Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

10,189 topics in this forum

I just wanted to make a post here. My sleeve surgery was exactly one year ago. I've had zero complications and feel better than I have in years! My goal was 140lbs but I've easily leveled off at 120! I was very nervous about getting the surgery, but it's been nothing but great!

Folks, this was something that wasn't even on my list of milestones, but it may be the best one of all. Brace yourself... I am wearing a belt with trousers and a button down shirt TUCKED IN!! I am seriously happy today. I have had a smooth ride during the weight loss (lots of mental hurdles, but the weight has slipped off steadily). I can't believe how far I've come.

Today, Jan 31, marks having the band for 1 year! It is the BEST decision I could have ever made for myself, and my family. I have tried every diet under the sun, and failed miserably at every one. It took surgery, having a band wrapped around my upper stomach, to prevent me from overeating ever again! IT IS NOT A DIET! I take exception to those that say it is "Only a Tool" A tool is something "I USE", something that I can control, whether it be a lot or not at all. But the Band is something I have No Control over! IT CONTROLS ME! If anything, I have become the tool the band uses! It controls how much I can eat! it controls my hunger! The only thing I need to do…

Finally got tired of people telling me how bad I looked in my clothes, so I decided to do some clothes shopping. I figured I was down to a 36 waist so I went perusing through the store looking for decent jeans and slacks. After 40 mins Im getting a little annoyed as I can't find anything in my size so I decide to leave. On my way out I bumped into a section that had some awesome man gear init. As Im thinking "why do they keep this cool clothes over here? I looked up and saw a sign that said MENS DEPARTMENT. I have been shopping in this same store for five years but I had always went to the BIG TALL section. I didnt even know they had a mens section let alone that I could …

Thanks

On the 4th I will be 6 months out. I have lost almost 80lds. I feel great! This is the best thing I have ever done and would do it again in a heart beat! So here is a side by side of me before and 6 months out. :smile1:

Hi, It was a year ago when I started my dr supervised weight watchers program for 6 months, then my surgery was July 21, 11. I started at 440lbs and today I weigh 330lbs. I just wanted to share my NSV's 1) I'm wearing jeans for the first time in 25 years! 2) I can walk everywhere with my kids! 3) I enjoyed shopping for the first time in a LONG time! 4) I wore my honey moon nightie for the first time in 7yrs! 5) I've decided to go back to school to change my career..big decision! 6) My hubby had surgery in Aug and wow the whoopie is sooo much better! TMI! I am so happy I did this, I have so much further to go and I hope to loose another 100 this year and with t…

Wowweeeee! I started my pre-surgery diet on October 1st and lost 11lbs and then had my sleeve on the 19th. So it has been four months since I started this overall process and I have lost a total of 60lbs! I have to say I am a kind of flabbergasted! When you diet your entire life (okay, I am only 32, but that is still a lot of diets!) it is shocking to see something work. The part I have been lax on has been the exercise. I walk most days for 1km and tow my two boys on a sled behind me (we live in the Yukon- lots of snow and cold), but that has been the extent of my exercise. Until yesterday! I went to the gym yesterday and am I ever sore today. My goals fo…

I had gastric banding surgery 2 years ago and it was a raging success. I've lost more than 30kg (don't know pounds sorry) and have had a radical apronectomy to get rid of excess 'bagage'. I also recently bit the bullet, so to speak and have been fitted with dental braces... I really wish someone had have warned me that one can't chew food to the extent required to get it through the band when one has braces!! I am heading off to the specialist to get some fluid removed from the band as I am back to almost clear fluids and losing more weight than I need to!! Although there is a part of me that is curious to see what under 60kg looks like on me, I am expecting that I might…

Every once in awhile I try on my fat pants and stare in the mirror at just how far I have come. WELL today I finally had my husband take a picture of me holding up my fat pants that I used for my pre-op pictures and WOW! Seeing it in a picture is even crazier than just looking in a mirror. As stubborn and cranky as my sleeve can be, I am SO thankful to be where I am today :smile1: Sorry can't seem to shrink these pictures down, I will work on that when I get home

Hello VST, When I first thought about having my surgery, it was about "health". First, in my mind I had to convince myself that I could do this. You know, change the diet -- stick to the plan..etc. I have gone down from 227lbs to 185 thus far. My goal...135-145lbs. When I began this journey, and read all the stories about "Who did you tell..." I knew, that I would not tell many people. I'm a private person. But, I did tell 1 of my sisters. Her comment, "Well, I know a few people who did that and though they lost weight -- they didn't loose that much." How much are you thinking about loosing? My response, it's not about the numbers, it's about my health! I …

I had been hitting the protien really hard however I was consuming kettle to no carbs. Had an orange and later that day an apple and my energy went through the roof!!! Before I was really dragging.

