Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

For the past couple nights I have been awakened because my knees hurt. Last night I suddenly realized they hurt because there is no fat cushion between them when I sleep on my side & the bones are pressing against each other. LOL. Wish the fact was coming off my stomach, but I'll take it.

So... I have had about 4 NSVs in the last week.... Last night I went to the Grand Lux Cafe.. When we were taken to our BOOTH, I just slid right in and my tummy didn't touch the table!!!! (I almost cried!! My best friend was smiling so hard I thought she was gonna have a coronary!!) On Saturday, I was sitting on my sofa and without thinking and much effort.... I crossed my legs!!!!! Comfortably!!! My bariatric center has a yearly celebration of life dinner/dance.. It's tomorrow.. and I haven't been able to wear heels for 2/3 years (and I have over 20 pairs).... anyway, I was like..let me just try these on and see if I can walk in them... Well, I tried on a pair of bla…

Since I work in the medical field and I am looking for a new job I went to try on some new work scrubs today. Last year before I had my surgery I was wearing a 5X top and a 4X pants. Today when I went to try one some new ones I am sown to an XL pant and top. I think I could get into the L but it would be a little snug sitting down and do not want my junk showing. I have already given most of my old clothes to the homeless shelter here in Des Moines. Feels great.

hi, i had my vsg on 14 feb 2012 my weight loss after 3 weeks is 24 lbs. am i on right track. how much weight loss one should expect every month

I been stalling out over the past 2 months. I have lost 4lbs, literally over Jan and Feb. So, I figure that if I am not loosing (large) amounts of weight then I must be loosing inches. I am working out regularly - ie running, weight lifting etc -- I try to keep my eating in control. I focus more on portion control and getting in ample amounts of Protein -- compared to calorie counting. But, last week (Friday) I wore jeans to work. I thought they were a little "big" on me -- so I went to Walmart (yes, I buy my jeans there because they are CHEAP, and the most COMFORTABLE pair of jeans I have found around the city. <side note> If you check the label and it say…

And THAT friends is what this is really all about. I don't remember if I updated the whole heart murmur issue, but my results did come back great. So, I do not need to do any more follow up regarding that issue. My heart beats strong and happy!! I'm so grateful, so thank the LORD that is now a non-issue for me. Also, I have gotten a copy of my last panel. Wow, I can honestly say I'm really working hard to ensure a healthy body! I'm far from perfect folks though, I mean... I did have half a burger for lunch today AND some seasoned fries too!!! NOOO SAY IT ISN'T SO!!! :ph34r: LOL, anyhow, it is what it is. I enjoyed every bite too. However, here's the thi…

Hi all, I dont post much but read a lot of ur success stories. It was 3 months yesterday since my VSG and today I weighed in 81lbs lighter. I only have 3lbs to go to be under 400lbs for the first time in years. I am so overjoyed. I've been obese for the majority of my life and it is the best feeling to know that Im finally in control.......All ur stories are such an inspiration to me. Thx for lettin me have my say.

Hi Sleeve Family, I haven't worn this dress since October 20, 1990. I was going to wait until tomorrow morning to try it on, but decided to try it on after dinner tonight instead and OMG it FITS! I cried, I laughed, felt silly, happy, and joyful!!! I'm still sitting here wearing it! So many many buttons (old school), now I think they use zippers instead of individual buttons. I am in SHOCK! I am so thankful for my sleeve, I just can not believe this! It's a MIRACLE!!!! Dreams really do come true, and it can happen for you too ...LOVE AND HAPPINESS TO ALL!!!!! P.s. Don't laugh remember it was 1990 and I went for trendy lol!

FInally finished my before and after slideshow I promised two months ago...apparently my friend was doing it for me but he never actually got to start it...So I had to learn how to do so myself and although a bit challenging at first, it was fairly easy when I understood what I had to do. Also included a "Random" update I made the same night addressing some stuff and giving the site some prop :smile1: Before/after slideshow movie: Random video: and here is a side by side screen shot:

This morning (I always weigh in on Tuesdays because I was sleeved on a Tuesday) I stepped on the scale and it read 220.0 exactly. This may not be a big thing to some people, but I am SO EXCITED!!! Through all the diets I attempted in the years prior to surgery hitting 220lbs was my first goal... I never got there, not even with Weight Watchers which was better than most. But today, with the help of my sleeve, I've finally reached this huge milestone in my life. It seems surreal! I am officially 37lbs down since I started the whole process to get to surgery and 20lbs down since surgery (which was 1/31/2012). I am 5" smaller in my waist and 7" smaller in my hips. I've gon…

