[Kenyar]

I was just sitting here thinking abou my last meeting with my surgeon. He kept saying that he would be pleased and deem me a success if i hit 180. I was kind of pissed about that. DOwn right angry in fact. I kept saying to myself, "I did all this for 180?" The fact of the matter is, I'm at 190, very healthy, size 10 (yay!) and im wondering if maybe he was right? I fought for 150 but I think I'd be a stick if I ever made it there. It's amazing how different our bodies are. I never thought I would actually be content at 190 and here I am.

I know I am still considered "overweight" and thats fine. But, I guess this is one more thing to add to my LOOOOOOONG list of things to think about. great

[kimtindall]

You look fantastic right where you are, and I think that if you do or dont lose the other pounds, it cant make you look any better.

[DocSanae]

Some numbers are just numbers.
I imagine (most of) you don't really have a good concept of what you would look like below a certain weight, and neither do you have a really clear idea of what weight would be good for you. What you mostly hear are numbers that are either too big, or too small (as with the Hollywood starlets and waif-like super models).
Okay, I don't have my weight stats in my profile, but to give you some kind of image to relate to, at 5' 5" (which is about 3" taller than the average Japanese) I am around 130-132, my BMI 22, which puts me in a large size here, but medium/small in the US.

So, here are a couple of pics of CraigT and I to show you an example.
Craig is about 5' 11", around 200lbs (he was 400lbs pre-op 10 years ago) in this pic. That would put his BMI at 27, and he wears XL shirts. (Sorry, Craig, for squealing but I know you are quite happy where you are at now )




If you want some sort of reference for goal numbers, I think the simplest one is to aim first for below BMI 30, then if you want something more, make a go for BMI below 25. BUT, and a big BUT, not below 22. BMI 22 is considered the median (with BMI, as you probably know, it isn't called average, but normal range is 24.9-18.5 -- however, since most of you have been overweight for a long time, going below 22 could be dangerous)

Clothe sizes are a good reference, too. Would you feel comfortable with large? Or would you like to hit medium? If you aren't tall, then you could aim for small, but if you are tall, large might be the best balanced size for you, as size is relative to your height. If you are tall, you probably will look slim in size 8 or 10 (as Kenya does), while, if you aren't tall, 6 might do the job. You need to keep in mind, those Hollywood startlets are size 0s. Don't know if you would like to go there, I know I'm happy with where I am.

Kenya, you know, every time I see your new pics, I keep thinking, OMG, you can be a fashion model.

[Jill]

You know Kenya, my regular surgeon said something to my husband the other day -- he says that your body knows what your "ideal" weight is and eventually (if your healthy and eating right) it gets to that point and stays there within 10 - 15 pounds up or down. And the statistics on weight loss with GB show that most folks get to somewhere around 70% of their weight gone. Hey if I was a size 10 I would be celebrating and it wouldn't matter what I weighed! Giminy crickets! I haven't been in a size 10 since I was in my late teens early 20's!

[Chilly]

Yes, I agree. You are 5'9" which is pretty tall. You look so great where you are, but whatever makes YOU comfortable. That's why I was hesitant with a "goal weight". I put 150, but I really don't know what I want to be. I think I would be happy wearing 8-10 though.

[emilysventure]

Kenya - I too have to agree with all of the posts. you look fabulous and as you said 150 i think you would be stick and bone whichmight not be as good as one would anticipate. i think you look amazing - isnt it weird how a person loses weight and they look totally different! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

[beckamarie]

Kenya I think your right. I want to see how I look in a size 8-10. I am short so for me I will look alot heavier then you. You look amazing

[Kenyar]

Originally Posted by DocSanae

Some numbers are just numbers.
I imagine (most of) you don't really have a good concept of what you would look like below a certain weight, and neither do you have a really clear idea of what weight would be good for you. What you mostly hear are numbers that are either too big, or too small (as with the Hollywood starlets and waif-like super models).
Okay, I don't have my weight stats in my profile, but to give you some kind of image to relate to, at 5' 5" (which is about 3" taller than the average Japanese) I am around 130-132, my BMI 22, which puts me in a large size here, but medium/small in the US.

So, here are a couple of pics of CraigT and I to show you an example.
Craig is about 5' 11", around 200lbs (he was 400lbs pre-op 10 years ago) in this pic. That would put his BMI at 27, and he wears XL shirts. (Sorry, Craig, for squealing but I know you are quite happy where you are at now )




If you want some sort of reference for goal numbers, I think the simplest one is to aim first for below BMI 30, then if you want something more, make a go for BMI below 25. BUT, and a big BUT, not below 22. BMI 22 is considered the median (with BMI, as you probably know, it isn't called average, but normal range is 24.9-18.5 -- however, since most of you have been overweight for a long time, going below 22 could be dangerous)

Clothe sizes are a good reference, too. Would you feel comfortable with large? Or would you like to hit medium? If you aren't tall, then you could aim for small, but if you are tall, large might be the best balanced size for you, as size is relative to your height. If you are tall, you probably will look slim in size 8 or 10 (as Kenya does), while, if you aren't tall, 6 might do the job. You need to keep in mind, those Hollywood startlets are size 0s. Don't know if you would like to go there, I know I'm happy with where I am.

Kenya, you know, every time I see your new pics, I keep thinking, OMG, you can be a fashion model.

HAHAHA i kept re-reading your post for a few reasons. first off, i always thought of craig like sanata clause or the tooth fairy, you know he's there but you never ever see him lol. thanks for sharing the pictures. you are teeny tiny too! the both of you look great!

as for the whole numbers game, i think a lot of what we are all shooting for is what we THINK that size will look like on us. And we've wanted it for so long its no onger a genuine want. for me at least.

I dont remember being below 200 lbs ever in my adult lft but for a month when i did slim fast. and for those of you who have done liquid fasts you know once you starting eating, the lbs lost come right back. i think i was at my goal for 24 hours and that was it. i got down to about 165-170 i believe, but the wierd thing is i was an 8 then. thats 20 or so lbs away from where i am now. maybe im not that far off. whatever the case, i would like to tone up which will probably get my bmi a bit lower, but im not looking to be a waif, or a size 2 (never eeeesh!) that just wouldnt be becoming at all lol not for me anyway...but i never thought i would be ok with where i am right now. 190. i keep repeating it...im ok with it. it would be interesting to see how much longer my body allows loss. but im not going to drive myself crazy trying to get to 150 lol. if i get there, i get there. i'll see what my surgeon says at my 6 month follow up next month. 6 months next month! lol

[Kenyar]

thanks for the compliments. i honestly didnt mean for the post to go that route but thank you. i just think its wierd how you want something so bad and right when youre about to get it, you figure out it wasnt for you afterall. i have obsessed over the number 150 for YEARS. no clue why. didnt even know what size i would be much less how i would look. i guess i let it go. lol. i learn something new thru this experience everyday....

the cool thing is if i would have put my surgeons goal down as mine, i would be only 10 lbs away LMAO!!!!!

[Msdjones65]

I think it depends on what makes you comfortable. I am very hippy. Regardless of what I do I still maintain that basic shape. Go with what makes you feel sexy and happy.