Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

10,189 topics in this forum

This is my first time posting in Success Stories, but that is what this feels like, a success! As of today I weigh 207.7 lbs, making me down 58.3 lbs. My goal is to lose 116 lbs total, so I am now HALFWAY THERE!!! I have 57.7 lbs to lose to hit my goal, and that feels so much more doable than 116! I am so grateful for this opportunity to finally lose the weight, and I finally feel like myself again after so many years of being uncomfortable in my too-large body. I know it sounds cliche, but I finally feel like I am in control and that I can really do this, and it is the best feeling. I lurked on this forum for months before my surgery, and it was these kind of stori…

I had my surgery on New Year's Eve 2009. I have lost an average of a pound a week for the last two years. I am down 115 pounds as I begin 2012. I have a little more to go and I am continuing to follow my doctor's insttructions. I have enojoyed some carbs over the holidays and I know how to make this work for me. This is one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I am very satisfied with the avenues that have opened for me because of my lap band surgery. Color me THRILLED!

Happy New Year! I told myself I would take a picture for the New year. I've been a slow loser (IMO) I was sleeved on 9/14/11 and have lost 53 pounds (two pounds from ONEderland YIPEEE) I never measured my inches but I was a size 18/20 in bottoms & 2x in tops and now I wear a 14 (or a tight 12) in bottoms & size large in shirts! I've been really emotional about my weight loss or lack of it, comparing my loss to others sleeved around the same time, weighing myself twice a day, but I'm over it. I feel good, my pre-hypertension is gone, my ankles don't hurt at the end of the day, and I can still eat the foods I like (well most of them) but in moderation. My co…

On January 2, 2011...I had my sleeve. What an amazing year this has been. My weight loss has far exceeded my expectations. I was 245 post op and today weigh 148. I work out with a trainer, spin, and go to the gym. My blood work came back perfect and I don't have heel spurs any more. I can't stop buying clothes and literally cried when I put a pair of size 4 jeans on the other day at Macy's Anyone reading this who is unsure...get the sleeve and begin to really LIVE for the first time

I can't believe tomorrow is my surgiversary. My wedding photographer was talking on FB (she had gastric bypass last month) and she was saying how some people on her boards have lost 140lbs in a year. I thought about it and as of this morning, I have lost 107lbs this past year. I honestly cannot believe it. It is a goal that I have always dreamt of but didn't think I could reach... and then to exceed it. Absolutely mind blowing! Here is a little photo side by side she made for me that I thought was kinda cool! And then one of my family this holiday season... hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!!

I am almost a year out - Jan 6th. I cannot believe how far I have come. I am waiting to do a big one year update but wanted to share a few pics that might inspire a newbie or someone just starting their journey... I was 239.8 when I started this journey: My goal was 155 - I made it NOvember 1st - just under 10 months out. Today I am 144.4. Here is a recent picture: Its hard to believe how far I have come. I love the journey I have taken and where I am going. I have made some wonderful supportive friends on this site - God has blessed me in so many ways - amazing! I am looking forward to 2012 as I continue this journey and move on to maintaining. If you…

When I first started this journey, my BMI was 40.7...just enough for surgery according to my insurance. Today I am at a "normal" BMI of 24.3!!! I am finally "normal" I love my sleeve! February 2011 237 lbs December 2011 141.5 lbs What a difference a year makes!!! Living the dream, Laura

Today is one year ago that I had surgery. I have lost 65 lbs which puts me at 188 lbs (I gained 2 lbs during the holidays from eating poorly:). I am 64.5 inches which still puts my BMI at just obese, but when I lose a few more pounds I will be just overweight:) my goal is to weigh around 150-155 lbs. I am very happy with my progress so far and still so happy I had this done before I developed diabetes, high blood pressure, or other medical problems associated with obesity! I am wearing a size 14/16 compared to a size 22 this time last year. My last fill was in June, and I actually had part of it unfilled a few days later because I was too tight. The lap band has been a hu…