Sleeved on December 12th, was not required to follow pre-op diet. Total weight loss in seven weeks FIFTY pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes I reccomend the sleeve to those needing to improve their health and live a longer happier life!!!!!!!!!!

I just have to post this regarding weight scales. They are a good thing but can also be your worst enemy. I have read countless post regarding people that get on the scale and do not lose any weight and then get depressed and feel like if they did not lose they might just as well eat. YOUR SCALE IS YOUR WORSE ENEMY AND YOUR BEST FRIEND.....................you just have to know when to use it. For those of you who feel the need to weigh on a daily basis............STOP. When you were gaining weight did you weigh daily..NO......WHY???? because you did not want to know how much you had gained since yesterday. This weight gain may not have even been due to the amount of fo…

Eleven months ago I was 316 pounds, unhealthy and miserable. Tomorrow, I am RUNNING my first half marathon. I am pumped and cannot wait to get out there and complete what I've spent seven months training to do. If you're on the fence, please take my story as one of the many examples of the amazing transformations that can occur. I will, of course, post pics and post-race results. I am hoping for a 2:45 or under finish. Wish me luck! Amanda

I am down 110lbs since my August 2010 surgery. Dammmm it hard to lose the weight. I did it and I am ohhhh so proud of myself. Now on to bigger and better this. Maintanance day 1 here I come.

I am so close to being a Normal Healthy Weight I can almost touch it! Two or Three more days like the last few and I will for sure be there!!! :tongue2:

I stepped on the scale this morning and it said 299.6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't seen the two hundreds in years.

I am approaching my one year anniversary on February 12th. I have had a good first year, have lost all but 10 pounds of my excess weight, and have made many behavior changes. But I have always been worried (scared!) about being successful in maintenance, since that has been my lifelong pattern. I have lost close to 100 pounds 4 times previously, and haven’t successfully kept it of for more than a year or two after achieving goal. I did something positive to help me get into maintenance. It is another “tool” to help me be a healthy smaller person – just like the sleeve itself is a tool. (That’s my NSV – I did something positive for my maintenance). I enrolled in a c…

It was SOOOOO cold here in Vancouver (i'm such a wimp now with the cold). I started out not feeling my toes and ended the race not feeling my toes : ) BUT I DID IT!!!! I even ran the first 20 min WITHOUT STOPPING!!!! BUT I DID IT!!! did I finish first??? NOOOO far from it......I actually finished 7th from last. BUT I DID IT!!!! I FINISHED and I feel fantastic!!!! I finished under my 1 hour goal (coming in at 59 min 32 seconds) Consitering this is my first time EVER running outdoors and with other people around, I am proud!!

Hey everyone! I know it's been FOREVER since anyone has seen a post from me, but here's how my life has been since my surgery on 9/27/10: - I currently weigh 199. That's 134 lbs lost -I got engaged on 10/27/11 -I went from a size 26/28 to a 14 -I'm moving to Seattle with my fiance next week -In November, I was at work and had what I thought was a heart attack. After a trip to the ER, I found out I had gallstones. So yesterday I had my gallbladder removed and I'm hanging out at home trying to recover, while at the same time having to pack to move next Tuesday ANNNND go to Orlando this weekend to meet with wedding vendors. That's how my life has been since surg…

OMG, I have dropped 5 lbs over night after a very long stall. Thank you LilMissDiva for sharing you basis bootcamp with all of us. It has really worked to trigger my body out of a stall. I have learned so much from your feedback on this site and it has helped me tremendously. Pdxman: thank you for all the feedback that you have also given. It helped me to see that that it is extremely important to mix things up so that our bodies don't get complacent (in which mine has). I now understand about calories and our BMR and am going to have mine tested just to see where my BMR sits and also kicking up the exercise. YAYYYYYYYYYYYY! Thanks to both of you! You guys have…

