goal weight

How do you determine a goal weight? I am now at what is considered to be a normal bmi on the chart. At just over 5 2 I am at 134 and wear size small usually on top and 8 jeans. Skin removal would probably take me down a size or two but cost will most likely be on me not insurance. So I did revise goal to 130. Friends say that's too low for me and think I am too thin now. Really confused about this. How did you set your goal? 

I keep revising my goal as well.  I have gotten the same reactions from my friends too.  When I mentioned this to my surgeon, he said this....if any person were meeting you for the first time, they would think that you are a normal weight person.  I am taking my surgeon's advice and setting my goal to where I feel best.  Best of luck!

I used an ideal weight calculator to figure it out -- http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm -- and chose 120, I'm 5'4"  

I don't think that listening to friends is wise, their perspective is skewed based on knowing you as obese for so long.  Being healthy is what matters, so talking with your PCP and surgeon is a good idea.  And, honestly, I'd want to talk to a PCP that hadn't known me obese.  My PCP is like, "180 will be good for you!" And I'm like, "You're stupid!"  ;)  

That said, I have a lot of interim goals:
(3/20/14) 291 - Extremely Obese BMI
(4/29/14) 269 - Fifty Lost/25% EWL
(5/17/2014) 260 - Driver's License Weight
(8/2/2014) 233 - Obese BMI
(9/12/2014) 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)

Gwen, I love how you have it all mapped out. I have been giving myself goals, because I think they are important... but when I reach one, I decide on the next. yes I agree people who have known you MO probably aren't the best judges. The closest to normal I've been as an adult was about 20lbs over my ideal weight range at about 27. My goal is to get into my ideal weight range. I've pretty much been some form of overweight since 5 years old...It's time.

I like your method too - "okay, what's my next goal."  Whatever works for each of us, eh? :)  

I know some people do better with just one ultimate goal to work toward, but I knew that I'd need lots of little goals to feel successful more often to keep up my momentum.  

You could get your body fat measured and use that to help you decide if you are done. 

I'm 6 years out. I'm 5'7" and about 134 right now. No one tells me I am "too thin". They are used to me at this weight.