Is big loss without weight loss surgery possible?

Calilassie · August 2023

I am booked for weight loss surgery in 3 weeks time. I have felt a bit unsure about it, but now ready to start the very low calorie diet (which I am looking forward to!) and all I can think about are the things that can go wrong.
I have just over 50kg to loose for a healthy BMI. My pathology is perfect- I have no underlying health conditions other than an under active thyroid which is under control.
I am 43 yo female.

With this amount of weight to loose, is it possible to loose it with a healthy diet, exercise and elimination of alcohol?

I have tried many things in the past including all of the above, but on reflection, I can see there were other things that were impacting my progress- for example I lost 2.5kg following a 12 week boot camp, but after a routine blood test, my thyroid was significantly underactive.

sollyn23l2 · August 2023

Yes, of course it's possible. Whether or not it's doable depends on the individual. You've already booked the surgery, and so it seems as though you've already looked at your options and believe it's the best option for you. Good for you! Don't worry about whether other people can do it or not. There really is no right or wrong, just what works for you.

zebasschick · August 2023

it can be done. i've lost 98 pounds without surgery, drugs, fasting or anything too stressful. if you head over to the success stories forum, you'll find hundreds of people who have lost significant weight.

the important thing is finding what works for you. personally i always prefer a non-invasive option, but that's just my thing.

DFW_Tom · August 2023

Agree with all of the above. Weight loss surgery is not magical. It doesn't fix whatever it was that got you to the point of needing to lose 50kg. There are several threads on MFP with members sharing their experience with different weight loss surgical procedures. Some of the stories are a little scary. My takeaway from reading them is that unless the person can be honest with themselves by facing up to how they got overweight in the first place - and then make permanent changes to eliminate the cause, they'll go back to eating the way they did before the surgery and suffer for it.

Look, this is your first post here and you are already planning on an artificial procedure to mitigate a problem that you own. In the end, no one can fix you except you.

cmriverside · August 2023

In addition to reading through the Success Stories on the site, there is also a specialized "group" that has many people with the same issue or those who have overcome a large weight loss. Lot of info. You can read in the group without joining. Join to post in it. There are over a thousand members:
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/133315-larger-losers

Calilassie · August 2023

Thank you everyone!! I suppose I know my downfall which is that consistency is hard when results aren’t seen or are painfully slow.

This is my first post here, I am a member of a support group on another platform, I chose to post here to gain a broader insight from people who have succeeded in weight loss rather than only people who have surgery.

For perspective, I am a healthcare professional and seen clients come through with many complications and this is what sways me- the complications are real and scary and the surgery is drastic with no guarantees.

I am good at exercise and eating well, I am bad at consistency.

I hate posting anything that’s all about me, but the outcome is all about me AND my family and they feel my pain so don’t have a good objective insight.

I will check out the forums suggested- thank you!

ninerbuff · August 2023

Absolutely possible. I've done it with several clients. Weight loss surgery is by no means always successful because though it may address the total amount you can consume, it DOESN'T address why you did it in the first place. And it's not uncommon for people who have weight loss surgery who can no longer use food as comfort, to shift it to something else like alcohol, gambling, shopping, etc. Some do shift it to exercise as their new comfort, but that doesn't happen often. And you can still REGAIN the weight again by forcing the surgery reduced stomach to stretch out again.
Weight loss is going to be about reducing your total intake and that has to be a learned behavior.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Lietchi · August 2023

I'm another example of a larger loss without weight loss surgery: I lost 35 kg as a 5ft5/166cm woman, 37 years old when I started (40 now).

I've seen what weight loss surgery can do, the good and the bad.
With and without surgery requires lifestyle changes, so I would keep surgery as a back-up option and first try just lifestyle changes.

briscogun · August 2023

Calilassie wrote: »

I am good at exercise and eating well, I am bad at consistency.

Welcome to MFP!

I think you answered your own question above. It seems like you are looking for the surgery to force the consistency thing since you wont have a choice, and for some people that might be the best answer. I guess for me I would want to really exhaust all other options first before a surgical procedure, but that's me.

So I guess the question is: will having the surgery change any of the underlying issues that created the situation in the first place? If yes, then it sounds like a good idea. But if no, it might be wise to understand and eliminate those first before risking the surgery?

Either way, good luck to you! Please let us all know how it goes and follow up here?

JaysFan82 · August 2023

I've lost 175 pounds just with counting my calories and exercise. No drugs, no eliminating carbs. Went from 388 to 213.

mayamagallanes · August 2023

I had gastric sleeve in January and have gone from 230lbs to 150lbs. It's been the greatest gift I've given myself, but I agree if you don't get your mind right and get to the root of the eating issues it'll come back.

jessalittlemore · August 2023

I'm a woman in my mid-30s, I've had no surgeries and taken no weight loss drugs, and I've lost 137 lbs. (62kg) so far since January 2019 on a CICO low-carb diet. It is definitely possible.

Calilassie · August 2023

This is amazing- well done!!

