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I set my goal weight at something that is over the "normal" range, because I am trying to be reasonable in my expectations. There is nothing that prevents me from going past that goal or setting a new one once I reach it though. Mostly, I just wanted to be healthier, and even at my present BMI of 36.5, I feel A LOT better than I did before. I'm back into martial arts; I don't get winded going up a flight of stairs -- in fact, I run up them now; and that is already a success for me even if my weight loss were to stop exactly where it is now.
Keep in mind, being healthy isn't measured in just BMI. In fact, I was just recently reading about a recent study that showed cardiovascular health for subjects who were "overweight," but exercised frequently was significantly better than subjects who were normal weight and didn't exercise.

I picked up a digital food scale and I weigh everything that I eat at home. This has helped me to get much better at estimating what my portion sizes are when I am out. I then track everything in Fitbit. There is some approximation that goes on when you don't know exactly what is in something, but so far, since my portions have still be very small, I continue to see progress despite any variation in my estimated vs. actual calorie intake.

I would echo what others have said here. BMI is not the end-all, be-all of determining what your "healthy" weight should be. People are built differently, and while that range generally works, it isn't appropriate for everyone based on their individual build. It would give me some pause if multiple people are telling you that you might want to stop losing. Have a conversation with your nutritionist and support staff to make sure you are getting a well-informed assessment of your current and goal weights.

I would echo what others have said here. BMI is not the end-all, be-all of determining what your "healthy" weight should be. People are built differently, and while that range generally works, it isn't appropriate for everyone based on their individual build. It would give me some pause if multiple people are telling you that you might want to stop losing. Have a conversation with your nutritionist and support staff to make sure you are getting a well-informed assessment of your current and goal weights.

I use Fitbit's tracking app, but I haven't tried any others, so I can't really say if it is comparatively a good option or not.

I use Fitbit's tracking app, but I haven't tried any others, so I can't really say if it is comparatively a good option or not.

I picked up a digital food scale and I weigh everything that I eat at home. This has helped me to get much better at estimating what my portion sizes are when I am out. I then track everything in Fitbit. There is some approximation that goes on when you don't know exactly what is in something, but so far, since my portions have still be very small, I continue to see progress despite any variation in my estimated vs. actual calorie intake.

If you're waist size is decreasing even though your weight is not, that is a good sign. You might be putting on more muscle mass, which is heavier than fat. So, while you may be losing fat, you don't go down in overall weight.

That has been my experience as well. A number of people at work noticed, but didn't feel comfortable saying anything. Eventually, someone who was a little less socially-sensitive brought it up at a group lunch and other people commented that they had noticed for a while. So, yeah, if you've lost 50 pounds, people have probably noticed, but just don't feel comfortable saying anything.
What is more important than looks though is is how you feel. At 50 pounds lost, I could already tell that my knees and back didn't hurt like they used to; I could bend over and tie my shoes without straining; and I could run up a couple flights of stairs without feeling like I was going to die.

That has been my experience as well. A number of people at work noticed, but didn't feel comfortable saying anything. Eventually, someone who was a little less socially-sensitive brought it up at a group lunch and other people commented that they had noticed for a while. So, yeah, if you've lost 50 pounds, people have probably noticed, but just don't feel comfortable saying anything.
What is more important than looks though is is how you feel. At 50 pounds lost, I could already tell that my knees and back didn't hurt like they used to; I could bend over and tie my shoes without straining; and I could run up a couple flights of stairs without feeling like I was going to die.

I'm about six months out and I can't say that I have forgotten about it, but I have definitely gotten used to it. Since I go out to eat for lunch with my coworkers, I've got a consistent reminder since I can't finish most things I order -- sometimes I can finish a cup of Soup. But, it certainly doesn't bother me and the health benefits have been awesome.

I'm about six months out and I can't say that I have forgotten about it, but I have definitely gotten used to it. Since I go out to eat for lunch with my coworkers, I've got a consistent reminder since I can't finish most things I order -- sometimes I can finish a cup of Soup. But, it certainly doesn't bother me and the health benefits have been awesome.

I'm about six months out and I can't say that I have forgotten about it, but I have definitely gotten used to it. Since I go out to eat for lunch with my coworkers, I've got a consistent reminder since I can't finish most things I order -- sometimes I can finish a cup of Soup. But, it certainly doesn't bother me and the health benefits have been awesome.

I'm about six months out and I can't say that I have forgotten about it, but I have definitely gotten used to it. Since I go out to eat for lunch with my coworkers, I've got a consistent reminder since I can't finish most things I order -- sometimes I can finish a cup of Soup. But, it certainly doesn't bother me and the health benefits have been awesome.

I'm about six months out and I can't say that I have forgotten about it, but I have definitely gotten used to it. Since I go out to eat for lunch with my coworkers, I've got a consistent reminder since I can't finish most things I order -- sometimes I can finish a cup of Soup. But, it certainly doesn't bother me and the health benefits have been awesome.

Just be careful because eating sugar tends to make you crave more which can start to really snowball into a vicious cycle of cravings.

Smoking is going to impact how you heal and raises your chances of having complications. Instead of thinking about how you might fool the screening process, talk to your doctor and ask for help. There are pharmaceutical options that could help you.
(BTW, I quit smoking 16 years ago, so I can relate on how hard it is to finally quit.)

Smoking is going to impact how you heal and raises your chances of having complications. Instead of thinking about how you might fool the screening process, talk to your doctor and ask for help. There are pharmaceutical options that could help you.
(BTW, I quit smoking 16 years ago, so I can relate on how hard it is to finally quit.)

Trader Joe's has a fantastic organic Tomato Soup that comes in a box. It is delicious and counts towards your hydration goals.

My surgeon recommended that if you wanted to lose more than 100 pounds, gastic bypass was the way to go. I was only interested in a restriction only type of surgery, nothing mal-absorptive, so I stuck with the sleeve.

Drink what feels comfortable. Don't take big gulps, and you'll be fine. Fluids basically go straight through you. You're not going to stretch your sleeve. If you drink to fast, you'll feel uncomfortable and that is your signal to slow down.

My surgeon recommended that if you wanted to lose more than 100 pounds, gastic bypass was the way to go. I was only interested in a restriction only type of surgery, nothing mal-absorptive, so I stuck with the sleeve.

Just remember that it isn't forever. You only need to make it through these 10 days, and post surgery you aren't going to feel hunger in nearly the same way.

My surgeon recommended that if you wanted to lose more than 100 pounds, gastic bypass was the way to go. I was only interested in a restriction only type of surgery, nothing mal-absorptive, so I stuck with the sleeve.

Just remember that it isn't forever. You only need to make it through these 10 days, and post surgery you aren't going to feel hunger in nearly the same way.