How thin is TOO thin?

Jess, I'm just a lil' shorter than you and my body seems to have decided that the 170's are where it's at because I am not budging. I'm also not going to kill myself to try and lose anymore weight. If I could get out of this skin suit, I'd be perfectly happy where I am right now for the rest of my natural life.

To answer your question, too skinny is better defined by how much body fat you are carrying around. Can you get that tested somewhere? I'd say anything under 20% for your height might be a bit too much lost. Ya need to keep some meat on them bones girl!

A couple thoughts...

*** WE, as former morbid obese people are not a good judge of skinny vs. fat.  At least not within the first 4-5 years post-op.  the pscyhologist who works with my surgeon's office says that it takes a full 5 years for our brain to catch up with what's going on with our bodies.  So when we look in the mirror, our brain can't really register a true picture of what's happening because we have a distorted view of our body as morbidly obese.  So we have to rely on the honest opinions of our medical staff, family and close friends. 

*** Your BMI right now is 22.  If you have a lot of extra skin, that would be another 10-15 pounds.  Subtract 10 or 15 pounds from 158 and you're down in the 20's on the BMI scale which is hovering around "underweight." 

*** Find out what your body fat percentage is.  This is a more accurate reflection of your overall health and ideal body weight.  Here's a chart that shows where you want to be:

You and me and the symbiotic thinking...it's getting scary Pam!

Hehehe... I was just about to post the same thing!  I've had this post up on my screen for a bit, half written while I did something else.  Then I fini**** off, hit submit... and viola, there's your post saying exactly what I just said.  LOL! 

I would say try to maintain 155-160 ish until you get plastic surgery. You will likely have between 6-10lbs taken off with plastics.

It looks like you enjoy vintage style modelling so I doubt you want to lose much more weight because then your body won't suit that type of clothing.

I am on same tone as pam said - check your body fat- that may be a best indication if you can - should lose more weight.  If your body fat % is low - then you should try to maintain  since losing more - you may lose your muscles, organs, etc.  It is like an anorexic state - the body starts consuming itsef. 

As fo rthe girl in a bar - you may not see it  - but since she wa drunk - she said what she saw - that should be a warning for you  - since she did not know you before RNY.  

maybe you are too thin... 

very low body fat % = may result in a complications in a long term... 
 

First of all congrats on your astounding weight loss!! IMPRESSIVE! 

Second, I has a lower body lift a couple months ago and let me tell you, just don't realize how SMALL you are until it is gone.. I had 7 lbs removed, likely you will have at least the same.  I started at 328 at 5'4". I am now 133.  Just keep that in mind.

Edited to add: how much muscle do u have? It makes a huge difference.  While I am only 5'4" and 133 AFTER plastics... I just wore size 3/4 capries.  I have a ton of muscle...

Tough question, but I agree with Pam & Nik (shocking, I know! lol) once you find out your body fat % you'll be able to get a clearer picture.  It's so weird because we are all so different, there is no hard and fast rule.  Like I'm 5'6" and right now at 202 I wear a 10/12 pants.  I too have a linebacker build, my shoulders are very wide and I have a large frame.  The absolute lowest weight I can ever go to is 160, lower than that I look absolutely awful, WAY too thin.  That's why my plastic surgeon wants me to lose down to 180 and maintain that for 3 months, then we can start plastics with my ultimate goal being 160-170.  Honestly, I would be happy to get to and maintain 180, even if I lose no further.  That's a size 8 on me and that's plenty thin enough IMO. For that matter, I wouldn't cry if I never lost another pound.  Just the fact that I've gone from a 32 pants to a 10/12 in less than a year astounds the hell outta me.

My opinion is when the doctor says you are too thin.  My theory is that people think we look thin because they are used to the opposite.  158 does not sound too think for 5'11.

I am reading this post with my eyes wide open.  I'm in the same boat 5"11 now at 170 (past MD's goal) and wanting to get to 160 which I was as a college althlete.  OK minus the roll of fat that wont go away on its own on the lower abdomen which is about 10-15 lbs which brings me at/below goal.  I'm in 13/14 jeans because I like them a little loose.

I too, all within the last few weeks get the same comments about "Don't loose any more weight."  Sorry I dont have an answer for you...but I appreciate all the feedback you are getting from others.  It helps to keep things in perspective, which I have NONE of right now coming from my perspective of what I look like.  I think I still look fat!  Working on that with a therapsit though!

Good luck!