I met my doctors goal not sure if I should push toward my goal

So feeling pretty excited that I am now down to 140 pounds which is my doctors goal weight for me post surgery.  I was a light weight so to speak since I made it all the way down to 191 by the day of surgery.

So now the question becomes do I continue on? I never thought I would hit this goal this fast.  I need two full knee replacements  so extensive moving is hard for me.  When I first set my goals on here I had no idea what to expect or what might be a realistic goal for my size. (I'm extremely small framed petite person barely five foot)

So I laughingly put in 110 pounds because that was what I weighed when I thought I looked the cutest. All that being said I'm not that concerned about how I look and let's be honest it's been a long time gone since I have been anywhere even close to fit much less super slender.  

So should I start thinking about letting myself phase towards maintenance or should I try to get closer to that long ago ideal? I really want to just be healthy and work towards getting more active again as the weightloss helps with the pain in my knees.  

So what are anybody else's thoughts.  I know no one's journey is exactly alike but I could really use a general feel for what might be a normal response.  I have always been one of those people who have spent their whole adult lives on the diet roller coaster and I really don't want to do that anymore.  I want to figure out what healthy feels like.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Angel

I never made any changes to my lifestyle between losing and maintenance - I just kept doing what I was doing ...    I honestly think people overthink "maintenance" - if you have made the necessary lifestyle changes after surgery it is an organic moment - not something you plan or do anything about!

I'm facing two knee replacements as well, and the more weight you can get off before having that done, the easier it will be.

As far as goal weight, just keep following your plan. You'll stop on your own without consciously trying to. 110 to 120 are both in the healthy BMI range for your height.

Please see my profile page if interested. I detail my RNY experience there.

Just keep doing what you are doing and let your weight fall will it where.  Many like to go a little lower to allow for bounce back.  Rarely does anyone truly become too thin but be prepared for a lot of comments that you are too thin.  It seems very common to look fairly gaunt for a while after a big weight loss.  Then people start saying you are losing too much and some get freaked out and go on a free for all to stop losing or to gain back.  

This rarely ends well.  Things usually settle and redistribute and you will look better.  It all takes time and patience but stay the course and you should settle in a happy place.

For me that happy place is somewhere that I can maintain without feeling deprived.  This is for the rest of my life, hopefully, and I have to live with the way I eat for a long time and I know that I don't do depravation well.  I have made changes that include avoiding sugar, gluten and basically refined, processed carbs, I eat regular meals and planned snacks and avoid impulsive eating and my weight has stayed at about 110 for over a year.  Before that I got a little too low, about 105, and then without any real changes I put on about 5 lbs and I've stayed here without too much effort.

Your weight will find a happy point on its own, if all goes well.  My goal was 180.  I got down as low as 145, at which point I looked awful.  Right now I am in the 150's which I can live with.  I had no real control over any of this it seems... it was up to Pouchy and my re-routed intestines.  Just keep eating a protein-forward diet and let the chips (figuratively) fall where they may.

Audrey

Even though I am no where near goal, I've listened to many people at support meetings. I agree just keep doing what you are doing, and your body will figure out its happy place. At 5 feet if you lose more, you won't be too skinny and it will probably be better for your knees and surgery. DOn't sweat it. Good Luck!

I thought my goal would be about 140ish too, because I had never really been below that (I'm 5'1), but I've seemed to be stuck around 125-130 and wouldn't actually mind going a little lower. My doctor gave me the same advice that others have given here which is to just keep doing what you are doing and your body will find the right place to stop. I am eating around 1200 calories but have had a horrible cold for almost a month so haven't been exercising much and am maintaining. I could definitely see this being a good maintenance level for me as I feel like this could be a "forever" way for me to eat. I would like to tone a little more and may get back to running when I can breathe again, but am glad I pushed beyond my first goal. 

Doctors funding is based on statistical success of surgeries, so they are going to define success sooner than expected because they need to look okay to insurance companies. Me, i just did the footwork and let my body settle where it was going to settle.....If I actively start trying to gain weight i would be in a scary place mentally. My doc was satisfied when i reached 140 pounds I am 4 foot eleven soaking wet and the charts have me at 98 to 110 pounds. My previous "goal" weight from my last major weight loss was 125. I did get a little freaked out when my body dropped below that, cause i have not been that little since eighth grade.....but I find that i fluctuate 5 pounds or so up or down on a given month, so i just sort of got used to it. I think if I got over 125 I would worry that i was relapsing or something. But the truth of the matter is, i had no control over my top weight either (which was 369, and headed up) It was just that point where i was able to do some of the footwork to do something about it. I just kind of relax about the number and enjoy the ride. The doctor got to be successful, and my body has been at a stable weight for about six months....everybody wins!