How much more are you planning on losing?

[southernmom]

I am 7 months post surgery and have lost 70 pounds. When I had my 6 month appointment with my surgeon, he said that I was considered a success by his standards because I'd lost 78% of my excess body weight. (He says that their goal is 70%.) I have been very careful to watch my diet, in fact I don't think of how I eat as a diet at all, it's just how I eat. Anyway, I'd like to lose 30 more pounds if I'm able to, but if not, it's okay because I feel great. Because of my height, (5'7") 173 pounds really looks dramatically thinner. I've gone from a size 24 to a size 14. Because I didn't tell anyone about my surgery, people are beginning to ask how much more am I planning to lose. (Like it's any of their business anyway.) I just tell them that I am not on a diet, but have made a lifestyle change. In reality, I'm just wondering if anyone has had to deal with these types of questions and how do you respond?

[Shirl]

Great to hear from you! Congratulations!!! That's awesome! I have been losing so slowly that no one really says anything anymore.

I feel great too, and I am like you (just under 5'7" and 170ish) I also would like to lose another 30lbs. I know it will be discipline and sweat and tears from here on.

Did you ever make it to L.A.? How was your vacation?

[DesertGal]

Congratulations on your weight loss! I have lost 78 pounds total since December when I started the weight loss required nutrtition classes, and 36 since surgery in March. I am very happy with the results right now, but would like to drop another 20 if I can. I am 5"8 and went from a size 22 down to (it varies on manufacturer) size 8/10 in athletic shorts and am now in "L" tops (compared to 2x and 3x). I have completely changed my eating habits over the last 5 months, and am now just beginning to eat food again and am not worried about eating the wrong things, so I know more weight will come off.

I have come to realize I can't listen to anything my surgeon recommends (along with his nutritionist) because everything I hear from them both is SO opposite of things I read up on pertaining to after surgery. (I can compile a novella on the subject!)

I think as long as you keep on track, you will lose what you want to lose. That's how I am going from here on out.
Oh, and I wasn't going to share with anyone about my surgery, at all (besides my husband, kids) and then at 2 weeks post op, I had posted a picture and all my fb people commented on 'What are you doing? How are you losing so much?" I am not a good liar and knew if I started omitting things ( like having surgery), I'd look like a giant bufoon when it got out. So I blogged about it on my blog site, posted it to fb and am SO happy I did. I have gotten so much support from everyone, and have opened up dialogue about WLS and obesity. For me, it was the right move.

[Christie13]

That is awesome. Did you ever think you would hear success and weight loss in the same sentence about yourself?? I know I wouldn't have. As for the questions, I do get them a lot. I am only 4'11" so the weight loss on me is pretty drastic. (64 lbs post op and 84 lbs total) I tell people I have become more active because I walk a mile twice a day on my 2 breaks (which is true) and I eat a predominantly low carb lifestyle (also true). I have also said I work out at home...another truth. I do not share that I have had the surgery. I feel it is my business and I do not want to be judged. This is my personal decision to keep it to myself. I have told my very close friends and family and they are all supportive. When people ask me about how much I intend to lose I tell them that I am just trying to live a healthy lifestyle and not actively trying to lose weight. (Which is easy to say now since I figure I will only lose a few more pounds from here.) I do emphasize that it is not about weight loss for me but being active and eating healthy. And most people drop it at that. I mean, how can you argue with that logic?

[azladyrider]

Exactly! There were quite a few people that I did tell privately - it wasn't so much the surgery it was the location of it being in Mexico that I just didn't wanna hear the lectures about. But anyway if people that only knew me slightly through the biker events saw me and commented I'd tell them I had the sleeve done. Never forget one nite a very close friend was sitting next to me and overheard me tell this guy and she later asked why I did tell him. I said ya know? # 1 I am not a liar and # 2 I know you are sitting right there listening to the conversation so I would feel like a total fraud and hypocrite if I said "Oh yeah I am eating better" which of course I was and still am but that wasn't the only reason I was losing weight.
The funny thing out of this was I would hint at what I had done on FB but if there were people reading my comments that I didn't really know I wouldn't flat out say it. One day I finally did and OMG I got no less than 7 people private messaging me for details, where when how much etc. All 7 have now had it done plus a few spouses of those 7 - some make it known and some don't ... so be it. Not up to me to call them out.