Hello VST family, I was in the gym yesterday preparing for my workout on the floor and a girlfriend of mines who sees me regularly said this to me: "Girlllll you are getting so fine, I am going to get you a BODYGUARD"....lol I replied -- Let me know when he is hear, so that he can do my 3hr worksouts for me...hehehehe (She replied, no silly -- to keep all of these men off of you!) At that moment, I was hit with a double whammy of a compliment. She has seen me every step of the way, and is very fit at 50 years old, weight 128 and mantaining. I appreciated her more at that moment, then thoroughout our entire friendship! Sooooo, my question is as follows: W…

Today I had a call from my health nurse from my insurance company. After reviewing everything and giving explaination about food, meds, health she said something the made me think. She stated how happy I sounded. She was right. I am happy. Happy to be healty. Happy to have almost 100-lbs off my body in the last year. Happy to clean out my closet (shoes and clothes). Happy when I walk. Happy when I talk. Happy...Period. But then she had me thinking. I realized over the last few week how many people tell me I look so happy. One of my co-worker stated, "you're looking great, but I cannot believe the change in your personality". I asked him what he meant by th…

The Living XL catalog just arrived and I took one look at it and realized that I don't need to buy from it anything anymore. Woo Hoo. This is exciting news to me. It is the small things in life that really count.

While being in the "losing phase" of having WLS can seem like it's taking forever, I am constantly amazed at how quickly time has gone by for me since having surgery. Do I still have good restriction? YES. When I am eating dense Protein I really only eat 3-4oz. I can sometimes squeeze in about 5 ounces but that is pretty rare. Plus, as I've always stated, I would rather underfill my sleeve that be overfull. I was one of the lucky ones who lost all hunger and this so far has not yet returned in the past 10 months. I eat more by the clock than by any type of internal signal that I'm hungry. While it is counter-productive to do so, I feel like I could go all day and ea…

I was 6 months post-op on February 10 and left for a cruise last Sunday. For the first time in I don't know how long I didn't mind having photos taken in my bathing suit! (I erased my daughter out which is why there's that weird white spot) I actually LOST 2 lbs during my cruise! All the up & down on those stairs made up for my not-so-terrific eating and drinking habits, apparently. I am including a "before" picture as well for comparison. Only thing I'm not loving is the leg-jiggle but at the end of the day, who cares!!

My surgery is March 13th.

I truly can't believe that my legs no longer rub together. there were times when pants were damaged due to my legs rubbing together. now I can actually stand and see light between my legs. I have never been able to do that except when I was in middle school. I love my sleeve.

Yay! I broke my almost 3 week stall by losing 5 pounds since Tuesday! AND it's my 1st 20 pounds down since surgery!!! I am so happy Just thought I'd share

I went to church today, asking God for forgiveness of all my wrong doings, not of last past weeks but of everything, even if he forgave me in the past. But this Sunday was different from other Sundays. It was and is my last Sunday of being a "Fat Chick" it was going to be the last time people come up to me saying "your gaining weight again," instead of minding their own business.. lol Calm down Christian girl lol... so i asked God to guide me, and if i was making the right decision, that he would be there will me guiding the surgeon and his crew, to bless their hands for success! that if anything, i want to be in his glory! Guys when i tell you God spoke to me! I felt his…

So, I've been at the same scale weight for nearly a month and this morning, I lost 3.2 pounds! YAY!!! I keep preaching it..don't let the scale run your life. I have lost 3 pants sizes this month, plus seen new definition in my arms, legs and waist, but that 3 pounds makes me happy, too! Happy dancing this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FAIR WARNING: TMI ALERT! TMI ALERT! I had THREE consecutive nsv's today, and they all had to do with a flight to San Antonio. First of all, since the beginning of the pre op diet, then surgery, I've lost 34 pounds. Today, I saw the fruit of my labors. NSV #1: I went into the public bathroom at the airport, and the handicap stall was full, so I went into the teeny cramped one, hoping I (TMI! TMI!) didn't need to do a "twosey" because I can't reach the necessary location on my anatomy for proper cleansing unless I'm in the big stall. (I hope some of you know what I mean so i'm not a total freak!) Well, it turns out I would have had COMPLETE access to the necessary are…

I have severe bat flappy wings, lol and need advice on how to get rid of them! My friend does body wraps. Have any of you tried that? Supposedly it tightens your skin.

