Consultation disappointment

[AmyJoGo]

I had my consultation with my surgeon yesterday and came away a little disaapointed/discouraged. He's a nationally recognized bariatric surgeon and researcher so I trust that he knows what he's talking about. My surgeon said that most people experience appx 60% excess weight loss with the sleeve and 70% with bypass. I weigh close to 500lbs at this time and am 6ft tall. My goal is 250lbs. He said that with the sleeve, I could lose down to 280lbs. 30lbs more than my personal goal and 100lbs more than the recommended weight for someone my height and frame. He said I could surprise him and exceed the 60% standard with exercise and continued effort, but it's unlikely that I'll be below 200lbs.

I know that losing any amount of weight will help me feel better, but it's discouraging to feel that I'll never be at a normal/healthy weight even after taking such a drastic step. I'm not going to let the standard stop me. I will work to lose as much as my body is willing to release.

Has anyone else been given similar information? Has anyone exceeded their Dr's expectations?

[christine53]

I think that is crap, you can do what ever you set your mind to do. I think I would find another Doctor that would encourge me more. Because you really need it going through this.

[amazing]

With effort u can loose hoe much u want to. but u have to work out. It is hard but possible.

[WeaponofMassInstruction]

My surgeon told me the same thing and I am 440lbs. He implied the duodenal switch would be the most effective as it would help get below that 200 mark. I am still having the sleeve as it is far safer with fewer complications, but it is an option you can consider. Do your research though and see if it is right for you.

[ettegdirb]

This is something that the psychologist and I had to discuss. He said it would be about the same amount of weight loss, which is fine, I'll be happy with at least a 100 lb loss, but like you, I'm worried that I wouldn't make it any lower after having the surgery. The only thing really giving me hope is seeing all of the sleevers on here who have met and surpassed their ultimate goals. It really makes me think it'll be possible. I really think if you really do what you're supposed to, you can definitely go above and beyond the 60% expected loss.

[LaffeyTaffey]

Oh no! No wonder you felt discouraged!! I say that when you have the surgery, you prove him WRONG. Take a.week or so to heal/rest and then get moving! Walk a LOT. Especially after that first week if you're feeling up to it.

You'll probably lose a nice amount of weight during your pre op diet. I weigh a little over 300 pounds so I know that I have to do a 2 week pre op diet of liquids only and I'm thinking about doing a couple of days extra in the beginning of full liquids to sort of ease my way into it. Because of your higher weight, you might need to do 3+ weeks of the same thing before your surgery.

From the 10 months that I've been on this site I can tell you that a pattern shows of people not.following their.pre op diet and

[LaffeyTaffey]

a lot of times those seem to be the ones who throw up a lot and have a ROUGH recovery. Its not a every time occurence, but it happens often.

Since you're tall, my opinion is that you'd look great at 200 pounds! Good luck with everything!!!!!!

[Garystevanus]

Just remember that your doctor said "most people." That is based on the average weight loss for people having this surgery. There are people that lose more and some that lose less, thus making the average. Which one of these people will you be? Hard work, following your diet, and perseverance can get you to your goal. I know you may be discouraged, but at least your doctor is being honest. Now just go out there and prove him wrong!!!

[lindmar]

i agree with others here that your doctor is quoting averages. There are certainly people who lose less & many who reach their goal weight. So I say shoot for the moon!!!!

[Bilby]

Do you think he says that to cover himself. Although you personally have good intentions there are many who are not willing to put in the hard work. They have unrealistic expectations that the weight will melt away due to surgery only.
We read on here those who still suck potato chips drink flat soda etc. it s a lifestyle change that is permanent and I think he may be ensuring you know the limitations of the "average" patient. Of course we all aim to beat the norm and I wish you every success in that once you reach your first goal and improved mobility and health

[AmyJoGo]

I believe he is saying it to not only cover himself but to perhaps gauge my committment. All I want is help. I, obviously, cannot do this alone or without intervention otherwise I wouldn't be where I am today. I don't expect the sleeve to do all the work. I don't want it to. I've seen too many friends and family sit on their butts after surgery and they end up depressed. I get depressed because of lack of esteem now, but I'm lucky to have a mostly positive outlook on life and especially want to have a great life post surgery. Regardless of the number. I guess it's the words that temporarily deflated me a bit?

