Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

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Today's my one-year anniversary, it kind of sneaked up on me. One year ago today, I had a sleeve gastrectomy, and now a year later I weigh about 90lb less (down about 42kg) and went from 40 BMI to 24 BMI. Started in size 18W-20W and am now in a size 6 or 8 trousers and mostly medium tops. I work out three times a week, walk to work and back every day, eat too much sometimes, eat mostly healthy most of the time, and enjoy my life. I could still be happy with another 3-8 kg loss, but I'm not sweating it. :-) Thanks for listening...now and throughout the past year.

Hi all, I know that it has been mentioned to me by my nutritionist that I should not eat and drink at the same time once i have been sleeved. I have just realized however that I accepted this as gospel and never really understood the logic behind the warning. I now wonder if it is because there will not be enough room in my sleeve for the all important Protein and the liquid? On the other hand, I had also heard that fluids push food down the digestive track at a quicker rate that normal peristalsis. This would hypothetically mean that one could eat more if they drank and ate at the same. I m hoping someone can help clear this up. Thanks so much! Finally, I have read t…

I am bursting inside and I just have to tell someone, so why not the whole VST?? Today, I was sitting behind my desk and a pathologist from my work comes in. She was asking about a bullet that she removed from a person. She and my boss were looking down at it and I rose from behind my desk to come over and see it too and she looked up at me and in mid sentence exclaimed "OH MY GOD!!!!!!" really loudly and I said oh sh*t! what??? Is there something on me? She said, I am so sorry, but I just havent seen you in a while and I was completely taken aback. I was so surprised! I didnt realize I looked that different. After we talked about the evidence, she asked me how muc…

I'm finally there! It feels goooood!!

OK.. This week has been the BEST.. I have had 5 male co-workers come to me and say ' I cannot help but notice you have lost ALOT of weight" I smile and say ALMOST 14 5 LB bags of SUGAR~ one said, thats a bag of FEED. One said, I notice you are getting awful thin, are you going to blow away! One said OMG you look SO pretty today!!!.... I tell them all I have done it for my health..and told them what I did. One husband talked to me in depth.. his wife wanted to do it.. have I had any problems....AT first I did not want to tell anyone....but My thoughts have changed!!! If I can help ANYONE... I have flat out told EVEREYONE what I did, and the reason I did it w…

Now I am running 9 minute mile on 10 incline unreal I couldnt walk or breath 3months ago Loving my sleeve down 53 pds

This morning I fit into some size 16 jeans and a top I haven't dared wear in a while because of my fat stomach. I'm sure I can't fit all 16s but it's my first size down and I'm so excited I'll just wear this pair like they're going out of style! :.D

I started my pre-surgery diet on October 1st and was sleeved on October 19th. I started at 319lbs and was 308 at surgery. Today, I am now 252lbs and feeling amazing! I cannot imagine what life will be like in another 50lbs. I just had my four month sleeve anniversary and I think I am still in shock at how well this is all working out for me. I have also celebrating four weeks of strength training at the gym three times a week! Plus I have been out to play squash with a friend twice this month. Amazing energy right now! I am taking in 900 calories a day. My focus is on Protein mainly through natural sources other than one Protein Drink first thing in the morning…

First, I am in a size 16 pant...woo hoo! I was at a co-workers desk the other morning. He was there along with someone from the operations team. She looked at me and then dropped her jaw. I walked away because they were busy. The next day the ops person saw me walking in the hall and stopped me to say, "I didn't recognize you. I looked and had had no idea who you were. You look great!" I thanked her many times before we parted ways. That was the kindest thing anyone has said about me at work. :-)

Lovin my sleeve! I am one month out and have lost 20 lbs as of a few days ago. I only weigh myself on Mondays so I may have lost a few more lbs since then. If I had any tips to give it would be to make sure you are getting as close to your goal for liquids and Protein as you can each day as well as moving as much as possible! It will keep you energized along with help in the weight coming off!!! I still have a long ways to go but I am very satisfied with my progress so far. I started in size 24 pants that fit a lil tight and a size 2-3x shirt,I'm now in size 20 pants that fit perfect and a size XL shirt!!!! =))) My goal for the next 30 days is to lose at least another 20 …

Thanks for reading this

Hi all, If you did not have any complications before surgery - like high BP, high sugar, asthma, sleeping apnea etc., would you have considered WLS (just for the sake of losing weight) at the time you did? Or would you have waited and tried other diets and work out regimen? Just curious..

