Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

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sorry I hit the button twice!

Hi all, This morning I hopped on the scale and I have less than 5 lbs. to go to goal!!!!! I wasn't sure I would ever get this close and I thought it make take up to a year to get to goal, maybe more. I am so stoked and in love with my sleeve right now that I could sing and dance down my street singing the praises of the sleeve! I am blessed that my food addiction was less than some and head hunger has not ruled my life post-op. It does get to me sometimes, but so far, so good. And it's not like I haven't worked hard to get here. I've resisted extra treats, forced myself to work out when I didn't want to, and tracked food and Water intake till I'm pretty sure I could d…

Hello all! Well, I'm in my 8th week post-op and doing pretty good. Still working on trying to eat slower and enough. Anyways, people have been telling me stuff like, "you need to buy smaller pants, those are falling off!" Well, to be honest, I couldn't really see my weight loss the way they could. I'm 35 pounds down since surgery, and about 50 total (YAY!). Basically, I haven't weighed this since my junior year of high school. Let's just say that some people get the "freshman fifteen" weight put on in college... I got the freshman forty! Well, I was wearing one of my favorite shirts and have owned it since 8th grade. I remembered I had a picture of myself wearing it fro…

THIS TOPIC WAS LOST WHEN THE SYSTEM CRASHED RECENTLY. I HAVE BEEN SEEING AND HEARING ABOUT TOO MANY HORRIBLE STORIES ABOUT SLEEVES GONE WRONG IN THE HANDS OF THE WRONG DR.'S. I AM PLEADING WILL ALL WHO READ THIS TOPIC TO REPLY WITH YOUR DR.'S INFO IF YOU THINK HE OR SHE IS WORTHY OF A SHOUT OUT SO THAT ALL THE VISITORS AND PEOPLE LOOKING TO HAVE THIS LIFE CHANGING SURGERY CAN GET SOME GOOD DR.S TO PERFORM THEIR SURGERY. PLEASE INCLUDE THE CITY AND STATE WHERE THEY WORK. ALSO A WEBSITE IF YOU HAVE ONE AVAILABLE. THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATE!! DR. A. HAWASLI Hawasli & Associates 24911 Little Mack, Suite B St Clair Shores, MI 48080 586-774-8811 begin_…

Hello there VST!! It's been some time since I've sent you all some updated photos... so that's my full intent right this very moment. I've been through a lot!! I've been struggling to get healthy and fit for 6.5 YEARs now. Well guess what, TODAY and everyday after will be a success, because that is exactly where I am right now. I do NOT regret one single second of my long journey, and certainly never punished any pound lost. I celebrated them all, because they all mattered! I avoided the word "only" like a disease because that one single word can change a sentence by volumes. You are what you make of it. I made it gourmet, and I encourage all others to do the …

Today I took a shower and for the first time in 9 months there was no hair in the shower drain. I am soooo relieved. I have hypothyroidism and my hair started falling out about 3 years ago. Add the surgery and I ended up with really thin hair, not bald but a little wind sends it flying all around because it's so light. Hoping for lots of regrowth in the future.

The bathroom scale is weighing me in at 120 lbs. Not possible - that would be 110+ lbs in a week. So the scales are broken -Noooo....lol. We are currently at my Hubby's family sheep farm (organic, Kosher, humanitarian award-winning, BTW) in Jonesborough, Tn. I think I will be going up to the sheep scales at the main barn to weigh myself. It is so cold outside! I miss Houston!

I can't believe it - I've never lost 50 pounds in my life - usually stop at 40 pounds on all prior diets. I was so happy to see this on the scale this morning. 3 1/2 months out of surgery - I'm thrilled with these results so far. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF US ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!

I have been waiting on this day! My BMI just dropped under 30! I weighed 174 today! Yay! This was my Christmas goal and I finally made it! Took me three extra weeks to do it but I am thrilled! In four more pounds, I will weigh less than I have weighed in 17 years! Wooop!

Greetings Sleevers!! I just wanted to do a quick base-touch. I made it through the holidays unscathed...but I still have some issues reconciling my drastic loss with what I "see" in the mirror. Most often, I can CLEARLY see progress in others...but not in myself - unless a photo is involved. So, to start 2012 off in the right mind-set, I wanted to force myself to see my progress and be as proud of myself that as so many others seem to be of me. I'm kinda nervous about the rest of this journey...knowing I still have a way to go. I thought I'd be to goal by now - but for 15 months out, I think I've done pretty well (especially given the stress-filled year I had in 2…

i was wondering home much time most people take off from work to VSG surgery?