My husband and I have been going to the gym on and off for about a year... mostly off...lol. We started the 5k training together last week. Its going great. On days we dont walk\run, we do the weight training on the machines. He likes to take turns on the machine so he can compete with me. He is 6'2" tall and about 210. He is not muscular really so we lift pretty close the each other. Anyway, we were on this thigh machine that works your outer thighs. The two pads are against your outer thighs and your legs are together when you start. You swing your thighs apart to lift the weight. He started first and his inner thighs were touching and his knees very nearly. …

I never wanted to go on a cruise before, because I was so uncomfortable and ashamed about my size. Finally this September I agreed to let my husband book one for us and another couple. We went the week of December 5--7 months past surgery. I enjoyed small amounts of the cruise food (making good choices most of the time), partook of the soft serve ice cream (A LOT), but I stayed active. I took two yoga classes, walked on the treadmill, the upper deck track, and did a lot of walking when we debarked at Key West and Nassau. I got home and weighed . . . I HAD LOST 2 POUNDS!!! I was so proud of myself. And I never once felt deprived. We enjoyed the whole experience so much, we…

I was so worried about how the holiday season would go and if I could stick to my goals well I knocked it out of the park and lost 16 pounds between Nov 17th and Dec 26!!! I was in the middle of a move and chaos of traveling and visiting family that I did not always get my protein or water in and exercise was not happening. I am now settled in our new house and am back to eatting regulary and getting in my required protien and water daily and getting back to walking. I am proud of the 85 pounds I have lost over the last 8 months can't wait to get the last 30 off!! Here is to a great 2012 I wish you all the best in your journey!!

It has been three months and one week since my surgery. I am 52 lbs lighter. I feel amazing and have gone from a 24 to an 18 (and many are getting baggy). A 3X to an XL.

I am pretty excited today. My goal was to hit onederland (for newbies that is under 200 lbs.) for 2012 and I woke up today at 199. I even took a picture of the scale and sent it to my family.

So, I had all last week off, part holidays, part vacation time I had to burn up or loose. I have been noticing the past few weeks that the "smaller" clothes I was wearing were now starting to look too big. I'm not really a clothes hoarder in the traditional sense (some may disagree), but I have been UP and DOWN for sooooo many years that I started keeping all these various sizes. No, I don't have infinite closets. I actually put up closet dollies down in the basement held up from the ceiling. I actually have 3 of them. One dolly is 12' long, another about 6' and another about 4'. It's a combination of work clothes, everyday clothes, jackets and then my show outfit…

Attached is a picture showing my beginning jean size (26W) and my current jeans size (10P). I saw a similar picture to this on the forum and thought I would do one, too. There is 108 pounds difference in weight. My waist has dropped from 46.5" to 32". (still TOO BIG) My hips have dropped from 48" to 36". I think I will leave these hanging on the back of the door for inspiration.

So, I bought a house today. It's mine, mine, mine...all mine!!! My DH can kiss my bootay goodbye because I don't need his stupid arse for anything!!! I'm happy dancing and looking forward to getting skinnier in my new house.

HOLY COW! I have lost 97 pounds in 4 months and I still just can't believe it! My life is forever changed and I will NEVER go back to the way things were! August 18, 2011 was the biggest day of my life and I count my blessings every time I think about what could have happened in my life if I hadn't had my Sleeve on that day. My big goal was to reach Onederland by the first of the year, and of course you can imagine how angry I was for the last 3 weeks with the scale not moving.......... But this morning I got on the scale and WOWZERS!!!!! I AM 3 POUNDS AWAY FROM ONEDERLAND!!!!!!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!! AHHHHH!!!! Whew, ok, I got that out... hehe. So anyways, her…

Just wanted to Celebrate with our fellow bandsters! My husband and I were banded 10 days ago and he has lost a little over 27 lbs and I've lost 21! YAYYY!!!

