400+ lbs at the time of surgery

[flipper72 36]

When I was talking with my surgeon she told me I was on the heavier side of the patients she's dealt with but that it wasn't a problem. I have been watching what I eat and drink and am definitely trying to lose as much as possible before my surguery on 8/4/15. She said the more I lose, the better off I'll be. Any other out there in the 400+ range at the time of surgery? Is it something you discussed at length with your surgeon or was it not that big of a deal?

[jeanniereenie 177]

congrats on taking your first steps!

i know you can search forums for people with a certain amount of pounds to lose if you are looking for someone to share your journey with

welcome!

[Boombalatty 94]

I'm a 38 year old man (if that matters) and at my first consultation with the surgeon was 507lbs. (515 when I finally, really got my butt in gear about weight loss...585 at highest recorded weight years ago)

Anyway, my surgeon didn't really say anything specific about losing weight that I remember - but he probably did say the more I could lose before surgery the better. For insurance, I was required to do a 3 month diet and he likely knew. During that time, I started exercising and eating better and lost down to 415lbs on surgery day (about 5 months later due to insurance delays and scheduling). I think the exercise and weight loss really contributed to my easy recovery from the sleeve surgery.

Edited June 16, 2015 by Boombalatty

[heynowkc 329]

I had surgery on Dec 17th and was 422 at the time of surgery, and 491 at my highest (2.5 months prior to surgery).

As for what my surgeon and I discussed... We haven't really talked about my starting weight and what that means for my journey much, except at the very beginning when deciding what type of surgery I should have. I think some people who have more to lose end up getting Gastric Bypass, but my surgeon suggested the Gastric Sleeve because he said that Gastric Bypass was a one-shot deal. You have that surgery and then your outcome is whatever your outcome is, generally speaking. With Gastric Sleeve, if I end up hitting a long-term stop in weight loss, there are further surgical options for me at that point, I guess VSG revisions or possibly Gastric Bypass as a last resort?

Anyway, I'm going to be six months out tomorrow and have lost a total of 115 lbs in those 6 months and a total of 184 lbs in the past 8.5 months. I'm not sure if these results are typical for someone of my starting size (or anyone for that matter?) I get the feeling that it really varies for everyone.

I'm only part-way through my journey, but if I could give you any advice, I'd say that as long as you're following your diet plan, physical exercise is going to be the major factor in how successful you are. I have not hit a point where I can slack off at the gym for a few days and it doesn't effect my overall weekly loss. Any slow-downs in loss for me are DIRECTLY related to how much exercise I do, and how closely I follow my dietitian's guidelines. (Apart from period/hormone-related Water retention from time to time - but that's just life as a girl!)

Edited June 16, 2015 by heynowkc

[flipper72 36]

Thank you so much!! That is very helpful. I am not very physically active right now..but anytime I've been successful it's always been when physical activity is involved...sometimes to an extreme. I really like walking...(when it doesn't really hurt my back) and i'm hoping that and some strength training can get me kicked off in the right direction. Do you mind if I ask what a typical workout is for you? We seem to be as closely paired physically as most of the profile I've read..I know everyone's body is different....but I really want to be successful in this journey.

thanks so much!!

[Smye 695]

HW was 415 - now 299 and 4 months out - it can be done, though, admittedly, statistics are against us. But that's 98% a matter of the choices we make post-op.

[heynowkc 329]

Thank you so much!! That is very helpful. I am not very physically active right now..but anytime I've been successful it's always been when physical activity is involved...sometimes to an extreme. I really like walking...(when it doesn't really hurt my back) and i'm hoping that and some strength training can get me kicked off in the right direction. Do you mind if I ask what a typical workout is for you? We seem to be as closely paired physically as most of the profile I've read..I know everyone's body is different....but I really want to be successful in this journey.

thanks so much!!

I thought so too! I don't think I've seen anyone on here that fit my early stats so closely!

Sadly I don't really have a good routine to share, mostly because 75% (or more!) of my workouts are in the pool with an instructor. (Highly recommend this!! Especially if you suffer from joint/back problems!!)

2.5 months prior to surgery I began with Water aerobics 45 minutes to 60 minutes / day 4-6 days a week, and walking on the days I wasn't doing Water aerobics/finning/lap swimming. So I was working out in some way or another 6-7 days / week. Only very occasional weight-training. (Thankfully, water aerobics encompasses both cardio and strength/conditioning.) As for the types of water aerobics I do, I do them all. From aqua Zumba (a lighter workout for me) all the way to "bootcamp" type classes and, a favorite of mine, finning, which is essentially lap swimming with fins and a kickboard.