Hello everyone, I know this story may seem so silly to some, but it was quite a moment for me. Last night my husband and I went out for my very first "outing" treat; frozen yogurt. When we arrived I grabbed a small bowel, this alone is major because I have NEVER grabbed a small anything before, even in my mind it felt wrong, I filled it about 3/4 of the way and my messed up mind was thinking, "this does not look like enough", I ate about 5 small spoonfuls AND.......... I was so full!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really could not believe it! Never in my life have I ever been able to not finish a meal, a dessesrt, a drink, or anything! I was actually full and it was such a major momen…

Why not everyday is easy and you will always battle I am down 145 pounds. In fact weigh145 pounds and I'm at a healthy Bmi and see a trainer to continue to build muscle and tighten skin. I am happy and most of all healthy. I'm happy to give advice if anyone is struggling.

Well today is my one year surgivesary, and I celebrated with Cookies, cakes, candies, pizza, garbage plates, chicken wings, and ice cream Sundays! LOL Or maybe I celebrated with a 3 miles run, bought myself a new bicycle so I could do a sprint triathlon this spring, as well as re joining the CrossFit gym. One year total loss of 151 lbs, most of it was lost in the first 6 months, its been slow since then. From 326 lbs on March 1, 2011 to 175lbs on March 1st, 2012.... Not bad if I say so myself. Who would have ever thought a last March that I would be in shape enough to be considering being able to do a half triathlon by the end of this summer? All I can say DAMN I am…

Today was my weekly weigh in and I dropprd four lbs this week! I am no longer obese, I have dropped to 29.6 BMI - I am overweight! I keep saying it, but I really wish I could tell my Mom...

Just a quick update.... I am now 8 months post op and I am down 115lbs! I went from a size 4x top and 26/28 pants down to a large top and size 12 pants! And actually at work I fit into medium scrubs!!! I feel as though I've been given a second chance at life! I'm going through a divorce (and please no I'm sorry's it's the best thing to happen to me since this surgery) and I give all of my newfound self esteem and courage to my sleeve! It helped me find myself! And the best part is...I get to experience dating after my divorce is final!!! Lol Keep it up everyone!! PM me if you have any questions!!!!

I'm just days shy of my 7 month surgeriversary!!!!! Yay!!!! Ok, so i'm 7 months out and I feel great. My clothes are L/M in Tops and Meduim/ 9 in bottoms (can squeeze into some7/8) and a size 36 waist that's crazy ... even my feet have lost weight from 9 to 7 1/2... I'm feeling better than ever !!! I've lost 81 pounds and I'm LOVING IT!!! the 1st pic is hard for me to see hard because i Know how unhappy i was at that weight. I'm so happy that i decided to do something about it ... LOVING my sleeve!!! And here are my pics>>>Before 247(49in waist) finally meeting After 165(36in waist)

I found an app for my iPhone called BodyShot - Before & After. It's a cool little app that allows you to take photos (either taken on your iPhone or uploaded) and place them side by side for comparison. It also tracks weight and measurements too. Anyway, here is my first one. My before pic is about a week after my initial consult with my surgeon a year ago in January and then me at the beginning of February (3 months post op)....so these photos are one year apart and I'm down a total of 82 pounds (55 post op).

I know this has been said before, but when it happens to you you just want to scream it to the hills! Went out for lunch with DH, and I slid in to the booth with room to spare. I used to be squished in there like a overstuffed sausage. My DH was sensitive enough to smile and notice before I said a word. No more tables for this lady anymore, I'll be chillin in a booth thank you. ps still freaks me out how little fills me i love my sleeve! sleeved 12-19-11

Today marks thirty days since my surgery, four weeks and two days. My husband and I went out to eat for the first time in over a month, and it was a success! I was a little worried about a negative reaction, but was feeling OK since I haven't had any problems at home this past week introducing "early solid foods." We went out for sushi and I ordered a miso Soup which I've been making at home, familiar territory. Then I was about to very slowly, but wonderfully eat three 1oz pieces of sashimi (sake and maguro) dipped in low-sodium soy sauce. HEAVEN! I took very small bites, chewed so thoroughly, and patiently waited between bites to check in with my belly for the full sign…