Today is my 46th birthday. Hard for me to wrap my head around being this old. I don't feel 46, but I am. Since my birthday is 6 days after Christmas and I received a very nice expensive camera for Christmas, I was not expecting anything for my birthday other than the camera case we had to buy separately. My loving husband surprised with me a gift card to go shopping to get clothes that fit me a bit better. (This is the NSV part) When I started out, I was wearing a size 28 pants. I have made it down to recently to size 18 but they are getting a bit loose on me so I wanted to try on a size 16 to see if they fit. I wasn't expecting much but I thought I would try …

Hello everyone I just want to stop in and give an update of my progress. Well as you see in my topic I have lost 116 pounds so far. This has been an amazing journey this far. There have been some challenging times but I am greatful for them all because they teach me as I have been going through this journey. I have went from a size 30/32 I am currently in a size 22 and they are baggy!!! :-) I hope you can feel the excitement I feel. I am no longer on water pills. I cannot sleep with my sleep apnea machine because the pressure is to strong and it dries me out. My knees don't hurt anymore. I have enery to workout and play with my kids. I work with the public, and …

Ok so I haven't posted much -- but I read this forum all the time. I've been inspired so much, so I wanted to share my success so far. I was sleeved on 9/19/11 and have lost a little over 100lbs so far! I still have a long way to go, but I feel so much better already. This surgery was one of the best decisions of my life. FYI, I have a few more photos that I'm saving for my GOAL post

Kind of silly to Celebrate being "overweight" using the BMI scale- but today I moved from being obese to overweight!!! I'm going to ask a friend to take some pictures of me next week. VERY few people know I had surgery and I'm still self-concsious of having photos taken, so will ask a friend who knows I had the surgery. And, 2# away from 100# weight loss

188 I was 223 11-17-11 when I was sleeved after several stalls had 5.4 loss today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So hard breaking 190's here I come 170's!~

i was banded dec 13th, lost 6 lbs before and 6 lbs afterwards. now im hungry and am having a hard time sticking to mushies . my post op appt is jan 9th. will i stop being hungry if i get a fill that day? i know this is the healing phase and not the losing phase so, im ok that i havent lost anymore, but i dont want to gain back any weight. any advice ???

Today is my one rear bandiversary and I couldn't be happier with it!!! I am asked often about my surgery and am very open about it. When I am asked if I would do it again, I say "In a heartbeat!" I met my doctor's goal weight at ten months post op and since then have lost another six pounds or so which puts me about ten pounds out from my personal goal. Truthfully if I didn't lose another pound, I would be completely happy because I am finally at a normal BMI for the first time in at least 15 years. I have had relatively no complications, except for being too tight and getting a slight unfill last month, and I will probably get another slight unfill next week. I sti…

So yesterday I was sitting at work, a bit bored, it is holiday and there is not much to do. I was looking at my hands......and I no longer recognised them. My fingers are longer, or so it seems and it just looks more toned. Feels weird cause I can no longer say, I know something like the back of my hand, cause clearly I dont know my own hand. Just weird!>?Q?

My one year anniversary is today and I hit my goal today! 140 lbs G.O.N.E!

I have 6 beautiful, slim daughters. The other night, one of them came over with her boyfriend. She was wearing these low rise, stylish jeans. Really cute. Since I have lost weight, I can wear a size 6-8. Hers were a 7. She said, "Mom, you are so skinny! Try on my pants!" I did...and they fit! We were both so jazzed about it and she insisted that I keep them! I am now the proud owner of my first pair of jeans that aren't "Mom Jeans"! I can't describe the joy and thankfulness for my sleeve!! Living the dream! Laura

Not sure if this is where this should be posted, but input from those who have had success is probably what im looking for. By no means am I complaing I am losing weight at a steady rate and my health hasn't been this good since high school, but I was expecting more body conturing after 70 lbs lost. I definately can notice the changes in myself. My face is slimmer, my collar bone is visible and I can feel my ribs for the first time ever. But I notice that my body is turning into a smaller version of my fat body. I still have that fat hump over my butt (the most hated part of my body) albeit it smaller, I figured it would be gone by now. When did you guys start to notice t…

I was about 349 in the first two & 309 in the 2nd two. I can not pretend this post is anything but shameless bragging... but there you have it!!

