Realistic Goal? Not Happy With Dr's Goal

[butterbean 30]

I went to my 6 week check up today and asked my surgeon (who I greatly respect and admire) what would be a realistic goal for me. My highest weight was this April at 306, but for the last few years I've yoyo'd between 275-295. You can see all my numbers in my signature, and I am 5 ft. 6 in. He said he would call the surgery at success if I maintained at 210, and would be very happy if I maintained at 190. This really disappointed me. I do not want to weigh 2anything. My goal is 150-180 max. Am I setting an unrealistic goal. I'm 37 and have no problems that would restrict exercise. I am very determined and committed.

[Willow216 91]

I think your count is very realistic, I've seen on this web-site people who weighed more and lost more than that. I think the doctors will give you a basic weight loss expectation but its up to you how far you are willing to go. I wouldn't worry 'bout what they say, its what your dream is! Don't sweat it..

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

I think you are very realistic. My surgeon has a goal that is for me to lose 67% of my excess weight because that is the average of weight loss surgery patients. However, he even told me "but you don't have to stop there" - that weight would meet his statistic, but I've seen countless people lose all their excess weight & I want to do the same! I'm not stopping at that 67% number because that's not where I want to personally be. They just have to have a number, but that doesn't mean your number has to match theirs!!

[clk 3,519]

Exactly right, I completely agree with Michelle! A surgeon will consider the sleeve a success if you lose 60-70% of your excess weight within a year...but that leaves you with 30-40% of your excess pounds over your ideal weight. There is nothing stopping you from going further. Our bodies do hit a natural stopping point where losing becomes a struggle, but for me that happened right around my goal weight and under my loose skin is a teeny bit of fat and a bunch of bones! Not much left to lose! So there is no reason to meet his goal and then exceed it, until you reach your own personal goal. I worried about this a bit before my own surgery and I understand your concerns. There isn't a honeymoon here and once you're a year out your sleeve is as big as it's getting - and that means it's plenty small enough to get you all the way to your goal weight if you keep up the hard work.

Best of luck!

~Cheri