I am 6'3" tall and very wide in the chest and shoulders - well, and middle too, but not for long. Currently 308 lbs.

If I stuck to the standard BMI chart then I would need to weigh under 200 pounds to break the magic 25 barrier. The best shape of my life I was 19 and 235 lbs and that was when I was in the Army - I was very lean and fairly ripped.

When my doctor spoke to me about the BMI chart he immediately told me to not pay attention to them based upon my physical make up. He also told me that when Arnold Schwarzenegger won Mr. Universe his BMI was like 60. Even though he was in the best shape of his life - I know, extrememe example.

Anyway, I wanted to know what your doctors said about the charts, since I know some stick to them religiously.

-BSG

Before banding when I spoke to the surgeon and nurse (a pre-banding appt) they both asked what my goal was. I immediately said...'According to the BMI chart...' and they both instantly stopped me. They both said to use the chart as a guidline only, if I chose to get to the magical '25' so be it, but not to let a chart choose my goal. I gave it some thought....

After reading up on the BMI chart it is pretty obvious, in my opinion of course, that it is meant to be used as a guidline. It ~only~ takes into account height and weight. A little unrealistic I think. We are not all built the same, we all have different muscle mass and bone structure.

I am 6' tall and was 306 at surgery. After I had lost about 50lbs by family Dr asked how much I planned on losing and I told him that I didn't know but would know it when I got there. He actually said that he was surprised I didn't give him the BMI #'s because so many use it as gospel...and he hates it !!! In order to hit the '25' I need to weigh about 175, I've never in my memory weighed 175!!!

I've lost 100lbs now and have maintained that for over a year, and I feel healthy !!! Would I like to lose more?...probably. I am a size 16 comfortably (started in a 28), I feel good, I don't hurt when I walk or work all day, I look good. I am ~never~ going to be skinny, nor do I want to be. I did this to be healthy and I have reached my goal, anything else is a bonus !!! :cool2:

Patricia

Hi:

I am 5'7" and started at 324. I'm down to 176. I discussed the bmi targets with my surgeon. My bmi is healthy at 159. I know that if I lose 20 more pounds people will think that I'm ill because my face will be so gaunt. My doctor said it will be okay to set my goal at 170 because I am healthy. My goal is to get down to 169 this year and then have 169 to 174 to play with.

Best wishes to you.

I love my band.

Sue

My doctor only used the BMI chart to determine how much weight he wanted me to lose prior to surgery. Since surgery he hasn't spoken about BMI, charts, goal weight etc. He asked me my goal and said once we got to my goal we would decide together how much farther I needed to go. As long as your healthy and losing at a safe pace, don't worry too much about charts.