Hey guys! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is enjoying the holiday season! I was thinking about goals, what I want to accomplish, and of course, with New Year's just around the corner, resolutions! I never really made any before, especially weight loss ones, because I just knew it wouldn't work. But with this awesome new tool in my possession, I decided I should since I know it'll happen! Here are my resolutions/goals, both weight and non-weight related: -Achieve onederland by my birthday in August. I figured 48 pounds in 8.5 months is doable. -To be considered a "hot geek." I love video games, superheroes, cartoons/anime, anything geeky! -Go to New Orlea…

Hello, I had lap band surgery in August 2010 and have come here a lot to read other posts, but never really posted my own post. I am now 70 lbs. down, and three pounds away from Onederland! Overall I would say I have about 25 more to lose. I started in a size 20/22 pants and am now wearing a 14 going into a 12. I am newly single after dating someone during most of my weight loss... I haven't dated in over 50 lbs.! All these changes are wonderful, exciting, and SCARY! After a recent fill and unfill, I am struggling with horrible reflux. I feel good otherwise, but am sometimes not even sure how I feel about my new body and the reactions of others. I definitely ca…

Ever since I was in kindergarten and they celebrated the 100'th day of school I've always loved the "100.... whatever", so 100 days post op is a big deal to me!! I am down 82 pounds overall (I lost about 40 pre-surgery). I was wearing a size 24 jean at my highest and was wearing 2x/3x shirts. I am sitting her typing this in a size 12 pants and a large shirt... and they both "fit". I feel amazing! The weight loss is really only starting to hit me now, to be honest. I never "saw" it before. I know that at about the 70 pound loss mark my shape started to change. Before I had the same over-all shape, it was just smaller. But now I am curvier (and I haven't lost my boobs!!!…

After the initial loss (first month or two) what was your average loss per month? I have been sleeved for almost 5 months and If I count from the last 3 months, I am averaging about 8 pounds a month or 2 pounds a week. That includes the stalls and drops. I was just wondering if this is average for most people or am I on the slow end of the spectrum?

My lab director came in my office and made a comment to me "Why are you wearing your husbands shirt to work?"... I laughed. I am wearing my shirt that used to be snug and now it just falls off! It is thick and warm and its cold here today so I just inadvertantly put it on. I guess i will have to retire it now... The second one was what he said after that. We continued to chat and I said I had lost over 40 inches, 10 in my hips alone! He said, "Thats great but dont loose too much weight. You know you can loose too much!" It was the first time someone has said for me not to lose too much.. I am still considered obese and have 45 more pounds to loose to get in the …

GOAL!!!!!!!!!! :) I <3 my sleeve. Merry Christmas everyone

Today, I am baking Cookies to take to a friend's house for Christmas. Yesterday I baked a pecan pie. My one-year anniversary of my surgery is in 3 weeks, and I am marveling at how I have changed. I reached goal in early November, having low-carbed the whole time. I don't know whether it was not eating carbs or the surgery but I no longer crave sweet things, and I used to be a dessert fiend. My cookie recipe makes 6 dozen and I will eat one to see if they are good to bring. Before surgery I would have eaten at least a dozen the first day myself, and another three or four at each meal until they were gone. It is a miracle--now when I am hungry, I eat a slice of de…

First off, I just want to say I have the most supportive friends a person could ask for. My best friend in the whole wide world came to hospital every day the four days I was there after my surgery. He stayed for several hours, if he didn't have work, at a time, even when I was drugged up and sleeping. He even contemplated skipping one of his classes so he could stay with me, but I told him no, especially since finals were drawing near, lol. Now that that is out of the way, onto the story. I consider myself in between the pureed and soft food stage, because while I still puree some stuff, my doctor gave me the go ahead to try some soft foods. Like I said, my friends are…

I asked Santa for a size 4 jeans so I could use them as my "goal" jeans. Well I must have been a really good girl this year because they fit perfectly! Merry Christmas everyone! May all your NSV's come true

296 to 204. This will be my last pic in the 200's! Only 5 more pounds away until 199! I should get there by January 13th! Where will I stop no one knows, but I will do another pic in June for my one year surgiversary! I want to stop at 160, but would be happy anywhere under 200! I have not even started to work out yet! That is coming in January too!

