I've been reading a lot of articles, as I'm sure most of you have. But I am a little concerned that most of the ones on gastric sleeve surgery say that it aids patients in losing 50-70% of excess weight. Why not 100%?

I have read the success stories, the goal weights reached, and it seems like it is possible to lose 100% of excess weight. But is it really possible for everyone? Even me?

I don't only want to lose 'some' weight. I want to be rid of the extra weight my body does not need or like.

Its most definitely possible to lose 100% of your excess weight. So far I've lost 106%. Those numbers are just the average. For every person that loses 100%, there's someone else out there only losing 30-40% of their excess weight. Ever watch "my 600 pound life"? There was one episode with a 500+ pound woman who only lost like 30 pounds 10 months after bypass. She refused to follow her postop meal plan. Cases like her's definitely lowers the statistical average.

How much you lose and keep off is entirely up to you and how committed you are to sticking to a new, healthy lifestyle and making smart food choices for the rest of your life.

Hi Kindle, I have a question for you. Your tickers show you had your surgery 3 weeks ago and you've lost 89 lbs. How is that possible? Am I missing something? I had my surgery the same day as you and am trying to be happy with (only) 23 lbs lost and trust that the weight will start coming off again soon. Were you maybe a revision person?

I'm about 60% of the way to my goal and even if I didn't make the goal, my life has improved SO much with even this much weight loss.

I just got back my bloodwork from my PCP and my cholesterol, sugars, and blood pressure are all now within normal range.

Getting to 100% of my excess weight loss would be great, but there are SO many non-scale victories along the way. Not to mention the years you're adding to your life!

Peace be with you!

i dig your peace be with you. we should all say that more often in this world!

Thank you, everyone. I have to admit that since my decision to do this (3 weeks ago), it has been a whirlwind, with surgery now only a week away in Tijuana. I'm stressing out a little today.

Can I ask another question? Is it just the fact that you have a smaller stomach and will consume less food that accounts for the weight loss, or is there more to it than that? I'm not trying to make it more complicated than that, but I feel like there's more to the story. Maybe I'm asking, what is it about gastric sleeve surgery that makes it work?

I'm a regular exerciser, and plan to continue with that, so I can't see that being an issue.

Hello BarnGirl,

It is not only the reduction in the stomach size but removing a large portion of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone Ghrelin that aids in weight loss. With less Ghrelin being produced you do not feel hunger the same as before surgery. When you eat your small portions you will feel sated.

-Maryerin

they arent 100% sure how the surgery works exactly. part of to is the restriction, part of it seems to be some sort of metabolic reset that tells your body to start burning fat like mad.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/24670636/

Interesting @@moonlitestarbrite - that does help, too. Thank you.

My surgeon expects me to lose at least 100 lbs due to the surgery. As of this morning I've lost 69 (3.5 months post op - not to mention what I lost pre-op). I'm pretty sure I can blow past that and get down to 150. I'm in the gym 5x a week. I swim, I lift weights, do all kinds of cardio. I take a class once a week. And I track everything I eat. I am committed and will lose this weight. This is my last chance at a normal healthy, diabetes free life. I've spent too many years abusing my poor body. Now is time to own it and make amends.

Edited August 19, 201411 yr by Forsythia

They are just covering themselves with realistic conservative numbers. I bet active members on this sight lose a lot more than that. being surrounded by such awesome success stories will keep you motivated....