honest opinions please

hi all, i had open rny on 5-26-04 and started out at 271 in a size 26 and am now down to 135 and a size 4-6. i have pretty much been at this same weight since december. here is my question,do you think a person should focus on what the scale says,or what size clothing they are wearing. everyone tells me that i look like i weigh around 120 lbs. and when they say that,it makes me feel like maybe i should try to get down to 120. the problem is i am having trouble with eating the wrong kinds of food,and even my portions are probably too big at this point. anyway,what in your opinion should be our guide,clothing size or weight in lbs.??? thx,tracy

Hi. I only weigh once a month other wise i would be INSANE some peoples weight changes from day to day, so i just dont' get into it at all. i just keep doing what i have been doing and not letting the scale rule my life it is a iam dowm from 278 to 144 my goal is 130-135 but iam just breezing in there

FANTASTIC TRACY!! I had my surgery on May 25, 2005 and weighed the same as you...except I got stuck at 200 pounds. I can't get the rest off. I have started really bad habits, and can't break them. But, I will...I will not stay here forever!! What was your goal weight? Do you look good now? How do you feel? And, most importantly, what does your doctor say? Think about what you are going to look like if you do lose 15 more pounds...too skinny? And, just for fun...if you are a 4-6 now...and you lose 15 pounds...do they make clothes that small. Hee Hee. I am just jealous...that's all!!! Are you maintaining ok? Lots of questions, I know...and you have probably thought about all of them already!! Good Luck, Jealous Jeannie!!

HI Tracy, Congrats on the awesome job!!! Personally, I think you need to go with how YOU feel...not a clothes size or scale weight. I have people telling me I'm too skinny (who'd a thought!), even my mom thought I weighed less than her -- she's 132....and couldn't believe it when I told her I averaged about 157-160 (but I'm 6' tall & very proportioned), and am wearing a size 6-8. When I first got to this wt/size I was shocked, and ran to the Dr thinking I was too thin & something must be wrong. But, I feel great & am healthier than I have been in 25 years. He reassured me that I am perfectly within the normal range for my height, body type, etc I now am just going on how I feel and what I think about how I look. I like myself at this weight & size. I have had to really learn to just take peoples comments for what they are "opinions"....kind of a "noted and thanks for your input" mentality. You are the only one who has to be HAPPY with your body. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and try to put it all into perspective. If you think that loosing another 15 lbs is in your best interest, that you will be healthier, that it is a realistic maintainable, healthy goal weight then go for it. However, if it is just to reach a certain number, maybe you need to think about it an analize it a bit. Sometimes, some of us, cross over that line into a new area, and trade our pre-op compulsive eating behaviors for new ones. Be careful, be smart, be safe. Wishing you continued success & the best of luck Pam RNY 5/13/04 268/157 below goal & maintaining

Tracy - I agree with Pam. If you feel good and are happy at whatever weight - stay there. Part of this whole process is getting in tune with yourself and your body. It will let you know how your doing at whatever weight you're at. Being healthy and able to do the things I want along with feeling good is far more important to me that what the number on my scale says. If you're at 135 pounds and someone thinks you look like you're at 120 - go with it. If you were 50 years old and someone said you looked 40 would you feel the same way? OK, maybe that's not a great analogy because you can't change your age. But you get my point. They are all just numbers after all. John

Now this is a subject I can relate to. I had WLS 5/10/04. I am 5'1" (and ¾) I have to get the three quarters in there :smile: . I started out at 235.5. I was definitely weight driven in meeting my goal for my height. It has been so important to me for my BMI to be "normal" not overweight and defiantly not an obese weight. Therefore 130-132 puts my BMI below 25. I realize the BMI can be a little biased; however it's what the doctor uses as well as insurance companies etc. I am 130 lbs, I wear an average 2 or 4 in misses and 3s or 5s in juniors. I do have a couple of size 1 skirts also. People tell me I look like I weigh 110-115. When I first started out I wanted to weigh around 120-125. If I loose anymore weight it's going to be very difficult to find clothes to fit with out getting everything altered. I can definitely say with out a doubt I am happy at 130. I think anything less than a 2 or 3 on me will make me look emaciated, and that looks very unhealthy. I do weigh myself about every other day. I find if I weigh every day, it makes me "nuts". I purposely don't weigh the week" Aunt Flow Comes to Visit"; I can gain a good 3-5 lbs of water weight. I find if I am creeping up, I monitor my fluid and protein intake (increase) and I always am able to gain control. Control is a new word for me :smile: Its something I didn't have before WLS. I thank God everyday for this surgery and the gifted physicians who perform it. WLS gave me my life and health back. I have no regrets. Cat

Tracy first off congrats on your success!!! As for your question, it is just a number game to me. I know some people who are a size 6, but then weigh 180lbs. Then there are the ones you see where two people the same height, at the same weight of say oh 145lbs, one will be wearing a size 6 and the other wearing a size 10, go figure. I think the main thing is as long as you are at a healthy weight and not obese. If your bmi is in normal range that is what is best. So I wouldnt go too much by numbers on the scale or in clothes sizes. I know this is hard, and it is for me too, I started at 298 and I am now at 183 as of today, and have been stuck around 186 for over a month, I am wearing size 18 also which is still fat lady clothes too me and it is depressing. I do know that once I get down to a healthy weight I will be happy even if the scale is up, or the clothes size is up. Numbers vary so much even if the people are the same height and weight. Dont let the numbers get to you sweetie!! Keep up the good work you are doing terrific!!- Melissa

Hi, I feel that how you feel and look to yourself should be the key I also agree that when we age too thin doesn't look pretty I wear from a 0-an 8 depending on store make, like little girls 12-14, pettite size 4-6 jr 5-7 so its any bodies guess I weigh 120 4ft 8 and even different sites BMI calcs are different I vote on actual weight and how you feel. ,Marcia