How did you set your WLS goal weight?

I have realized that I need to come here for more support so that is what I am doing

Ok I had surgery 4/2/08 to date I have lost 130 pounds. I know I have more to lose, but I am having a hard time. I have pretty much been losing and gaining the same 5 pounds for the past couple of months.

I am a very goal orientated person so I feel like in order for me to get up and over this hill I need to set a goal for myself.

In the past I have asked the NP at my surgeons office what my goal weight should be and I am never given a straight answer. I mean I don't want to be 120, but I think I need to be less than 267 (current weight), but I am having a hard time coming up with a number.

In the past I have heard people talking about reaching their goal weight and I would like to know how you got to this goal?

My doctor and I discussed a goal weight together.

The average RNY maintained weightloss is 70% of what you need to lose.. so thats what I based my goal weight on initially. He also talked to me about my bone and muscle structure, and where my fat was on my body.  There are alot of factors...

I'd have a discussion with your surgeon about where you are in your weightloss progress and where you should be/go. 

Are you being followed by a dietitian?

See that is the thing. I know there are a lot of different factors to consider when trying to figure out your goal weight and I don't want to just go by the ideal body weight calculators out there, because I don't think I will ever weigh 169 which is my ideal body weight based on my height and weight.

I have tried numerous times to talk to my surgeons staff about a goal weight and every time I don't get any answers. I don't know maybe it is me or something. LIke at my year appt I asked about it and the NP said "we don't really like to give out weight goals in pounds. You have lost over 100 pounds so you are a success" what kind of answer is that. I don't think losing 100 pounds instantly makes me a success. I even specifically asked if we could look at setting a goal weight for me (in pounds) and she wouldn't. I don't know.

I made an appt with my PCP to see if she will help me out.

Hi there! I recall trying to get a goal as well. My surgeon said my goal is for you to be healthy and did not want me to focus on the numbers. I try to set little goals for myself of where I want to be. There are times when its challenging but, its so worth it to achieve those little girls and it makes me feel great.
Wishing you all the best!

My surgeon didn't give me a goal weight either.  I assume it is between 70-100% of EWL.

If they won't give you one, then you could noodle it out on your own.  If you've been think before, it would help to know what size you were then.  If you were a child or a really new adult, you could add 20 or so lbs to that.  If you've never really been thin before, you could figure out how many lbs it takes to get to the smaller size down.  When you figure that out, you can decide what size pant you'd like to be in by adding the lbs it would take to get there.

Personally, I think a size 8 or 10 would be cool.  That gives me wiggle room and if I pick up a pound or two, I'd still be in "normal" women's sizes.  If I go by the standard chart, it says I should be about 120.  Right now I can't wrap my head around it!  In HS, I was a size 8 and I weighed 142, so I'm going to go for that.  Although I was happy with my weight when I was 165 (size 12), it took NO TIME at all to get up to a size 16.  Now, 3 kids 60 lbs and 10 years later I'm wearing a 20 and I weigh 240!

Whatever weight you choose, make sure it's logical and that you can achieve it.  I've got a two pronged plan in place (I'm pre-surgery/approval phase):  Set and reach a logical goal (like the 165 I mentioned above) and then be happy.  THEN, I plan to try to keep loosing and see how that goes for me.  If I can get down to 142 again or 120, I'll see how that looks, how well I think I can maintain it and if I gain a bit back, no problem.

I like to see "below goal" listed on some of the images around here.  That would be nice to say. :o)

Thanks! Yeah it has always been very hard for me to set a goal weight because I don't have a "thin" weight or when I weighed ____ I was happy and at a comfortable size. I have been over 350 pounds for all of my adult life. Honestly I can't remember not wearing a size 26/28.

Right now I am wearing a size 18/20 and that is a size that I have NEVER EVER EVER worn before. Still when I look at a size 20 pants they look too small to fit me!

I am trying to figure out a realistic goal for me. I can't imagine ever weighing under 200 pounds, which is ok for me. For me 200 pounds is someone else's 120 pounds.

I did find this: Your weight is 397 pounds; your ideal weight is 156 pounds. Thus, your “excess" weight is about 241 pounds. Bariatric surgery might help you lose 70% of this excess weight, meaning you might lose 169 pounds.

If you lost 169 pounds, then you would end up weighing 228 pounds. 228 pounds would thus be your “goal weight" for bariatric surgery.

I inputed my highest weight when I got the information and when I read it, it all sounded realistic and doable. I read it to my husband as well and he said it sounded realisti and something that I could strive for and achieve so that made me feel good too. I still can't wrap my head around weighing 228, but it seems like a place I can get to.

Yeah, when I was casually talking to my dietitian about weight, she said that as a women who weighs 250 (at the time), the surgery would get me to 150.  Then she proceeded to say that I should then TRY to loose down to 120.  Personally, I think she's on crack because even when I was thin as an adult I was around 142.  120 seems inconceivable.  I keep saying that I'll strive for 140 - 165 then if I get there, I'll consider making a new goal.  It depends on how I feel THEN.  It isn't something I can or should fathom now.

Good job coming up with a goal!  I'm sure it isn't easy!  This coming Friday, I have my 2nd appointment with the dietitian and if things go well, I can schedule with my surgeon!  I've lost 6.9 lbs in a month, so I'm thinking she's going to be fine with my progress.