(FYI junonia.com is a great place to get high quality plus size swimsuits that work well for water aerobics -- I like the one-piece aquatards.)

Post-surgery my life has been very busy and I haven't managed to get to the gym more than 3-4 days / week for water aerobics. However, I was doing a lot of walking in between. But about 1 month ago (maybe 1.5) I really just gave up on walking. For a couple of reasons. There would be weeks when I couldn't get to the gym at all, and the only the exercise I did during those weeks was walking. Problem was, I genuinely did not see any weight-loss benefit to it. My resting heart rate is low, so when I walk I can't really get my heart rate up to a place that anyone would even remotely consider "cardiovascular." You might have better luck than me with walking. I prefer bike riding anyway, which I recently picked back up. I really just ride around the neighborhood for around 45 minutes or so. My athlete, mountain-biking, neighbors would describe my pace as "leisurely" but it's good enough for me!! And it seems to be working!

I would really like to get back to being in the water at least 5 days a week. And am actually making it a goal to do just that this week. Already went on Sunday and again yesterday! So I am almost half-way there this week!

I am going to PM you with my e-mail address. If you want to chat or just have a buddy you can bounce questions off of, I am definitely there for you! Good luck!

HW was 415 - now 299 and 4 months out - it can be done, though, admittedly, statistics are against us. But that's 98% a matter of the choices we make post-op.

What weight were you on surgery day?

Edited June 16, 2015 by heynowkc

[Smye 695]

@@heynowkc, 395

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I am 5' 6" with a HW 565 ish, SW 535 ish. I am currently 455 ish. (I only weigh at the doctor or once a month or less on my scale at home.)

I was sleeved on April 20 and I don't think my surgeon ever expressed reservations about doing the surgery. I carry most of my weight in my lower body (am pear shaped) so that may have something to do with it.

My exercise of choice is deep Water Water aerobics (due to a bad knee) and now that it's summer and I have a pool at home I get in the pool everyday weather permitting.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

To add, I had a very easy recovery and am pleased with my progress so far.

Before surgery, I weaned myself from caffeine and carbonation, drank at least 64 oz. of Water a day, and tried to do 60 minutes of exercise a day. Because of the weather and my mobility issues, I got an exercise peddler and peddled with my hands while watching tv.

Post surgery I recommend:

Do everything you are asked to do in the hospital and beyond.

Get in all your Protein. I have been able to reach my Protein goal of 100 grams a day (+/- 5-10 grams) every day but two since my second day home from surgery.

Get at least 64 oz of Fluid a day (this has been more of a challenge for me).

Exercise as much as you safely can.

Learn as much as you can as you go through this process. Ask lots of questions, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Use every resource available to you: NUT, psychologist/therapist, support group, OA, etc. that you need.

Don't listen to anyone who says you can't do it or that you are taking the easy way out.

Fortunately, I don't have anyone in my life who is unsupportive. Although not everyone understands what I am going through they do care.

Best of luck with your surgery. It will be here before you know it.

[Smye 695]

Listen to @@Inner Surfer Girl, she knows her stuff there - listen to your NUT and reach out for help at the first signs of distress and you'll be fine.

[Stevehud 1,790]

my starting weight was 408 surgical weight of 362 , had my surgery on dec 16th and I am doing great with weight loss. You only get out what you put in, is so true here. You most assuredly can do this. I didnt start going to the gym until after my 3 month mark. SO it doesnt matter that you arent that physically active now. only that you will feel better and it makes going to the gym , so much easier.

You can do this.

[flipper72 36]

Such great feedback...thank you all so much!! My doctor did say the more I lost before surgery the more successful i'll be after and that anyone that is "By the book" as far as eating and exercise has more success. And all of that makes perfect sense to me...I just have to buckle down and do it...story of my life. I tend to look forward to eating and NOT look forward to exercise. Part of the reason I embarked on this venture (which started out non-surgical) is that I wanted to explore my relationship with food more and figure out why i'm such an emotional eater. I think I really have to focus on that now and moving forward because I think that is going to dramatically predict my success here. I'm so happy this forum is here..I can already tell it's going to be a very positive resource!