Ok, so I have this lightweight jacket (kind of like a cross between a trench and a peacoat) that I love and have been wearing for a couple of years. Ihe problem is that the sleeves are a bit tight up top and prior to surgery, they would cut into the top part of my arm--near the armpit, sometimes to the point I had to take the jacket off. I was even considering pulling some of the seam out of the armpit to make it more comfortable. Well yesterday I wore the jacket, and I got all the way to work before I realized that my arms weren't hurting! I was totally comfortable, even with a long sleeved shirt underneath! I wore it again today with a long sleeved shirt plus a ligh…

I finally cracked and went shopping for some new jeans. I received 3 secondhand pairs from my aunt, one of which is starting to get too big already, a size 20. One of the other pairs she gave me was a size 18W from the brand Faded Glory. Man, when I attempted to fit into those babies, I might as well have been trying on a size 6. Well, imagine my crushed disappoint. Here I thought I was finally seeing some difference in size in my lower half (because believe me, I can definitely tell in my upper body!) but yet, I couldn't even shimmy into the next size down? To make a long story somewhat shorter, I went into Old Navy because they're having an amazing sale on jeans. Well…

It will be a year in July that I was banded and I've only lost 30 lbs! I don't eat much yet the weight loss is at a stand still. Started exercising and drinking more water. Seems like I just cant break the cycle and start seeing the results! Any suggestions?

Hello Everyone, ( actually posted this on the wrong thread earlier so reposting it here) I am so glad I found this message board! I have so many questions and it's hard to find one place where you can just have a good conversation! I have a BMI of 35, which puts me below the range for most places in the US. I don't have much in the way of secondary problems - YET. But my cholesterol is creeping up, my knees hurt, etc etc. Problems are just around the corner. I am approx 60-70 lbs overweight (5'2 height). I know this is not quite as much as some people who have gastric surgery, but the reality is that over the last 15 years I have tried several diets that have fail…

Dear sleeve family! I am so full of joy and happiness, and wanted to share. Just 7 months ago I could barely walk up the stairs of my own home, and now 7 months later I'm hiking the Grand Canyon...DID I JUST SAY THE GRAND CANYON???? LOL. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a year ago I would be able to do this with MY torn up knees...GOD IS GOOD!!!! Here is a picture of me the day after surgery (I was having what in the world did I do moment as you can tell from my expression) at 204.8, and the other picture was taken just this past Tuesday during my hike at the Grand Canyon at 155. I'm SOOOO happy thanks for listening!!! And as always thanks for your …

Surgery date was Sept 1 2011.. highest weight was 285. Day of surgery I was approx 270... as of today down to 204 (and have been here for the past 3 weeks :/) . Nonetheless proud of my progress so far... Was wearing women size 20 waist.. now wearing a size 11. My weight is carried in my boobs and stomach. Legs have always been small... body is just catching up LOL. I will say ive YET to exercise... I really do eat what i want, when I want. However I do recognize im in the critcal part of my post op... the part where I need to do something (eat better, exercise), in order to keep the scale moving... *edit: forgot to add the pic initially LOL*

It was one year ago that I was in Mexicali Mexico sitting in my hotel room the night before I was to go to the hospital for my surgery. I can not believe that one year has passed and I have gone from a weight of well over 300 lbs to almost being out of the 200's. I am greatful that I found the courage and money to have this proceedure done. I am living the life I have always dreamed of. I am not stared at with disgusted looks and shame. I am now getting hit on by younger men!!! My life has changed for the better and I will be at goal in the near future. I have lost almost 150 lbs and my knees, back, hips and feet thank me everyday. For those who are just starting your…

I have been on the site for awhile now and I hardly see any men on here. I am 45 and having my sleeve March 1. Have been overweight only 15 years and weighed 290 when I had my initial appt. I am on the liquid diet and have lost 10 lbs already. I have high blood pressure, cholesterol and just found out I am now diabetic. I also have very bad sleep apnea. All in the past 15 years!! So all you men out there please share your story. Women, of course, are welcome too.