Today I am 17 months post op and I'm still lovin my sleeve. I am 8 months in maintenance and bounce any where from 144-148. Today I'm 145.3. I could NEVER do this on my own. I would ALWAYS gain it back and then some. I no longer "diet" or "starve"...I say it over and over IT'S A MIRACLE!!!!! 2010-2011 was the year of weight loss. 2012 will be the year of exercise...Lord willing!!! Thanks to all of you who have inspired and continue to support me through my journey, could not have done it without you! Love and happiness to all!!! P.s. I've attached some before and after pictures, I really don't like looking at the before because they make me so sad, but hope…

Well, I've been frustrated with the fact that since the end of last summer I'd gained ten pounds. My weight at the end of the summer was 215, and by September it had shot up to as high as 225! What's worse is that this weight has been stubborn to lose again. After six months, I'm back down to 219, despite doing cardio every day, going to the gym five days a week for weights, and being mindful of my food. The frustrating thing is that I was at 219 on the same day in November, so I'm just treading water! But it turns out that that's not entirely the whole picture. I use the scale at the gym, which measures body fat and skeletal muscle percentage. It's pretty accura…

So, yes.. I know it's after 3am.. but, I just got in from karaoke...any who.. did a little shopping today.. bought some things.. including a pair of cute $60 jeans for $14... in a size 24... I know it still starts w/ a 2.. but... I was a 30 in November, a 28 on the day of surgery and been wearing my 1 pair of 26s.. so, I was like.. let me just try these on to see how far I have to go to be in a 24.. They came all the way up.. and I was like.. nah.. they won't button.. BUT they DID!!!! I'm so happy... The scale isn't moving much... but inches are falling off!!! Hallelujah!!! And, I finally went back to my therapist and she helped me work through some anxiety about not be…

How bizarre. In 18 months, I've gone from an XXL (bordering on XXXL) everywhere with a 46 (going on 48) inch jeans waistline, to XL in the shoulders, L bordering on M in the waist, and M for undershorts. And my jeans are 36 inch waist, and that's getting a little baggy; I can now fit into 34's without too much work, and I expect to be comfortably wearing 34's by the summer (doubt I'll get much smaller than that, since that's basically my hip bones!) I've basically gone from being shaped like a giant jiggling amorphous blob to having the classic male "inverted wedge" shape with a tiny little stubborn tummy roll (I HATE you, jelly roll, I hate you! I do crunches and ob…

I promised myself, that when I hit a year, I'd post a "success" story. A year ago today, I lay in the "big" hospital bed at 274 pounds and completely miserable. The two days prior to surgery were the worst ever. I called my Dr's nurse the morning of surgery and told her "I think I need to cancel, I can't do this." She told me that she wasn't going to listen to me and that she expected to see me at the hospital in a few hours. I'm so glad I did. There are very very few things in my life that I'm more happy about than my decision to have Lapband surgery. I was 32 and miserable. Couldn't stand to look at myself, even more, couldn't stand to have my husband look at…

Today January 25, 2012 is my 1 year surgiversary. I have lost 76 pounds and my BMI is 24.5. My lab results when I went to the Dr. this week were good, I was told to try and eat more Protein. I am currently wearing size 6/8 pants and s/m tops. I feel so good both physically and mentally. I exercise 4-5 times a week, but it is usually riding my bike 7-8 miles a day. This year I am going to change from doing mostly cardio to trying to do some toning with bands and also my kettleball. This week I was able to break into the 140’s, which made me very happy. My Dr. said I will probably continue to lose weight for the next 3 months, and then I will probably stabilize. Th…

Today is my Mom’s birthday and she is having a party at a nice bistro, there are a few people who do not know about my surgery and a few others who do know that will be there, but I’m nervous about what to eat and drink any advice?

Hello all!! Its my 5 month update!!! Couldn't be happier!!! I am in a misses 14 from a 24W!! wearing plain large from womens 2x's! I am close to goal I know I can do this! No lose skin- just a little wrinkle action on my abdomen-- not bad at all! Some hair loss-- but I am managing-- had a ton to start. All in all my weight loss has been nearly effortless. I work out lightly 3x to 4x per week to help with the skin. I am eating a min. of 1200-1400 cals a day. I have enough confidence finally that I have an amazing new man in my life! I LOVE MY SLEEVE! heres a face pic comparison! Thanks for all the support and motivation everyone!

