Rapid weight loss

[Grammy2s&c]

Hi!

I have a lot of weight to lose. I'm worried about losing really fast. I've heard it's not good. I'm really afraid of what my body and appearance are going to look like. I'm 53 and not getting younger. Any insight?

[Dutchie]

Everybody looses at his/hers own pace and there is nothing you can do about it.
Your body will dictate the rules for a while and there is no way of telling what your pace will be.
Just sit back and enjoy.
No point in worrying about something you can't change.
Que sera, sera.

[Stacey03]

I agree with Dutchie, it will be what it is. Loosing any large amount of weight will leave you with at least some lose skin, maybe even loosing without a sleeve and a large amount of weight does too. But you will gain many other benefits..

[sraebaer]

You will lose weight. You will look great and get healthy! Why worry about how fast or slow you will lose? Everyone loses at their own pace, and there's nothing "bad" about losing fast or slow. But everyone loses when they follow the guidelines. Get excited, you are about to change your life. It's time to be thrilled, not worried!

I started at 56 and now feel a whole lot younger 5 years later. Age has nothing to do with it.

[hookydad]

Agreed, your body will dictate it's own pace. Just follow the rules to a T and things will happen as they are supposed to. It is SOOOO worth it. Start changing your mindset prior to surgery and the rest will flow smooth like butter!!

[KiwiGal]

As above, your body will dictate the rate of weight loss.
All I can tell you is that any loss, fast or slow, is a wonderful thing.
I had my surgery just before I turned 55. I am down 61 kg and have quite a bit of loose skin. Not prepared to do anything about it at the moment as good shape wear sorts it out and I think I look ok from the outside :-)
If a bit of extra skin is the only slight negative then I will take it because the positives sooooooo outweigh this. I'm happier, healthier and have more energy and excitement in my life then ever before.

[Ann2]

I was sleeved at age 68. I had 100 pounds to lose ... but didn't lose all that fast (see my weight loss stats in my signature block below). It took me 18 pounds to lose it all (the last 15 pounds took 9 months to go away).

I don't know how much weight you have to lose (you haven't posted your pre-op weight yet), but just know that this surgery offers you the opportunity to change your life dramatically. I haven't had any post-op body or other plastic surgeries. And everything turned out looking a whole lot better than it looked pre-op.

The most important thing is how you feel! And how you can do all the things you haven't been able to do for decades! And the excitement and joy and fun you get to have when you're able to move much more ably than you could pre-op.

The surgery doesn't fix everything. You really must commit to becoming the person you want to be and learning and living the new lifestyle that makes that possible. But it is so very much more possible to do that after WLS than before WLS.

Make a list of all the things you want to do / be / experience after you lose your excess weight. And focus on those things. That really could become you and your life.

As others here will tell you, a positive attitude is critical to your long-term success. Join in. Read. Journal. Do whatever supports your self-care. Put you and your needs first -- maybe for the first time in your life!

Welcome.

[Healthyangel]

Hello. I agree, you will lose as fast as your body wants. I am 10.5 months post surgery and have lost 112 lbs. My weight loss has slowed but still moving. I am in my 60s and just made sure I followed the food guidelines, I take all my vitamins, and I walk a lot. I lost weight quickly, but have felt fine, and have been lucky to not have too much extra skin. I am almost to my personal goal weight, lower than suggested goal weight, but I want some room to build muscle and not be over suggested goal weight.

This has been the best decision I ever made.

Be sure to keep a positive attitude, and don't judge your weight loss based on others. We all lose differently. Good luck.

[Christie13]

Some saggy skin is better than living in a fat suit. For most people the skin issue isn't too bad. But hey...ultimately it's your decision if you would rather be fat with health issues or thin, energetic, and healthy with some extra skin.

[Grammy2s&c]

Thank you all so much for all your comments and encouraging words. I have about 150 pounds to lose and I know I will have a lot of hanging skin. I think it's much better to have hanging skin than be fat. I have my last nutrition appt in 5 days. They will submit for authorization, which should be about 2 weeks, then I get scheduled. It's about to become reality. Less than 2 months now! I love this site and thank you all so much!