Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

10,189 topics in this forum

I was 3 months post op on Nov 2nd and i was married on November 11th. (alot of people were i guess!) I had lost 50 pounds since surgery and although would have loved nothing more then to have lost all my weight, I know i looked better and healtheir then i have ever been as an adult. Thought i'd share some pic's also. First pic was taken on memorial day this year with my (then) fiance, the rest are the wedding day of course! Most are with me and my husband Ed but one is with my son and one is with a good friend.

Greetings folks! I know it's been a minute and wanted to poke my head in. I was wondering - how far out should one be from surgery to officially be considered a success? I mean, we all will lose a significant amount of weight - but what is the timeframe? Only asking...because at 14 months post-op and 100+ pounds down, I sure as hell FEEL successful! But there is still a journey ahead of me. Just trying to Celebrate the small victories, yanno? Also, I keep forgetting to post my "real" (ie: unfiltered *lol*) posts here - so I will link if you are interested. I've done 2 pretty significant updates - you can check them out here (with some GREAT comp shots *whew*) h…

I just had to shout it out. I did my morning weigh in this morning and there was a zero after the 2!!!! This has not occurred for YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS - probably 15 years (I'm 38). I am only 8.7 pounds away from one-derland. My goal was to get there in 2011 so i'm feeling good about likely meeting the goal. LAP BAND WAS THE SMARTEST THING I'VE DONE FOR ME IN YEARS. I'm so happy and satisfied with it. BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!!!

Ok... I know it may sound crazy but I have lost 1 pound a day for the last 10 days. Not that I'm complaining at all.... but I'm 3 1/2 months out and have been a slow loser this far and now all of the sudden BAM here we go. Just has me a little concerned I guess. What do y'all think?

I had initial set my goal weight at 220lbs. At the time, being 492, I never thought I would be able to get there. Well I did. On Nov. 14, 2011, 10 months and 4 days after my receiving my sleeve, I weighted in at 220 lbs. It feels great to be here, but now I am reevaluating to see where I want to get to.....what a completely unique idea for me, being able to feel like I have the ability to control what weight I want to live my life. It's still all so surreal. I have decided to reestablish my goal weight at 192lbs. Why? To have something to shoot for because I don't think I'm where I want to be just yet. Additionally 192 would put me at the total lost number of 300lbs. …

Hello everyone. I just finished my 12 week bariatric classes at Kaiser tonight. I'm hoping that my husband and I can join a local support group - maybe the one mentioned tonight by sleeve-4-me? I believe it was mentioned that a meeting will take place Dec. 10th? Any help you could offer toward getting us connected with a local support group is certainly appreciated. BTW, my husband and daughter also completed the same classes.

I just figured out my total weight lost, which is 58.6 pounds this morning. My goal weight is 170, which means I have now lost 1/3 of the weight I want to lose! I'm happy dancing today!!

This past week has been filled with so many NSV's that I have to share... 1) my 16 year old outgrew a pair of his 30X34 jeans- they fit me!!!!! 2) I recently started a new job & still haven't got acquainted with everyone- I overheard someone describe me as "the tall SKINNY girl with blondish hair"!!!! 3) I went to North Face & bought size 8 khakis!! (I thought size 8 jeans I have were a fluke!!) 4) I ran into someone who hasn't seen me in a few months & she didn't recognize me!!!! 5) I never ever saw a resemblence between my children & me until reently- I found that we have the same facial features/bone structure, mine was just hiding!!! 6) Oh yeah…

I am one who has always hated shopping. Trying clothes on usually gave me heart palpitations and broke me out into a cold sweat. I seriously have had store clerks ask me if I was okay because I was sweating profusely (dripping wet hair and wet clothes kind of sweating) and it was cold outside. The whole shopping event was dramatic and traumatic to say the least but since I have lost weight the sweating has stopped completely. For that alone I would have this surgery again. I recently went shopping for a couple of things because I am almost out of clothes. For years I held onto smaller sizes with the hope I would lose weight so until recently I have been able to wea…

