change, it is a rebirth of sorts and it is what you make it. Good Luck to you.

[MsMook1979]

My highest weight was 344lbs. I am currently 264.8 and want to get down to 165-180.

[FlowerGalTX]

What I was told was that the AVERAGE person loses 50-75% of their excess weight IN THE FIRST YEAR.

I expect over this next year to lose ALL of my additional weight (108 pounds) through the tool of the gastric sleeve, eating appropriately / watching portion sizes/calories and also through exercise.

I am 3 months out and have already lost 44% of my excess weight.

[kuprincess]

I weight 330 pounds and am down to 272 and am almost 2 months out. I want to be around 165. I have lost about 35% of my excess weight and I really do think that going over that 50%-75% mark has a lot to do with how closely people follow the nutrition and exercise guidelines. I know I will be disappointed if I don't get close to my goal!

[cowgirljane]

The clinic I went to targets 60-80% of excess weight - though they have many clients that have lost 100% of their excess. I think that the heavier you start, the lower your odds are of losing 100%. My "target" according to the charts is 142, but my personal goal is 160 since I only weighed 140 when I was about 20 and I had a hard time maintaining that. I am trying to be somewhat realistic.

I started at 308, so that means I need to beat the odds to get to 160. I may not make that in the first year, but with determination and ongoing work, I think I can do it over the long haul. The only thing stopping us is our own limits - are you willing to keep "working hte sleeve" and exercising even when the weight loss slows... way... way... down.

[cathyp357]

I had my surgery 11/15, so not quite 3 months and I have lost 50 lbs. That is about 58% of my excess weight. I started at 258 and as of this morning I am 208. I am very tall, so my goal is 175. I may modify that as I get closer but I thought that was fairly realistic given my age (54) and height (5'11"). Getting to goal may not happen for all of us, but as someone else mentioned, we will still be far healthier and happier than when we started this journey. I set mini goals (under 200 by my birthday, which is the end of March), and I think that helps me stay motivated. I too am hoping that I am in that group that reaches their goals. I think this forum helps, because reading it everyday keeps me focused.

[Lea]

I think its possible for everyone to lose 100% of their excess weight...I think it might take people longer to get there than others but with determination and commitment its all possible

[jrbpvt]

Most of the above answers are realistic; the last one [ I think everyone can lose 100% of excess weight ]is not. A significant number of posts reflect people are lead to believe they SHOULD lose 100% of excess weight when that is not supported by any scientific study. The longitutional studies that have been done put results in the 60-85% of excess weight. If you accept that as realistic, you are not going to be as paniced or disappointed if you don't get to the "ideal" weight. Many bnutritionists think the ideal weight charts are too low for the US population anyway.

I'm sure most anyone could lose 100% of the excess weight ; but , at what cost ? If you are following the nutritional requirements and excercising, you will lose what you body and metabolism will allow you to lose. It is patently unfair to raise people's expectations that everyone can hit their ideal weight and then watch them obsess when they can't reach those ideal numbers.

Adopt the 60-85% as a realistic target and count every ounce lost beyond that as a blessing.

[erinspice]

I was also told you'd lose that % in the first year. I started at my very highest of 374 but at surgery I was 316. I am now down to 230 and want to get to 180-190. I full expect to be able to do that. That will still keep me at a plus size (size 16) but that's my goal. Anything else will only be lost due to exercise and luck.

[kar]

In 8 months I have lost over 90 pounds. I set my goal rather high because I was not sure if I would ever make it this low. Think about it this way if you weigh 300 pounds and you want to be 150. Your excess weight is 150 pounds 75% of that is 112 pounds. Think about how great you will feel after losing that much. Also you maybe surprised how small you are after losing 112 pounds. Even at 160 pounds I wear a size 10 and my family already describe me as tiny..... You can do it!

[Susan Y]

I had my surgery 10 months ago and have lost 39 pounds. I was 279 when I had the surgery amd am 239 now. I take @28 pills a day and several of them cause weight gain. So, I am not typical.

[cab0ad]

Thanks everyone! I'm happy to lose anything and maintain it. I'd be estatic to hit below 200. 150 is my dream though! This is such a great board! I'm so glad I found it. Thanks to everyone. You have made me feel really welcome here.

[cab0ad]

So people who start out heavier lose less of their excess body weight (by percentage)? wow, I would have thought it would have been the opposite. bummer for me!

[Kelly Jo]

My goal is more based on size rather than weight. I'm more muscular than many and weigh more than many people feel I look, if that makes sense. My waist size is 42 inches right now. I want to get to 32 inches. I was 50 inches when I started. I put on my ticker for my goal to be 150, but that may change. When I get into the pant size I want, then there is my goal, whatever that puts me at on the scale. My surgeon states that the big difference between those who lose 60% of their excess weight and those who lose 100% is exercise.

Good luck...