I went for my 3 month surgical followup yesterday and was at 89 lbs, was shooting for 90. But today i went for my 3 month nutrition followup and I had lost another pound so officially down 90 lbs since the week prior to my surgery. Now I had a lot more to lose than most so don't compare your numbers to mine. I would have gladly traded starting weights with most of you. But I am proud of how I've been dedicated to sticking to the plan and seeing the results so quickly has been a great motivator. I've got a lot of achievements just ahead of me...10 more lbs to reach 100 total...20 more lbs to reach half my overall goal...and 51 more lbs to be below 300 for the first ti…

I was chatting with a work colleague who I respect for her straight talking. She is one of the few here who know I have had the band. She asked how much weight I have lost and how I am feeling. I was my (new) positive self and told her how great I was feeling, what a fantastic ride I had to work this morning etc. Her next comment stunned me! She told me that in the past, i.e. pre-band days, I would only ever talk about how sick I was or how much my knees ached. While it might sound negative, it was a real reminder of just how far I have come and how much changing my life for the better is also have a positive effect on others. I publicly apologise to all those who I had…

So my hubby took me away to an awesome resort in Indian Wells for some R&R since we were off today...well guess who was up at 7:15 am and at the fitness center today MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can y'all believe it??? lil ole MEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so stinkin proud of myself I just had to share!!!! I even had my hubby take some pics too!! I want to tell you I never thought I would like working out but I DO, I REALLY DO! And NEVER in a million years thought I would...if I can do this ANYONE CAN. I felt so good afterwards to sit out by the pool and then relax and I can feel good the rest of the day. Hugs to all

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT! I seriously havent felt so much joy (since the birth of my kids)!!! It is so crazy how "ONE" little number can mean SO much to someone! I am officially down 50 pounds in a little over THREE months! Unbelievable! AHHH, I can't believe I am out of the HORRIBLE 200's! I <3 my sleeve :-)

For the first time in 15 yrs. I ran last night. I always used the excuse that I had bad knees. The truth being is that I was carrying sooo much extra weight around that my knees just hurt from the pressure on them. Last night I felt like I could have ran forever and it not hurt (my knees of course, lungs being a totally different thing).lol My lungs are not use to the large amount of air following through them yet but that is changing day by day. Funny thing is my friend Laura asked me to join a 5K with her just yesterday and I told her, "No way! I would kill over!". She being the positive and wonderful person she is, said that if she could do it, I could. So now I'm th…

I am pretty excited today. I just reached the halfway mark to my goal! I started out at 330 (pre-op). Today, 53 days post-op, I have lost 66 lbs and over half way to my goal of 200!! (I do have a secret goal of 175, but don't tell anyone.) Thanks everyone for your encouragement! Much love! Vance

Finally after being in Dominican Republic since July 27, 2011 I am in my own bed, back in the states with a few great improvements! I am sleeved, and I went from 368 to 270 lbs! Awesome things have happened since my last day in the airport; 1- My jeans went from not fitting at all (wouldn't go past my hips), to falling off when I walked. My grandmother had to take them in because they were falling! 2- All my shorts look like skirts from the back because they are so big on me, I went from 28-30 to 22-24; and my tops went from 4x to 1x. 3- I can weigh myself on a regular bathroom scale. 4- I don't have to walk sideways in the airplane aisle. 5- For the first time …

Don't laugh at this comment: I am like a newborn baby trying to figure out what all the sensations she feels really means. Nothing is the same anymore. What is hunger? What is thirst? Pain..pleasure..gas ?:0/?..LOL I was weak yesterday and had 2 near black-outs last night. Today I haven't even been able to be up and have felt like I had a baseball caught in my chest. I have drank to the best of my ability and even had two ounces of soup, but it just kept getting stronger and worse. I had already worked myself up in a tizzy diagnosing one of those awful complications that happens to 1/1000 people. Then at about 7:00pm, I decided I would try one of those protein shakes ag…

Period related. I got so heavy that my period recently stopped. My last cycle was in Nov. and I am definitely not pregnant. I'm wondering if any of you in the same boat had your cycle return post-op and how many months did it take? I know everyone's body is different but just trying to get an idea. Thanks!