BrianG8 · August 2023

I'm a 55 year old man, that in May 2023 I was diagnosed as diabetic and 65kg (142 lbs) overweight. Since then I changed my diet and without exercise have lost 23kg (50 lbs). Consistency is definitely the key to it all. I eat a very low sugar low calorie diet and reversed being a diabetic. Luckily this was caught before it really got out of hand and I could still do something about it. But yes, it's definitely possible to lose the weight without surgery. I think if you can't be consistent now, you may be in trouble after the surgery. I'd get your mind right first. It's never to late to make a change, you can do it!

jst1986 · August 2023

I've managed to lose 100lb (45kg) in the last 16 months with nothing other than diet and exercise. It's perfect doable if you can understand it's a long process and a lifestyle change, not a diet. I've still got another 65lb/30kg to go and am commited to reaching it.

springlering62 · August 2023

I lost 97. At the the start, it seemed like a “big loss”. Insurmountable, in fact.

In retrospect, the process of learning to weigh and count, starting exercise, learning the body I inhabited but had taken for granted so long- it was all so interesting the time seemed to fly by.

Now that it’s a distant memory (well, I’ve been in maintenance for theee years) it doesn’t seem like a large loss, and it wasn’t that hard, in all honesty.

It just required diligence and application.

If you do proceed with the surgery, I’m not hating. I’d just implore you to know the risks, and be honest with yourself. Am I going to honestly stick this out, or fall back into old, comfortable habits?

mrmota70 · August 2023

No surgery. Just landed in the hospital for a week possibly with covid. During the week in the hospital I decided party had been going long enough. Figured I’d try and see where things would go. I started at 49. Just turned 53 on 6/30. In 3 days I’ll have a 1300 day streak of logging my meals. I ran a 10k yesterday and ran another 5 miles today. Everyone is unique and results will vary, but if you can find something that works for you and you foresee that it’s a lifestyle you can stick with hell yes you can do it. Surgery is definitely something that can help, but don’t think it’s the solution that’ll fix your current situation. It will help, but only if you work at it as much as people that do it the non surgical way. I’ve known coworkers and friends that have done it, loose the weight, but then people find ways to kill the success. Surgical or non it needs to be something you can foresee doing for the rest of your days as long as you have the physical and mental abilities to keep at it….

Calilassie · August 2023

Thank you everyone for your replies, suggestions and sharing you the story of your journeys. As many of you understand. Consistency is hard when results are slow/not seen, but I totally agree that a change of mindset is needed…that’s the hard part!

I will sleep on this over the weekend and make my decision and will keep you posted.

Thank you again!

cmriverside · August 2023

There are so many success stories in the forums.

Is it easy? Not at first. It gets easier as the process unfolds.

By the time the end of my weight loss happened I had pictures like those you see here. I also had a way of eating that had gotten me back to a healthy weight. I had a reasonable walking routine and a way of living. That just naturally comes with having to lose a lot of weight.

Changes and introspection has to happen, regardless of how the weight is lost. Big changes, but for the good!

I don't want to ever be that 220 pound woman ever again. No. It is so much better in every way - physically, mentally, spiritually - to be at 140.

The not wanting to go back is a huge motivation. HUGE.

kshama2001 · August 2023

mrmota70 wrote: »

No surgery. Just landed in the hospital for a week possibly with covid. During the week in the hospital I decided party had been going long enough. Figured I’d try and see where things would go. I started at 49. Just turned 53 on 6/30. In 3 days I’ll have a 1300 day streak of logging my meals. I ran a 10k yesterday and ran another 5 miles today. Everyone is unique and results will vary, but if you can find something that works for you and you foresee that it’s a lifestyle you can stick with hell yes you can do it. Surgery is definitely something that can help, but don’t think it’s the solution that’ll fix your current situation. It will help, but only if you work at it as much as people that do it the non surgical way. I’ve known coworkers and friends that have done it, loose the weight, but then people find ways to kill the success. Surgical or non it needs to be something you can foresee doing for the rest of your days as long as you have the physical and mental abilities to keep at it….

Amazing! It looks like even your bucket is smaller

I believe I saw on another thread that you started at over 400 pounds and you are now around 180 pounds - what an achievement!

springlering62 · August 2023

mrmota70 wrote: »

No surgery. Just landed in the hospital for a week possibly with covid. During the week in the hospital I decided party had been going long enough. Figured I’d try and see where things would go. I started at 49. Just turned 53 on 6/30. In 3 days I’ll have a 1300 day streak of logging my meals. I ran a 10k yesterday and ran another 5 miles today. Everyone is unique and results will vary, but if you can find something that works for you and you foresee that it’s a lifestyle you can stick with hell yes you can do it. Surgery is definitely something that can help, but don’t think it’s the solution that’ll fix your current situation. It will help, but only if you work at it as much as people that do it the non surgical way. I’ve known coworkers and friends that have done it, loose the weight, but then people find ways to kill the success. Surgical or non it needs to be something you can foresee doing for the rest of your days as long as you have the physical and mental abilities to keep at it….

Mr Mota: I LOVE THE NEW PICTURE!!!!!!!

That has to be the best and most galvanizing before/after photo ever!!!

Is big loss without weight loss surgery possible?

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