Long time lurker, 3 years postband, never posted before, but have enjoyed everyone else's posts.

Made my doctor's goal in a year, then continued on to lose 15 more pounds, and if I got to choose, I'd lose 10 more. At 5'10, my doctor said he felt 172 was a good weight. Currently I reside between 155-160, and I think 142 is ideal.

However, EVERYONE ELSE thinks I'm too thin at my current weight. Husband wants me to gain 10 and 3 daughters agree.

I feel fine at 155-160 and my clothes fit perfectly. I have no fat spots, love handles, or anything else I need to lose to lose.

But at 142 I'd be "model thin" and that might be kind of cool. Still, my husband's opinion is so crucial --we've been married for 32 years. He always says he doesn't find super skinny women attractive. And I might point out that even when I weighed 266 he always said I was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen.

So, who do you think should decide? Doctor? Husband? Me? Oh, and FYI, I missed the whole sagging skin problem. Just luck or genes, but I did dodge that bullet so I don't think everyone who loses 100+ necessarily gets loose skin. On the other hand, my loss was slow, relatively, over a year . . .

So did you decide how much to lose? Someone else?

Foxglove

it's all good............

Edited June 2, 200818 yr by newbanster

I don't do anything special. From what I read here, it's a matter of learning to live with the band. I fought it for awhile. Puked. Then with the encouragement of the two great nurses who work with my dr, gradually accepted what my band allowed. Instead of eating a lot, I ate a little. That felt better. Soon it was a habit. Now it is my life. I eat protein first each meal. I try to eat 50-75 g of protein each day. I drink lots of water. Actually, I ONLY drink water. Nothing else except protein shakes. No booze. Dr said I could after a year, but I just never did start. I gave up coffee, too. Upset my stomach. I treat my body well -and gently, and it does ok. I think I have a pretty tight fill because any over eating is immediately uncomfortable. I must eat slowly, chew well, or OUCH. I usually eat fish because it takes too much effort to eat meat (chew, chew, chew). Although I don't exercise perse, I'm hugely active --outside all the time, and lots of walking. So, no, nothing special, just listened to every word my doctor said, did everything the nurses said. I think being a self-pay made me more motivated to make it work. I had a few times along the journey when I thought, "Oh, that's it. Done. Won't lose any more." Then I'd head back to the Dr. and get a little fill and the weight would start to come off again. Once I plateaued for 4 months before I went back into the Dr. He asked why I waited so long. I had no answer. I still don't know why I waited except that I'd lost 50 and I thought that was all I would lose. He did a fill and I began to lose again. My weight has been absolutely stable for 2 years -five up/five down on an almost daily basis. --Foxglove

I have a "feel good" number! What is it today? Wait a minute it is coming to me... Forget it, the number changes everyday depending on my mood.

What number on the scale would make you happy? Are you sure? Maybe you will get to the "new improved" number and decide that you still are not skinny enough. And around and around it goes. Just a few more pounds... I would not worry what your family thinks. I would be more concerned aboout what you feel. You have to ask yourself this one question as you look at yourself in the mirror: "What number will make me happy?" and then ask yourself, "Am I missing happiness now by worrying about weight issues that I do not need to worry about. In fact I am so tied up with these issues I forgot to Celebrate my accomplishments! I totally ROCK!":thumbup:

For me I do consider and value my husbands opinion, just as he does of mine.

He too has always liked a larger fuller woman w/ curves. I am blessed and have curves, so when I loose more my curves are more noticeable - that helps.

My husband has pnly known me as 280lbs - 300 and loved all of me.

He considers my thoughts and opinions and wants me to be healty, confident& happy. But I have also given him permission to tell me when I have hit that "magic size" in his eyes.

Right now we are in agreement w/ 149 (normal BMI) - but when we began this journey we were thinking 170 would be the winner. :eek:) Now I am between 149 - 160, but wont know until we see it. I am thinking a size 10 would be just right.

I have a co-worker who had GB and her husband has asked her to gain 10lbs because he thought she looked too skinny - she did gain it and I have to say she does look "healthier" and she is still thin.

I think it is a mixture of the two opinions, but do what is best for you.