So I made it to the goal of 170 back in december. Which put me at a 25.8 bmi. I flirted with resetting my goal since 164 supposedly puts me at below 25, then thought maybe 160 that way I have 4 lbs room between me and overweight. I have been half heartedly trying. I mean I run 3 days a week 3 miles 2 days then 4-6 on saturday (I ran 10 today my eating has been ok but not hypervigilent like I have allowed myself a bit of bread or tortillia here and there. so I have gotten down to 166 and then back to 170 back and forth. so today I thought, I have been eating better and maybe i'm actually back to 166, hoping to see 165 on the scale and thus being one more lb tow…

Sorry for the bad picture with my cell and the flash,and the mess around my room,but I am beyond excited that I tried today my old 13 size jeans and they fit. I am only 8 weeks post op.

My appointment was not until tomorrow but I went in with a friend whom I referred. I was asked well since you are here today do you want to weigh? I said sure. I got on the scale and was down 8 more lbs. That brings my total weight loss thus far to 35lbs. Thank God for my sleeve! :xena_banana:

I was inspired by Vanishing Vixen to go through pics I had.... So I thought I would add some of the ones I had. She is totally right, pics are great reinforcers. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/gallery/album/1393-throughout-the-year/ I added those. I hope I don't embarrass myself too much. :confused_smile:

Hi, I am a newbie on the boards, and I had lapband surgery in 4/08, and I am having issues with the band. I lost about 70 pounds on the band, but the choking at night and acid reflux has caused me to want to take it out. I can not lose weight right because either it is too tight or too lose. I am tired fo this, I need rest. I will have the band removed, but was thinking of getting the gastric sleeve done while they are in there. Anyone else converted from the lap band to the sleeve?

Here are some before and "after" pics. I put after in quotes since I'm still losing. I was shocked to look at these two pics side by side today and thought it could be motivating. The first picture was taken in April 2011, one month prior to surgery. I weighed 414 pounds in the first photo and was wearing size 32 pants. The second picture was taken today, I weigh 301 pounds and am wearing size 24 jeans.

8.5 months post op ~ Oh yeah got my ass into some size 8 jeans wow from a 20 to a 8 single digit are you serious, I cant even remember the last time I wore that size

Today I recieved a letter of denial from my insurance company I went through the entire pre-op and I had all the qualifications; BMI more than 40, medical problems etc. I am so sad and upset at the same time. I was afraid this was going to happen.

I just had my 6 month bandiversary on Thursday 1/5/12. I cannot believe what a difference 6 months can make in a life. I wish I could stand next to myself back on the date of surgery to compare - and to tell myself that just 6 short months from now your life is going to change so much. I have 50-60 pounds to go and I know I'll do it in the second six months - if not no biggie I'm thrilled just to be where I am. I am solidly rooted in Onderland - it's been 15+ years since I've seen a one in front of my weight. I truly wish each and every one of us all the luck and best wishes in the world on these journeys of ours!!!!!!

I love my sleeve! I was sleeved September 17,2001. I was a size 22 the day of surgery, and 251lbs. Now, almost 4 months post-sleeve I weigh 188, and am a regular(not wide) size 14. I am so happy that I did this for myself. My energy has skyrocketed, my sex life is better(wasn't bad before, but definately better), I can chase my son at the park and not get winded. I love this, and the chance it has given me at a new life. I have had no complications, and can eat pretty much anything, just in much smaller amounts than before.

Hello all! 04/26/2012 will be my FIFTH bandversary. Yes, 5 years. I used to live on this site and for me it was vital to my success and accountability. I was tight with my group of "Violets" who were all 2007 bandsters..... I am still friends with most of them on facebook and such, but the need to come here and post is long gone. If you click on my profile you can see where I started and where I'm at today..........as I uploaded more pics to my progress album. I did awesome my first year and lost 98 lbs, and then I just quit watching what I ate and quite weighing every day....... I gained about 30 lbs, but then I just settled. I would get on the scale about once …

Great news! :woot:

I just had my first visit after 1st fill and lost 9lbs and now have hit a total of 25lbs. I am so excited. The best discision i ever made...

At work right now we are getting in SOOO many presents from vendors such as Godiva chocolates, real French macaroons, Cookies, cakes, etc etc. I know that if it wasn't for the sleeve I would eat them ALL but I've only had half of a Godiva chocolate...and didn't really care for it. I don't know why! Maybe my tastes have changed since being sleeved. It was today when I finally decided to cave in and try a treat. When a new present comes in I keep hoping it is something non-food but it never is. How different than the old me when food was the most important thing. Anyone else have a sleeve that's keeping them from holiday temptations??

