I went in for another one of my appointments today, this time with the nurse coordinator. She seemed surprised that I had been able to lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks and said "most people struggle to lose the excess weight." I'm a dieting pro. I've lost the same frigging 80-100 lbs for two darn decades. They've got me on a low carb diet of no more than 60 net grams (essentially protein and veggies). I'm drinking more than 64 ounces of water per day and walking. I'm following every last rule they laid out for me. Losing has never been my issue, maintaining has. That, of course, set off a cascade of guilt about this choice. If I can lose so easily, do I even need this? Yadda yadda yadda. Anyone else feel like this? I realize my BMI is only 39-40ish, but golly... I don't know why, but the comment just sorta hit me the wrong way.

When I first met my surgeon and he asked why I wanted the surgery, I told him that I'm not here to tell you I can't lose weight. I've lost hundreds of pounds. I just keep finding them again. I need help to maintain. After years of failure, I thought this was my best chance.

I'm also a dieting "pro". My bmi was 35.

This has made it a million times easier to lose weight without hunger pains or needing to cheat or anything I'm only roughly 6 months out but I went from 5'10 245 to 166 in that time period. By the end of May I'll be the lightest I've been since I was a teenager.

Could I have lost the weight, yes totally I've done it before (although soon I'll be in uncharted waters). Could I have kept it off? Almost certainly not. And would I constantly have been hungry miserable and forced to cheat or turn to weight loss products probably.

The surgery has turned my cycle of horrible yoyoing into something long term and sustainable while allowing me to enjoy my quality of life instead of being miserable and hungry.

I'm also a dieting "pro". My bmi was 35.
This has made it a million times easier to lose weight without hunger pains or needing to cheat or anything I'm only roughly 6 months out but I went from 5'10 245 to 166 in that time period. By the end of May I'll be the lightest I've been since I was a teenager.
Could I have lost the weight, yes totally I've done it before (although soon I'll be in uncharted waters). Could I have kept it off? Almost certainly not. And would I constantly have been hungry miserable and forced to cheat or turn to weight loss products probably.
The surgery has turned my cycle of horrible yoyoing into something long term and sustainable while allowing me to enjoy my quality of life instead of being miserable and hungry.

I look forward to following your success. I just started the process and have similar stats

8 minutes ago, GizzlyKitten said:

I look forward to following your success. I just started the process and have similar stats

Well I'm a guy, so I'm not sure if the end goal for us is similar. But so far it's been fantastic. I've lost almost everything I originally anticipated quite quickly. I'll probably move the goal forward a big and see if another 10-15 pounds is possible. I imagine it is with patience but who knows.

Definitely worthwhile, and would certainly do again

Well I'm a guy, so I'm not sure if the end goal for us is similar. But so far it's been fantastic. I've lost almost everything I originally anticipated quite quickly. I'll probably move the goal forward a big and see if another 10-15 pounds is possible. I imagine it is with patience but who knows.

Definitely worthwhile, and would certainly do again

Good luck! I wish you all the success[emoji1]

YES. my bmi hovers in the 39-41 range. Maintaining is so hard for me as well. I had people tell me I look “fine” and maybe surgery is extreme for me. I’m 5’ and 205 lb. I carry most of my weight in my belly area which is very bad. I’m going forward with the process because I know my body and that I need help to lose and keep the weight off. Just get that nagging insecurity about my size. I was the “smallest” person at my Options orientation and didn’t get a questionnaire packet because the instructor thought I was there to support someone. I feel stuck in the middle and like I don’t belong anywhere. It’s rough. [emoji20]

Oh yeah, my surgeon calls his low BMI patients (35-39) dieting pros. He said we have no problem losing, just can’t maintain. LoL he is right!

I had VSG on 4/16. My starting weight was 241, surgery weight was 229 and 16 days post op, I am 214. I am 5’6 and 37 years old. Started with a BMI of 38 and it is 34 today.