Nine months ago today I had my sleeve surgery with Dr. Nick at the Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas. Highest weight (a year ago Septmeber was ~265. My start weight was 253, my weight Day of Surgery was 241. I now weigh 150 pounds, with 15 pounds to go to goal. My highest BMI wass 44.7 -now I'm at 25.3 - almost in the normal range! I have lost 13.5" from my waist and 11.5" from my hips. I was in a 24W or 3X top, now I am wearing 12 Petites and a Medium top. This nine months have been spent learning - learning how to make the sleeve work for me, learning how to handle stress without shoving food into my mouth, learning how to relate to food in a totally different…

I have diabetes, high blood pressure,high triglycerides, and sleep apnea. Has anyone been helped by being banded with these medical issues?

I don't have very many moments where I realize that I am getting thin because I was a pretty agile person, even at 296. But bending over to tie a shoe, putting on a sandal that required a buckle or snap and pantyhose/tights in general...my big tummy always got in the way. Today I sat on the edge of the bed and without even leaning over lifted my leg up and put the panty hose right on. No struggle! That is pretty cool!

Long story short I spend a lot of time outside, even in the cold NY winters. I have been putting off buying a new Jacket, and had given away all my old ones that were way to big. I went shopping for new Jacket last night, not only did I find the same Columbia jacket that dicks had marked down from 210.00 to 150.00 Kohls had it marked down to 129.00, TJ Maxx had it for 79.99, Major score on the price! Now for the most important part of the story, its not a XXXXL, XXXL, XXL, or even a XL, its a large, and I still have extra room in it! Its hard to believe that last fall I was wearing XXXXL - XXXL depending on the type and brand of the jacket. I have never in my life been ab…

I had 2 lovely nsv today!!! First it was 1/2 price day on clothing at value village ( in canada) and I spent $100 on just me!!!! I didn't buy anything for the kids of hubby. Just me. Boy did that feel weird. I got pretty much a new wardrobe because lots of my clothing doesnt fit again ; ) While at value village, I had to try on clothing. I hit my alltime goal of fitting into size 9 pants!!! I even fit 2 size 8!!!! Holy crappola was I excited!! I laughed out load in the changeroom and scared the little old lady in the next stall ; ) lol Now if only my size would suck back in...... Lol

A year ago today I weighed 291 pounds. I had always wanted to run a half marathon but never thought that I actually would. Yesterday, I completed the Women's Nike half marathon in San Francisco. 13.1 miles. It was amazing. The hills were intese and the views of golden gate bridge and the city and ocean were beautiful. I finished in 3 hours and 18 mins. Not bad for someone who really didn't train or prepare. There was over 20,000 participants, mostly women and it was so inspiring. I am super sore today but so thankful that I was even able to do it. It was so awesome!

My husband took screen caps from the video I did as I started my pre-op on April 25th at 280 pounds. Then he did one from today with me head tilted almost the same way. I think I suddenly really saw how dramatic this change has been! 28 weeks out tomorrow, 96 pounds down, 24 to go. What a journey! I love my sleeve.

Hi fellow sleevers: YES, I finally hit the century mark!! I was sleeved on April 18, 2011, so it's just over 7 months out. I am so thrilled to reach this milestone! My progress has been pretty fast, I think. The first couple of months, I had sincere buyer's remorse, because I had excess acid and was sick every day for 8 weeks! Then the folks on this forum advised me to take Prilosec, and that solved the problem; I took myself off of that med at 5 months with no residual problems. My husband was sleeved a year ahead of me and has been encouraging from the beginning. I've had amazing support and positive reinforcement from friends, family, colleagues, and student…

So I broke up with my bf. I'm fine and it took a lot of stress away when I finally decided I had enough of the neanderthal mentality he was throwing at me. However.... This has opened the door to a lot of other bs. I was on a date with a new guy and and old friend (who is a guy) walked up to him and told him to his face that he was going to steal me away from him. First time on a date and that! Not good! Not good at all. I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. Then we went to a cook off the very next day his own step-father told him that he was a lucky man because if he wasn't married to his mom he would steal me away too. That was just insane and overwhelming. Howeve…

So... I seen my shadow and was like... WTF (scuse the french but its true!) IS THAT??? So, I took a picture. Sharing my journey has its interesting fun moments too!! WHOOOHOOOOO!!!! Please note everyone... I used to be over 330 Lbs and wear a size 28W!!! I just can't believe it STILL sometimes...

