Percentage of excess weight lost

[timbluejim 0]

I will be having the gastric sleeve 4/29/13. I am being told and have read that it is considered a success if you lose 60% of your excess weight. Naturally I am hoping to lose more than that. Of those that have reached their goal, what percentage of excess weight did you lose?

[delta_girl 931]

This is something I've wondered about a lot as well.

It depends on what the 60% means. Is that based on a BMI chart? Is it based on the surgeon's suggested loss for you? The reason I've pondered this is that at 5'3", a healthy weight for me is 115 lbs. That is not really skinny, it is in the middle of a healthy weight according to that chart.

However, I asked my surgeon's nurse what number they were using. She said 128 lbs. This is quite a bit different from what I had estimated or decided to shoot for. When I asked my surgeon about these weights and told him I was shooting for 115 lbs, he said that I would really need to stay on top of an exercise plan in order to maintain that weight. Then he asked how I would feel if I ended up around 140 lbs. I am guessing he was basing his comment on what he typically sees from his patients. I replied that I would be "delighted." I mean, seriously .... being any version of smaller than I was is a victory.

So at 6 months out I am down 72 lbs and weigh 148 lbs. I'm not even trying anymore and I'm still losing weight, though much slower. I have no idea where my body will find its new set point. I'm also being a bit bad. I don't exercise and I drink wine when I want, eat a few Cookies from time to time, I eat out a lot and enjoy the heck out of it when I do. I doubt that my body is going to suddenly quit dropping weight at 6 months. Though I have often read that there is a 6 month honeymoon stage after which losing weight is significantly more difficult (so some comments say), the projection of weight loss goes from a year to a year and a half. (..guessing that is unless you just lose your mind and stop making more good choices than bad).

So 60%? I'm STILL wondering where that number comes from and based on what research? How far back does that research go? A few years? A decade? A lot has changed over the last many years with vsg and what they knew then compared to what they are learning now.

Any additional information is certainly appreciated on this.

[Liberated Sleeve 148]

I don't like to do math unless absolutely necessary, but as you can see from my stats - alot more than 60% - Congrats on your surgery date!!

[layla33 11]

95%, and pleased with it. I didn't hate myself before surgery at 100 pounds overweight, and I have still not fallen victim to the worship of and obsession with the body in general.

[delta_girl 931]

60% of my loss would put me at 130 lbs. My surgeon's recommendation is 128 lbs, so it is shy of the 60% mark. I have NO problem ending up at 130 lbs!

[MichiganChic 3,262]

I am not at or near goal, but I read in the information my surgeon gave me that insurance companies consider WLS successful if you lose more than 50% of excess weight. His personal patient stats are about 80%. I really hope/intend to reach and maintain 100%, and since reading these boards, I know it is certainly possible!

[TheRealMeIsHere! 863]

100% of my excess weight! 5'2" 117lbs.

If you follow the doc's and nut's instructions, excercise, use the 'tool' of a tiny tummy and listen to your body, you can lose as much as you want.

[lisa2job 130]

I also wondered about this low end for someone 5 9 is 129 lbs high end is 170 so what do I use to calclate 60% if I go with the low end then 212 would be my weight if I go with the high end I am done loosing now but that wouldnt seem right. anyhow I am happy with my weight loss

[timbluejim 0]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am 5' 5" and currently 310 lbs and need to get to 300 lbs or my surgery will be postponed. But I am sure I can do it. When I saw my surgeon I peeked in my chart. I saw they noted 125 lbs. I think the last time I saw that number I was a newborn, hahahaha. So I was figuring the 60% would be based on the 175 lbs difference, but not sure. I am soooo happy to see people far exceed that though. :wub:

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I have lost more than 100% of my excess weight. Not sure how to do the calculations but I have lost 5 pounds more than my goal so guessing 102%.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am 5' 5" and currently 310 lbs and need to get to 300 lbs or my surgery will be postponed. But I am sure I can do it. When I saw my surgeon I peeked in my chart. I saw they noted 125 lbs. I think the last time I saw that number I was a newborn, hahahaha. So I was figuring the 60% would be based on the 175 lbs difference, but not sure. I am soooo happy to see people far exceed that though. :wub:

If they are saying 125 pounds is your goal weight than this would be 100% lost. If it was 60% then you would have to be weighing under 100 pounds which would not be right. Now 125 pounds seems very low or the lowest for someone 5'5".

[mwrarr 244]

If they are saying 125 pounds is your goal weight than this would be 100% lost. If it was 60% then you would have to be weighing under 100 pounds which would not be right. Now 125 pounds seems very low or the lowest for someone 5'5".

If Tim had 175# to lose, 60% of that would be to lose 105#.

As for me, I started out with 212# to lose (5'7" @ 347 Start Wt) but at surgery start I am down to having 160# to lose. My 60% is 96#, or 199. My goal weight is 135. (Based on range of 129-155) I've been witness to enough conversations here to know that it's possible (& likely, as long as the diet is held) to hit goal. So, I intend to.

[timbluejim 0]

I am sorry Amazon 13. I meant that the 175 lbs (excess weight) is the difference between 300 lbs and 125 lbs. And 60% of that would be 105 lbs and I would only be 195 lbs if that was correct. That is why I am glad to see so many are losing close to 100%. Because I certainly am hoping to get lower than 195 lbs.

[mwrarr 244]

I am sorry Amazon 13. I meant that the 175 lbs (excess weight) is the difference between 300 lbs and 125 lbs. And 60% of that would be 105 lbs and I would only be 195 lbs if that was correct. That is why I am glad to see so many are losing close to 100%. Because I certainly am hoping to get lower than 195 lbs.

You'll get there!!!

[Chris R 217]

The goal weight set by my surgeon is 160 - a BMI of about 25 for me. My personal goal is 150, or a BMI of about 22. My NUT has been calculating my % of excess weight lost at each appointment since my surgery. She takes the difference between my starting weight and my current weight, and divides that by the difference between my starting weight and my goal weight. Therefore, if I get down to 160, I will have lost 100% of my excess weight.