Goal Setting ????

I am 3 weeks away from my sleeve surgery in Mexico.  Since I am going out of the country I think the goal setting process is a bit different than when you meet with your doctors several times before surgery here in the US.   I also know my follow up will be different since I will not be going for  monthly post op  consultations to check on my progress.  I am happy with the arrangement and I have actually been there before with my mom for her surgery so this  is not a problem or am I complaining I am just wondering how everyone sets their goals.  Did your doctor set the goal for you? Did it change over time?  I  have decided I want to lose  half of my total weight which is 140 lbs .  I can't remember when I was this  weight or how I will look or feel  but being a normal BMI , not even overweight, is what I am going for. I know it sound petty but not being labeled  morbidly obese, obese or overweight is my initial goal. 

My surgeon gave me a weight he said he'd be happy if I reached.  I consider that to be my surgeon's goal.  I set my own dream goal which is based on ideal weight calculators.  I also have a number of interim goals - I've reached the first three and I'm 6 pounds away from the next one!  (I'm 5'4".)

(3/20/14) 291 - Extremely Obese BMI
(4/29/14) 269 - Fifty Lost/25% EWL
(5/17/2014) 260 - Driver's License Weight
233 - Obese BMI
219 - One Hundred Lost/50% EWL
199 - "Onederland"
180 - Age 18
174 - Overweight BMI/Surgeon's Goal
169 - One Hundred Fifty Lost/75% EWL
159.5 - Half the person I used to be
145 - Normal BMI
120 - 100% EWL (based on Ideal Weight calculations)

Why do you think that wanting to have a normal BMI sounds petty?  I think that's an awesome desire to have.  

I have what I call my surgeons goal...they asked me a number, I said "160???".  They said, "sounds good".

Then I had my goal which was 150 but I also have this 'other' number which is 140 that I think might be a good weight for me to go to while I figure out maintenance.  I'd rather go a little low and have some wiggle room.  I'm 5'7"

But in reality I'm happy where I am and in the end that's the most important thing.  That you feel comfortable in your own body.  Where I'm from they will do a tummy tuck and it's covered by medical.  When I reach 150 I will look into that.  I think that will cover another 5lbs of skin and fat?  I seem to have held on to the fat in my stomach.

Not sure what height you are so I can't say what a good goal would be but I used the BMI chart to make sure I at least got to normal.

My original goal was 135 (i still my try) but my surgeon is Totaly against it says it's to thin for me he wants 160 ( I'm 9 lbs away) so nope so I tried to compromise with what I fell will be good for me and that's 145 .... and then if I want a few more off I'll just go a bit more'!!! :-)

♡ Kelly

Kelly Jean, I think you look amazing now!!  You are an inspiration to me!!  I have enjoyed looking at your pics, seeing the transformation, and can only hope that i can follow in your footsteps!! 

Was everyone given a goal before surgery?  

I've never been given a goal. My surgeon did say I should lose 80% of my excess weight with my sleeve. Since I don't have a specific number in mind I am just aiming for a normal BMI. I could even deal with being slightly in the overweight BMI since I have always been curvy.  I don't know if we really know what we'll look like or feel like at a certain number, especially if - like me - that last time you were a normal BMI was decades ago. I'm just going along for the ride and seeing where it takes me.

just...go for  it, girl....

I think each of us has to find what works for us. My surgeon didn't give me a goal from his perspective. That was something I determined. For me, I have a goal set at the lowest weight I can remember being comfortable and happy and that is 175. I'd honestly like to have a normal BMI. BUT I have decided to get to 175 and then evaluate from there whether it makes sense or not. For me though it's less about a number on the scale or even a BMI. It's more about how I feel. 

My surgeon did not set it for me. I was asked what I wanted it to be and it was supported. Initially I set it at the top of a normal bmi range. After surgery I changed it to a higher number to be "realiastic". Shortly after that I changed it back to my original goal. I think everyone should shoot for their ultimate goal, and not something higher... the tool can get you there. Notice I said ultimate goal, because for some a normal bmi may not be a good fit.