medical ideal body weight?

has anyone made it this far or even past it, mine says I should weigh 141 but I just dont see that happening, but then again, once the doctor fixes my hernia and removes the extra skin with the TT I just might and that is unbelievable... Donna 277/150ish Goal

My bariatric surgeon, plastic surgeon and PCP all agree that the medically ideal weight is a weight at which you are generally healthy, and a reasonable weight that you can maintain. Fighting for that last 5-10-15 pounds (or whatever), may not be worth it. That's why I consider my weight, at 167# instead of the 150-155 I was aiming for, is indeed my goal. I've maintained it for 21 months and am healthier than I was 20years ago. That, for me, is ideal. Ann By the way, I lost absolutely no weight after abdominoplasty, although my waist is 2.5" smaller and and my hips are 1.5" smaller! Go figure.

Ann, that medically ideal weight does not even take into account bone structure and stuff. when I went to my first seminar, the wls doc said he was actually concidered overweight by that standard and heck he looks pretty darn good! my husband is concerned I may have lost too much now but I told him that once I get back to my walking and put on a little muscle I will look better. congrats on maintaining your goal, I hope I can do so also Donna

Oh... I lost no weight after my Abdomnioplasty either, with a 2" waist change. My Doc told me to expect this, that the weight would redistribute through my body. I think it all landed in my thighs Tek

Medically Ideal... I wonder if such a thing exists, or if it does if it is measurable. BMI (Body Mass Index) is pretty crude, falls apart at the extremes (short/tall), does not take into account frame size, muscle mass, or fat mass, nor is gender balanced. BF% (Body Fat %) is IMHO, a better measure, if done properly. The fit/healthy/overfat ranges are gender balanced, recognizing a healthy man has less fat than an equally healthy woman. It is often also Age Balanced (studies indicate that as we get older, a little more fat is healthier). I reached both a Normal BMI, but now live comfortably just on the cusp of normal/overweight. I reached an 'Athletic' BF%. I would never have believed it possible. Most Plastic Surgeons seem to want us to be at a 'stable' weight for a number of months prior to surgery. People that exercise more than 8 hours a week often find it difficult to get a 'normal' BMI due to the above average muscle mass. BF% is probably a better measure. I hope I hit on some peice of information you were seeking with my shotgun approach. Tek

thanks tek! Donna

What's the gold standard for measuring body fat? I think the caliper measurements are lame. How accurate are those body fat scales that zap current through you? The only other means I know of is "submerge you warm water while you blow out all your air test". Does anyone still do that. Any ideas on what it would cost to have BF measured? Thanx in advance Shannon

Yes, I have...I am 5'8", with a large bone structure and weigh in at 145. I got to a low weight of 138 actually without plastics. I did since have a panniculectomy which took probably one lb or less off of me (doc said there was no fat on it at all). I do still have hanging skin. I don't want to go any lower than where I am at right now. My "ultimate goal" was 160. ~KD in WA