I had my 3 month appointment with the surgeon yesterday and finally asked the question of weight loss goal. (I know why now...i simply forgot to ask each time) When i asked the Nut told me (at 5'3'') a normal bmi is about 135 pounds, so they would like me to be there plus or minus 10%. She said..."so about 135-140 or even 150"

So my question is this...If you ahve never been a thin adult, how do you know what you want to weigh? I am guessing at 130 pounds (as myticker is set for) but have no clue what 130 pounds would look like. I guess i set it there as it's the middle of the "normal BMI". So how does everyone decide what is best for you? Wondering about the people wo started with much higher BMI's and how the doc makes that decision to set a point in the "overweight BMI" catagory instead of "normal BMI".

Any answers or opinions?

Gayle

I went on a all liquid diet 8 years ago. lost 85 pounds and my doctor wanted me to loose 25 more pounds. I looked like I was starved to death at 200 and still wanted me at 185. 210 was good for me as I'm 6'1" and large framed guy, old power, body builder guy here. So I chose the 210, to bad I didn't keep it off and now getting the sleeve surgury Dec 5th! You will now what weigh is right for you, and beleive me, if you look to skinny your friends and family will tell you, mine did. lol Good luck in your journey

I set my goals based upon body composition rather than BMI, looking to get into the 15% bodyfat range (which is on the lean side of "normal", "recommended" or mid-"fitness" range on most charts, women would be around 28-29% on the same charts) which would still put me "overweight" on a BMI basis (26-27) because I am still maintaining much of the muscle mass that I had built up over my pre-op fitness efforts. I'm lower now than any number I can remember from college, though in better shape now than I was then, and still have another 10-15lb to go.

BMI really only applies to populations rather than individuals, but is a good starting point until one figures out how their body comp works out - one can be an "overweight" BMI but still lean as I will be when I get into goal range in another month or so, and one can be a "normal" or even "low" BMI but still be overly fat if there isn't enough lean muscle mass left, though most in the normal BMI range will still have a fairly normal body composition. Both factors really need to be looked at to determine a healthy goal range - body comp is the most important factor, but most of us shouldn't be too far off of the normal BMI range either - some of the serious body builders qualify as "obese" on a BMI basis, some being in the upper 30's while still incredibly lean, but that's a real high maintenance place to be, to say the least.

I am 4'11'' and at 130 was a size 8-10. I am looking to get around that again. This is about 5 lbs above top of BMI. I did get down to 124 which is in my BMI range and it didn't make any difference. I think you just have to have a flexible goal and firm it up as you get closer.

Since my goal was good health I honestly just wanted a normail BMI so NO doctor could ever tell me I needed to lose weight again:) Everyone is right though everyones body is different and you may find you want to lose less or more later.