Congratulations on your weight loss! I have lost 78 pounds total since December when I started the weight loss required nutrtition classes, and 36 since surgery in March. I am very happy with the results right now, but would like to drop another 20 if I can. I am 5"8 and went from a size 22 down to (it varies on manufacturer) size 8/10 in athletic shorts and am now in "L" tops (compared to 2x and 3x). I have completely changed my eating habits over the last 5 months, and am now just beginning to eat food again and am not worried about eating the wrong things, so I know more weight will come off.

I have come to realize I can't listen to anything my surgeon recommends (along with his nutritionist) because everything I hear from them both is SO opposite of things I read up on pertaining to after surgery. (I can compile a novella on the subject!)

I think as long as you keep on track, you will lose what you want to lose. That's how I am going from here on out.
Oh, and I wasn't going to share with anyone about my surgery, at all (besides my husband, kids) and then at 2 weeks post op, I had posted a picture and all my fb people commented on 'What are you doing? How are you losing so much?" I am not a good liar and knew if I started omitting things ( like having surgery), I'd look like a giant bufoon when it got out. So I blogged about it on my blog site, posted it to fb and am SO happy I did. I have gotten so much support from everyone, and have opened up dialogue about WLS and obesity. For me, it was the right move.

[sraebaer]

My goal was a normal BMI. Got there, but I'm at the high end of normal. I would love to lose 10 more pounds this summer.

[tinman]

The best answer is always the truth.

So...I always tell them the truth, but, only enough of the truth to shut them up.

Here's what I tell them.

I did it the old fashioned way. Portion Control and Exercise.

For 99% of folks, that will shut them up. I remember every time I saw someone I knew who had lost significant weight, I would want to know what their secret was. I was thinking that they discovered some easy way to lose weight and I wanted to know what that was. I wasn't interested in digging into their personal lives. Most folks feel the same way.

For those that want details, I will give them details if I feel like it.

For most of us, we either know someone who was sleeved prior to our doing it, or, we know someone who knows someone. That's how we became interested. If the person is obese, I always tell them how I did it. If they are skinny to begin with, then I know that they are just prying. I will always take the time to talk to someone who is hopelessly obese because I remember just how helpless I felt prior to getting sleeved.

[kenson]

I didn't tell my family I was having surgery until the week before--husband (now ex-husband) included. Afterwards, I told my close friends and close colleagues. If you were just an acquaintance, I said that I was eating right and exercising.

[ghost_ryder]

I have never hid it from anyone. I never saw it as a detriment or a negative thing.

Some people have asked me some of those questions to and depending on my mood a give an answer. Just Sunday a person at church that I had not seen in about a year asked if I was OK. "of course, it is on purpose." Her response was that I looked good and congratulated me on my success then asked if I planned on losing anymore. My goal is another 15-20 pounds which is still overweight for a guy 6'2". I do however say if I did not lose another pound I am perfectly happy. Since I am doing a lot of work in the gym, I am holding pretty steady for the last couple of months but more importantly my waist size is shrinking. Men often face more health issues if your waist size is 40" or over. I just want to be comfortably below 40". More a normal size than being supersized.

Long story short, I think if you tell people that you are happy and not actively trying to lose more they will drop it and move on.

[azladyrider]

I honestly had never considered having surgery until a friend mentioned a mutual friend going to Mexico for the lapband and that set the wheels in my mind going.

The best answer is always the truth.

So...I always tell them the truth, but, only enough of the truth to shut them up.

Here's what I tell them.

I did it the old fashioned way. Portion Control and Exercise.

For 99% of folks, that will shut them up. I remember every time I saw someone I knew who had lost significant weight, I would want to know what their secret was. I was thinking that they discovered some easy way to lose weight and I wanted to know what that was. I wasn't interested in digging into their personal lives. Most folks feel the same way.

For those that want details, I will give them details if I feel like it.