Just thought I would share a photo update. There is not much to report in the way of big weight-loss news for me. Although I did manage to maintain through the holidays and I am super-happy about that! Of course I need to have the before photo so that is first, then the second is at 14 months post-op. Still love my sleeve!!!

I am a grocery checker at a large store. Yesterday I had a plump women come through my line with a lot of lean cuisine meals. I told her that I loved them and used them as my lunch on work days.(I only can eat half of it!) She gave me a look while sizing me up and said "Why? You don't look like you need to lose any weight!" Me not needing to lose weight I love it! Here she thought she was being nasty to me and she actually made my day!! I still have 12 pounds left to go, but boy do I feel good now, I could not stop smiling the rest of the day!

So I've been really bad at keeping up with everything going on the site, but since today is slow, I thought it would be a good time to post some before, and current photos I can't say there are many before photos roaming around that include the waist down, but here's what I got...

Here they are 3 lbs below goal with one before Best decision i ever made for myself!!!

THIS IS NERVE RACKING!!!! I keep trying to post before and after pics but its not working!!! I go to create new album, click on it an it takes me to step 1(upload media). i fill both media slots with uploaded pics but then when im trying to go to step 2(review and publish) it will not allow me to click on it.!!! what am i doing wrong! PLEASE HELP! BEEN TRYING TO DO THIS FOR DAYS!! LOL! :-(

then and now :0 just cant get over it!!!!!

I was at a thrift store and my husband today and he found a pair of size 18 pants and he said he couldnt believe I used to wear those. I actually wore a 20 and told him so. He asked me to hold up the 18's and he took a picture. I was astounded when I saw the pic so I wanted to share it.. Its hard to believe that I was even bigger than this. So happy I got the sleeve! btw.. today is my 5 month surgiversary and I am down 59 pounds!

I have been loosing slowly. I haven't stalled yet. Thank God but have lost 20 lbs in 5 wks. Kind on the slow side. My husband kept pushing me to take a picture to compare from before because he can totally see the difference. I never liked pictures that much but decided to do one today and OMG. I am shocked. Ignore the craze eyes and the chapped lips. Its El Paso, no amount of Chapstick helps me. So for anyone worried take pictures. Its the best thing ever. I mean I see this face every morning in the mirror but it wasn't until I compared the pictures that I realized the difference.

I had another NSV today . I live in the country on 5 acres so my neighbours are not close enough that I bump into them very often. Today I stopped to get the post out of my postbox which is at the end of our rd. My next door but one neighbour pulled up behind me and we both got out of our cars.I said hi and asked how she was. She said fine and asked if I was the new person that had just moved into the street. Now I know I haven't seen her for a while other than waving as we drive past each other but she seriously didn't recognise me. When she realised who I was she was gobsmacked and told me how amazing I looked and asked how much weight I had lost. This is the second…

I had my lap band at age 76, have lost 70 pounds so far, almost 6 mo post op. Very pleased! Wish I would have done it sooner. Feel so much better, able to breathe and walk.

Two days ago I weighed in at 200 pounds. And I was so looking forward to reaching Onderland! And I did!! I lost 2 pounds in one day! I am now at 198! Goodbye for ever 200+! I will never see you again, nor will I miss you!!

Hello all, I can't believe that it has been ten months already since my VSG. I have had no complications and have no issues with food. I cannot say one thing that I regret about getting the VSG and would do it again in a heartbeat. I started this journey at 308lbs and am currently 172lbs as of this morning. I have gone from a 3x top to a large and a size 24 pants to a size 10. I went to Hawaii and got to zipline because I was now a weight that I could do it and also biked down the side of a volcano. My sleeve has opened up a new life for me and I thank God every day for seeing me through it. I wish success to all of you as well on your journeys to a new and healt…

So for me this is a minor success story but i had to share that i had a great nsv! all my shirts are too big ! its been almost 1 month and 25 lbs its amazing! just when you think your not gonna lose weight or your sleeve isnt working it is. your body needs time to catch up when it drops lbs therefore its inches take time. im on top of the world and cannot wait for summer and shorts and tank tops and comfortable! lol we as sleevers have so many moments when we think that we are not losing and our sleeve isnt working but i dont think thats the case at all It just takes time and we all have to remember its a tool to make the change we need. its not the whole solution. but i…

The week after Christmas I went into Aerie and bought an adorable pair of boy cut underwear with blue buttons and anchors. It was the first pair of panties that didn't come in a value pack that I have bought since I got pregnant with my first child 23 1/2 years ago. Wahoo!!! I call them my "pretty girl panties."