Well here it is the day after Christmas. After getting home from the gym this morning I sat down to watch some TV. Going through the channels trying to find something to watch, I noticed that on every station for every commercial break, the were tons of adds for all kinds of Diet Plans, special diet foods, exercise equipment, you name it! It occurred to me that yes, it's New Years! Time for everyone to commit to diet programs, gym memberships, and aim at looking and feeling better for next spring/summer. And there is Madison Ave. ready with all their advertisement. They have been preparing for this since last year to rake in the $$$. Of course we all know it is futile f…

So yay! After eight months, I think my sleeve is finally getting more tolerant of wider types of food!!! I used to eat eggs daily pre-sleeve. Since surgery, I have been unable to eat them without experiencing serious pain and the dreaded slimes--no matter how little egg I ate, it would give me the grumbles. I've been trying them off and on through the last months, and I noticed that it was not quite as rough, but I was still not interested in eating something that would cause me pain. Well, today at a restaurant, I ordered hambone gumbo (like ham Soup with collard greens in a rich broth--really tasty, I have to say). It came with a deviled egg in the middle of the …

Hi guys, Hope you're all doing well. I just thought I'd post some recent photos of myself now I've reached the wonderful one-derland! I'm currently 198lbs, down from a heaviest of 376lbs. I lost 66lbs with a gastric balloon before getting my sleeve in February 2011 at a weight of 310lbs. I'm so happy with my loss on the sleeve of 112lbs in ten months. :smile1: I'm down from a US size 32 to a US size 12 (UK size 16). I honestly haven't been this size since I was like 14 years old! At ten months out, things do sometimes seem to be getting harder. The weight loss is still coming but has slowed and I've contended with being able to eat more and the odd stall, not to m…

How does everyone feel, 2 weeks post op? I'm still in discomfort at time, what about you?

That was my first major goal. I hoped to reach it by Christmas and I did last week. Between that and going down another size in pants, it has been a great week. I still wish the scale would move a bit faster but there is only so much I can do to. My body is going to lose at its own pace. I look in the mirror and am amazed at the difference in my face. Now if only my hair would stop falling out. I swear I am going to be bald soon.

Hey everyone, I hope that everyone is having a good holiday season. I have been working hard at getting to my Christmas goal and didn't even notice that my BMI is now 29. Which means that I am not longer Obese, I'm Overweight now!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a wonderful Christmas this year!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas everyone!!!! Love, Nicole

Love my new life. Banded 2 months ago today. Started - tight size 30 pants. Today - loose size 22s. Feel better than I have in years. Looking forward to three weeks over Christmas in the islands. Can't wait to get back on the sail boat by myself and sitting comfortably in airline seats. (First fill is next week.) I'm taking my sunscreen and enjoying a drama free holiday.

Ok so I went to this party last night and saw a group of women I haven't seen in awhile. One has not seen me at all since my weight loss. She didn't speak to me at first and I was kinda upset b/c we had a falling out when I was considering surgery more than 1 1/2 ago and haven't spoken since. Then she came up to me and said she didn't know who I was until she asked and that I look great. She is a big girl like I was and told me she's jealous and was going to look into the surgery for herself. Lol. But said it in a nice way!! The second girl I saw hates me now!! She's not very big but has put on some weight and I used to be so much bigger than her! She wouldn't talk to me …

I reached normal BMI today - on my 10 month surgiversary. I am now down 108 pounds and only 10 more pounds to go. I have set my goal of losing those last 10 pounds by my 1 year mark. I know these last 10 will be the hardest. I had my family (husband, son, daughter in law and 2 granddaughters) go for a portrait sitting last Saturday. Attached is a picture of my husband and I, and one from last Chistmas for comparison.

I am now 4 months Post-op! I have lost 100 lbs and have included a before and after picture from a year ago!!!