Goal setting and revising of goals...

So...given that everyone who has undergone WLS responds differently to the procedure and that there really isn't a "normal" rate of weight loss or even a "normal" amount of weight lost over a given period of time, how does one go about setting goals that are realistic and attainable?

For anyone who cares to respond, I'd be interested in knowing how you went about setting yours and the thought process involved.

My own research indicated that gastric bypass patients typically experienced a reduction of 65% - 80% of excess body weight.

My weight on the day of my surgery was 283.6 (though my official weight was 291). Splitting the difference between 65 and 80 is 72.5.

The BMI calculator that I used (based on a height of 5' 7") indicated a healthy weight to be in a range from 121 lbs. to 158 lbs. When I split the difference, the figure was 143.5 lbs. for a target.

283.6 - 143.5 = 140.1 lbs. of excess weight.
140.1 x .725 = 101.8 lbs. projected weight loss

283.6 - 101.8 = 181.8 lbs. target by virtue of the WLS alone

181.8 - 143.5 = 38.3 lbs to lose on my own (diet, exercise)

As I see it, my options are:

1. The "Easy" goal: 181.8 lbs.

2. The "Modified Ideal" goal: 162.7 lbs. (split difference between 181.6 and 143.5)

3. The "Ideal" goal: 143.5

Haven't made a final decision yet, but am close...

 The following chart is one of the most commonly used charts to determine healthy body fat percentage. I went and had my body fat tested by electrode analysis, and it was determined that I was 41% fat at the time. A healthy body fat percentage for me would be about 22%. According to my current body composition, it was determined that by getting down to that percentage, it would put me at roughly 150lbs.

My original goal was 130 lbs, an arbitrary number I pulled out of my head because that's the last weight I remember being before I got fat. That was in college. I've had two kids and aged 10 years since then.

So anyway, I'm shooting for an ideal body fat percentage, rather than scale number. When I get to 150lbs, I'll have my BF% rechecked to see where I am, and if I want to continue losing.

I think that body fat % is a MUCH better metric for a "healthy" weight than the BMI chart (and is the only number I really care about at this point)!  The percentage takes your muscle and bone mass into consideration, and the chart takes age into consideration.  Someone can be very muscular (and very healthy) but be "obese" according to the silly BMI chart (which is an arbitrary height/weight ratio that was developed in a previous century when people were, in general, much smaller).

I am just over the line into an "overweight" BMI, but I am only 25% body fat (including my big boobs) which is considered "optimum" (according to the chart I got from the hospital) for a woman of 50.


Lora

So, where does one go to have such testing conducted?

 I went to my gym. I had a fitness and body composition analysis done by a personal trainer. At the Y, it's free. They hooked me up to some electrodes, like they do for an EKG, and measured it that way. None of the embarassing calipers, which aren't very accurate anyway. It gave me a thorough readng of fat %, lean tissue percentage, water content, and the ratios I would have at a healthy %. 

We are the same height (5'7") and my top weight was 298lbs.  Date of surgery weight was 282lbs.  I haven't done any calculations or been as detailed as you have.  My first goal was to get under 200lbs and then I thought 180lbs would be my target.  I got down to 156 years ago when I was in the army and I was puny and got sick all the time.  I started working in a gym as a trainer and gained up to 180lbs and held that weight very well.

Now you have me curious as to what my numbers should be.  I guess based on our height being the same I can just use your numbers...HAHA.....Thanks!!

Todd

No problem!!

Any time.

 As anyone who knows me at all knows that setting realistic, attainable goals is one of my biggest concerns.  I have seen far too many people, both clients and friends, become depressed or down on themselves (some even feeling like a "failure" after losing over 150 pounds) just because they did not hit some arbitrary target number.  I did exactly what I suggest that my clients do (after I am sure they understand that, for most people who have been MO or SMO for much of their adult lives, losing (and keeping off) 100% of their excess weight is very unlikely and that it is better to set a revised goal if you exceed your initial goal than to set an initial goal that is unrealistic):
1) I looked at my weight history (what I weighed at various points in time and how I felt about my body and how I felt physically at those weights)
2) I looked at my body type to see what traits were immutable and might affect my ultimate weight (e.g, I have always had large breasts, muscular legs, and heavy bones in my legs; someone else might know they have small bones and/or not much muscle mass)
3) I looked at the BMI chart to see what a "normal"/"healthy" range was for my height
4) I considered my age (because of slowing metabolism as we age)

I started with the middle number in the BMI range and then adjusted (upward in my case) for the factors in #1 and #2.  Since I had already added some weight for those two factors, I ignored the potential age factor.  What I ended up coming up with was the top of the BMI range. 

I then asked my PCP what he thought.  The number he picked (without looking at any chart) was the top number on the BMI chart, so that is what I went with.  After 20 months, I was able toget to about 3 pounds below that goal weight, but then bounced back up 5 pounds within just a few weeks.  I babble been ale to maintain that post-bounce weight for the 3+ years since then within just a purple of pounds.

Lora

My goal is a waist of less 33 inches, which is consider good health.  I carry all of my weight in my stomach area.  I have no fat left any place else so it has to go right,..............

The nut ( not from the bariatric clinic) gave me the goal of 146.  No less than 140 no more than 165.

165 is the wt that I came off of insulin ....... it is also the weight that I am stalled on.
146 is about a bmi of 23, which according to my bone structure etc. would be the best.
140 and no less............I would be to thin. 

I would like to be around 150 with a waist of 30.  I would also like a Jlo butt and big boobs.  But, I guess we all can't get what we want. 

I am actually okay at 165 if that is where I am going to be at.