I have 19 more pounds til I reach goal...285 seems so far away...but its funny how ill go shopping in a store and be in womens plus size department 10 minutes before I remember I'm not that size anymore...habits are hard to break I guess..i love my size 12s just not use to it..like the first time somebody called me skinny...i thought they were kidding...never been called that before in my whole life...wow

I am not quite 5 months out (about a week and some days away) and I am down 70 lbs as of last Friday. I still have a hard time seeing it.. Can't wait to lose some of my lower belly so I can start really dropping sizes. I know this will be an issue because I've had two vertical c-sections and where before I never stored fat in my belly, after it seems like one of my greatest stores. I still have a goal of 100 lbs lost by my 6 month surgiversary. I know it's a lot before March 2nd, but I just started running again, so there's a chance right? Even if I don't make it to that goal, by that date, I will make it. That's all that matters. I am not quite to the halfway point o…

Sooooo.... I didn't meet my goal, folks. I did not make it to onederland before the new year... I made it to onederland on 1/4/12!!! That was the day that I had officially lost 100 lbs and the day that I officially hit 199.6 lbs!! I cannot believe it. Of course the scale hasn't moved again since then, but that is ok. I now have about 20-30 more lbs to lose and then I will be at goal!! Only 5 months after surgery! I am so thankful and happy for this opportunity to enjoy life more than I ever have before. I feel better not only physically but emotionally, spiritually, romanticly..... . Smiles all around! I plan on spending the next few months hoping that my …

My BMI was 59.7 when I started my preop on 11/09/11. Had my surgery one week later and now at just over 10 weeks out my BMI is 49.6, a total loss of 74lbs. I am so excited that this surgery has been as advertised and while it still takes discipline and effort, at least I have a tool that gives me every opportunity to be successful. It feels really nice to go through the closet and take things out to donate because they are too big and not because they are too small. Now its time to kick it into 2nd gear and reach the 30's, its been 11 years since I've had a BMI under 40, so that milestone will be even sweeter.

Hello, just wanted to share my recent success. Yesterday was my 3 month anniversary and total weight loss is 57.4 lbs!!! YAY!!! I am so excited. I don't know about the rest of you but I am counting my weight loss from what I weighed before the pre-op diet. If I count from date of surgery (10/17/11) I am down 48.4 lbs. Last week I experience my first weight gain of 1.3 lbs and I was a little upset....but between last week and this week/yesterday, I was down 4.9 lbs. Someone told me it is just my body adjusting itself, which does make sense. I am doing fantastic, tons of energy and working out. Is there anyone else 3 months out? How are you doing? Any Chicago sl…

Hello VST, When I first thought about having my surgery, it was about "health". First, in my mind I had to convince myself that I could do this. You know, change the diet -- stick to the plan..etc. I have gone down from 227lbs to 185 thus far. My goal...135-145lbs. When I began this journey, and read all the stories about "Who did you tell..." I knew, that I would not tell many people. I'm a private person. But, I did tell 1 of my sisters. Her comment, "Well, I know a few people who did that and though they lost weight -- they didn't loose that much." How much are you thinking about loosing? My response, it's not about the numbers, it's about my health! I …

WOW, VST family, I have been waiting a week to post! Last Tuesday, I got on the scale and was so excited to see 199 for the first time since grad school (more than 25 years ago). I couldn't post because the site was down--talk about your frustrating moments. Then I had an out-of-state job that included a lot of physical exercise and a fairly limited menu--I ate very little for four days and had long working days (I'm a musician, and this was a conducting gig that involved many hours of rehearsal a day for a couple of days). Imagine my surprise and JOY to jump on the scale this morning and see 196!!!! I thought my losing was kind of over; last month, I had slowed to…

Every topic I try to read had a pic of a woman in scrubs taking her own pic and I can't read the post cause the words blend in with her scrubs. Is this happening to anyone else this evening?

Today I am 4 months post surgery. I look back and see how much my life has changed. I was fairly lucky before surgery I had no major issues, no medication etc. However I was constantly injuring my foot in one way or the other. It felt like everytime I attempted exercise I was reinjuring my foot, spent quite a few months in a foot boot. But overall I was ok. Since surgery I have not had one injury (touch wood), I work out 2 twice a day and have started running. It seems almost coincidental that I have also hit my half way mark on my 4 month anniversary. 83 pounds down. I have thrown away all my clothes from pre-surgery. Life is so much better, food does not contro…