I am down 57lb and I feel great. My face is smaller and my feet are narrower. I lost 3% bodyfat and I am not sure what my BMI is because I don't put much stock into it. I'm about getting a healthy BF%. Anyways, I am now 383lb and not 440lb which is great only two months out. Dr Teng is gonna flip! My next appointment is January 30 and he had a target of 375lb when I see him then. I track my total weight loss by splitting the LBM and BF%. Thus far I lost 20lb of LBM and 37lb of BF. I think now is where I will stop losing as much muscle because I have been back into my weight lifting. And I don't do too much. I walk home from work (3-4 days a week) & use my kettlebe…

Hello Guys, quick update on me. I am down 42lbs and though I have about 60 to go for my goal the difference is EXTREME. My bloodwork is all in the normal range from prediabetic and higher cholesterol i am taking stairs two by two and not even winded and if I can toot my own horn things in the bodoir are spicier than ever. I still have little to no hunger which is insane coming from a guy who was always waiting for his next meal. Im on mushies and the only concern i have had with eating thus far is that I have gained a touch of anxiety when it comes to eating. I always feel like I will gain back every pound whenever I eat, Im gonna talk to my analyst about that as I would …

Hello everyone! I thought I would drop by and post an updated pic. I have been super happy with my weight loss. I can wait to be in Onderland, I'm so close I can taste it I have lost 86lbs since the beginning of this journey. My surgery was July 13th. Even with all the pain (emotional and physical) I would never change what I did. Love Nicole HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew that was a tough lb to lose. 174 today. 4 more and I'm there! I have been thinking about "what's Next". I mean I am really about to be there!!!! Im not sure what it's like to not have weight to lose, to have conquered this life long nemesis. I feel rocky music queuing up.....

I am 30 days post-op today so I thought I might post about the things I have learned about myself in the past 30 days. 1. I am way stronger than I ever thought I was. I can walk past foods that I never could before and be happy about passing them up rather than dwelling on a missed opportunity. 2. My love affair with food is an addiction that I will grapple with for the rest of my life. However, I am no longer controlled by my addiction because I control what I eat and my sleeve controls how much. 3. I lost a part of me when the surgeon took out 85% of my stomach. Her name was Fat Lady or Fat Girl and her name only came out of MY mouth. I would joke about her as a d…

I know I should probably wait till I hit the 100 mark to post this since I am so close - but I am floating on air. I am 99 pounds down from my highest weight. I am so excited! Only 15 to go till I hit my first "skinny" goal and 30 till I hit my ideal weight. It is such an amazing experience!!!! I can't even begin to describe how incredible this journey has been. I would love to hear from other people about all of your successes as well!!!!

I was in a week long class this week, with people from all over the country. No one had seen me in person before, only had worked with me remotely. I have a bum ankle/foot - which precludes me from wearing normal dress shoes. I wear orthotic inserts, a metal plate under one insert, and usually an ankle brace of some sort. To fit all this gear in, I wear Chuck Taylor's Converse All Star Tennis shoes with my work attire. I indulge my love of pretty shoes by having an assortment (20 pair0 of Chucks (lots of high tops) that match any business outfit I have. One of the woman at the class was complimenting my shoes on Friday. I explained why I wore Chucks - and mentioned …