And I have faced and come to grips with a lot of situations in my life. I found out who my friends really were. I see the true status of my relationships, ALL OF THEM. I also decided not to pursue nurse anesthesia school. I decided to pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering. I have had tremendous changes in my personality. Or is it that I now released my self-imposed inhibitions? Down 95lb and lovin' it. This wouldn't have been possible this soon without the Sleeve. I feel like I gave myself an extension on life. One that was never there at 440lb. I have a ways to go but at this point I know it's actually possible to get there. I spent so many years dreaming of a life of …

I got a $30 gift card from my grandfather as a birthday gift so I went to Kohls to use it. I could fit in size 1x tops and 16 size dresses in the regular women's section. They had such a huge womens section compared to a tiny plus size section hidden in the back of the store. I'm so excited that I don't have to be limited to plus size stores anymore.

I am currently looking for a job (took an early retirement settlement at the end of December). It is certainly nicer to be looking at a size 10P, rather than a 24W. I had a job interview last Friday. I wore a beautifully tailored navy suit with a tiny shadow stripe of a paler blue. Under the jacket, I wore a blue cashmere sweater that picked up the color of the stripe. I had taken the suit skirt to the tailor and had it shortened (since I am 5'4" - this is a regular thing) to be the perfect just-below-the-knee length. If I was still morbidly obese, like a year ago, I would have either worn pants or left the skirt long - almost to my ankles. I had to buy a new pair of pa…

So, am I a slow loser? Half of that was in the first week, and then the remaining ten pounds took the rest of the month. I am not minding if I am slow, but I just want some comparison..... I am going to get my engagement photos (taken in early December) back this week. I am hoping that by the wedding they won't even look like me!

3 months out pics

I am almost 4 months out from surgery now and have lost almost 60 lbs (some pre-op but most since surgery). I have gone from a size 20 to a size 14 in the blink of an eye and I'm still losing. My life has changed in so many ways. I feel better, the constant pain in my back is gone, I breathe easier, I have energy to do things and for sure I look better. I was aware of all of these things. But Sunday I was made aware of something else.....how much happier I am. Obviously I'm happy with the loss and all that has come with it, but I didn't realize that I am just generally a happier person. I am always in a good mood, I'm not moody at all, I have little stress and I just love…

Hey, I decided to check theRnYtalk.com and discovered that there is hardly anyone on that site. I am so thankful that we have so many wonderful caring people on this site. Thank you Alex for making this possible. This is a great family to be part of. :wub:

I'm 6 weeks post op and still not able to sleep on the sides. The largest of the four incisions on my stomach is on the left side and whenever I try to sleep on the sides, I start getting an uncomfortable feeling.. not exactly pain but I still get very uncomfortable and have to sleep on my back. I'm not used to sleeping on my back -- I've had asthma trouble from my early teens and have not been sleeping on my back for nearly 15 yrs. So I just wanted to ask you guys about when it started to feel comfortable for you to sleep on your sides..

