Is anyone's goal weight higher than the BMI chart weight?

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@SkinnyDown

When you are morbidly obese for a long time, it changes your body. Your bones become much denser and you have more muscle mass. Your doctor is probably aware of this and knows that you don't have to go that low in weight to have a low body fat percentage.

My bone density is at the top of the charts. Because of that I will always weight more than a person that has been a normal weight their whole life and weighs the same as what I weight at the time. My muscle mass exceed exceed my fat mass even when I still had a high BMI after losing weight after surgery (I am almost due to have it tested again). The ratio of muscle I have to fat is not reflected on any BMI or fat percentage chart. It would only be known by having a body scan which is what I had. I wear a 14 in juniors even though I am still very heavy in weight but I am pretty compact in how I look (for my weight, I still have a long way to go). Carrying around an extra 200 lbs for 20 years changed my body forever, and it has for most people that have been very obese for a very long time.

Edited April 10, 2016 by OutsideMatchInside

[nyseness 76]

My surgeon goal weight is 150, but I think that's too small. My daughter weighs around that and she's a teenager. In no shape of form do I want to get so low. I love my curves and would be happy at 170/180.

[her1981 448]

@@SkinnyDown

When you are morbidly obese for a long time, it changes your body. Your bones become much denser and you have more muscle mass. Your doctor is probably aware of this and knows that you don't have to go that low in weight to have a low body fat percentage.

My bone density is at the top of the charts. Because of that I will always weight more than a person that has been a normal weight their whole life and weighs the same as what I weight at the time. My muscle mass exceed exceed my fat mass even when I still had a high BMI after losing weight after surgery (I am almost due to have it tested again). The ratio of muscle I have to fat is not reflected on any BMI or fat percentage chart. It would only be known by having a body scan which is what I had. I wear a 14 in juniors even though I am still very heavy in weight but I am pretty compact in how I look (for my weight, I still have a long way to go). Carrying around an extra 200 lbs for 20 years changed my body forever, and it has for most people that have been very obese for a very long time.

@@SkinnyDown

When you are morbidly obese for a long time, it changes your body. Your bones become much denser and you have more muscle mass. Your doctor is probably aware of this and knows that you don't have to go that low in weight to have a low body fat percentage.

My bone density is at the top of the charts. Because of that I will always weight more than a person that has been a normal weight their whole life and weighs the same as what I weight at the time. My muscle mass exceed exceed my fat mass even when I still had a high BMI after losing weight after surgery (I am almost due to have it tested again). The ratio of muscle I have to fat is not reflected on any BMI or fat percentage chart. It would only be known by having a body scan which is what I had. I wear a 14 in juniors even though I am still very heavy in weight but I am pretty compact in how I look (for my weight, I still have a long way to go). Carrying around an extra 200 lbs for 20 years changed my body forever, and it has for most people that have been very obese for a very long time.

You are so right. I had them re-check me at my last visit and I still have a goal weight of over 200 pounds based on my % of body fat, muscle mass, and bone density. Of the 140 pounds I've lost, only 20 was muscle. So now I'm left wondering if I'll be over 200 pounds and still healthy. Interestingly, I went to see a doctor on Friday (not my bariatric surgeon) and he asked if I was planning to lose anymore weight. I said "yes, I'm still fat" and he waved me off saying I was REALLY healthy. I fully intend to get to 230ish, but maybe that's it for me??? Only time will tell.

[ironpoorer 88]

Having started with a BMI of 55 ( 6'1" 414 lb) I personally would be content to get to 250, happier still at 220 and ecstatic if I ever make it to 'onederland'. Have not seen my weight beginning with a 1 since shortly after boot camp

38 years ago.

[HanSolo1977 261]

My goal weight is 215 which puts my BMI at 30. In order to get to nominal BMI, I'd have to weigh 178. That would be downright impossible. My bariatician thinks my goal is reasonable, but he thinks I'll go a bit farther.

We'll see what my body can handle

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

I think a lot of weight loss surgery patients have their goal weight higher than the BMI chart’s definition of “normal” or “overweight,” especially at the beginning of their journey. The reason may be because it seems more “doable,” so patients may choose that goal themselves or their surgeons may suggest it as a goal weight.

Like @@her1981 mentioned, it’s possible that your goal weight can drop as you get closer to it. When you’re losing weight and feeling better each day, why stop at an “obese” weight if your body is looking towards a “normal” weight?