Its hard to believe that 365 days ago I flew to San Diego and then went to Mexico to be sleeved by Dr Ramos Kelly. Oh my; a lot has changed in the past year... This was me as I left my husband in Minnesota and took off for Mx: Size 16, 239.8 pounds. Not very happy actually pretty depressed and scared to death about the adventure I was about to undertake! My initial goal was to reach 155 pounds which I was able to do in less than 10 months - November 1st, 2011: 155 pounds My journey was not all that hard - actually it was pretty easy - I am a focused person and I stayed focused on Proteins first, low carbs and exersize - working out with a trainer 2-3 days …

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& I am under 300 lbs for the first time in over 7 years!!!!!! 298.8 this morning. Great way to start the year!

I went for a physical today with my pcp because I am training for a 5K. They did the whole workup, blood, urine, pap smear and later today a mammogram. During the pelvic exam, my doctor said to me, "its a lot easier to check your ovaries now that you are so much thinner"... LOL I never thought about that.. what an nsv for me! Makes even my doctors life easier. My blood pressure was 80/60... really low. He wasnt concerned though. He said it was good. I was dehydrated but they didnt give me an IV, just told me to get to drinking. I am cleared to keep running now that I have my asthma inhaler. I just feel so much healthier.

Looking for new ways to workout and new food ideas. Especially from sleevers with 3 plus years on the loser bench! All ideas welcomed from everyone! I have had much success with my sleeve. Now at a stall for the last 5months. Share your exercise techniques and meal habits. thanks!!!!

As of this morning I have lost 100 pounds since my surgery date!!! 140 pounds since I started the entire process. Only 4 pounds to go until I'm officially out of the 300s forever!!!!!! It's been a while since I've posted on here, but I want to thank everyone for being supportive and positive. Having this as a support has been amazing!

On Wednesday I had my 1 year post op visit with the PA (Todd), Dietician (Kristen) and Behaviorist (Scott). I am still sitting here in shock that it has been a year already. I find myself lost in what I can only describe as a surreal state. My physical life is so different today than it was a year ago. I feel better in ways that I never could have imagined. I had a conversation with Todd today about needing to be aware of getting ill (extended flu as an example) because at my current body fat %, I could run a real risk, with such an extended illness, of my body fat get too LOW….TOO LOW….are you kidding me? Does Todd not realize he’s talking to a lifelong super morbidly ob…

Hello all, One year ago 1/5/11 I had my surgery with Dr. Aceves. It was the best decision that I have ever made. I thought I would share my before and after stats. Started at 282 - Now 142 - Down 140 Pounds Started at a size 3X top - Now Medium Started at size 24 pants - Now a 4 Even dropped a shoe size! Now can wear a small VS panty! Love that! Went for a plastic surgery consult on Tuesday. Hoping to have my tummy tuck and breasts done in March. The doctor told me that I will be a size 2 or smaller after surgery. I run and work out and can really enjoy my life. The journy started off pretty rough for me but sooo worth it in the end. The only thi…

Today I'm 5 months out and I feel wonderful about my weight loss this far. I'm not too far from goal and I feel like i will be there in less than two months with the work outs I have planned. The work outs are on the back burner right now because I have a pulled muscle in my hip-upper leg area from playing laser tag with my teenagers.lol I guess if you gonna get a pulled butt muscle, get it having fun. I have an upper respiratory infection right now so it's kinda hard to talk about all the wonderful thing's I have accomplished since being sleeved but I'm going to try. I have the energy to keep up with my wonderful daughters. We can go shopping at the same stores now…

I have lost 31 pounds since surgery on the 12th. Thank you to Dr. Marvin for your expertise and help in getting this accomplished. However, my wife and I leave on a seven day cruise on 1-15 and I need suggestions on what foods I might eat while crusing.

I definitely consider myself a "success story" thus far. I am down about 115 pounds in 7 months. I look and feel better than I have in my entire adult life. I have no regrets and I know that having the VSG was the right decision for me at the right time in my life. Here's the thing -- there are moments when I have guilt over taking the "easy way out" by having this surgery. Intellectually, I know that it was not really easy at all and I know that if I didn't do it I was headed for disaster in terms of my health, but there is some part of me that wonders if I could/should have done it the old fashioned way with diet and exercise (even though I know that was pretty un…