reasonable goal

Hi, my name is Lisa and I am scheduled for surgery on June 15. I have been reading here for years and finally got my nerve up to do it.   My husband and I are going thru this journey together.  I'm 5'8 and started my journey weighing in at my heavist of 324 at my first dr's appt.  I am now 278.  Is 160 a reasonable goal or too low?  Anyone else start about the same stats, and where are you now?

This is a really good question for your doctor! He/she can give you a guideline based on your current body composition and what s/he's seen other patients go through.

160lb would put you at the top of "normal" BMI, which seems to be a pretty common goal for many people.

I'm 5'5", my first goal was 160 (10lb above normal BMI), I made it to 150 (normal BMI), and maintained at 148ish.

Thank you for your reply!  I'm prettypretty sure 160 was the goal he has set for me but I just wanted to see if y'all who have been thru it thought it was reasonable.  I think I would ne happy with anything that starts with a 1 lol!

I agree with Julie - BMI is a good way to try to find ranges that you want to shoot for, which makes 160 a reasonable estimate.  I'm a bit uncomfortable with the idea of having a specific target weight when most of us have been out of that ballpark for a long long time - it just seems somewhat random and a setup for bad feelings if we don't reach it.  Our bodies are all so different, and change over time - what was a good weight for you when you were 20 might be totally different when you're 50 (I speak from experience - lol).

My advice would be to find a general target range, but listen to your gut (haha) and as you lose, find the weight that you feel best at.  If you think you feel great and look great and are healthy, then that's probably a good weight.  That being said, it is a good idea to drop a few pounds below that because once you're in maintenance, there seems to be a bit of regain before you settle in.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I think it's great that your husband is doing it too - having that kind of support and sharing food plans will make it so much easier.  Good luck! :)

im 5'6 I had vsg. highest weight was 422. surgery weight was 386 dr gave me a goal of 160-180

I'm 5'7.5" and I  started out at 385 pounds, and I made it to my goal of 160.  This put me at the high end of a normal BMI, and its a great weight for me. 

I didn't set a goal weight until I had lost most of the excess body weight, because I didn't know what was possible, or how I would feel at various weights.  My first goal was to be in the "overweight range".  Then I reduced it to 180.  When I reached 180, I still had a big tummy so I continued the weight loss hoping to reduce the tummy.  But I found out later, that it was mostly excess skin, and I needed plastics to have a flat belly. 

Anyway, best of luck in your weight loss journey.  You can get to 160 if you are determined and stick to your plan.

Carol