Body fat% is IMO more important than BMI or final weight number, size, etc.

IMO- to be healthy we need some fat on us - in us. Woman essential body fat is app 14-15%. Below that menstrual cycle can change, and a person may develop other issues.

Normal body fat for woman change with age. What looks and feel good for someone younger - may not be high enough for older lady. Normal day % is 25-30%. 20-25 is lean, with 18-22 consider athletic.

Getting detailed body dexa scan may tell you if you still have enough fat to lose.

I had mine done at one point, and I only had 21% body fat. Now it is probably lower because I lost a few more pounds.

"IMO- to be healthy we need some fat on us - in us. Woman essential body fat is app 14-15%"

This is true! I had a personal trainer "dump me" when I was 142 lbs with a body fat (caliper measured on 5 different areas of my body) of 14.5%.

He asked me if I was competeing for a fitness/body building/bikini competion. He has a daughter that was a body builder. She would bring her body fat % under 9% if she could. SHe lost her period. She thought "No big deal, it will come back after the competition and I resume "normal" eating again"

It NEVER DID COME BACK.

So when I was just interested in being as low as I possibly could (all time best 139 lbs..but not body fat % cuz he had dumped me at this point), he quit being my trainer because he did "NOT want to be a part of that". He didn't want me knocking on 13% body fat because that is the bare minimum that women need to maintain adequate hormone levels.

So-professionals support your assessment HALA.

I second the dexa scan and HALA's recommendation to focus on body fat more than the number on the scale or BMI.

I am 135lbs and at a few pounds heavier I had a body fat just over 23%. that is what told me it was time to stop. for my age 23% is the bottom of the "healthy" range and below that is "underfat". Frankly the last 10lbs has taken the largest toll on my skin. I did monthly photos so it is obvious the march of the wrinkles on my stomach and arms and legs. I am getting used to it. I could gain 10lbs and my skin would look better, but it is a trade off. I like my current size so I'll stick to this.

I will be doing a LBL and mastoplexy in April to take care of the tummy wrinkles and the boob sag in April. it is a lot of money, but since I'm having abdominal surgery to fix a hernia anyway, I'm killing two birds with one stone.

I think most of us don't consider this but it is definitely IMHO the norm. I think many people have visions of themselves as teenagers (or at the very least the last time they were a normal weight) and envision that's what you'll end up with when all is said and done. I remember one person on another board had a saying in their signature block that always made me sigh - "I want to look good naked." It's never going to happen.

Most of us have had issues with obesity for years (if not decades). Skin is elastic and if it gets stretched over time, it will not bounce back. Think of a rubber band that has been stretched for years and years. It will not go back to its normal size. No matter what.

Exercise will help a little - like you said it will build muscle but it will do nothing to the skin itself. Why aren't you already at the gym working out? I started working out about 6 months post-op and continued for a number of years. You can have plastics, but honestly that will only help the parts you have plastics on. I had a TT and a breast lift. I have a flat tummy but the skin all around it is very saggy. My legs look like a Shar pei. But you know what, I don't care. I'm proud of my body because I worked damned hard to get it to where it is (having lost 175 pounds).

You need to ask yourself a very important question - what was the primary reason you had WLS? Was it to get healthy or was it to look good? Hopefully it was to get healthy, and by losing 100 pounds you are a total success.

Also remember that the images you see in the mirror are still new. It will also change over time and you'll get used to the skin.

You should be proud of your 100 pound weight loss. Try not to dwell on the skin and focus on the person inside that skin.

Hey Janet-we are neighbors. My surgeon was in reston. I live in Manassas. Get in touch with me if you ever want to meet for hiking, walking, running, ice skating or tea.

I'm only started on this journey - but I'm finding that as I passed my half way point I was starting to have these thoughts of "Oh my god, I look NORMAL now, I can just stop here before I have even more extra skin". After being MO, just being a little overweight feels THIN! Plus I have family and coworkers telling me "Oh my GOD you can't lose 30 more pounds!" and I want to agree!

I think that my loose skin bothers me more than fat because of the discord between FEELING fit and thin, and LOOKING all weird. It's the thin(er) look in the mirror when fully clothed that then really contrasts with our naked look.

I'm dating now, and this brings into it a whole level of awkward conversation.

Bottom line for me, is that I'm doing this for my good health FIRST and my appearance second. I'll make sure I arrive at a healthy weight, with at least 5 to 10 pounds of pad (underweight) before I stop.

Also - I started lifting weight at five months out. I'm in a stall, possibly because of the gained muscle mass, probably also because I've upped my calories to closer to 1000/day. I'm really working on my butt because that is just crazy gone, and really the only place I can build up very much.

Yes, exercise is probably a good idea and weights is a good fit for most people. Consider getting that baby up and playing with him/her as a special play time, bonding and workout time!.

My assessment is that your problem is not with you, but with your perception of you.

To help focus on the positive, I would suggest you make a list of things you could not do, or had difficulty doing before surgery, but can do now....ie Isn't the ability to buy clothing off the rack that fits a wonderful thing! Having the ability to carry a precious child to term...another goal you have accomplished. How Wonderful! You Rock, Girl!

Yes, until you build muscle and tone the skin you will have a lot of skin... and when you have lost the weight after your last baby would be a good time to plan a reward...possibly a plastic surgery to remove excess.

