Hi everyone! So I just visited my psychologist today, and she is the obligatory psych visit that some insurances require in order to get approved for surgery. She was telling me to realistically expect to lose only 60-65% of EXCESS weight after the gastric sleeve. THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT MY SURGEON AND ASSISTING DOCTOR HAVE TOLD ME! I am currently a female, 280lbs right now, 5'7. And if someone would ask what my goal weight would be, I would say around 140-150lbs. Also I use to be a lap band patient, and my lowest that I had gotten down was at 218, and started at 297. The psych today was telling me to realistically expect me to be a shy under 200 pounds with the sleeve. I'm sorry but please tell me that this beyotch is WRONG. That really discouraged me. How much is the most weight that some of you have lost? Have you guys hit your goal weight, or are close to it? Any answers would help.

@BurBur this was so well said! Congrats on the amazing success you’ve had.

Your psychologist is correct, and also being responsible in telling you that 60% of excess weight is the average expectancy. She’s also not a “beeyotch” - she’s a medical professional allowing you to make a factual decision based on statistics. If it doesn’t match with your expectations, then re-examine your expectations because those are the facts. Basing expectations on hope or aspirations is not a winning strategy.

Many of us here have lost that 60% or more. We’re a self-selecting success group and overrespresent in the bariatric pool, since those who didn’t lose what they expected are less likely to spend much time in a community like this one. Similarly, the “this is how you achieve 60%+ loss” advice is coming from that same biased pool, which might indicate correlation rather than causation. Not saying the advice is wrong, just that it’s not foolproof.

If the 60% metric is actually changing the way you think about the surgery, then it’s a good thing you heard it now.

9 hours ago, sideeye said:

Many of us here have lost that 60% or more. We’re a self-selecting success group and overrespresent in the bariatric pool, since those who didn’t lose what they expected are less likely to spend much time in a community like this one.

I think this is something to keep in mind (like really keeping in the mind): "self-selecting success group", especially when it comes to the old timers.

How many not-successful old timers are there writing regularly on the boards? Not many, if any.

Sometimes someone with regain after several years of having WLS pops up but they never seem to stick around for long, only for a few posts (and I can absolutely understand why they don't want to hang around).

21 hours ago, sideeye said:

We’re a self-selecting success group and overrespresent in the bariatric pool, since those who didn’t lose what they expected are less likely to spend much time in a community like this one. Similarly, the “this is how you achieve 60%+ loss” advice is coming from that same biased pool, which might indicate correlation rather than causation.

If you remove the WLS from this post you are talking about Social Media in general and our current culture. Self selecting for the only the outcomes we agree with.

So much truth in that post

When I went to talk to my surgeon, he asked me what I wanted my weight to be. It is half of what I started out as. He told me it was completely doable. 265 down to 130ish. The 60% loss is just an average. If you want it, work at it. Of course I am just starting out, so I can't tell you I've done it. But he also told me that he had to go in and fix someones sleeve because the person went home and ate a full thanksgiving dinner and busted her stitches. So... There are those who can't do it. They are the ones who only lose the little amount.

1 hour ago, jesseycakes said:

...he had to go in and fix someones sleeve because the person went home and ate a full thanksgiving dinner and busted her stitches. So... There are those who can't do it. They are the ones who only lose the little amount...

Sorry if I'd been on call that night I would have been pissed. Off. Royally. Would not have said a word outside my head, but inside? Baaaaby! A terrible place to be indeed!

Edited December 18, 20187 yr by LadySin

It shows just how strong food addiction really is. It's a bit like seeing a patient smoking a cigarette the day after he lost part of his leg due to arteriosclerosis.

Everyone is different it all matters what weight you start at and how committed you are .I started at 217 I’m going into my 8th Month down 70 lbs .Went from a 16 w to an 8 but prefer a 10 for the fit .

On 12/17/2018 at 1:24 AM, sideeye said:

If the 60% metric is actually changing the way you think about the surgery, then it’s a good thing you heard it now.

These 60-%-studies are also usually about longer time spans, e. g. 5 years. That's a (maybe quite depressing) thing to remember as well.

I am 48, 5’5” and I was 255 lbs at my highest. I lost 21 lbs before surgery on May 9, 2018 and I am now around 153, give or take a lb. I want to get to 145 but I was slowed down by a bum knee and also the holidays. My surgeon just said I am a super responder, so I think I have lost more than most.