What's my goal?

How do I know what my goal weight will be post op?  Is this something that I decide on my own or will the surgeon discuss this with me at my pre op appointment?  

I asked my surgeon about what he thought I should weight when I'm at goal and he said it should be what ever weight I feel the most comfortable at. I thought this was a strange answer but he didn't want to pick a number for me. He said that that should be up to me. I know some surgeons will pick a weight but it just varies from surgeon to surgeon. hope that helps

Goal weight (according to a physician) is usually 70% of excess body weight. So you can take what your weight is now and then subtract what your "ideal weight" is (based on BMI) and then multiply that number by 0.70.

Example: My beginning weight was 300. According to the BMI chart, my weight should be around 140 for a height of 5'7. 300-140= 160. 70% of 160 is 112lbs. Therefore I should lose 112lbs, making my goal weight in the 180's.

A lot of time you'll see people have their surgeon's goal weight and then their own personal goal weight. My doctor said I should probably end up around 180lbs with the surgery but personally, I'd like to get down to 140-160s.

Kinda confusing but hope that helps!!

Edit: Here's a link that does the math for you: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/forums/postopplanner.phtml?ID=1089679702

You will have a range of weight based on your height and weight. Your doc will probably talk to you about it at your appt. If not, bring it up.

My dr. refuses to name a goal weight. He says its not something he's comfortable doing that because some people will think the goal is too unattainable and some people hear the goal and think that's not enough and get upset. So my surgeon just told me to pick a reasonable goal for myself but surgically the surgery is considered a success if you lose 65% of your excess body weight. 

I just set a weight that I"d be happy with and would be healthy and middle of the road for my height (5'4).  I told my surgeon and family doctor and both agreed it was reasonable.  

It really depends on how big you are to start with, not just weight but bone structure, height, etc.  Obviously someone who is 6'0 will never weigh 120lbs...that's super unhealthy! 


It's a really good question because I was never told about a goal by my surgeon but honestly it's been helpful for me have a number, because I"m a numbers person.  But some people dont' go by weight but by jean size or exercise goal, which is awesome too.  Whatever you feel comfortable with! 

~ Emily~ 

I’m late answering lol (as usual) but my surgeon’s goal just came from insurance paperwork he had to fill out. He just picked 144 because it was -150 pounds from where I started and was the high end of “normal weight range" for my height. He had to fill out how much weight I had to lose for the insurance forms.

 

It’s the first goal I have, but MY goal is 124. Will I ever see it? No idea, but I’m aiming for it eventually. Surgeon’s goal first, then mine. :) He didn’t take into account my frame size when he came up with the goal and (underneath all this) I’m actually pretty small, so I think 144 will still sit too heavy for me. I’ll have to get there first before I know.

Thanks for all of your answers and helpful tips.