Other people's posts got me thinking: I am not sure what I should shoot for in terms of weight once I get banded. My surgery info said a good weight for me height is between 125-130. I am tempted to say, "Screw the scales," and just shoot for a certain clothing size. Scales have made me miserable in the past and I'm not getting banded so that I will be staring at scales for the rest of my life. I think I would like to be a size 10, maybe a size 8. I haven't even looked at a 10 since 7th grade. Thoughts?

I am getting banded January 5th.

I KNOW I am going to be on that scale every 2 minutes, at least initially. For me, I am going to have to not just measure my progress by the scale.

I can live with a size 12, and would LOVE to be a size 8.

I can live with weighing 175 lbs, but would LOVE to weigh less than 150lbs.

I have other goals also. I would like to be able to cross my legs like a girl instead of like a guy. I would like to be comfortable in airplane seats and stadium seats. I would like to wear shorts and not have them get eaten by my crotch as I walk.

Psychological things are... I would like to not constantly be thinking about food. I would like to not be embarrassed about what I am buying when I go to the grocery store. I would like to not want to or be able to eat an entire pizza by myself.

I think I will make a list of things that will be signs of progress besides what the scale shows...

Lauren you must be short like me! I'm not quite 5'2" Initially I had my goal weight at 125, but then I decided I could live with being a healthy weight at the top of the healthy range. So now I'm at 135, but I'm sure it might change later. I've found that comparing my measurements pre-band to now helps too when the scale isn't moving, so be sure to take your measurements and lots of pics before your surgery. It was definitely painful for me to do that, but I'm so glad that I did now.

For me, it is a combination of things. I am 5'6. My starting BMI was 41.2 and I am now at 30. For my height, my healthy BMI/weight range is 117-154. I can remember weighing 154 and still feeling chubby. I initially wanted to weigh between 125-130 but realistically, I am almost 30 and have had one child, I figured 140 was more attainable. That may change once I get to 140 but right now that is my goal. I can remember being 140 and looking back, I wouldn’t mind being that size again. Back then I thought I was fat, but I have always had a distorted body image. I will probably never be high school skinny again and that is okay. I’d really like to be in a single digit clothing size as well. So that is why my ticker says 140! J<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I'm going for size. I would like to be in an 18 but my stretch goal is 16. Good luck.

I am going for a size 14(aust)/10(us) hopefully i will get there...however I would be extra happy with a size 12(aust)/8(us). Those darned international sizing systems...why cant it be one size standard for all countries!!! very confusing!

I don't have a goal weight, I guess I will be happy when I don't have to go to the plus size section.. I have been banded for a little over 4 months have lost 22 kilo and have gone from a size 18-20 to a 16 ( Australian sizes ) I will be over the moon to fit in a size 12.. I am 173 cm tall and my doc told me I should weigh around 65 kilo I was jumping up and down when my weight went down to double digits lol..

I know, I dont get American sizing at all. I thought it was one size different with ours but its 2. I noticed that when someone on another board said she was 5ft 10, 192 lb and a size 10 - and I thought hang on that's only an Australian 12 and she weighs more than I do and I"m in a 16.

So I'm really a US 12? Cooooooool!

No wonder you talk about 6's and 4's and we dont go below an 8 over here.

I know, I dont get American sizing at all. I thought it was one size different with ours but its 2. I noticed that when someone on another board said she was 5ft 10, 192 lb and a size 10 - and I thought hang on that's only an Australian 12 and she weighs more than I do and I"m in a 16.

So I'm really a US 12? Cooooooool!

No wonder you talk about 6's and 4's and we dont go below an 8 over here.

ha! we have 2, 0 and 00 too don't forget those!

My first goal is to just get under 200...then to 150...after that, anything is a bonus. I just want to feel good again. I remember my size 9 Lee Riders were my favorite jeans in high school, but I'd settle for a size 12!