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% Excess Body Weight Loss Based on STARTING BMI



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The personal weight tracking system I used is based on % of excess weight loss. 165 would be at approximately 25 BMI, which is on the high end of normal.

I am not sure if I will get there, but it's useful to track access weight.

This is what the table looks like for me so far. The pre-op diet is counted as 1 week (although it was 10 days - I was not tracking my weight rigorously then).

The table is below, and an image of the table is attached.

Date Week Weight Cum Loss Weekly Loss Monthly Loss Tgt Weight Excess Weight % of Excess Weight Loss
5/12/2017 0 335 165 170
5/27/2017 1 319 16 16 154
6/3/2017 2 308.6 26.4 10.4 29 143.6 15.53%
6/10/2017 3 301 34 7.6 136 20.00%
6/17/2017 4 294.8 40.2 6.2 129.8 23.65%
6/24/2017 5 290 45 4.8 125 26.47%
7/1/2017 6 288.6 46.4 1.4 12.6 123.6 27.29%
7/8/2017 7 284.2 50.8 4.4 119.2 29.88%
7/15/2017 8 280.4 54.6 3.8 115.4 32.12%
7/22/2017 9 277.4 57.6 3 112.4 33.88%
7/29/2017 10 273.4 61.6 4 10.4 108.4 36.24%
8/5/2017 11 272.6 62.4 0.8 107.6 36.71%
8/12/2017 12 269.4 65.6 3.2 104.4 38.59%
8/19/2017 13 267 68 2.4 102 40.00%
8/26/2017 14 259.8 75.2 7.2 12.8 94.8 44.24%
9/2/2017 15 257.4 77.6 2.4 92.4 45.65%
9/9/2017 16 255.4 79.6 2 90.4 46.82%
9/16/2017 17 254.2 80.8 1.2 89.2 47.53%
9/23/2017 18 251 84 3.2 13.4 86 49.41%
9/30/2017 19 250.4 84.6 0.6 85.4 49.76%
10/7/2017 20 245.6 89.4 4.8 80.6 52.59%
10/14/2017 21 240.8 94.2 4.8 75.8 55.41%

tracking.jpg

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Apple, thank you so much for this! This is AWESOME!

The chart is results after gastric bypass, and basically proves that % excess weight loss is not applicable across the board, that % starting weight lost is much more applicable.

Essentially, those who have a BMI over 40 can expect to lose approximately 38-41% of their starting body weight. 40% makes for a nice round number.

So for me, I started at 305lbs, so 305 x .6 = 183lbs (goal weight)

Now, I had the sleeve, not bypass, so this may be underestimating my final weight by a little bit. But it gives a ballpark, and I'm comfortable with that.

People that start at less than 40bmi only lose about 33% of their starting weights. But, ultimately, they pretty much lose all their excess weight. THIS fact is especially exciting, because it is more similar to what happens with bariatric rats. Rats are only just so obese, and when they get bypassed, they tend to lose all their excess weight. Now we see that it's a function of not having rats fat enough to mimic our morbidly and super morbidly obese humans.

Thanks again for posting this!!!

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I found it surfing around for projections for resolving co-morbidities -- the closer your BMI to healthy, the more co-morbidities are gone. I want to put sleep apnea behind me! Its geek-swoon-worthy, right?? :-)

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I have seen a bunch of articles that were feeling around for that chart's info, but none of them really came close. There were a few that indicated a loss of a certain percentage initial body weight was a good possibility, but nowhere have I seen those large %ages of excess weight lost. Where on earth did the oft-quoted 70% even come from?

I wish you luck in resolving your sleep apnea. Since neck circumference is a risk factor, you'd think weight loss should help. I haven't come across anything that mentions it, one way or the other.

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I am a medical professional and I would say to stay away from the traditional BMI chart. It does not take into consideration body type or percent of lean muscle. I use the meter my trainer has which tells me I am at 23% body fat. That might sound like a big number but professional athletes and marathon runners are in the teens, so take that into consideration and I will go with it.

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Following up on Waler's post, here's an "acceptable" goal for % fat:

  • Men 18-25%
  • Women 25-31%

Article also suggests waist to hip ratio (<0.80) and waist to height ratio (waist = half of height) are also good for determining weight loss goals.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/obesity/waist-to-hip-height.php

Edited by Apple203

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I am gonna be one pissed puppy if I go into surgery, rearrange my innerds, and only come out of this dance at 172-173lbs. :blink::angry:

I used 287 x .6 = 172.2lbs. Grrrrr! *grumpy*

So if I'm extra diligent can I do better than this chart?

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Fluffy, its just the average. Have you ever been average in your life? I didnt think so. Go out there and beat the odds!

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37 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

I am gonna be one pissed puppy if I go into surgery, rearrange my innerds, and only come out of this dance at 172-173lbs. :blink::angry:

I used 287 x .6 = 172.2lbs. Grrrrr! *grumpy*

So if I'm extra diligent can I do better than this chart?

This board is full of people that surpass the averages. Fingers crossed that we can join them, Fluff. I like to have a solid, realistic goal.. and when I get there, then move the bar lower. Who knows.. maybe we'll be thrilled with 170 or 180! Lol.

What I don't want to do is convince myself that 150 will come easily, then beat myself up if I don't get there.

Keep in mind, the nadir weights on that chart are at 28 months postop on average.. so weight can continue coming off for well over a year postop.

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1 minute ago, Berry78 said:

This board is full of people that surpass the averages. Fingers crossed that we can join them, Fluff. I like to have a solid, realistic goal.. and when I get there, then move the bar lower. Who knows.. maybe we'll be thrilled with 170 or 180! Lol.

What I don't want to do is convince myself that 150 will come easily, then beat myself up if I don't get there.

Keep in mind, the nadir weights on that chart are at 28 months postop on average.. so weight can continue coming off for well over a year postop.

Yeah I hear ya! We can doooooooo eeeeeettttt! LOL. I'm so bad that I can't look at my "end game." I can only focus on the present decade goal or I will lose it and get so discouraged. LOL. So as far as I'm concerned my one job is to break through these effin 230's lol! Even though 170 still seems heavy to me...I'd prolly tear it up to be 170 again. :) For just a week, I'd like to be small enough to be carried around in someone's backpack. hehe. (My super top secret goal is 135-140lbs. I was told I'm an idiot and that I will look like a raisin--a very white--very old--slightly moldy raisin. Good times.)

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(Happy Dance goes here) As of yesterday BF % is down to 20.3% shooting for 18%

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