Need Your Input... And am Honored ...

First Let me say that I am honored to be with such wonderful people . I remember so many of you when I started my journey here 14 + months ago . I kept every post in the begining where my questions where answered and I still to this day have them . Now on to the real meat of what the heck is going on .. I am 5.7 inches tall . I started out weighing 307... and was a size 24/26 . As of today I have lost a total of 172 pounds .. I weigh @137 and a size 5/6 . My problem is last week I went in for my plastic surgery referal and my NP whom has been with me from the begining said I should have stopped loosing months ago . I keep hearing how thin I am .. people ask me all the time when the weight loss will stop . I know my motabolism is high.. and I do eat .. and I exerscise.. I have done most everything like I should . I still get in all the protein I need .. watch my carbs ... water ..etc... My question to you is .. should I let it bother me that I am this thin ? Well not bother .. but I guess the people always asking me .. and when the NP said I should have stopped loosing .. am I doing something wrong . I went over my diet with her .. and my exersise and she did not seem alarmed .. Or is it maybe my body is happy where it is .. and this is just the size I am ment to be . I just get so dang tired of hearing the skinny comments .. I feel great .. As always your input is appreciated .. and Gosh I am glad I found this board . Love you all ! Natalie

Hi Natalie, Congrats on your weight loss success. You have done a wonderful job. I would say that you should be at a "healthy" weight as deemed healthy between you and your doc. If you are underweight or the comments are starting to get to you and you think you are looking too "skinny" then adjust your diet accordingly. 137 at 5'6" seems healthy to me, and your BMI is considered normal. I am also getting the "I look anorexic" comments from people and I am only 5'4" and 150... I think people are just so used to seeing us huge that anything thin looks too thin. THis may change when you get PS... you just have to cross that hurdle when you get to it. Good wishes for continued success, Michelle 8/3/04 294/150/150

I also am 14 months out. Although I am not at goal yet, I have lost a total of 196#. I know what you mean about the too skinny comments, even from those you love. My best friend, supportive all the way through this, had that talk with me last week. We are both exactly 5'5" and have the same frame. She said I really need to stop now. I asked her how much she weighed (155#) and then asked her if she would be happy weighing 182#, which is where I am now. Of course not. Then, why should I? It put a new perspective on things for her. She realized she wasn't looking at me as a stranger who would see me on the street and think I looked fine, but rather as someone drastically thinner than a year ago. If your doctor and you are happy with where you are and you don't feel you are out of control in maintaining a decent weight, then don't worry. They say we reach a set point where our body is balanced.

Natalie, If you feel good and are comfortable at your current weight, I say you're just fine. But... are you still losing? If you are and it concerns you, I'd say ease up on the exercise a little. I'm 5'5" and 150# but also in a size 6, so all of this is very individual. I think I'd feel fine if I stayed right where I am or if I lost another 10#. As long as my BMI stays within normal, I think I'm on the right track. Add this to the fact that you also have some loose skin (assumed from PS consult), and the visual may be more on the gaunt side than what the reality is. Linn

Another thing to consider is that I think we *look* thinner than what the scale says because of all the extra hanging skin.... I know the last time I was 150# (17 years ago in high school LOL) i looked a little huskier because I carried it evenly. Now, after losing 144 pounds, my arms and shoulders are wicked small, but my belly and upper thighs have alot there going on. Michelle 8/3/04 294/150/150

Natalie You look great! Don't pay any mind to the skinny comments! You have done a great job! I am hoping the weight loss will continue for the full 18 mos or more. I still have a ways to go. To be a size 5....I never ever saw that growing up. That must feel wonderful! Debbie

Well, Natalie when I was a year out I heard all that skinny talk. (Actually now when I look back at pictures, I WAS skinny) But now at 3 years out, I am "normal" weight for my height. I thought I was not gonna stop losing weight...but I did. I feel the same as you, I think my body is happy at this weight and size because I have stay the same for the last 18 months. Hang in there, seems like you are doing everything you need to do. Joyce

Just say oh I've quit losing, after all it's nobodys business except yours and your doctors. That satisfies their need to be in control and lets you off the hook without being rude or having to go into a lot of detail. If you are still losing and want to stop I've found a great product to increase my calories since my surgeon, PCP and plastic surgeon told me it was time to stop losing. I ordered a sampler box from Smart Health Store on the internet recently and really enjoy the taste. Power crunch (creme filled wafer cookie) it's really a bar Calories 185 Total carb 9 gm Sugar 4 gm Protein 14 gm Imagine at 213 lbs, size 16, 5'6" being told by three doctors that there is no fat to lose. They all say I've turned fat into muscle and it would be dangerous to continue to lose. I am disappointed but I've regained my health and quality of life so I will adjust to the # on the scale. Your problem sounds like one I'd like to have right now. Pat 410/213/180 (after plastic surgery)