How do you know? - X-Post

I spoke to my Dr. last night and asked him "how do you know when to stop losing?"  His response to me was "you can stop at any point or go as low as 135 and still be in the healthy range."  Well I know that I won't be going to 135 lbs, so now what?!?!  Did you focus on body composition, did just keep going until you at the lowest weight in the range?  I've already lost 100% of my excess weight and my BMI is currently 23 and my scale says that I'm around 28% body fat.  I'm 5'8" and I wear a size 4 or 6 at most stores.

Thanks in advance for your guidance!!!!

I think you stop when you feel like you're done. For some, that's 20 BMI, for some, it's 30 BMI. I think being comfortable in your own skin is most important.

The question is how do YOU feel about it. It's your body and your decision. That's the beauty of the VSG, we get to choose.

Ditto.

I thought I had responded to this but maybe not.

I mostly went by what I saw in the mirror. But I do recommend going slightly lower than you are comfortable with just to give yourself some wiggle room.

I also like numbers so I ran them all... scale, body fat percentage, BMI, BMR, calories, etc. and used them to make sure I was comfortable with them all.

I declared maintenance and starting practicing it when I was 5 lbs under my goal weight. I have since lost 4 lbs more while working this out. My BMI is 22 and I like what I see in the mirror. At this point I really don't have excess fat. I only have sagging and loose skin left on lower body. I feel very fortunate that I can take plastics or leave it and still be happy.  I exercise and have been toning muscles for many months now. I have gotten to point where it is harder to find small enough clothes in normal department stores etc, so I am trying to hold steady here.

The mirror was my guide too.  I got as low as 135 and, for me, my face was too thin and my rib cage showed too much.  Since I have always carried my extra weight in my hips and thighs, there is still excess fat there - some of that is never going away.  I'm now staying around 140 and that looks best on me.

I'm glad I tried going lower, just so I know my lower limit.]

Who would have thought that any of us would ever be discussing not losing more weight.  I was overweight for 30 years, so quite a change in approach.

I am 5 foot 8 and 1/2 inches.

I went as low as 131.

I did not chose to stop losing, my body did it on it's own.  I wouldn't mind losing 5 more lbs.

I have not had any bounce back weight.

Any given day I am 131 to 134.

I eat small portions of protein, veggies and fruit. I eat more often then 3 times a day. I eat about 6 times a day.

I wear a size 4, or a 2.  I am not too thin.  I can see my ribs but still have padding in other places.

It's a healthy weight for me.  I am 46 years old.  

I love my weight.  Wish I were firmer but I would have to commit to working out to fix it.  I am working toward that slowly but I am too busy to commit right now.

Goodluck.

Don't let anyone tell you when to stop.  You decide.  

I tried it by the numbers, BF% bodycomp testing, scale.. etc. My first goal still saw me with some excess still, and I changed my goal to under 25% BF.. which I thought would be great.. got down to 23ish? at 133-135# and had the same realization as ChangingNow- face too thin, way too many ribs showing (felt and looked icky) and stopped pursuing that particular line.

Now I've leveled off in the mid 140's and for my height and build I look better. I have not had plastics yet- so a good 7lbs is likely still hanging on my belly and arms/thighs, and I've come to the realization that I cannot get a flat stomach without more surgery, but with the right undergear on I wear sz 6-8 pants and small/med tops.. I'm pretty happy here all considering where I started! 

Thanks everyone...I am feeling pretty good these days, but probably have about 5 more lbs I could lose.  I am going to stick to my original goal of 150 lbs and evaluate when I get there.  I'm also focusing on toning and building lean muscle, so these last 4.3lbs might take awhile to come off and I'm fine with that.  

I, too, declared maintenance when I hit my personal goal, which was lower than my surgeon's recommendation.  I think, though, that a lot of us have a hard time changing our new eating habits for fear of regain.  I fell into that category and although I did add more snacks, I continued dropping weight to where I'm at now and have been for over 4 years. I didn't try to stop, but my weight just stabilized.   I've had plastics, and the magic weight that supposed to come off with the excess skin never came.   I did lose weight right after surgery, but that was probably my body burning calories like crazy while healing.  Once I healed, I bounced back to where I was (within a few pounds) before surgery.  I think this had to do with the new increased calorie requirements for healing.  It's hard to cut back once you start eating more! 

Don't worry about making any definite decisions until you have done your plastics, if you choose that route.  Everyone, including myself thought I looked too thin, but after plastics, I looked better and felt that my weight was perfect, for me.  My new "girls" filled in my frame.  Also, your skin and fat will redistribute after your weight stabilizes for a while, and that gaunt, drawn look disappears.  Everyone that said I was too thin 4 years ago tells me that I look so much better now!   News flash!  I weigh about the same, maybe a few pounds less now!

Don't stress, and just relax.  Maintenance is such a new lifestyle for all of us.  You too will find your way.