Okay so I am over a year out now. I was warned by the nurse practitioner that statistically people with bipolar disorder do not always lose as much weight so I made My goal a little higher so I would not be dissapointed. My first goal was 180. Well I reached that and was still losing so I set it to 160. I got down to 169 rather quickly and I stayed there for months and then I started gaining. I gained to 179 and Now I have been stuck right around this weight for months. At this point I honestly don’t see myself getting back to 169, never mind 160. My hunger hormone is back and it will not allow me to reduce my calories anymore. I have decided that If I can actually maintain it, I think I can be happy at this weight. I am in normal sizes at least and only technically “overweight” by a little bit. I will not be happy if I gain anymore though. In a perfect world I would’ve gotten down to 160 and made another goal for 140 but on the meds I am on I guess that is just not possible. Anyways, whenever I look at the 160 it is depressing me. Should I just change it back to 180?? I know it is just a number but it is making me feel like a failure for not reaching my goal. Don’t laugh, I’m my mind it’s a big deal for some reason.

Yes, change it back to 180. You are generally happy at this weight and you fit into normal size clothing. If setting the goal weight at 180 will allow you to celebrate your success instead of feeling like a failure and help you stay at 179-180, then do it.

Wow, that's a tough one! I also have bipolar disorder, but they didn't tell me I would have a harder time losing weight. I suspected it since all my meds make me hungry, and I've been hungry from day 1, but the obesity medicine specialist has been really helpful - I'm on metformin and topamax now to help reduce my hunger. I'm still losing weight, but this month it REALLY slowed down.

A BMI of 27 is actually really good for ANYONE after WLS, bipolar or not! You should be very proud of yourself. Also, it's really normal to regain some weight after you get to your lowest.

Personally, I only put a "new" weight if my weight goes down, so while my weight on here says 166.2, today I was actually 166.8... I think maybe it will make you feel better to realize your first "goal" weight was more realistic, and to change back to that. Probably that's what I would do. But either way, congratulations!

Who would laugh? I can't imagine anyone here laughing at goal weight struggles, because most of us have either been there or will be there at some point. I asked my Dietician about goal weight and she told me that no one in their practice cares about goal weights, as in no one there expects every patient to hit "healthy bmi" she said the only purpose bmi serves is for insurance purposes (in their practice). I asked about a goal weight because during the entire process no one has given me a goal weight to reach. She told me my goal weight will be where I am happiest at. So I thought that was good advice. Each patient has different struggles with what caused their obesity, and obesity and weight loss isn't always cut and dried. so it's nice to be involved with a practive that treats us as individuals. So if you are happy with your weight, that's most imporatant.

Also, as lizonaplane said, you may want to give medical weight loss some thought if you do want to try to lose more. It's geared mostly towards people that are slightly overweight. It might be the tool that you need to lose a little more weight. I know glp 1 agonists help with appetite suppression and have few side effects, and they might work with your current meds (no interatctions). And topiramate/topamax helps with carb cravings.

Best wishes! ?

Edited May 6, 20224 yr by BypassingMyPhatAss♡

1 hour ago, ShoppGirl said:

Should I just change it back to 180?? I know it is just a number but it is making me feel like a failure for not reaching my goal. Don’t laugh, I’m my mind it’s a big deal for some reason.

You absolutely should change it, IMO. You've worked way too hard (with such terrific results) to let a number get you down. I'd be thrilled with a BMI of 27, that's for sure. Congratulations!

Thank you everyone for your replies. It took some time to figure it out again but I updated it to reflect my more realistic goal. I am still going to try to lose a little more and talk to my doctor about weight loss medications but I figure whatever else I lose I will just think of that as a bonus.