I am so thrilled that I've lost nearly half my excess weight at the 3-month mark. I had my surgery on 8/10/11 so I'll be celebrating my 3-month surgiversary in 2 days. I didn't have a required pre-op diet so all my loss has been post-op. I'm absolutely over the moon that I've hit this milestone at the 3-month mark . . . I know that the "honeymoon" period is likely nearly over so I'm being realistic and know that the next 50 will likely be a LOT harder . . . but I've worked so hard and am so happy that I've made it this far, that no matter how long the rest takes, I'm in it for the duration!!!! I started out at a 24 pants and a 3x shirt size . . . I'm comfy in a 1x sh…

While I was washing my car this morning, my neighbor was getting her groceries out of her car and she did a double take when she looked my way. She came back out and came over to say hi and was in shock. She thought I was another woman. LOL..... I just smiled and said no its me just smaller. She walked away shaking her head. This was so priceless A lot of my neighbors stare but don't say anything, this morning was so damn funny. Wait till my husband comes home from work he'll have a good laugh to. Deb

So, AT 16MTHS POST OP, I have reached my original size goal... UK14! was this size when I got married ( but 14-18lb lighter!) 17 years ago And, I am really pleased to be here. I still want the scale to say my goal too... and who knows, that might result in a smaller size clothes. I am a UK 14 in trousers - gotta be careful with the cut/style; dresses; tops and jumpers; skirts and training clothes! I have had a hard couple of weeks with the scale bouncing around so this really has cheered me up... here are my latest pics

I MADE IT TO ONEderland!!!!!! WOW, this place feels awesome!!! Look out world cuz there is no stopping me!!! I knew this day would come and I knew it would feel good but I honestly didn't know it would feel this amazing!!! I am smiling from ear to ear! Good Luck to anyone who tries to take this smile off my face. Woot Woot....Par-TAY!!!

The past couple months I haven't been coming to this forum, mostly because I have not been being so good. I am still losing weight, although very slowly, but I have been eating the wrong foods, and have all but completely stopped working out, WTF is wrong with me? I had huge loses over the first six to seven months, down over 130lbs in six months, then started letting up on everything, and have only lost 16lbs in the past three to four months. I am so close to goal (25 lbs away from goal to be exact), but its like I am sabotaging myself. I stated on Monday with eating right and working out again, but it is so hard to get back in the "Zone" that I was in, I really wish I w…

Saw my primary care physician today about a cough. And guess what....they used the normal size cuff to take my bp and it didn't bust off!!!!!! YAY!!!!!

Hello Everyone!!! I am so excited to report that this morning I HIT ONEDERLAND!!! Finally!!!!!!!!!!! Gosh what a great feeling..I could have never done this without the help of my sleeve!!! I am so blessed to have my sleeve!!! LOVING MY NEW LIFE!!!!!For me this has been my biggest goal, thus far...now to get to 150........

Our company runs an annual food drive for the local shelter at Thanksgiving each year. We take a company picture after all the food is collected. Yesterday the photo was taken and after only 4 months post-surgery, I see such a difference in myself. I know that I still have a way to go, but I couldn't believe the difference when I compared last years photo to this years. Absolutely amazing results in such a short time. Goodbye 75 lbs forever! I can not wait until next years photo!!!

wanted to share my story too because I always found the success stories to be so inspiring! I was banded in October 2009 weighing in at 242. Day of surgery (after a week of saying goodbye to my favorite restaurant and giving up soda) I was 236. Today I am 169! About a year into this journey I was shopping with my Lane Bryant rewards and the sales lady came to me to gently remind me that it was a plus size store and they smallest they carried was a size 14. I was shocked and giddy! I have no idea how many cc's are in my 10cc band, I have had 2 instances where they have removed some but then slowly worked my way back up. Initially I didn't need to do anything to lose, i…

I went to my primary care doctor this morning and I am finally under 200 lbs. I honestly can't remember the last time I weighed less than 200. I have been hovering for a couple months but I think I'm finally in the "green zone" so the scale started moving! I'm so excited. Also, my fasting blood sugar was 102 and my blood pressure is in the normal range. Yeah!!!

in the last 3 months i have lost a total of 63 pounds!!! yipeeeeee lol. i went from a size 20 to 14 or sometimes a 12. from a 3x to sometimes a large or medium. im so excited and happy of my progress. many people dont even recognize me, and i'm suprise because i personally havent seen myself as a big differance. well anyways i'm super happy. i can finally stop shopping in the plus size section and shop in regular sizes. my only problem is my arms they just dont want to go!! but i wont give up :smile1:

Ladies this one is just for you... I had to pick up a pair of panty hose...I used to have to buy Plus size because the Queen size didnt fit any more. Today I looked at the back of the package and... I wear a size A now! Almost cried in the store.