I decided to be banded in January 2011 and started the insurance process. I was banded August 10, 2011. I was more than ready and it could not come soon enough. My surgeon had offered to do the Plication along with my band he said he was seeing 20% more weight loss with it. All I was wanting was to lose it so i was all for it. I love everything about my band and my journey. I started at 318 and went in this week for my 6 month fill and i was at 238. I was so excited to hit 80lbs. I am ready to party when i hit 100 and then when i get to 200lbs... watch out! i will definatley be celebrating. I have a ways to go but i know i will get there. I am not stoping until I do. I t…

Hi, Are you eating healthy since you have had weight loss surgery? I went out for Breakfast this morning with my husband and friends. I almost became ill while sitting there and watching these two men consume LARGE amounts of food and then added more food from a lady who could not eat all hers. I shared a small amount of my husbands breakfast. My point is that I have learned in the last 3 ½ years that NO ONE needs large amounts of food to survive. It is amazing how small amounts of food will nourish us and we will become much healthier. Make a point to pay attention to the quality and amount of foods you are eating. Tonight for dinner my husband and I had a smal…

I am still a few weeks pre-op but I'd like to hear if your shoe size changed at all after surgery? If so how long did it take? In the past 8-9 months I packed on another 60-70 lbs (yikes). This was on top of already being morbidly obese. Anyway, my shoe size went up, most likely due to swelling. All my life I was a 9, sometimes I could fit an 8 1/2 even. But now I am solidly a 10. I cannot fit into any of my old shoes and resorted to wearing Crocs clogs for comfort. So has anyone else had this happen and then their shoe size went back to normal? I need hope!

My surgery has been approved!! In one weeks time!! My husband had back surgery last year and it took nearly 6 months to get it approved... He was not able to work and sat here at home in pain for months... and mine gets approved in a week? I am going to take that as a sign from God that this is meant to be, for me!! Now I am scared $hitless!! wow....

Today I am declaring my success with the WLS. I have definitley been in the Green Zone since last July, both myself and my Surgeon agree. I have automatic Portion control and calorie intake. I am raley hungry and never think about food. I go to the gym every chance I get because I like it. If feel empty if I miss a day. I'm wearing size medium shirts and jackets, and have a 36" waist. I have been gaining and loosing the same 3-5 lbs for a while now. had a .5cc fill 2 weeks ago, dropped 8 lbs, and gained back 3. Only a few more to my goal. I do not want, or need another fill. It would not make any difference. There is nothing left I can do but let it go and no…

I wasn't sure whether or not to post this as a success story, but here's a (cropped, bad) photo of me as of today. You can see that I'm definitely bulking up, but you can also see where I still have a LONG way to go fat-wise, and a lot of loose skin... Sorry for the bad image quality, but it's off the cuff, and I really didn't want to get into the horrorshow that is my tummy right now -- just a horrible mess of loose skin!

Is it okay if I have watermelon juice daily? I love watermelons and I figured it would mostly have just Water. I saw the nutritional chart of watermelon in wiki and found that every 100g of watermelon has 6.2 gms sugar and 7.55 gm carbs - is this a safe level to consume daily? PS: I do not add any sweeteners to the juice.

I will be banded today at 1:30. Im super nervous and excited at the same time. I pray that i have a good recovery and surgery. I cldnt even sleep last nite waking up going over pre op instructions in my head. haha I cant wait for this life changing choice to happen. whew, excited excited excited. wish me luck:)))

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say Hi ! I'm from India and just got sleeved on the first week of Jan. I weighed 261.8 pounds on the day of surgery and one month post-op I weigh 239.8 pounds. Just wondering if this is average or too-slow in terms of weight reduction. Any thoughts? I also wanted to say that I have read so many success stories here and am hoping to jot down my own entry soon.. can't wait for the day I reach my goal (143 pounds -- looks too far away right now, but I'm hoping I get there :-) )

My first goal is to get under 200 lbs. Here are the LAST photos of me over that! This time next week I WILL be at that goal. This is the first time I've had the nerve to post pics. Still haven't got the courage to unblur face though!

I had my surgery on Feb 9th and one week later...12 lbs gone...woo hoo! I am feeling pretty darn good , I wish I could go back to work. I am not used to being off work , it feels weird. I am wishing I could eat something but I am not hungry, I guess I just miss eating! Best wishes to everyone and thanks for all the support , it means a lot to read everyones success stories.