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
BMI: 37
VSG: 4/16/18
GW: 160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR

8 minutes ago, jackiesays said:

YES. my bmi hovers in the 39-41 range. Maintaining is so hard for me as well. I had people tell me I look “fine” and maybe surgery is extreme for me. I’m 5’ and 205 lb. I carry most of my weight in my belly area which is very bad. I’m going forward with the process because I know my body and that I need help to lose and keep the weight off. Just get that nagging insecurity about my size. I was the “smallest” person at my Options orientation and didn’t get a questionnaire packet because the instructor thought I was there to support someone. I feel stuck in the middle and like I don’t belong anywhere. It’s rough.

1

This is EXACTLY the way I feel... Like I shouldn't be there. But it's not a matter of if, but when. Sure, I can wait and just continue to have more health issues (I now have GERD, high BP, prediabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea) and get bigger (which will happen) or take control of my health now.

This is EXACTLY the way I feel... Like I shouldn't be there. But it's not a matter of if, but when. Sure, I can wait and just continue to have more health issues (I now have GERD, high BP, prediabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea) and get bigger (which will happen) or take control of my health now.

Yas! I just feel like I am constantly being guilted because I am in this program. Being in this gray area sucks... i definitely felt out of place at my options class. Had me kind of making my double chin more pronounced and make my belly look bigger so i feel like I belong in the class lol. Then when I go out I am constantly sucking it in. I’ve started accepting my body type as is and that what everyone thinks about whether i fit in or not is not my problem. I know my struggle and what needs to be done. I know you do too.

I think many of us that made the decision to have surgery have lost weight only to regain and have issues maintaining the loss.

As a nurse coordinator for a bariatric program I am sure the lady that made that comment sees a lot of patients that do struggle pre op to lose weight....whether it is through too many “food funerals”, medical issues, or plain just not taking the pre op diet seriously in the beginning. She was maybe surprised to see someone lose that much because it is rare, but a good rare. Just playing devils advocate here.

At any rate keep up the good work. Any professional in bariatrics is glad to see you succeed before or after surgery I hope!

1 hour ago, TexasMommy80 said:

Oh yeah, my surgeon calls his low BMI patients (35-39) dieting pros. He said we have no problem losing, just can’t maintain. LoL he is right!

I had VSG on 4/16. My starting weight was 241, surgery weight was 229 and 16 days post op, I am 214. I am 5’6 and 37 years old. Started with a BMI of 38 and it is 34 today.


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
BMI: 37
VSG: 4/16/18
GW: 160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR

So, this really isn't me, which freaks me out: If I CAN'T lose weight pre-surgery, does that carry on? Time will tell, since I had surgery 3/14....

Maintenance really IS the issue.

The surgery is not a magic bullet. You will be able to eat yourself fat again.

To me...the biggest step was creating a forever diet I could live with forever....and this is one of the reasons I would not work with a program that does low carb, high protein.

Took a while to find a program that worked with my preferred diet (Mayo Clinic Diet)...but I found one...and I'm enjoying compatible ideas with my team.

I think it's really important. And I think it's important to build a forever diet.

2 hours ago, Apple203 said:

So, this really isn't me, which freaks me out: If I CAN'T lose weight pre-surgery, does that carry on? Time will tell, since I had surgery 3/14....

Of course not

The surgery itself helps you lose weight

Although I think someone who can lose weight pre-surgery would have an easier time, I imagine both have success.

I also think the people who can lose weight easier presurgery, are probably mostly typically younger and healthier in general.

But the whole point of the surgery is to make it easier to lose and maintain weight, so anyone would benefit

So, this really isn't me, which freaks me out: If I CAN'T lose weight pre-surgery, does that carry on? Time will tell, since I had surgery 3/14....

This it totally for you! You have this!


Age: 37
Height: 5’6
BMI: 37
VSG: 4/16/18
GW: 160
MFP: Fit4LifeAR