Am I at goal?!?

I went to see the bariatric surgeon in Des Moines today. I'm switching to her, because it's more convenient than Kansas City. She told me that I am at the weight where she would set my goal. KC doctor pretty much said he didn't think I would lose anymore either.  I saw him a couple of weeks ago.

So what should I do? I really would like to get to 160. I don't think it would be realistic for me to get lower than that. It's only 9 pounds. Should I set my goal at 160? I'm thinking I may just keep doing what I've been doing and see what happens. I am really very happy with where I am. But 160 is pretty tempting (well maybe 159!). I don't want to get much lower, because I would look horrible. I have more than enough excess skin. I don't think I want more. And if I get plastic surgery, it will only be for my horrible bat wings.

Am I crazy to not want to get lower than 160? I feel and look great. Size 14. I don't want to get into an 8, 6 or 4.  I would look anorexic.  I weighed 140 in high school and wasn't fat.  All muscle.

This makes 3 doctors who have told me that I've lost enough. My PCP told me that I could stop losing when I got under 200!

But only 9 pounds. Surely I can lose that without "dieting".

Guess I'm just thinking out loud. It's nice to "know" that I've reached the point that the doctors think I should be.

Dr. LaMasters told me that she would consider me a very successful case! I will see her again in 6 months and at that time will also see the NUT and exercise physiologist.

I seem to have mixed emotions about this. Not sure what to do.

I put this on VSG forum too. Sorry for the repost, but would like some feedback!

I hear you!
For what it is worth -I am in a similar situation.

I am down to a loose size 12, even fit into some size ten jeans last week, but am still at 172 - 7 pounds above my surgeon's goal, 12 pounds above the goal of 160 that I (somewhat arbitrarily) set for myself.

My surgeon wants me to keep plugging away until I get to goal. My pcp was more or less non-committal, but seems happy with where I am now.

i wouldn't mind losing more, but am not really willing to work much harder on diet or exercise to do it. For me a 10 is my goal size and I definitely don't want to get smaller than an 8. Like you mentioned, the wrinkles and wobbly bits are bad enough already, and now that my stomach has deflated I am starting to get rashes under the panny - something that never happened before. I expect that losing more weight may make it worse.

I think I am going to just keep on keeping on - eating as I have been - and see what happens. I am NOT going to diet because I hate dieting and I suck at it.

Right now i am losing about 1/2 - 1 pound a week - so if that continues, I may make goal after all, or it may just stop which would also be fine with me.

I can hardly imagine maintaining, as that implies some control, and at this point I feel that while I am in control of not gaining, I am not able to determine where the weight loss will stop.

I say: CONGRATULATIONS you weight loss success you!!!! And maybe just see what happens if you continue to eat healthy foods in sensible portions...

Our stories are alike, Margo!  I think I pretty much had decided just to keep doing what I'm doing and see where it takes me.  Like you, I'm a "diet" failure, and I don't want maintenance to be a struggle. ....because I know I would fail if it was a struggle.   I seem to still be losing a little bit every week too, so I really think that I'll get close to 160.  I used it as my ticker goal, but until now, I really hadn't decided on a goal. 

It's hard to think about not losing and just maintaining.  I think I'm afraid of it....for fear of failure.  Like it's easier to lose than to maintain.  I would love to get into a 12.  I wonder if 10 pounds would put me there.   Sounds like our thought processes are the same too!  At least I know I'm not alone!

I would find out your body fat percentage and set your goal based on that, not your scale weight. That's just me.

Good idea sublimate.  I may not like what I find out, but it's a "need to know" kind of situation.

But knowing will give you something to base the REALITY of a goal on! 

I ditto finding out your body composition too and then setting/resetting goals based on that. 

And not calipers, because extra skin and calipers do not work together well! 

I am proud on you girlie, and I think they KEY to maintenance is not forgetting (like before) that just because we lost weight, we do not lose our bad habits, or our sensitivities to things.  Strategy creates safety and structure/strategy work when williepower goes flaccid!  :}

Muwah girlie. 

http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/body-fat-percentage-calculator

This will give you an estimate of body fat if you're interested.

Thanks Vera.  I'll check it out. 

I almost hate to switch to a different bariatric group.  KC staff are great!  But the convenience factor is why I'm doing it.  My visit with Dr. LaMasters went really well and I also got to talk to their staff nutritionist.  In 6 months I'll meet with the exercise physiologist so I'm looking forward to that. 

Hi There,

I think you should just keep doing what you are doing and stop when you feel you are ready... if you are happy with what you see go for it.  If you get to the point where you don't want to lose anymore then stop...

I would just keep it simple and enjoy the ride.  If your body stops on it's own, it sounds like you are ok with that anyway.

Big hugs,

Cindy

Of course you're right Cindy.  That's been my philosphy since the beginning, but now that I'm at that point, it scares me.  Maintenance scares me.  Re-gain scares me. I liked the losing stage.  This new adventure is playing mind games with me.  Not liking it.