So today I went to the mall in desperate need of new jeans. All my jeans all falling off me and I don't have any at the next lower size. Anyways all the jeans in the plus size sections or stores are too big for me! Yes- I was finally able to purchase jeans again in a regular store! Been a long time and I was so happy to be back. It was like seeing an old friend! I'm here again and this time to stay. I will not go back to the plus sizes!!! What a great feeling- can't wait to wear my new jeans!

Yup, kinda become a regular thing. *huge adorable grin* everytime I notice some woman check me out or do a double take and smile or turn red when I catch her looking and look right in her eyes. I get this goofy grin. I have to admit its the best feeling! That is all for now Pasquini

Hello Everybody, I am going to be getting the sleeve within the next couple of months hopefully. Fortunatley I dont have to jump through insurance hoops because I will be self pay. I wanted to know if there is anyone out there (youre all inspirational) who has done a complete body transformation after the surgery. Either by working out or additional cosmetic surgeries. Has anyone sculpted their body to look exactly like they wanted it to? If so, can I see pictures. Its my dream and hope to be able to transform my body completley after the surgery. Thanks!

Today marks seven months post op for me... I rarely post but I wanted to thank all of those who shared their stories, pictures, and words of encouragement to me along the way. Hopefully these pictures will inspire someone else to do the same. I've had my ups and downs on this journey, but at the end of the day, I am happy with my decision to get sleeved. Anyways, On to the pictures!!! Before (250-260 pounds) Leaving Mexicali After (168-175 pounds) Thanks for looking!!!

Today was able to wear the most adorable corduroy leggings that I haven't been able to wear for over a year!!! & I was able to walk around freely without being afraid of starting a fire between my thighs!!! ( corduroy friction on a big gal can be disastrous for those of u that don't know)

So the 23rd this month is going to be my 3 months mark.I had my follow up appointment today , a few days early .Well I'm thrilled to say that lab results were excellent and for the first time in more than 7 years , I'm officially NO LONGER, insulin resistant :) I do have PCOS and my symptoms improved a lot. It's been an amazing journey so far . My total lost is 57 lbs including pre op diet and I have only 29 lbs more to go. Even that I started with a "low" BMI of 38,It hasn't been easy. I'm busting my butt at the gym 5 times a week. Exercise has been very important for my success , and I'm looking forward to continue exercising So far my surgeon said I had lost about 6…

Hi everyone! I've just passed my 1 year anniversary and have been weighing the highs and lows of this past year. It was very hard in the beginning. I had a hard time managing my pain, was exhausted all the time, couldn't walk more than 5 mintues without wanting to stop, couldn't drink more than a tiny sip at a time, and felt like maybe I had made a terrible ( and vain) choice. Somehow everything has come so far this past year and now all that is just a vague memory. I can eat anything I want (in moderation), can drink liquid like I did pre op, can exercise without feeling like my legs are Jello, and am no longer dwelling on the thoughts that I might have made a mistake. I…

Hi there...this is for all the ladies out there. Did/does anyone have PCOS and did it go away after losing weight from the VSG? PCOS is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Okay where do I begin?! I'm literally 13 days away from my one year surgiversary and am not excited in the least bit. I am no where near my goal and have slowly gained almost 15 lbs in the last 2 1/2 months. My daughter's father passed away July 28th of this year and it totally just took me by surprise. He was a big guy (but not "that" big) but long story short he went to ER on a Monday . . . learned he had diabetes and was near a stroke and went into cardiac arrest on a Thursday and passed. He was only 28. And even though we've been broken up for YEARS I still took it hard. My daughter cried and is sad but she is doing great. She's 6 1/2 and understands but is doin…

Woot woot!! I finished day 1! I know it may not seem like a big deal. But I tried to start C25k pre-op. I got horrible shin splints and I never got past day 3. I was walking at a speed of about 2.5 and jogging at 3.0. Weeeeellll, tonight I ran at a pace of 4.5/6 and walking at 4.0!! (insert banana man dancing) I don't feel any pain and even did some lunges and weights afterwards!! I have a goal of wearing this hot two piece I saw on Victoria Secrect.com for my 30th bday in September!!