Did anyone start their journey weighing over 400lbs?

[MaureenVA 35]

Or with an otherwise really high BMI?

I'd love to hear your story...either here or in a PM.

[Kiki2004 24]

i have been scouring these forums ALL DAY looking for an answer to that same question! i am over 450 (have not weighed myself for a while) and just want to find some people that can empathize. our struggle, though the same, is very different from those who don't have as much to loose. i look at some peoples BEGIN weights and i'm like "that's my GOAL weight"! i have just begun my journey, have not even been approved for surgery yet, but i would be happy to make this journey with you! as soon as i have fleshed out my story, or at least the cliff notes, i will send you a pm.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I am. I am still pre-op and beginning my journey so have no post-op experience to share.

[winning_by_losing 107]

I did. I started out at 419.

I know the feeling though, as I often saw these goals of people wanting to lose 70 or 100 pounds thinking to myself that wouldn't even make a dent in what I need to do.

When I sat down and thought about things I thought to myself if there was any way I could lose 200 pounds I'd be ecstatic. Unfortunately the more I read, the more I started doubting that it was possible. So I then convinced myself I'd be "happy" if I could lose 150 or more.

Luckily, as I progressed, I got to that point and realized there was no reason for the pessimism. I finally was able to reaffirm that my original goal was legit and as long as I stuck to the plan it would be achievable.

Fast forward to last week (9/24) I actually hit that goal, weighing in at 218.6 that morning. I've since lost a few more pounds, though I'm not trying to alter my goal, nor am I really doing anything to push myself any further, just continuing to eat the same way I have, keeping up the exercise routines and living this MUCH happier life. Eventually my body will settle into whatever the new me is supposed to weigh, but as long as I don't slip up and start going back up, I'm more than happy where I'm at right now.

[The Candidate 3,215]

I'm not over 400 pounds and I'm in the early stages of pre-op, and a newbie to boot, so I know next to nothing about the journey you're hoping to make.

I just wanted to offer my encouragement and tell you that you are all heroes in my eyes.

@@winning_by_losing you are a role model for us all!

The best of luck to you and please keep us posted on your progress.

[winning_by_losing 107]

I'm not over 400 pounds and I'm in the early stages of pre-op, and a newbie to boot, so I know next to nothing about the journey you're hoping to make.

I just wanted to offer my encouragement and tell you that you are all heroes in my eyes.

@@winning_by_losing you are a role model for us all!

The best of luck to you and please keep us posted on your progress.

I appreciate the kind words.

I am happy to share my experience if it can provide help, encouragement, motivation or just a positive attitude for anyone else who is choosing to embark on this journey along with us.

[MaureenVA 35]

You guys hit the nail on the head. My last WLS information meeting bc every patient who stood up to tell her story talked about how awful they were at, say, 240 lbs and their life sucked. I'm starting my journey at 403lbs and dream of the day I'm 240! The lowest weight I ever remember being was 272. Though the struggle is real for us all, we "BBMI" folks have further challenges. Exercise is a challenge...bc movement is SO restricted. Machines weren't built for bodies like ours. Unless their names are Bob and Jillian, trainers have little experience with people of my size. It makes me feel like even more of an outcast. Like I'm too fat to be with the fat folks. I'm glad y'all spoke up. I feel less alone. I'm going to attempt to start a group/area just for us. If you're interested (even if you didn't/haven't replied to this post) message me and I'll invite you when it's all set up.

[MaureenVA 35]

I created the group but haven't customized it yet...please join and share the link even though it's not pretty yet!

http://www.bariatricpal.com/groups/423-bbmi-60-or-400-wls-patients/

[erunyan 1]

Maureen,

I'm having my surgery on Oct 29th and I'm close to 400 pounds. I want to end up about 150, but I will be happy to end up about 200 pounds. I try not to set myself up for failure to start with so I'm trying to be very realistic.

So I am interested in this thread also.

Elizabeth

[Wmwallace 7]

I started at over 460 and I am now 447 with my surgery a week away. I am hoping to get down to 215-225 when all is said and done. I think there are plenty of is on here that have high BMI's.

[MisforMimi 760]

Alright, I hear ya. But, Maureen you can't put a number on misery. It can weigh in at 400 or 200. Yes ppl over 400 present with special challenges but don't go hatin, girl. We all in this together!

I just had to get that out....and know that I'm supporting everybody 110%!

I've been on the weight loss journey for a long time. I've lost 140# on my own in the past and still was the fat girl in yoga class! It is such a bummer!

quote name="MaureenVA" post="3616224" timestamp="1412087861"]You guys hit the nail on the head. My last WLS information meeting bc every patient who stood up to tell her story talked about how awful they were at, say, 240 lbs and their life sucked. I'm starting my journey at 403lbs and dream of the day I'm 240! The lowest weight I ever remember being was 272. Though the struggle is real for us all, we "BBMI" folks have further challenges. Exercise is a challenge...bc movement is SO restricted. Machines weren't built for bodies like ours. Unless their names are Bob and Jillian, trainers have little experience with people of my size. It makes me feel like even more of an outcast. Like I'm too fat to be with the fat folks. I'm glad y'all spoke up. I feel less alone. I'm going to attempt to start a group/area just for us. If you're interested (even if you didn't/haven't replied to this post) message me and I'll invite you when it's all set up.

[AuriP 420]

I have a friend who started off at 410 lbs, she had the surgery over 5 years ago. She lost to 185 lbs in 6 months she has since kept up with it within 10 lbs for the past 4 years. She has recently gone down to 175 lbs after a Tummy Tuck. She would have lost more but she has felt comfortable at this weight and has maintained. She is 5'5".

[AuriP 420]

I would also like to say I think life sucks for anyone who doesn't fit into the super model mode this society has placed on us. Yes it is a bit easier to move at 250 than it is at 400 but it still hurts my knees to run at my 250 lbs, I'm still miserable as my body doesn't like to support this weight. I have asthma which is very debilitating to lots of exercise add that to my being at least 110 lbs overweight (and at my height I would still be borderline overnight according to b mi at 5'3")

Edited October 1, 2014 by AuriP

[MaureenVA 35]

Please know I'm not 'hating' on anyone...just venting my own frustrations. My college roommate was average sized...10 or 12 and would look at herself in the mirror daily crying about how fat and disgusting she was. All I could think was 'if she thinks that of herself...what does she think of me?'

I never felt held back by my weight until my oldest started kindergarten and the kids started giving her a hard time because of her fat mother. My heart broke into a million pieces and while -yes- kids are jerks...I can't help but feel that I did that to my child.

[The Candidate 3,215]

@@MaureenVA I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's experiences at school. I'm sure most, if not all of us, have had similar experiences, myself included. I can almost feel your pain through your words and I wish I could reach out and give you a big hug of encouragement.

It will get better because the one thing we all have in common is hope, no matter how different in terms of pounds needed to lose we might be. We wouldn't be here otherwise. I really believe that.

I never once thought your comnents came across as hating on anyone. I think it's perfectly natural to seek out subsets of groups within a forum. In fact, they're all over the place here, from age divisions, types of surgery divisions, ethnicity divisions, location divisions, pre-op, post-op, you name it.

I think it's natural to seek out the people whose journey most closely resembles your own, so that you can more accurately judge what your own experience might be like. So hang in there, especially for your daughter's sake. One day she will understand just how hard this was for you to accomplish, and also how it added years onto your life that you get to spend with her.