Does a high BMI pre op mean a higher BMI post op?

I was very obese my entire life.  I had a BMI of 61 pre-op.  (My ticker shows a smaller bmi because I gained an inch in height when I lost weight.)  Over 2 years post op, my BMI is 30, which is still obese.  :(  (This drives me crazy and makes me feel like I failed once again!) Anyway, is it common among people with a higher bmi pre-op to have a higher bmi post-op? Thanks very much!

Well I am not a doctor but I think excess skin would have to up the BMI somewhat wouldn't it?????

Yes - not only because you started at a higher weight, but also because you had thicker bones and more muscle mass to support that weight, as well as more extra skin. It also generally takes longer to lose all your weight when you start out with a higher BMI.  A BMI of 30 is my goal :)  Actually, if you work out a lot you might be interested in having a body composition study done so you can see that a lot of that weight is actually muscle and your body fat % is lower than you expected.  All the best! Jenn

It's really unfair to use BMI as the only indicator of success simply because like Jen said you have heavier bone mass (if you were SMO for any length of time - which is more than likely the case...) and excess skin. Considering where you started, you've cut your BMI in half - that is ASTOUNDING! I am 13 months out and still considered morbidly obese - I am .8 away from being simply obese - and the higher end at that! Sheesh! I've lost 145 pounds and still fat? Hello? LOL.  But I know I am not all that weight with fat alone. Just looking at my pannus and how stretchy/bendy it is - I have TONS of skin that would probably be in the 15-20 pound range. So I like to look at myself at about 225 pounds instead of 245.  Anyway I think you're doing great and no - I don't think you will have a lower BMI like someone who started with a BMI of let's say 40. I personally don't think it's in the cards for us to ever have a normal BMI who started with a super high BMI (69.4 here). Just my 2 cents. 

I, too, was "warned" about the additional bone and muscle mass associated with being so heavy (BMI 56) pre-op... and that my final goal weight should be realistic given that I was big-busted and larger-boned (either the high end of "medium frame" or low end of 'large frame") even before I gained weight.  Unfortunately, I'm only 5'3", so even if I reach goal (anything under 150 pounds is success for me, but I would LOVE to hit 140). The panni and any other extra skin/fat do contribute as well... Lora

You got taller when you lost weight?? just one more reason for shorties like me to have the surgery!!

Yes, I gained an inch.  Apparently it isn't uncommon...I guess the weight compresses the spine, among other things, and sometimes when one loses weight, they gain a bit of height.  Believe me, I was surprised too! LOL Have a great day!