How is 'excess weight' calculated?

[Beachsprite 118]

Hi All,

I know most surgeons and literature around bariatrics discuss losing 'X%' of your 'excess weight' however what do they class as excess?

I'm assuming they are using the BMI, but what do the class as your 'ideal weight' to then calculate your excess? Is it the highest BMI point you would be classed as in the health range or is it the mid point of the healthy range for your height/gender, the lowest point or something else?

It's just i'm trying to set up my weigh loss journal and app and set goals etc but i'm at a loss as to what this mystical calculation is based on

Thanks in advance - and yes I would be amused if this like everything else varies between surgeons!

[snowkitten 371]

Calculate what your bmi weight should be and Subtract that from your current weight. That is your excess.

[Babbs 14,681]

I saw Dr Weiner (he has videos on Youtube and he's awesome) do this calculation, although I didn't like it much because I felt it was super unrealistic for me, lol.

For a female, it's 100 pounds for every 5 feet. Then add 5 pounds for every inch over 5 feet. So I'm 5'5":

5 feet =100 +5 inches × 5= 25

So my ideal weight supposedly is 125lbs. I started at 235.

That would mean I have 110 pounds to lose.

110 pounds × 65% (what they say to expect) would be 71 pounds.

Like I said, that's one calculation, but I find the "ideal" weight unrealistic. My goal is 150 pounds.

Hope you got all that!

[NikkiDoc 312]

Based on my height of 5'3" my weight by one of the gov't or Met Life weight charts says 131 is the top of the ideal range. I was 231 on the morning of surgery so my excess weight was 100 pounds.

[long2912 8]

I did mine exactly how NikkiDoc did. Find what your min and max weight SHOULD be subtract that from your weight as of now. That's your excess.

[long2912 8]

I to find the ideal weight unrealistic, I can't picture myself at 125 I'm 5'3 as well.