No matter how hard or how easy this journey becomes to you, It is always about the self battle! I believe, our worst enemies are hidden within ourselves, It is not my Ex, or my so called friends, or relatives or even LIFE issues. The main problem is always about who you are and where YOU can take YOU! Everyone got their own obstacles and issues in life but It always comes down to the person to decide when and how they are gonna step above them and carry on, also its your choice if you wanna carry on stronger or just a victim. People dont make you the victim, you do that favor (ironically) to yourself. I didnt mean to bore you with this intro, but after years of being …

Today I weighed in at 209 making it 102ib weight loss in four months and a couple weeks! And im 9lbs out from onederland. my girl friend donated the majority of my clothes(a lot i still wanted to keep for slob football on the couch)and she took me shopping. Shes showing me shirts that i see built teenagers in and im telling her thats not gonna fit me, i need an xl or xxl. As they say the woman is always right so i submit and try n the shirt....it looks great, i turn the tag around on its a medium, A MEDIUM. I haven't worn a medium ten minutes after i was born. yeeeeah so to wrap up since being sleeve: I can buy clothes off the mens rack I'm 100lbs lighter I'm 9 stin…

I went salsa dancing saturday night and two great things happend to me: 1. I didn't stand in a corner, self concious about my body.. and I guess guys responded to that self confidence cause I got asked to dance all night long and I said yes to almost every dance requests (after warning them i didn't know the dance steps, lol) 2. I had the energy to dance for over 3 hours without my legs cramping up and feeling tired, when the club was closing down, I still wanted to keep on dancing

I have been 350 lbs or so since the late 90's. At that weight I never thought about dieting or doing anything to lose weight. I worked at very physical demanding jobs and my weight or size didn't slow me down. Over the last 5 years I have been putting on more and more weight. Finally last summer I decided it was out of control and I couldn't get it off by myself. I decide then that I was going to have weight loss surgery in the winter. When I could be laid off from work due to the construction season slow down. I got laid off in the beginning of December. Got a referral for a surgeon. and had my first appointment on 12/26/2011. I weighed 476. Until then I didn't know…

This may sound stupid to be excited about but I can now cross my legs when sitting at tables and at my desk at work. My knee brushes the top of the table slightly when crossed. I went to crossing my legs under a table to not being able to cross them AT ALL!! What a great feeling!!! :wub:

i'm sleeved! yay me! i had nausea after recovery for a lil while but they put med in my iv and know i'm perfect! i changed into my yoga pants and shirt and i'm so confy i walked trhu the hospital and went to see the new borns so cute! Happy is all i am now!

Love the dress, and you are definitely rocking it girl!

HUGE victory for me today! I have been going to the gym doing strength training three times a week for the last month. Today during my five minute treadmill warm up I decided to try running on it. I have never run on a treadmill in my life. I was able to do 1.5 minutes of running, then walk for a minute and then I ran for another minute. I had a big grin on my face the entire time because I had seen this going around the internet the other week and I couldn't get it out of my head:

Hi Everyone, I am so excited to say that I am now a normal weight 14 months after my sleeve! I have been losing slowly the past few months, but I didn't give up. There have been times when I have made bad food choices and skipped working out. I had to learn from those mistakes and start strong again. It is so rewarding to be here after a painful failed Lapland. I am just so thankful each and every day for my sleeve. If you are struggling, don't give up. You can get to you goals!

A very good friend and I were in a local mall and she was asking me what size I wore and I told her I really wasn't sure since I had no time to even try on clothes recently. We were just outside The 'PINK' section of Victoria's Secret and she looks around and pointed to the 'PINK' sweatshirts (if you aren't familiar Victoria Secret has a line of sweatshirts/tshirts/sleeper shorts, etc. Called PINK.) and she said "you can wear that in a large". I was just kinda laughing inside - she is super encouraging, and I just thought she was being pleasant. But then she takes me by the elbow, walks me over, gets a lime green 'think PINK' sweatshirt and says "go put this on". Not try …

My one year anniversary was on 2/22. The year has just flown by. I have lost 106 pounds and have decided to change my goal weight to be 140 - only 7 more pounds from where I am now. (My original goal weight was 135). I talked to my surgeon and my primary care doctor this week about my goal weight. I have pretty much been stalled at this weight (+/- 2 pounds) since around December 1st. I am still gradually losing inches, even though my weight hasn't been dropping. I am happy with my size - except for my waist, belly and upper arms. I am hoping that exercise and losing those last few pounds will help me there. If at the end of 2012, when I am at goal and have been stabl…