I am pretty sure I will never have a normal BMI

 Does anyone else feel this way?? I have been obese pretty much my entire life. The lowest I ever remember weighing is maybe 180 or 190 when I was in middle school. Now I am one week post op and I am extatic to be on my way to a healthier lifestyle. Now I was curious what "normal" is for me because omg I can not tell you how fabulous it would feel to have a "normal" weight for the first time (although I am sure I am not alone in this). For me a weight of 165 would be a BMI of 25 ( I am about 5'9) and I just honestly don't think I can get to a weight that low. Am I just being negative because I am so used to being obese? Sorry to complain, I just figure I can get some alive or input from others with similar feelings here. Thanks in advance for any response :)

 The BMI chart is BS.  It was formulated in the 1800s when people were much smaller in general, and it does not take muscle or bone mass (or age or body type) into consideration.  Many professional athletes with very little body fat are in the overweight or obese category based on BMI alone!  I think a much healthier number is your body fat percentage (which does allow for differences in bone mass, muscle mass, and age).  Your body fat percentage is a much better indicator of your actual health than just a simple height/weight ratio (which is all the BMI is).

There are many people here who lost a LOT of weight who never made it to a normal BMI, but they look terrific!

I straddle the line between "normal" and "overweight". Most days I am in the latter category.  I am still large busted (36DDD) and have very muscular thighs (German heritage) and large bones in my legs, though, and my body fat % is smack dab in the middle of the "optimum" range for a woman my age (49).

Shoot for"healthy" rather than "normal"... You will stress much less that way.

Lora

You are not the only one who questions the "normal"! I am the same way. Have always been overweight since 5 years old. Cannot remember weighing less than 210, and I am pretty sure that was in middle school. I asked my internest and dietician how would i know what weight to be at, they told me not to worry about that yet, they would go by my BMI. I have been told by another of my doctors to start visualizing myself as thin, but am not really able to do that, because I do not really remember being thin. SO, I guess I have decided to enjoy the ride and take it a day at a time and a pound at a time! I believe we will all get there if we keep focused on the real goal of being healthy. Someone told me the reason to have this surgery is for better health, and the best side affect is getting thinner! You're not complianing, i see it as wondering what the future holds! Good luck!
Jodee 

Almost a year ago I had my surgery.  I am 5'11" and started out at 320 lbs.  I am here today to tell you that you can lose the weight you want to lose.  I am now 185.  I have not weighed this weight since high school and that was almost 20 years ago.  I would like to get to 175, but I am pretty happy with where I am at because I feel great.
Stick with the plan you are given.  Don't give up when you don't lose weight every day.  It will come off.  Your body will go through adjustment periods where you won't lose weight for maybe weeks, but trust me, work your plan, drink your water, exercise and take your vitamins and the weight will come off.
I sat where you are and had huge doubts.  And I can tell you, it is all worth it!


Sarah

 Sorry, but not everyone is capable of losing all the weight they might WANT to lose.  Not everyone gets to their goal weight.  It is fine to encourage people to be diligent with the "plan", but please do not assure them of something that may not happen.  I am sure you do not want to be responsible, even in part, for someone being distressed and feeling like a failure if they don't lose as much as they want to.

Lora

Congratulations on your great success.  With your height, your must look and feel great.

I agree with Lora, I would definitely shoot for healthy rather than "normal".    I have a BMI that is just in overweight (which doesn't take account of my age) and a normal body fat percentage for my age.

If I were to compare myself with others on here, my head would explode!   I am 6ft tall and so would never get into the size 2's and 4's people post about - I think I got into a pair of size 8 jeans in 2006 for about a week!!!!

I eat well, I exercise regularly, I take my vitamins and adjust them according to my 3 monthly labs!   At 49 I think I look and feel great and that's what's important.  

You may or may not get to a normal BMI - you really have to just follow your programme and see where your body ends up - I think you'll be surprised!!!!

 I used to be concerned about BMI and a number.  I turned myself into a mess.

I work out, I eat right, I take my vitamins and I'm kind to myself.  I do check my weight once a week and it goes up and down 5lbs and somtimes I dip a little lower but I'm in pretty darn good shape.  My goals do involve numbers now.  The numbers are miles run, weight lifted, races completed etc.  

Follow the surgeons instructions, read OH and learn from others and you'll do well.  True, there are some people who don't but a high percentage of people who follow the general rules of their surgery do well.

Normal isn't a number (at least not one on a scale).  Normal is what it inside of you.

I love what you said about "numbers...."   "miles runes, weight lifted, races completed." 

Congratulations on having surgery.  What I did to focus on my health was I did not buy a scale until I approached maintenance.  I knew I could not afford to become fixated with a number or else I would get defeated if I did not reach goal and had to watch the ups and downs of the scale.  Follow your plan, and take it one day at a time.  Talk to your surgeon about what he believes is realistic for you.  We are all different.  I too am 5'9" but have a small frame.  Much of the time those as tall as I often weigh more but wear a smaller size that I.  Normal is what makes you healthy and happy with your journey.