Did you determine your goal weight or was that determined by your physician or BMI calculator? Did most of you reach the set goal?

You could have one, the surgeon could have one. I never had one, it was just to get healthier and to go back to my old life.

I picked one based on what I weighed when I was fit and healthy in my 20's. I was a raft guide and ski instructor back then. My surgeon's dietician picked one based on what, I don't know. (After weighing in, taking measurements and a history from me) I hit her goal last week and I've got 10 more pounds to go for my personal goal.

My nutrition told me that 100 to 105 lb. loss would be good for me and I agree. I weigh 239 lbs. but I'm only 5ft 2

Actually, I don't think my dr ever even mentioned a goal weight. A healthy bmi was more his goal. But my personal trainer (that I had for about 10 mths) wanted me to be realistic - she gave me a goal of 160. My personal goal is 140 (as I've already surpassed my trainers goal and I'm still "fat"). I have about 13 lbs to go...

That is excellent!!

I picked mine: 135. It's 17 lb.s more than I weighed in my 20s (118). I felt great at that weight then, but it would be too thin now with a few years (I'm almost 60) and extra skin.

My Doctor never mentioned a goal weight.

Lynda

My surgeon set a goal but I felt it was too high (170-160 lbs- I am not quite 5'4"). Frankly, I was dissappointed at the prospect of having surgery to stay overweight. I used several indicators for my goal. You might consider any or all of these: My first goal was to not weigh what most, healthy men should weigh so immediately decided I wanted to be under 150. To me,150 lbs was entering chicks only territory. I also wanted a normal BMI so my Wii would stop declaring, "That's obese!" everytime I played. I also did not want to be 'skinny fat' so I decided my body fat needed to be less than 30%. Then I scoped out clothing sizes and decided I wanted a single digit dress size because I have never been a single digit. So I wanted to be 145 lbs, 25 BMI 29% body fat or less, and a size 8 or smaller. At some point someone posted a link to My Body gallery and I entered my height, body shape, and then started viewing different images of women at different weights. I thought the gals that were in the 130s looked good. Currently, I bounce around 137-141. My bodyfat is 20-28% (depends on the machine). My BMI is 24 and I wear a size 6. My new goal is 130 lbs, size 4 and to lose the stubborn belly fat.

Just dream it because you can do it.

My surgeon set a goal but I felt it was too high (170-160 lbs- I am not quite 5'4"). Frankly, I was dissappointed at the prospect of having surgery to stay overweight. I used several indicators for my goal. You might consider any or all of these: My first goal was to not weigh what most, healthy men should weigh so immediately decided I wanted to be under 150. To me,150 lbs was entering chicks only territory. I also wanted a normal BMI so my Wii would stop declaring, "That's obese!" everytime I played. I also did not want to be 'skinny fat' so I decided my body fat needed to be less than 30%. Then I scoped out clothing sizes and decided I wanted a single digit dress size because I have never been a single digit. So I wanted to be 145 lbs, 25 BMI 29% body fat or less, and a size 8 or smaller. At some point someone posted a link to My Body gallery and I entered my height, body shape, and then started viewing different images of women at different weights. I thought the gals that were in the 130s looked good. Currently, I bounce around 137-141. My bodyfat is 20-28% (depends on the machine). My BMI is 24 and I wear a size 6. My new goal is 130 lbs, size 4 and to lose the stubborn belly fat.

Just dream it because you can do it.

Thank you for the great response.

My surgeon didn't really pick a goal. The insurance considers WLS a success if you lose 50% of excess weight, and on average, gastric sleeve patients lose about 70% of excess weight. Since I surpassed that at my one year check, I was considered a success. My doc told me I could do whatever I felt comfortable with - continue to lose, or stay there.

To determine excess weight, they look at a normal BMI to determine exactly what excess weight is for any individual, so it will be a range. I would love to get to a BMI below 25 since that's considered "normal" but I've also seen charts that are age adjusted. For me, that could be a BMI up to 27. So I stopped stressing that I'm not below 25 BMI, and I just keep plugging along. The weight is very slowly coming off at about 1-2 pounds a month, and I've made peace with that (for the most part). I look normal, wear a size 10, and am smaller than most women my age. I saw a plastic surgeon who told me I'd lose about 15 pounds with surgery, so if I had that, it would put me at a normal BMI. I don't think it's a one size fits all, I think it's a myriad of things we all have to decide for ourselves.

I'm trying to figure out what is right for me. I am 5'0, so very short. I am currently 146 and I would like to get to about 130, I think. My husband thinks I should stop now but he really likes curvy girls! I am currently wearing an 8 in pants, occasionally a 6 depending on the brand. I range from a small to xl in tops depending on the brand and style. I would love some plastics for my arms and stomach but my insurance has no cosmetic benefits and its just not financially possible as self pay right now. According to BMI calculator I should weigh 127 to be considered a normal BMI.

I set my own goal. I wanted to be a size 10. Well that was about 25 to 30 lbs ago. I think cloths are larger then they were 25 years ago. I'm 5'5" and now weigh 143. I'm in a size 6 pant unless they are too big. Yesterday I bought a size zero. That's how clothing makers vary. I'm thrilled, I love my new body, saggy and all! Just do what you are comfortable with.

I picked mine too. I mean they give you a chart that tells you at what weight you'll have a normal bmi, but I've been thin before. I know what looks good on me. Right now I'd settle for half way there. It's so hot in Vegas and the clothing I wear that covers this body is not comfortable.

My surgeon never set a weight. He follows the50% of excess is a success. That was over 50 pounds ago for me as that would be 70 and I am down 128. I need to lose 13 more to be a normal BMI but I am tall so look pretty normal already. Plus I'm already less than 25% fat so don't really need to lose more at my age. The 13 more pounds is probably skin as I have tons of arms and leg skin. The belly is not as bad as those areas.

Did you determine your goal weight or was that determined by your physician or BMI calculator? Did most of you reach the set goal?

My surgeon/surgery group does not assign a goal weight. The only goal given to us is to have a BMI under 30 as 30 is where all the health problems start. I first set my goal at 140lbs, then 125lbs. I am wavering between 3-5lbs within my goal weight. I did not do any crazy "no carbs" or "5 day pouch tests." I pretty much focus on Protein first and watch what I eat. Some days I do better than others but I have not gained any weight and am still losing maybe 1-2lbs a month if I do nothing.

I am not concerned with the scale so much anymore as I am with getting on a regular, sustainable workout routine and gaining muscle and shrinking my body overall. Eating less food or dieting as this point is just going to make my skin looser and my body flabbier. I think my new stretch goal is 110-120lbs but with definition.

YAY!!

I had a doctor too focused on weight and not focused on my health. I do believe that is why I've had some of the issues that I've had and the care/treatment (or the lack thereof).