There are certainly issues with using BMI as the only indicator of proper weight, but it is still a decent way of comparing relative weight for people of different heights. Very few of us who are going through the WLS process are world class athletes.

@msjennigirl, I started the WLS process at 420 pounds (BMI of 50 at my 6'5"). I was very successful at the pre-surgery process and dropped a ton to have my surgery at 318 (BMI of just under 38). I believe that losing the weight pre-surgery and getting in good athletic shape made the actual surgery much easier. I was up and walked 1lk steps the day after surgery and the first few weeks were tough but went smoothly.

I believe that the main benefit of losing pre-surgery is that I get the habits and behaviors ingrained and was able to get to goal in the first six months post surgery, which took advantage of the hormonal changes in a way that made losing much easier. My weight goal was a BMI number, but was not 'normal' according to the charts. I chose a goal of the moddile of 'Overweight' that was the lowest I had been since middle school. My primary care physician told me that as people age, the 'normal' BMI range may be too low, plus the extra skin needs to be taken into account.

Find a goal with your doctor that is a weight that you want to be. Most importantly, though, is to find a way to be happy at whatever weight you are currently at. I see too many people focusing on their 'goal' weight to the detriment of feeling happy about how much weight they have already lost. Focus on the new things you can do and how much better you feel every day!

Keeping those behaviors strong during the transition to maintenance was tough and I am struggling almost three years out to find my mojo again and lose some regain. Life happens and we had a tough year which put my eating and exercising at too low of a priority. It is always going to be a struggle for some of us, but all you can do is make good decisions every day, and make more good ones than bad ones.

Be strong,

Rob