goal weight

[odawa 0]

Hello all,

I'm kinda puzzled. I'm a little over the 100 lb marker that is used to have the surgery. The Dr wants my goal weight to be 75 lbs. I guess I didnt understand why not go for the hundo? It seems if 100 is the benchmark then that would be the goal. Are other Drs doing the same thing or is this unusual?? I admit though I have to agree, I'm 5'10 and can't imagine being 155lbs. that is a bit too thin. I was just checking if this is normal.

Thanks

[luluc 6]

i think drs try to set expectations that "some" may not lose 100% of their excess weight. the 100lb (or plus) marker is not completely a "be all" to have surgery.....many perform the lapband on those who are obese (BMI over 30 - me included) & 100lbs is not necessarily whats needed to get to normal range.

if you want to lose 100% of your excess weight; you can totally do so....my dr thought i'd do well to get to 140lbs.., i'm 5'1 - that kept in me in an overweight category.., if i was paying for my band (which i did) i had full intentions of making it to a normal BMI.

good luck to you!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Furthermore statistics vary but in the USA most lap band patients AVERAGE a loss of about 50% of their goal weight. Many do better, many do worse. Maybe he's just trying to be realistic.

Mine didn't set a goal weight. They are all different. You could always ask yours why he chose that number.

[Jachut 487]

I'm 5ft 10 and 154lb and it is not too thin! I'm a perfectly healthy weight, right in the middle of the healthy weight range actually and its NOT that thin! People seem to have a really warped view of this, it drives me nuts - not that I'm offended, just mystified. Is it because although in Australia our obesity levels are similar to the US's, severe morbid obesity is quite rare, most people are just "a bit obese", so that normal weights dont look so small to people?

You would describe me as tall, perhaps willowy, maybe elegant, but truly, you wouldnt say I was "skinny" or "slim". I'd need to lose another 20lb to be that. Its absolutely NOTHING like model thin, believe me.

I really think there must be a basic perception difference between our two countries because people are always saying on here that normal healthy weights are "too skinny" or "scrawny" and I just honestly dont get it. It must just be a difference in norms and what we've grown to accept as normal between our two countries.

So I truly dont see why you wouldnt go for the 100. And I really dont particularly see what business it is of the doctors to be telling you that you'll stop here or there or anywhere in betwen either. He may reasonably warn you that losing 100% of excess weight is challenging, but setting your goal weight FOR you, I just think that's weird but that's another thing that seems to happen all the time according to what people on here say.

I set my own goal weight!

[Puju10 0]

I am so with you Jachut!! I am 5'8" and 281 (not banded yet) and my best GF is trying to tell me being 200lbs. is not a bad weight for me. Get real yes I don't look bad at that weight and can get into a size 12-14 (I have always excercised and had a Tummy Tuck 5 yrs ago it helps) BUT that is way too much weight for my 5'8" frame I would love to be like you and be 154!!!! By the way you look FABULOUS!

[odawa 0]

I would rather go for the hundred. Maybe he was just low balling it, so that I'm a huge success story??? lol could be. lol Why would I go through surgery and not go all of the way? I dont understand it at all.

I guess the big thing is that I havent met anyone thats my height and 154lbs. Most of my friends are on the heavy side. I cant wait to lose all of this extra weight!! I'm so excited. I guess when I talk to him next I'm gonna tell him, I'm going for the hundo baby!

[Brandy~ 2]

i think drs try to set expectations that "some" may not lose 100% of their excess weight. the 100lb (or plus) marker is not completely a "be all" to have surgery.....many perform the lapband on those who are obese (BMI over 30 - me included) & 100lbs is not necessarily whats needed to get to normal range.

if you want to lose 100% of your excess weight; you can totally do so....my dr thought i'd do well to get to 140lbs.., i'm 5'1 - that kept in me in an overweight category.., if i was paying for my band (which i did) i had full intentions of making it to a normal BMI.

good luck to you!!

Exactly what I was going to say.

I was 267 at surgery and I was given an initial goal of 180... Thats still obese but it falls in their guidelines of the % of body weight that is average to lose for a bandster... I don't know how they got those statistics because from what I see alot of people are much more successful. However, I plan to blow that goal out of the Water. I will go to 160 and if I feel as if I need to lose more I will. I am short so I will try to set my own expectations realistically.

[Jachut 487]

Seriously? You havent met anyone that's 5ft 10 and 154ish? Therein lies the difference probably. Its quite normal in my world not to be overweight. I truly am not the kind of thin that would occasion comment or even envy! I'm just, well, "normal". I'm not thin enough that I can wear absolutely anything for example, and although I'm now brave enough to wear a bikini, I have to lie still so bits dont fall out, lol. You can only see the bones that are supposed to show, like collarbones and knees, its not as if every rib and vertebra is sticking out.

Go for the hundred, you'll look fabulous! And feel fantastic!

[Donna113 2]

My doctor said the WLS industry considers the surgery a success if you lose 50% of your excess weight. That means my doctor's goal is not on par with my goal. I didn't pay all that money and put myself under the knife so I could be 1/2 fat.

[luluc 6]

I didn't pay all that money and put myself under the knife so I could be 1/2 fat.

i think the same way. i laughed at my dr when he gave me the "wls statistics"; and he was like, i would love nothing better than you prove me wrong. he even said, those determined to lose 100%+ excess of their weight - do so; however they are not in the majority .... which is why he says he sets expectations at (X). some are very happy losing 50-70% of the bum, me i wanted it all gone...(still have a bum tho).

[Donna113 2]

I've never had much "junk in the trunk" so I'm thinking if I do end up having some PS done after I reach MY goal, then I might just have them take care of that at the same time.

[heather.vasquez 0]

you guys make me laugh :omg_smile: I agree I didn't come this way ang go through all of this to go half way. Would you ask football players to only play till half time??? Heck NO... Riht now I have a bum my friend joke that I could put a service for 4 on it.... It's not that big but i'm sure you get the picture!!! LOL.... I want 100% and will settle for nothing less.:scared2:

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Interestingly, my doc quoted the 50% statistics BUT...(get this!) in Australia, 3 years post op, "banders" lose as much on average as those who get bypass...or 80%! So I told my doc I love Texas but will be Australian when it comes to WLS! Jachut, I'm glad to hear your input on this. I'm beginning to see why Australians have more success.

[odawa 0]

Amazing. Well I'm going for the 100% + whatever else I can lose. This facility hasnt had alot of lapband yet & I'm gonna set the bar up high!! When they talk about how much can be lost, I wanna be the one that they talk about!!

I dont know alot of thin people. I'm Native American and sad but true, we are fighting Diabetes and heart disease due to obesity. Its an epidemic in the Native Community. When we buy t-shirts we ask for Native size, that is 3x!!! Its the norm. The lifestyle change nowadays has really impacted us.