Low Bmi...how Much Can I Expect To Lose?

[Thinner Peace 24]

I am 5'2 and weigh 195. At my surgery date I should be right under a BMI of 35. My doctor said I should only be able to get down to 150 pounds, but that is still overweight for me. Is it realistic for me to think I can get to my goal weight of 135?

[Foxbins 625]

My BMI was 35.3, I think. I am 5'8" and started at 232. I have lost 95.5 lbs and now my BMI is 20.8. I feel fabulous. Your doctor is going by statistics--I firmly believe that if you are like the majority of VSG patients, you can lose all your excess weight if you have the patience to stick with Protein first. It gets boring, but so worth it in the end.

[Ready! 22]

Hi!

I'm 5'4" and weigh 200 pounds. My goal weight is also 135. My surgery is scheduled for the first week of July, super excited! We will probably lose slower than everyone else, but I don't think that 135 is an unrealistic goal for both of us. We will have to put forth effort!

[aliandrews 98]

You should definitely be able to do it.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

I am 5'6 and my stating weight was 223 lbs. Sevenonths layer I weight 150 lbs. I have passed my surgeons goal but my goal is 130 to 140 lbs. Weight loss is so slow that sometimes I doubt myself and eat things that are toxic for me. So I get back on track with Protein. I will always eat Proteins first and I really dislike breads now. Hope we all get to 130 lbs! We will!

[flourgirl 3]

I am 5'1 and was about 209 when I had surgery on March 9. I am about 166 right now -- so not quite 3 months. My goal is to be between 120-125. My doctor didn't bat an eye at that and I have no reason to think it is unattainable. At my thinnest I was 112 but that was in my 20s and before a kid. I'm not going to pretend I will be that weight again but I don't think 125 is out of reach. Keep in mind that if you work out and trade fat for muscle the scale may say a larger number but you may look/feel smaller because you are more toned -- muscle is denser than fat. I would go by how you feel not necessarily the number on the scale.

[DesertRat 32]

I've read stories on here of people with low BMIs experiencing very good results, even ending up at the lower end of the normal scale. My BMI at 36 is not that low so I have no idea of what to expect.

[CHELL 41]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm 5'8 1/2 and my starting weight was 245. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks post op and I've only lost a total of 30 lbs. 8 pre op and 22 post. I feel like I'm losing a lot slower than others and have a feeling that it's gonna take me a lot longer to get to goal. I'm so impatient! My goal is actually anywhere between 165-175. I haven't lost any weight in the last week but I'm eating so little I just don't understand it. If I think about it rationally I know that it has to come off eventually and I know all about the stalls, the body trying to hold on, etc. but my lack of patience is overwhelming sometimes. I have an irrational fear that I'll be the only one that went thru such drastic measures only to lose 30 lbs. Crazy I know. I don't think I'll feel better until I'm actually under 200.

[flourgirl 3]

Chell, look at it this way -- you have averaged losing 6lbs per week! When has that ever happened to you or anyone else doing a conventional diet? If you were doing WW, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, etc you would be over the moon about that weight loss per week. My average weekly loss is only 3.9lbs so I should be jealous of you! Hang in there. None of us gained the weight overnight and we won't lose it overnight but we will get there.

[alliegb3 112]

You can set ur goal to whatever u want! Stupid dr. I think your goal is appropriate, practical and achievable. It is up to you to hit it, and I have every confidence you will!

[Webchickadee 716]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm 5'8 1/2 and my starting weight was 245. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks post op and I've only lost a total of 30 lbs. 8 pre op and 22 post. I feel like I'm losing a lot slower than others and have a feeling that it's gonna take me a lot longer to get to goal. I'm so impatient! My goal is actually anywhere between 165-175. I haven't lost any weight in the last week but I'm eating so little I just don't understand it. If I think about it rationally I know that it has to come off eventually and I know all about the stalls, the body trying to hold on, etc. but my lack of patience is overwhelming sometimes. I have an irrational fear that I'll be the only one that went thru such drastic measures only to lose 30 lbs. Crazy I know. I don't think I'll feel better until I'm actually under 200.

You mentioned that you're "eating so little". That could be the problem! I know it doesn't sound like it makes sense....but try increasing your calories (with extra emphasis on protein). If your intake is too low, often your body thinks it is starving, and holds on to every calorie!

And of course, make sure you're getting at least 64 oz of water/liquid each day. The scale will start to move.

And finally, keep track of your measurements (start now, if you didn't take any before). You are most likely losing inches, even if the stupid scale isn't cooperating!

Keep the faith!

[CHELL 41]

Chell, look at it this way -- you have averaged losing 6lbs per week! When has that ever happened to you or anyone else doing a conventional diet? If you were doing WW, Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, etc you would be over the moon about that weight loss per week. My average weekly loss is only 3.9lbs so I should be jealous of you! Hang in there. None of us gained the weight overnight and we won't lose it overnight but we will get there.

Thanks flourgirl. Your absolutely right. The last time I lost 30 lbs. it took me MONTHS!!!! If I heard this story from someone else, I'd know exactly what to say to them. It's hard to take my own advice and think in a rational way when it's me. LOL

[RNYoYo 27]

My BMI was 35.3, I think. I am 5'8" and started at 232. I have lost 95.5 lbs and now my BMI is 20.8. I feel fabulous. Your doctor is going by statistics--I firmly believe that if you are like the majority of VSG patients, you can lose all your excess weight if you have the patience to stick with Protein first. It gets boring, but so worth it in the end.

[RNYoYo 27]

I am scheduled for my sleeve on May 5th. I'm very close to your original height and weight. I was wondering if you can give me some updates on your progress. Have you been able to maintain. As with everything else I've tried, I'm so scared to go to this extreme and not be successful long term. Thank you for any pointers and I truly hope you've had the best experience!