Goal weight seems a bit lower for lightweights

I am noticeing that lightweights CW's are consitantly lower than higher BMI'ers. So with that said, I am a lightweight myself at 5'4" and 255lbs... am a really going to get to normal BMI?! I just can't imagine my body at 115 to 130. I was 160 in highschool... I just can't wrap my mind around it, is it possible that my body doesn't like the normal BMI range? Has any other lightweights had this concern and how did it turn out? My husband keeps stating as well "It will be interesting to see where your body decides to stop." Well guess what Mr. Husband "YOU HAVE NO IDEA!" lol

lol  Yep, your body will make the decision for you if you stick the "rules". There are a few folks that struggle to get to normal BMI but many of us get below the high end of normal BMI and hang pretty close to goal weight. There is a small bounce back so we tend to try to go a little lower than we're comfortable with, so our bounce back brings us up to where we want to stick.

--gina

Thanks for the reply Gina. I do plan to stick to the high protien, low carbs, sugar in moderation and fat not so much lol. Good advice on aiming lower than factoring in that weight regain. I just don't know where to set my goal at ?! >.

With a DS, I wouldn't worry about the fat you consume...in fact if you go too low fat, you can end up constipated. Remember, DS'er's, depending on their common channel, typically only absorb 20% of the fat they consume.

I eat real unsalted butter on every food imaginable, use bacon grease in my veggies like a good old fashioned Southern cook, eat bacon several times a week (only 2 pieces at a time but 3-5 times a week), use whole milk in my cooking (lactaid variety as I developed lactose intolerance post-op) and in my protein shakes, and heavy creamer in my coffee...

My total cholesterol last Oct without statins (cause I had run out and refused to get another 90 day supply) was over 200...that was diet alone. This Oct, still no statins just diet alone, my total cholesterol was 179.

And remember, sugar is the pure form of carbs...just be careful and if you have to have something sweet, get something made with the real stuff not the sugar free too much as the sugar alcohols can give you gas, even as a normie.

As far as setting your goal, what I did was set my first one for my lowest adult weight (147), then a  normal BMI. That is a 24.9 and for me was 145 (5'4"). Then I decided to aim 10 lbs lower. Now I am aiming for the about the middle of normal or somewhere around a 21-21.5 BMI.

My pcp asked me where I wanted to be...told him about a 22-23 BMI, he just nodded in agreement. My surgeon never gave me a goal weight.

Liz

I meant 'not so much' as i don't have to worry about fat:)

Okay, today I weighed at 133.2...pre-op, I thought if I JUST got down to 150 I'll be doing really good as before surgery the lowest adult weight I had seen since my teen years was 147 back about the time I was 28 years old and I am 57.

If you had told me I would be closing in on the 120's now about a year and 1/2 ago (before OH), I would have giggled in your face and said no way. But seeing other lightweights getting to a normal BMI convinced me to set my goal to 135...I exceeded that. Actually my first goal was to reach my lowest adult weight, then a normal BMI (those were about 3 lbs apart). Then I set my sights on reaching 135. I did it.

Btw, normal BMI for 5'4" is 108 (18.5) to 145.5 (25). So you can really expect to make it if you set your mind to doing it.

Be prepared for Body Dismorphia tho...I still don't see the me in the mirror that others see who have never known me pre-op. I still see the person who should be wearing size 12-14 pants and an xxl top...in reality, I can get my "noassatall* butt in a pair of FOUR'S and wear a small to medium top depending on who made it.

But then I get the "bring me down to earth" comments by my skinny ass hubby *****minds me I have "turkey waddle". I stuck my tongue out at him and blew him a raspberry!

It's not only possible but very likely you will see a normal BMI.

hehehe turkey waddle. I will keep that ammo away from my husband but I guess its better than the penguin waddle. Thank you for your advice, I seen you mentioned body dismorphia. Is there any way to maybe help that... maybe therapy. Just wondering if I should maybe pick one up post-op.

It depends on how bad you have it, I guess...I'm getting better but having others tell me how skinny I am (who didn't know me pre-op) is helping.

My biggest issue is my "muffin" for a tummy. I resemble a melted candle in that area...but having a panni pre-op due to a partial hysterectomy years and years ago didn't help matters. I'm hoping to get it dealt with with a panniectomy but don't know if mine is bad enough to qualify. My second biggest issue is my batwings...which I can also blame on genetics as well as weight.

Just being aware that body dismorphia exists is a big step in getting past it. Therapy never hurts as long as you go in with reasonable expectations. Then again, being here is therapy! This group is good for the soul (and body image). :)

Liz

I am one of those struggling to get to a normal  BMI but I do not follow the rules consistently so I have no one to blame but my self.  I am comfortable where I am (8 lbs from a normal BMI) and let life get in the way of exercise. I am not complaining I went from an 18/20 to a size 4 or 6 and from a 1X to a small top.  to me BMI is overater being comfortable in my own skin is more important.  I did get close but I hated my sunken in face so it is totally up to you. Where ever you land you need to be comfortable.

Good luck
Sheri

Hi,

I had the sleeve July 6, 2011, and my weigh in on Saturday I am now no longer "obese" but "overweight". I have met one goal that I wanted to get to the 160's which was around where I was when I met my husband. It is great!

I just upped my goal on my ticker to 140, because I would be thrilled there - but wonder if I should put it back to 135. I just really don't know what to expect.

It is fun getting into smaller clothes, etc.

Good luck to you in this journey! I am so very, very glad that I took this step. I can't help you on the DS, as I had the sleeve, but enjoy the journey.