For most of us, we either know someone who was sleeved prior to our doing it, or, we know someone who knows someone. That's how we became interested. If the person is obese, I always tell them how I did it. If they are skinny to begin with, then I know that they are just prying. I will always take the time to talk to someone who is hopelessly obese because I remember just how helpless I felt prior to getting sleeved.

[southernmom]

I'm from Louisiana, not L.A., perhaps you have me confused with someone else. I did go on vacation, and I lost two pounds! I think I do better when I'm out of my regular routine. Eating out is actually easy because I usually order a grilled meat and veggie or salad and I'm actively on the go without having to think about exercising. My family wants to go on a cruise in the future, and I thought the food aspect would be an issue, but not anymore. I plan on sticking to my eating plan and hopefully I'll lose there too.

[Ann2]

southernmom, I love your last post. Just do your thing -- the thing that benefits your health and your goals. Let everyone else do their thing.

Re your initial post, I think your own weight loss goal really depends on things like your height, your proportions, how much you are comfortable eating (or not eating) when you reach your goal, etc. I'm going to bet, however, that you will wind up losing quite a bit more weight -- again, that depends on your height.

I never ever thought I'd wind up weighing 135 pounds. It still feels like a miracle. When I first got here I felt VERY skinny. TOO skinny. Your mind / eyes play funny tricks on you when you have not been at a normal weight for the last 40 years. But let me tell you -- I feel VERY normal-sized now. And not at all too skinny (I'm 5'5" tall).

That's a long-winded way of saying don't trust your feelings about what's too skinny when you first get there. Your brain and eyes will eventually catch up with your dress size. And eventually others will get used to the new you, too. And if they don't, that's not your problem.

Congratulations on your wonderful progress.

[kenson]

I'm from Louisiana, not L.A., perhaps you have me confused with someone else. I did go on vacation, and I lost two pounds! I think I do better when I'm out of my regular routine. Eating out is actually easy because I usually order a grilled meat and veggie or salad and I'm actively on the go without having to think about exercising. My family wants to go on a cruise in the future, and I thought the food aspect would be an issue, but not anymore. I plan on sticking to my eating plan and hopefully I'll lose there too.

When I went on a cruise last year, I lost 5 lbs. when I got home! I went to the gym every morning and walked around like crazy. I also watched what I ate. I just stuck to protein and didn't go crazy on the desserts!

[GigiUSA]

I'm not telling the people in my life about my surgery right now because I am about 3 weeks pre-op and like azLadyrider, it is more about having my surgery in Mexico than anything else. I also feel like this is just something I am doing for myself. Having such a large family... it's like I am taking the reins of my own life and it is really not about anyone else... and I don't want to deal with their opinions... blah, blah, blah!!! LOL I believe honesty is the best policy too.. so afterwards, I definitely won't hide that I had sleeve surgery. In fact, everyone in my social circle will notice that I am not "celebrating" all the time and wonder if an alien has taken over my body. I really like Tinman's suggestions to give people just enough info to shut them down.. or at least to discern who you are talking to and what they really want from their questions about your weight-loss.

From where I am standing... I CAN'T WAIT to have that problem. I am so ready to get to the other side with all you veterans!

[kenson]

I'm not telling the people in my life about my surgery right now because I am about 3 weeks pre-op and like azLadyrider, it is more about having my surgery in Mexico than anything else. I also feel like this is just something I am doing for myself. Having such a large family... it's like I am taking the reins of my own life and it is really not about anyone else... and I don't want to deal with their opinions... blah, blah, blah!!! LOL I believe honesty is the best policy too.. so afterwards, I definitely won't hide that I had sleeve surgery. In fact, everyone in my social circle will notice that I am not "celebrating" all the time and wonder if an alien has taken over my body. I really like Tinman's suggestions to give people just enough info to shut them down.. or at least to discern who you are talking to and what they really want from their questions about your weight-loss.

From where I am standing... I CAN'T WAIT to have that problem. I am so ready to get to the other side with all you veterans!

OMG! This was me exactly! I didn't want to hear anyone's opinions or fears. I had done my research and made up my mind--I didn't need anyone to dissuade me. You do what you feel is the best FOR YOU!