I lost just over 125 lbs ,23 years post op.. and am still near my orig. goal, but that maintainence is not as easy the older and further from surgery i get. .. no matter which surgery we choose, our bodies begin to adjust . So if you are able to loose an extra 10 lbs beyond orig. goal and remain healthy, energetic..it will probably benefit you in the long run. just consider.

Thank you for your reply. I'd love to hear all about how you've maintained your goal weight over 23 years - what an accomplishment!!!

First of all, just for your information... I had a hybrid surgery ... an RNY + several other procedures.. .some were necessary because of disease, (gall bladder and cysts, fibroids all removed.,)some were because I had an open abdomen and was mandated..(.ie appendectomy) It took me about 9 months to loose first 90 lbs and last 40 took about 8 months. very slow weight loss in the last few months.. I changed jobs because could no longer do my previous job, weight restrictions due to long incision...after a i had lost most of the weight I found a job...and. For 6 years I did very hard physical labor, unloading 18 wheelers by hand. I built my muscle to rock hard and maintained within 10lbs of orig. goal. I was continually moving, aerobic exercise. It was a job and I provided for my family.

At the same time I tolerated very little changes in my diet... no milk no yugurt,no cheese, almost no fats,no fish, little chicken.. and maintained my protein and iron with liver patties fortified with eggs and protein powder. ( think salmon patties made with pulverized liver, my teen daughter liked them..) I drank water, and unsweetened tea, and 2-3 cups of coffee a day and thru the summer, in very hot working conditions ,used 1/3 strength gatorade and protein drinks.

Having and building the muscle mass has served me well. I no longer have the same amounts of muscle, being 23 years older, and now in late 50's range, am working to regain some of that strength. I work to maintain my protein to the level my surgeon advised,(He retired several years ago) including the vitamins and minerals.. some of the calcium requirements have changed and I have recently added K2 to enable best use of calcium and magnesium and am updating my minerals with collodials as i learn more and monitor my lab values. knowing your values are in the normal values posted, and if they are dropping or elevated, can save you grief.. It is easier to maintain them than to correct a very high or low level.Yes, talk over the changes noted with your Doctor, but never assume they will catch a change in a timely manner...It is your responsibility... sometimes these things can be addressed with diet mdifications.. .like. adding more iron rich foods.

Continue to learn and manage your health.. Be flexible to changing to things that can help.. the internet is full of information..learn to discern, search out answers, and double check those answers. Check natural and holistic options for common issues.. thru them, I found a dessicated liver tablet to help my anemia and learned to manage blood sugar drops by precise balancing of protein and carbs..ended up having to had a half portion carb to morning meals..

I would like to loose that last 22 lbs again...it is much easier to loose it the first time than the second or third. So keep a copy of your followup instructions... diet plan and vitamin regimine.. need a working copy and a copy to hold back, make changes on both copies as your needs change... with date and reason changed... re write the list every time sheet gets confusing... keep an origional unmarked... to give persepective where you have come from.

Tolerance changes. I noticed a couple of weeks ago when I ate something someone else had prepared. I now tolerate regular mayo, so my body no longer moderates that for me, I have to be very mindful of using it when i prepare a chicken salad. I still prepare a small amount separate for me, of many foods..and use scant amounts from habit.

Knowing and being aware of your tool, your pouch. Knowing your tolerances.Staying within the guidelines and rules of the procedure you have had... all this will assist you to meet your goal and maintain your weight.. Preparing your mind to JUST DO IT.

All our lives we live by rules or we become lawless. This is the same, just follow the rules, the guidelines. If you "run into a wall.'.. reach out to the nutritionist at the Surgeons office... they will be well familiar wih your limitations and can often help you around road blocks.

Surgery is not "a once in a lifetime end all, no problems ever after." .. It is a "one time tool" given to assist you in your journey to a healthier you. You make choices every day to be healthy.

I tolerate almost no sugars, with cane sugar( in 1/4th amounts) and stevia being tolerated better than everything else. I make my own fruit spreads and deserts, syrups to use with high protein pancake..I use these sparingly. Heavy protein breakfast consists of 2 eggs, a slice of lean bacon, a peice of toast, a scant teaspoon of sun butter, coffee. I eat it over 45 min to one hour . My pouch still holds close to 6 ounces.I stil try to separate my drinks from my meals to maintain my pouch at 6 ounces..sometimes this means putting away my food and going back to it in a few hours...to get the proper nutrition.

I still have to be careful with milk and all milk products... so ice cream and yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream are one tablespoon treats. No creamer for coffee most of the time, (coffee creamer is made from whey). Meats are hard, i was prescribed 90 grams protein and goal of 70 grams carbs, fats to tolerance. I just get tired of every meat..some give me more gas, chicken esp. digestion issues..(.enzyme lack) Meat tenderizers will help, but also reverse the surgery effects...so I use them sparingly.I look for bromelin or papaya enzymes as active ingredient.

The lists of things i do not tolerate are long... they are also individual.

Each person is different and their body responds to surgery differently... My Mom had the same surgery, same surgeon,6 months ahead of mine. and had a list of different tolerances and intolerances.

For intolerances... if something it is wise to eat, like a protein... try small amounts a tablespoon, eat slowly, eat "a like amount" of carb with it. If tolerated, you can eat some... of not try it again in a month or so. If an unhealthy option, and you don't tolerate, your body will rebel in some manner. LISTEN. Remember. modify the special food to a healthier recipe. recipes were made to be modified.