Overly-ambitious Weight Loss Goal?

[goldenraisin214 142]

I had many of my pre op appts yesterday, and when the psychologist asked me about a goal, I said I wanted to lose about 100 pounds. He said that I might be being a little too ambitious, and that I would probably only lose about 60 pounds within the first year. But I didn't say I was wanting to lose 100lbs in the first year, that's just my ultimate goal. Am I being too optimistic? Is he just trying not to get my hopes up?

[RickM 1,747]

It depends in good part with where your starting point is - if you're 180 now, then 100lb is probably rather ambitious, but if 100lb is roughly the amount of excess weight that you are carrying, then it is quite a reasonable goal with the sleeve. There are many women on these boards who started out in the low-mid 200's and around 100lb to get to a "normal" BMI range for their height. I'm down close to 100 now after a little less than seven months, and within a few pounds of my goal.

That said, people do vary and some lose slower than others and some may have a hard time losing that much - it's hard to predict ahead of time. The overall averages for the sleeve are in the 70-75% excess weight loss range, but that's an average, and includes those who start at over 500lb and lose to 250-300 and are much healthier even though they may not be "normal" weight, it includes those who aren't compliant and eat the way they did before and come up short, and includes those who lose 100% or more of their excess.

In short, 100lb is quite do-able and not overly optimistic.

[goldenraisin214 142]

Thanks for putting this all in perspective, Rick. My official weight yesterday at the medical center was 239, so yes, I was thinking the same thing, that 100lbs would put me in the upper range of "normal." I was kind of surprised that he said that to me--maybe I was carrying the weight particularly well that day

[Penpen 28]

I don't think that's too ambitious. I know that everyone is different but with the sleeve, that kind of weight loss should be expected. When I was at my highest weight of 280 lbs. right before surgery, my excess weight was 150 lbs. I'm now just a little over 5 months post op and have already lost 83 lbs. I can't guarantee it but I would almost say for sure that once I'm one year post op, I will have lost 100% of my excess weight because I'm already more than half way to goal. Just saying!

[luv-a-bull 7]

I am currently 304 (312 at my highest) and had my preop appt yesterday. My Dr. said with hard work and exercise and my age (I am 23) that he thinks I could be around 150-160. That is like half of my body weight. If 140 is your Dr.'s recommended goal than I think it is completely doable and realistic based on the success stories I have seen.

When is your surgery? mine is 12-13. Good luck!

[feedyoureye 3,087]

My doc asked me if I would be happy losing 50 pounds. I said yes, but would be happy losing more too! I am at -83 so far, and believe that I can lose another 9 in the next 3 months. That puts me at the top half of my normal range. The stats say to expect 57-75% excess weight loss (around that) but you can see many who lose more than that on these boards. My doc also said you will lose until you stop losing, and that will be your weight! He doesn't want people to think they have failed if they lose less than their ultimate goal.

[goldenraisin214 142]

Thanks for the feedback! I have every intention of following the doctor's and nutritionist's plans, so hopefully I will be successful.

luv-a-bull, I don't have a date yet, but fingers crossed for january. good luck on the 13th--that's so close!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I've always said this, you can lose as much as you want with the sleeve. Of course, realistically speaking of course. It's seeming possible that you can lose 100 Lbs - just don't beat yourself up over it though!

[goldenraisin214 142]

Thanks lilmiss--i'm sure i'll be all over the boards getting (and giving)

support once i get going!

[clk 3,519]

I started at 242 and honestly felt I'd never reach my goal (-107 pounds, or 135) and tried to tell myself to just be happy if I could get down to 165 pounds.

I am a slower loser and it goes even slower the less I have to lose but I did surpass 100 down and I'm only 3 pounds from goal. It's definitely possible, you just have to be patient.

And don't be surprised if you feel like you could stop sooner, either. I had an "in my wildest dreams" goal of about 125 pounds but I really don't want to lose anything else after I hit 135 pounds. I'll be having plastic surgery in the future and I'd like to keep a few curves for myself, not to mention my poor husband!

Who knows, after plastics I might wind up closer to that 125 than I thought. Certainly my doctor would like me in the 120s due to my height but I honestly have very little actual weight left to lose!

You can definitely achieve 100 down. The question is how much can you do in one year? I'm a slowpoke but I was down 92 in one year. Trust me, I wasn't crying any tears of disappointment that I didn't hit the 100 mark! I was thrilled with my progress, and you will be, too.

Best of luck to you on this process. I can't wait to see your success!

~Cheri

[longer-life 139]

[quote name='clk' timestamp='1322917928' post= I'm a slowpoke but I was down 92 in one year. Trust me, I wasn't crying any tears of disappointment that I didn't hit the 100 mark! I was thrilled with my progress,

~Cheri

The question is how much can you do in one year? I'm a slowpoke but I was down 92 in one year. Trust me, I wasn't crying any tears of disappointment that I didn't hit the 100 mark! I was thrilled with my progress,

I love this! I see so many doing great, yet they are disappointed. It is sad sometimes. I hope a lot of people read this.