[laurks21]

Honey, you do whichever surgery you think will do YOU the best in the end, BUT, I saw a different surgeon before I saw the one that actually did my sleeve, and this surgeon kept pushing me to have gastric bypass. Yes, I was 350lbs, and yes she said I would loose weight ALOT faster, well, the gastric bypass is ALOT more expensive than the sleeve, its a more complex surgery also, so I talked to a doctor that HAD the sleeve done....now he was close to 400lbs for quite a few yrs, and NEVER wanted bypass because there were more complications from it than from the sleeve, actually he never wanted ANY kind of bariatric surgery before the sleeve came out, and his friend had the sleeve and did wonderfully, and that changed his mind about surgery. I have had the sleeve, started out at 350 and at less than 6weeks out Im already down 40lbs....and I JUST now joined a gym......so read read read about both before you come to the decision to choose EITHER surgery, because this IS surgery, and its LIFE changing.....congrats to you on your journey!

[LosingMissLisa]

Amy, my psychologist told me the same thing.......that its unlikely I'll get below the 200 lb mark. But, being born with a slightly stubborn streak, I am going to set out to blast that number to bits..haha I believe its like someone else said.....that is an average result, and I don't expect to be an average patient. I'm going to work my butt off and prove him wrong. And even if he is right, thats still a huge improvement over where I am now, so I'll still be happy with it. Keep moving forward hon.....and don't let the lil discouragements along the way trip you up. There are bound to be more of them....so just keep moving.

[niamh]

I think that opinion is based on older data. I read the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery updated position paper on sleeve gastrectomy and it says
"This new literature includes several randomized controlled trials that generally show equivalence or superiority of the LSG to currently accepted procedures (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, RYGB, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, LAGB) with short and medium-term follow-up periods." p.3

Bearing in mind that the complication rates for sleeve is lower than bypass, that's good enough for me.

Read the whole paper here;
http://s3.amazonaws.com/publicASMBS/...2011_10_28.pdf

and you can also find abstracts of some of the randomised controlled trials it refers to where sleeve had greater excess weight loss in one of my blog posts at;
http://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/b...vs-bypass.html

It seems that some surgeons are more progressive and finding it easier to switch to sleeve as a primary procedure than others. If I was you, I'd consider switching surgeons to someone who is 100% behind the sleeve.

[thenewmetoday]

YOU ARE IN THIS FOR YOU, TRUST YOURSELF AND KEEP THE NAYSAYERS AT ARMS LENTH, OR BETTER YET SHOVE THEM OVER THE CLIFF.
WORDS DO MATTER AND THIS DOC? IS SETTING YOU UP FOR FAILURE, WHO KNOWS WHY. WE KNOW IT CAN BE DONE AND SO WHAT IF YOU DON'T REACH YOUR (GOAL) YOUR BODY WILL BE HEALTHIER WITH WHATEVER WEIGHT YOU LOSE. STICK WITH US AND WE WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THIS. kNOW THAT YOU CAN DO THIS. THE THING WITH THIS SURG. IS NOT SO MUCH THE TAKING OFF (WE HAVE ALL DONE THAT) IT'S THE KEEPING OFF THIS THE SLEEVE DOES FOR US. I TRIED THE BAND AND IT WAS NOT WORKING FOR ME, THE SLEEVE HAS SAVED MY LIFE. I AM AT MY GOAL AND FEEL WONDERFUL. NO HEALTH PROBLEMS. NO FOOD ISSUES. YOU DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND WE ARE HERE . CHEERS