Deciding on your goal weight - your "stopping point"

Size SIX! That is marvelous!! And 140 is pretty darned great too. You guys have mostly all lost more than I have. You are so inspiring!

Evelyn, You are doing great and I am one of the shorties at 5' 4.5" plus as my doctor put it when I had my surgery done I was a light one I was just barely 100lbs over weight and right at a BMI of 40. Honestly I barely qualified if it wasn't for the strong family history of heart disease I probably wouldn't have been approved. My reason for the surgery was for better health and to hopefully reduce my chances of heart disease in the future. We all have our own weight where we are comfortable and no matter what size someone else is what is important is that we are comfortable with ourself and where we are in our life whether it be with weight, work or whatever. Look at where you are comfortable and don't let anyone else tell you, that you don't need to loose more weight or you need to loose more weight. You make that choice it's your body and your life do what feels right to you. Be the person that make you happy.

Teresa... Be GLAD you said what you did about Tricare!!! Are you PRIME?? If you are, I have good news. Tricare covers the "excess skin removal" after RNY....but here's the kicker. They will do it after you have lost your weight and stabilized your weight for 3-4 months. The REAL kicker? You have until December 31 of the year following your surgery to have it done without showing medical necessity. Also....if you want to have the "girls" fixed, it's possible to have them done too....but you need documentation in your chart about excess skin, back aches, straps digging into your shoulders.... the list can go on. Now...if you go beyond the "deadline" then you have to either show medical necessity or pay for it yourself. However, if you get it approved prior to the deadline, but the surgeon can't do it till after the new year, I've heard they still pay for it. You might want to check that though. Hope this helps!! OH...be SURE you do not call it a Tummy Tuck. Tricare does NOT pay for that. The correct term is panniculectomy (sp????). It's the removal of the pannis - the loose tummy skin. Susan

Thanks for the info Susan. I will look into it. I have been at 140 for a month and my 1 year is October 9th so by then I should be stable for 3-4 months. Is this also true for those who are retired because my husband offically retired July 1? My biggest problem in the excess skin in my tummy and it would be nice to have it removed. Having the "girls" lifted" wouldn't be bad either and I guess if I wear a bra to small I could get the straps to dig in, but I really don't have that problem. Where did you find all the information at?

Hi Teresa, I have this info ingrained in my brain from when I was working as a Health Benefits Advisor at the Naval Hospital here in CC. Prime benefits for retirees are the same as for AD. The main difference is that you have a co-pay. Now...go see your PCM and get your weight documented - and see him each month so it's in the chart and you can show it's been stable for the 3 months that most doctors want before they will do the surgery. And, go ahead and get the referral started. You don't want to wait till you've had 3 months of consistent wait as they can push you too close to your deadline. Once you get the referral, go see the surgeon who will do the procedure, they can let you know who you need to see about documenting your weight and how long it will be till they can do it. If you've got any other questions, just let me know. I'm always happy to help!! Susan

My hospital has a web support site that set a goal for me of 142. I'm 5'9" and have always had a muscular build. I thought that was a bit low. My nutritionist said she thought I was at goal when I reached 175. My surgeon would never give me an answer or opinion as to my goal. So over the last couple of months...I got to 165 then gained to 167, then lost to 165, then 167, today I'm at 166. Guess what? I'm at goal. My body says so. I'm having PS in 3 weeks. Hopefully that will take a few pounds and then...I'll still be at goal, whatever that turns out to be. Have fun finding your "number." Annette

I am currently at 210! My Dr tells me I will lose about 20+lbs with the TT I am 5'8" and I think the chart said for normal for me it is 173. I figure 173 plus 20 equals 193! If I figure that way I have 17lbs left to go! My parents say I have lost enough! If I did lose another lb, but had the TT I would be around 190! I could even live with that! But I would like to see the 170's! Haven't been there is so many yrs I can't even recall when! I was very athletic in school, I think I weighed in around 170 then! If I do say so myself at that point I looked pretty good! My weding pics were at 180 and I looked pretty fab then! Just need to lose this excess skin and all will be GOOD

This is a hard question for me because I like the weight I am at now. I am 5 '1 and 187lbs (-100 lbs). This however will change because I am only 9 months post surgery. So in conclusion------------ I am at goal everything else is gravy