But for some patients, they may find they just can’t break into “overweight” or “normal” BMI ranges. It seems that some people just aren’t meant to be a lower weight. That’s fine, as long as you’re happy and healthy where you are. A fit post-op BMI of 30 is way better than an unhealthy pre-op BMI of, say 40!

[cindyw41 761]

My doctor said he'd like to see me at 140lbs. This puts me right at the normal/over weight range. I'm shooting for 130 but would be happy at 135. These number sound a little crazy but after reaching 165lbs (today) those numbers seam realistic to me now.

My BMI today is 30.2

Edited April 10, 2016 by cindyw41

[Wendyfm 494]

Right now I'm at 172, happy here, but wouldn't mind 165. My so called ideal weight by the charts is 119-135. Not too worried about making it.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[RoachBug 233]

Well according to the BMI charts I should be around 150-160. I have problems even thinking about being that weight! I actually have three goals that I have set for myself. First goal would be 220lbs., which is what my Heart Failure Specialist set as the weight that will move me up on the list for transplant. Second goal would be 200lbs., which is about where I was when I was in college and went through the Police Academy. Lastly would be 175lbs., which was about where I was when I was in High School. Good Lord, about 105lbs. seems like a lot to loose but I am determined!

[Terri Lynn1383837796 139]

I will tell you this as I was 385 when I started my journey. See how YOU feel at 230. You do what works for you! I had 200 in mind...but because of all the lose skin and my collar bones protruding...200 is not going to happen for me. You will know when you get comfortable with you! Best of luck to you!

[Julie norton 2,850]

Seems like many of us evolve into a goal weight. I am not negating those who reach it and stay there. Brava!

Personally, a healthy --close , but lower than high school weight ----feels wonderful for me. I could put on my boxing gloves and FIGHT another 10 lbs or so, but I am weary of decades of fighting MYSELF. And the internal scale fight... You know, the daily or weekly Am I good enough?

NO MORE

So I shall stay content , happy, healthy.... (Still monitoring myself) imperfect but fabulous me. I truly am not trying to boast... Just happy about 9 years of the authentic me. Some of the most healthy of my life! Thank you for listening.

This is my real life

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

People who have start weights in the 200s, with 40ish BMIs are more likely to get into a "normal" weight range, but for people that have been extremely morbidly obese with BMIs over 50 for a longer period of time have changed bodies. If they meet their Protein goals and maintain their muscle mass, they are going to be heavier with less fat, not even counting in the bone density.

I wish DEXA scans were more widely available and used more by baratric programs in the US like they are used in Europe. They provide the only accurate picture of what is really going with a person and their body composition.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Just wondering how you reached this conclusion. I have long suspected that it's true, but I'd love to see some research or science behind it. Also, what do you mean "heavier with less fat"? Thanks!

People who have start weights in the 200s, with 40ish BMIs are more likely to get into a "normal" weight range, but for people that have been extremely morbidly obese with BMIs over 50 for a longer period of time have changed bodies. If they meet their Protein goals and maintain their muscle mass, they are going to be heavier with less fat, not even counting in the bone density.

[SkinnyDown 409]

I'm not even sure what this "Dexa" scan is, that you mentioned. @ OutsideMatchInside

I do know this. I am tiny. I was meant to be tiny, that is completely visible to me even at 196 lbs, my wrists are so tiny that the bracelets I have, even adjustable with lobster clasps, I am putting on as tight at they will go, and they are still loose. I just feel like I was always meant to be a truly petite person. I'm only 5' 1", some people here are tall, and going to look completely "average/normal/thin" at a much higher weight. Some people even if short have a larger frame. I don't. I was quite surprised to find out just how tiny I am, under this fat, since I don't remember ever a time when I wasn't fat.

I will naturally lose more weight after belly and thigh loose skin is removed. I have been overweight from age 5 and progressed to super morbidly obese by the time I reached college. That's 45 years, of stretched skin, so they have quite a lot to remove. Perhaps I will have a better idea after that, and know the right weight for me. Maybe my surgeon knows I'll lose 25 lbs in skin. I really don't know how much skin-weight people lose. I have quite an extensive large hanging belly and thighs which look like they are melting over my knees at this point. Thank goodness for good supportive leggings, they are somewhat forgiving. lol

149lbs gone, and 46 more lbs to go! I think I will know better after all that, what a good weight for me will be.

Edited April 12, 2016 by SkinnyDown

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Everyone here can and should speak their truth. But that's all it is ... *their* truth.

No one really knows what your situation is. Set your own goals and go for them.