Question:
I was shocked to go for my 6 week check up and dr. told me I

only needed to loose 53 more #. I am A light weight and started @ 208, I am now @ 7 weeks 184. My dr.origianlly told me I should weigh 114, now he has changed his mind and says I should weigh around 130. He said i will look too skinny @ 114#. What's up with that? Most folks would think this is "wonderful" but actually I'm scared. I had been in a mind set of 12 months to goal (since light weights generally loose slower) now by August ( according to him) I'll be done! Someone please help me w/this weight issue. should I weigh 114 or 130? I am 4'11" I don't think I'm small boned. No light weight bashers please! Thank you!    — Cindee A. (posted on February 1, 2002)

January 31, 2002
The way my surgeon does it is figure out a goal by a 60% loss which is supposed to be realistic. My personal goal is 135, his is around 175. There are some that don't reach a BMI of 21-23, so they tend to err on the safe side. I would like to be a BMI of 22. My BMI chart only goes down to 5'0" , and says that for a BMI of 22, the weight will be 115. I don't think that it is unrealistic for you to expect to make it to goal being that you are a lightweight. You have less to lose, and you are almost halfway there already. Lightweights do lose slower but arrive at goal quicker, and more likely to make goal. In my opinion, 114 would be just fine for you. Enjoy your journey!
   — Cheri M.

January 31, 2002
It's possible your surgeon just wants to cover his tush in case you don't lose as much as you want...don't know, that's just a guess. I don't think 114 is too skinny for someone as short as you are. I'm 5'2" and the lightest I ever was was 128. I had enormous breasts at the time (at least 10 pounds worth), and while I was fairly slim, I was not even close to being too skinny. I'm medium-boned as well. I say, go for whatever feels comfortable and 'right' to you. You may decide to personally change your goal because you discover you look and feel terrific at 125. Time will tell. But don't worry too much about what the doctor thinks. It's your body, and he's only guesstimating.
   — photographer45

January 31, 2002
The only frame of reference I have is my daughter. She's 20 years old, stands 4 feet 11.75 inches tall, and has been at 130. She looked chubby. Now at 102 she looks slim, fit, healthy, and great!
   — Danette H.

February 1, 2002
I am also 4 11 and 4 months post op. I was told that my goal weight at this time is 125 and that when I get closer to that weight that I will be re-evaluated to see if we want to go ahead and go for the 114 goal. So it sounds like your goal is right on target. i am also a small frame person
   — jenna F.

February 1, 2002
I'm 4'11" and started at 253#. I have not been overweight all of my life, except according to the charts. My usual adult weight has been around 135, in a size 8. I've always been athletic, high school sports, etc. and haven't weighed 114 since grade school. I definitely don't intend to get down to 114 pounds. My surgeon said he'd be happy if I am 150 (I'm 152 right now) but my personal goal is 135. I definitely would not look or feel right at a weight much lower than that, and despite the charts, my doctors have always felt that the mid 130s was an ideal weight for me. Now, I am going to be 40 this year, so that may play into it a little bit also. Most people at 40 will have a little bit of extra weight. I think that your personal goal weight should be based on how you feel, your overall health and your body size. I would suggest not setting a definite goal yet, but letting yourself drop to a weight that feels natural and comfortable for YOU. When you get down to 130, you can always shoot for a lower goal, but you may find 130 is just fine. Good luck.
   — Maria H.

February 1, 2002
I am 5'1", so VERY tall next to you! I started at 262, and 7 yrs later, remain consistently right at 110# or so. SOME charts say 100# for 5 ft and 5# for evey inch thereafter. So, at 108, I'm still a "fat girl" by that method. Your goal wt will be chart wt + bone size chart + what you want. It's not a magical number you pick out of the sky. You get to where you're going, then you level out. You can help expedite it or slow it, but you don't really CHOOSE it. According to a more reasonable chart, at 5'1", I'm considered "obese" (20% over ideal) at 144. So, consider what you CAN choose, then all the variables. We all look a little gaunt as we slide into goal wt. It changes as we stabilize and the muscle tone returns & the good color returns. And it all takes TIME. I know! I know! You want it now!
   — vitalady