Dr says getting to the NORMAL WEIGHT Category will make me look GAUNT?!

My surgeon says when I have done my surgery he would like me to get to a BMI of under 30, but no lower than 25 and to maintain at that level, and that even 28 would be better.

He says if I got to 24 I would look GAUNT.

I am wondering why? I didn't ask why .. But I thought about it when i got home, as many people get to normal BMI from looking on here. He said my health will be the same as a 24 BMI even at 28. He said he is 28 and as I can see he is slim and healthy. The only thing is I will still have an OVERWEIGHT label but he does not think that is a problem.

I mean right now i am OBESE, so its not really an issue .. BMI of 45ish , I have seen people with my BMI end up normal weight ..

What do you all think?

Go ahead and get gaunt. Regain is real and the more you lose, the better chance you have of keeping it off.

Thanks very much , i think your right, i have not learned much about regain so will look into it!

I'm around a 24 BMI now and I'm not gaunt. It's true that BMI is very relative to bone structure, muscle mass, etc. But I don't think he can predict that you will for certain look gaunt. Also; I think it's common for people to think they look thinner than they do, or for loved ones to perceive them as thinner than they are because the change happens so fast. After awhile our perceptions adjust. Even now, with my loss being slower than it was I'm getting more used to the thin me.

I had a doctor's visit unrelated to WLS today and the PA told me she knew I was "using my tool to my advantage" because I looked healthy and toned (she didn't see me without my clothes ), but I am certainly not too thin and I have some inches to lose still.

Amazing for getting to 24, really inspiring, and you right i think because i look so short and round and maybe because ive been fat my whole life he cant see me being 'to thin' which to others 25 when youve been slim your whole life some consider to not be too thin.

and your right about that i lost 40lbs last year, and people told me not to lose anymore when i was still considered OBESE , some people are crazy to me lol

Thank you! I've still got plenty of fluff to work off and I plan to!

Your doctor is full of malarkey. Lose as much as you can. It will never be this easy to lose, ever. And I'd be willing to bet money that in 2 years, you'll be begging to lose 20 or 30 pounds.

Lose it all now.

Thank you for the advice, and oh dear lol i hope im not begging to lose 30pounds does the sleeve not happen to be as effective in two years?

and i will try my best! i am super excited, 3 more weeks and il be on the other side!

In 2 years much of our initial motivation has waned. We can eat more no matter what surgery we had. Many people struggle after year 2. Lose it now.

And what a tremendous amount of weightloss!!! wow