How do you know when to stop loosing weight?

This is a good question. I wish we could just ask an educated stranger to tell us. "Hey, how's my weight?"

People we know tend to tell us based on their mental image of us and will tell us to stop losing earlier than we should because we're skinny compared to how we were.

Doctors tend to suck too because they're just happy we're healthier than we were before, which isn't necessarily objective. Bariatric surgeons seem to just be happy if we get to overweight and then THRILLED if we get to normal. And BMI is flawed anyway.

So here are the things I would consider. Why do you keep setting weight goals lower? Like really figure out why. Is it because you still feel fat? Is it because you want to have a buffer for regain? Is it because you don't feel successful? Do you think that you'll be able to tell when you've lost "enough" or when you have lost too much?

I figure that when I've lost enough I'll know. I know that I'm good at gaining weight, I know that my history of weight loss is not so amazing compared to my history of weight gain. So I'm hoping to keep losing until I get there. Weight-wise, I set my ultimate goal at 120. I'm 5'4". I know that I can get to 110 and still be "normal" and not underweight. I'm getting all the reconstructive surgeries done this year, so I know that I won't be able to blame excess skin for any of the weight by the end of the year.

I don't have a good answer for you. Just my thoughts on the matter. If you're still feeling healthy with losing weight, it probably makes sense to get to the low side of normal with BMI, especially since you're not yet a year post-op. But this is only a good idea if you feel that you'll truly be able to recognize when you're lost too much. That would give you wiggle room while figuring out maintenance. Then, if you decide you've lost too much to maintain for the rest of your life, you have room to gain a little.

Thanks for your detailed answer. I honestly don't think I'll know when I've lost enough or too much which is why I was seeking advice. I definitely have a skewed body image and am in therapy and go to a group to deal with this and other issues. I am wanting a buffer for possible weight regain. I, too, have had a great track record loosing weight but not as good maintaining the loss. And that's the other issue I'm struggling with, am I avoiding hitting that maintance phase because I'm afraid I won't be able to, so it's easier to just keep loosing?

So for the folks asking for more info I'm 5'1" about 114lbs wearing a size 2 (down from a 20:). Very active and hoping to stay that way. I'm great on getting cardio but not so great on strength training though I do some yoga. I do a ton of walking and hiking whenever I can.

In regards to getting a dexa scan, I did have a scan for osteoporosis just before my surgery but that only measured my bone density. I don't think my dr office has a fancy scale that measures all those other metrics.

My family doesn't mention my weight loss, I think they believe I'm sick and not telling them, so I'm getting no feedback from them.

my BMI ranges from 19- 20.8. I know i could go as low as 116 pounds and not be underweight but I do not factor in loose skin etc. So probably 125- 130 is a good range for me. I personally like to stay on the lower end 118-120.

My BMI is 20.4 (5'3", 115). I asked this question too after I dropped lower than the 125 goal I thought was rock bottom. Vets told me I'd know when I was low enough and I didn't fully understand that but now I do.

I started eating more calories slowly and wisely, but kept losing. Finally I flattened out at 115 (was comfortable with what I was eating and my weight wasn't dropping any more). I actually contemplated gaining some weight because I thought I looked too skinny but figured I'd give it time. I've gotten used to where I am now (have been at this weight for about 8 months, felt good at this weight, and have decided I'm not too skinny after all). I actually range from 115-118, but like to be on the lower end of the range.

I don't have any answers for you, but I just wanted to say that your I reread your post a few times and I'm loving it. I'm on the beginners side of WLS, and haven't had it done yet, so the title of your post stuck me as a combo of funny and twilight zone. I can't wait till I'm there!!

My surgeon told me to lose 10, 20, or even 30 under his goal of 24 BMI to have a cushion for bounce back regain.

There's a piece to this not yet mentioned ... how much (or little) do you want to eat to maintain your weight without having to starve yourself?

I found my magic numbers (weight and nutritious calories budget) over a 9 month period by eating what I thought would be a reasonable maintenance diet -- 1,700 cal/day of mostly nutritious foods. During those 9 months I slowly and unintentionally lost my final 15 pounds.

And here I sit a year and a half later at 135 pounds eating an average of 1,723 cals a day, while exercising moderately 5 days a week. (I'm a MFP junkie.)

Everybody's numbers are specific to them. It's an iterative experiment -- you keep records and tinker until you find your happy spot.

That's my take, anyway. :)

I know it'll time for me to stop losing weight when I can play my ribcage like a freakin' xylophone.

That might be me! The kiddo I look after is always doing that to me. ?

I'm kind of like Ann - I wanted a weight that was within my normal BMI range but allowed me to eat a comfortable amount of calories. My BMI averages about 23, and I can maintain that on 1700 calories. Also, both my surgeon and my PCP told me they don't recommend that older adults (that would be me...) drop below a 23 BMI. And my fat percentage (according to DEXA scan) is 22%, which the tech said was fine, but not to drop much further. Plus I'm feeling really comfortable at this weight to boot. So pretty much everything and everyone was telling me that it was time to stop and stabilize.