This is one of the commonest questions we face as providers of obesity care. The question may be posed by a matronly lady in her fifties, an out-of-shape PYT, or by a morbidly obese patient looking at bariatric surgery.
(pic source: here.)
The answer to that question, therefore, has to be contextual. In the more common non-surgical weight loss candidate, the question is not easily answered. How much of weight someone could lose is dependent on so many variables that it is foolhardy and unwise to venture a straight answer. This is in direct contrast to the typical slimming center approach of treating the entire complex subject of weight loss as a potatoes-by- the-kilo thing. You want to lose ten kilos? No problems, pay x amount.
The answer I give in the above context is, “How much do you want to lose, and what are you willing to do for that?” The focus, therefore, comes squarely back to the patient. It is not I who will melt your fat. It is you who will do so. I will merely set you on the right path for it. You would need to walk the path. If you are looking for a painless option, find yourself a slimming center, have a nice day!
The bottom-line being that in fat loss, you have to work hard– there is no escaping that. You will have to find a way to avoid the cravings. You will have to get up from bed for your workout. You will have to take your fish oil capsules. You will have to push yourself for that last rep when your body is screaming for you to rest at the end of your workout. I can only help you if you stand up to be counted.
If you have the requisite motivation, as I say in this article, we will surely guide you to success. But you can take all the credit for that. We only facilitate weight loss, demystify it, and bring a scientific perspective to it.
When a bariatric candidate asks, “How much fat can I lose?”, the answer is, “It depends“. Again, a contextual answer. In procedures like the gastric bypass, around 70-75% of excess body weight loss is typical. After this, the results depend on how well the patient controls his lifestyle. In the lap band procedure, weight loss is around 50%, much less. But then the mortality risks of this procedure are also less. On the other hand, more complex procedures like the duodenal switch have a greater (85%) weight loss, but also a higher risk of mortality.
In perspective, the more successful procedures (in terms of fat loss) come with a higher risk, and the lowest risk procedures give you the lowest fat loss rates.
Nature demands that we get something only if we take risks!
If you are the guy or girl intent on losing around 10 to 20 kgs of fat, the answer to your quest is that of course you can be successful but are you willing to be successful? Do you have what it takes to work your way to success?
