Curious about goals

Rita, I fall in with most of the ladies here. I was never given a goal weight by my Dr. Also, since I have been large almost all of my life, I haven't a clue what I will look like or feel like if/when I get down below 185 or so. I am 5'6'' and would like to get down around 160, but wouldn't feel it was a problem if I only get down to 175/180. Shape wise, I have always been a pear, but I have heavy upper arms and was always busty too. Since I started at 337, I will probably need a tummy tuck, breast reduction and maybe some other work done. I will probably lose another 10 - 15# or more with that, so 175 would put me at 160 after plastic! I have always said that I would have to see when I get there. I continue to stay with that.

My doctor's goal for me was around 200 and that was from a weight of 365 when I first saw him. He wanted to make it very realistic. According to his figures, on my last appoint on 2/15/06, I am 39 pounds away from his goal for me. Last weight was 241. I know doctors want us to be realistic but ..... still 200 pounds! no way! I want onderland too. I'm not sure about 160 because I'm 5'6 1/2" but definitely want 180 to 170 or something. Under 200. But talking about feeling good. I really feel good where I am now. But my goal was not loose 100 pounds or even BMI. I always felt good about myself even at my heaviest weight. Even though I'm married... never and I mean never had any trouble attracting men. I just wanted to feel more comfortable with who I was. Fit better in seats, airplanes, booths. Knees and ankles stop hurting. Sleep apnea and GERD ease up. That kind of stuff. I look in the mirror and don't see a slimmer person. I see the same person. And I still like her no matter what size she might be. So the doctor's 39 pounds or my 70 pounds. I'll be happy.

My doctor never gave me a goal either. In fact, he avoided the question when I asked.. said it depended on the person. I am also 5'7" and built to carry weight, so I came up with a 150ish goal. I think for me personally, it will depend pretty much on my appearance and BMI. Up until I was at my heaviest, I was able to hide alot of my weight, and thank God I am like that again. I guess I still look fat, but I don't look my weight. You are so close to your goal... congratulations!! Clarissa 346/229/150

Hey Rita, This is a great question. I checked out the BMI calculator and came up with 135 for myself. Then when I saw my surgeon in January, he said (weighed in at 230). This is you 6 month checkup and "we" have another 100 pounds to go. So, although he has never given me a goal, I guess he had one in mind at 130. I feel like if I get to 140 to 135, I will be happy with that. I must say though, I am very happy now. I know I will continue to loose more, but each day has been a wonderful day since I hit 226. I haven't felt this good ever! Thanks for asking! Lori 293/219/135/130

Hi Rita! My dr. set my goal wt. to 170 and then when i went in for my 3 month check-up he came up with 160! the goal in my head is 170 and I figure anything after that will be my icing on the cake!!! Stay Strong!! Hippie 291/2254/160

No goal from my doctor either. I'd be thrilled with normal BMI which would be 140. However, my lowest adult weight was 145lbs. I'm 5'3, small boned and very curvy. I was a size 12 at 145 and felt so tiny. I don't know if I can make it there again. My new goal may be to weigh the same as my teenage daughter so I can borrow her cool clothes. I can barely sqeeze into her tops now. Torrey

Hey Rita... I am late getting back to you, but before my surgery I asked my surgeon what my goal should be and he acted kind of surprised by the question but told me at 5'8" starting out at 320, if I got down to 170-180 I would be considered a successful surgery. Now, after losing 115 pounds, and seeing him for my 6 month visit, we discussed it again. He told me for my BMI to be normal I would need to get in the 150's and I told him that I had 150 in my head as an ideal weight anyway. He said I could do it, but I would really have to work hard and exercise all the time. I have picked up my exercising some, but really want to kick it up to get to that 150 mark. That would be awesome! Take care! Nancy 5'8" 320/205/170 (150 ultimate goal )

Thank you ALL of you Guys for your input. I guess all of us have relatively similar goals, and we pick them on same grounds. Probably the most important thing to get the health benefit of Weightloss has already been achived by all of us. Now it's more of a Vanity Matter, and some fine-tuning. Take care, enjoy your journey. Best wishes, Rita