I buried my mom on January 3rd. She got very sick very quickly and died four weeks to the day after being diagnosed with melanoma. It is still unbelievable to me how fast she went. One of the things I am happiest about is that she got to see me conquer my life long battle with weight with the assistance of an incredible tool - the sleeve. I had my surgery on July 13, 2010 and I have lost about 125 pounds since then -- from 300 pounds to 175 today. When I first told her I was going to have the surgery done, she was very nervous, but she came to trust my research and judgment and she became on of my biggest supporters. She battled her weight for much of her life, so …

It has been three months since my sleeve surgery! Wow time is flying. I have lost 44.5lbs since my surgery on October the 19th. That along with the weight I lost in the couple of weeks before the surgery brings my weight loss to 55.5lbs since October 1st. Wahooo!! I am definitely going through a mourning stage right now. I miss food. I miss eating huge amount amounts of food. I miss hiding my feelings in a bag of chips or plate of lasagna. But it is empowering to feel these emotions and realize I can get through them without food. It is going to be amazing to see where I will be in another three months! Here I am in August at my heaviest of 319 and now at 26…

Did my first 5K in 45 minutes today...Not bad for a couch potato! This was my New Years resolution and it's done!!! Thanks to all who INSPIRE ME EVERYDAY on this site! LOVE YA!!!!!! Also want to say IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT TOOOOO! Special shout out to my sleeve sister Michelle who stuck it out in the pouring rain! WE DID IT GIRL!!!!

Im not anywhere near goal, but pretty darn happy with my progress! Stats: lost 36 lbs, then measured, and couldnt belive..... Lost in inches: 2 off chin 1 off neck 6 off stomach 6 off waist 1 1/2 off ea thigh 1 1/2 off ea calf 8 off back/bust (ladies it was back not boobies!!) 3 off rump Measurements made my day!! Nsvs: Told twice this week to buy new work clothes, they are falling off!!! The up and down look I get from people that I know notice but dont say anything. My rings are falling off where as before I couldnt take them off. My new confidence!! Icing on the cake: more to lose, its only the beginning...it can only get better and I cant wait!!!

I was banded on 12/21 and feel great. However, I drank more water before being banded. My tastes have changed and water doesn't even taste that great to me anymore. I drink a 20oz tea in the morning and try and drink water during the day while I'm teaching but don't seem to even finish one. Since I don't drink and eat at the same time like I used to there is no liqued there. I feel good and besided from being 18 pounds down and the scale not moving in the past week everything is good. Will I get sick if I only drink anout 30-40oz liqued a day?

Thanks for reading this =)

The day I decided to have surgery I weighed 286lbs. The day of surgery I was 274. Today it is a little over 3 months out and I am at 224. 62 lbs GONE in three months! I am very fortunate to have a tolerant sleeve. I eat very normally! Sweets make me feel gross, so I eat MUCH LESS sweet stuff than I used to. But I can eat part of a cookie if I want. For lunch today I at about half of a kids chicken tender meal (1.5 tenders) with gravy from Whataburger. French fries make me feel full before I have a chance to eat any Protein, so I usually eat only three french fries. Other than that, I eat what my family eats. Last night was grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn. I …

I forgot to mention! I have been off my diabetes meds since the evening of 1/3. I was sleeved 1/4. The only regret is I can't see the look on my Mom's face when I told her. Then again, I am sure she knows... :')

I just realized I'm half way to my goal. I want to lose a total of 90lbs and I've lost 45! Whoohoo! This is awesome! I'm 2.5 months post op. I know the weight loss will slow down but I'm on Target. I was hoping to be wearing cute sun dresses this summer and I think I will get to!! I love my Almanzo! Just like Laura Ingles! That's what I call my sleeve...Almanzo. lol, I'm a dork.

Last night I was talking to a friend who is getting RNY in one month. I was saying to her how quickly it would pass and she would be having the surgery. I remembered the date and realized I was at one year myself! It went REALLY fast and here I am at 2 1/2 pounds from "Normal" and 7 pounds from goal! I am one of those people who decided to eat "normal" food most of the time, and not do a very low carb diet. I am a vegetarian, so very low carb is pretty hard to do anyway. All in all, the sleeve has given me the help to "just say no" to the quantity, and my mind was able to do the rest enough to almost get to goal in one year. I am losing so slowly now that I expect to get…

Jan 18th made one year of my life changing event. I want to thank all who help and supported me. My wife, children, and the members of VST all played an important part in my weight reduction. I am looking forward to the next year challenges. Again thanks Lash