ALMOST............

Oh my goodness!!!! I realized something this morning when I got on the scale and it was down 2 more pounds (FINALLY!!!!!! YES!!!!!!). I am ALMOST halfway to my personal goal!!! Or, at least what I THINK I want my goal weight to be. It might end up a bit higher depending on how I look/feel as I continue to lose. I started out at 254. I would like to be 125 at the end of my journey (not sure if this is my goal for before or after plastics). Anyway, this morning I was at 192, which is down 62 pounds....only 2.5 more pounds and I'm halfway to 125! I was floored. I never would have thought that in just over three months I'd be halfway to where I want to be. UNREAL. Thank you all for taking this journey with me and sharing your experiences. It is making each day, each step, so memorable to know I have friends going thru it with me. Love to you all, Susan

It's a good feeling, isn't it?!? I've lost 86 pounds since I started this journey and 56 lbs since surgery in Oct. I want to be 135 -- it is so nice having others going through the same journey! Congrats and keep up the fantastic work! Holly

Thanks Holly. Wow, you are doing really wonderful too. Keep on keeping on!!! Susan

Woooo Hooo!!! Great work. So how did you determine you personal goal for yourself. if I can ask? I have been trying to see if mine is in line. I am just half way as well with my personal goal (135) too but it all depends I could go a little lower as well!! I have lost 68 lbs as of today. So half way was 64.5 lbs. Doctor says that he wants me to have a normal BMI which would be great but his goal and mine are 12 lbs different (147). That is why I ask you about how you determined your personal goal. I thank everyone here as well...Could not do it without everyone here!! Hugs~~ Deanne

Hi Deanne... Thanks for the wonderful words. How did I determine my personal goal? Hmmmm....I haven't actually put this into words before, so please bear with me if I ramble or don't make sense. Before I had children I was thin. Really thin. In fact, all my life I was thin until kids. Something happened to my body when I had those boys....4 of them in 5 (almost 6) years! I tell everyone of the first 6 years of our marriage I spent three complete years pregnant! (Son #4 was born exactly 1 month and 1 week after our 6th anniversary.) So, I sort of know what weight was good for me before - between 105 and 115. I have a really small bone structure, plus I'm only 5'4". Taking all that into consideration plus the fact that I am older (39) and have had 4 kids, I decided that a reasonable weight for me is 125. It also fits into the "normal" range on the charts. At this point I don't know if 125 is my goal for before plastics so afterwards I'll be back around 115 or if it's my goal for after plastics. It basically depends on how I feel when I get down to those weights. I know I have more muscle now than I did back then and muscle does weigh more..... Who knows. I did try to get my surgeon to help me pin point an actual goal weight. He didn't. I'm assuming because at this point it will be hard to determine at what weight I will feel best and be healthiest. So, I'm willing to adjust if needed. Hope that helps. Susan

At least you have a starting point as I have been heavy my whole life. Like you I am 5' 4" and I thought my goal was a little on the high side at 135 but I might get lower (I'd like to if at all possible), when I had a scope done last month she told me I was petite (not sure what that means and all). This is why I ask this question to you. I wanted to be reasonable and still have something to achieve to as well. I started a little higher weight than you did 264. Thanks for the info. Deanne

Anytime Deanne. Considering you are also 5'4" and petite, I'd say (not that I KNOW anything) that 135 is a reasonable goal for you. Of course, depending on how much muscle mass you have, that might be what you want to weigh AFTER you have a tummy tuck and/or other plastics. Just to show you the differences in people, I have two friends who had this surgery done a couple years ago. We are all 5'4". One of them now weighs 122 (had a TT) and is a size 4. She never really had a lot of muscle mass and walked for exercise. She looks and feels fantastic. The other friend, also 5'4" weighs in around 145 (no TT yet) and is a size 6 - she lifted weights (Curves) as her exercise. The second friend weighed less, but looked sickly and didn't feel well either, so her doctor had her gain some weight back. Now she looks and feels very healthy. She is now also considering plastics. They have told her they will remove about 8-10 pounds of excess flesh, which will put her around 135, but a size 4 just like my other friend. Hope it helps to know how other people our height differ for their final goals. IMHO it all depends on each individual. The main thing is being in the "normal" range and at a weight that feels good to you. ie, you have energy, you are active and you have a positive self image (this may take work for us, but we will get there eventually). Sorry, I keep writing novels today. Guess I have a lot to say. Susan

Really your first friend sounds like me. I walk for my exercise but not sure how much muscle mass I really do have under all this extra weight. I just want to look and feel factastic about myself and be healthy for myself along with being healthy and happy for my family. 8 -10 pounds of flesh... wow that would change her weight drastically I keep going back and forth on the plastics and what I would like done. Family in Law says that I need new girls upstairs but we shall see how much they are and all. (I know TMI ) Thanks for all your info as it has been a lot of help so that I can see if I was inline with my goals (I want to achieve them and just not be a # that I want to get to) Hugs~~ Deanne

Glad I was able to help Deanne. I'm with you on the girls.....I want mine picked up off my waist and put back on my chest where they belong. TMI? However, it depends on whether or not my insurance will cover it. I KNOW they will pay for the TT if it's done within a certain amount of time OR if it's considered medically necessary. With the girls, I'm not sure what kind of medical necessity will have to be shown so I can get the lift. Not really interested in augmentation, just a lift. IF it's not too costly, we have discussed paying for that one ourselves - IF the surgeon can/will do it at the same time as the TT. I'd just pay for the additional costs associated.... But, there are lots of IFs in that scenario. Susan

WOW congrats thats wonderful!! Felicia =)