I am over the TOP right now. This morning the scale showed that I have now lost 40 lbs!!! AND.....I put on a pair of work slacks this morning that I have not worn in "8" years. YES, 8 years!!! WHAT A FEELING!! Of course my boyfriend had to ask why I still have slacks from 8 years ago. Well, because they are classic work slacks that won't go out of style and I had hoped that one day I could wear them again. AND I CAN!!!

Hello, My name is John. I went to my primary doctor yesterday for my annual physical. Overall, I'm pretty healthy. Lord willing, I'll me 48 years old next month. I'm 6 foot tall and weigh 280 lbs. According to all the charts, I'm a good 100 lbs or so overweight. I've always been very active. Yes, I have tried to lose weight in the past. I always seem to start off pretty good and then revert back to eating whatever I want. I was caught off gaurd because as the physical was wrapping up, my doctor said that he thought I would be a good canidate for Lap Band Surgery. Wow! I thought that was for people who had health problems due to being overweight. I was not expecting that …

My NSV is in the clothing department. I purchased a pair of size reg./misses jeans YEARS ago (at least 10) and I can fit them now and I just tried on a pair of 16 women's trouser slacks I purchased a couple of weeks ago and they fit great now. Yaay!! How great is that. I started out in a snug 20W. This is awesome.

I've only lost 30 lbs in 6 months and am getting a little discouraged. Has anyone else experienced a slow weight loss and have you been successful getting more off? I feel Im in the green zone...I just want to think this can be done...I have 130 lbs to go!!! thanks for any support..

Last week was my 8 month bandiversary. Why did I wait so long to have the lap-band? It has really been the best thing I have ever done for myself. My lap-band is my built in will power. Always with me. Always reminding me to make good food choices. I wanted to share some of my positive outcomes so far... Justin Bieber weighs 110lbs. I have lost Justin Bieber!!! I am working out regularly. I can make it through an hour kick ass spin class with out taking a break and I love it! I have more energy to play with my son. (I went down the slide at the park and went on the swings!) My whole family is eating healthier. I have learned what a real portion looks lik…

Hi guys, I've been away for a while. I think I was regretting coming on here and seeing everyone who had the surgery around my surgery date loose a lot more weight than I have but I am so over it!! I am very happy with what I have accomplished so far even if I am a slow loser. Six months out and I still love my sleeve and all that's it helped me accomplish! Here is a pic update!The first one is of me six months ago at 298 lbs. and the second is one of my most recent pics weighing at 228 lbs. I have had my struggles and even lost my insurance coverage during my process and haven't been able to schedule follow up appointments since my 2 month after surgery follow…

beginninb These are about 5 lbs ago

Hi everyone, so I am 4 days post op and am only comfortable laying on my side with a pillow on my tummy. other postions, sitting walking, laying on my back all give me a lot of sharp pain, any one else feel this? any thing help? thanks.

Hi all, I'm in the Century Club this week! I lost 32 lbs. pre-op and I've lost almost 70 lbs. post op. Yahoo!!!! I have some sagging skin on my arms, legs, tummy, and behind, but it's not as bad as I expected. I'm 55, so things are only going to spring back so much and even life-long skinnies get lose skin as they age. Just 17.8 lbs. to go to my goal, which will put me at a BMI of 21.8. Lynda

I made it! I had my surgery on 2/3/11 and actually dropped below my original goal in October. I am maintaining right around 151lbs which is perfect for me. I made the mistake of buying size 12 clothes when I hit 158 because I wanted to stay there but my body had other ideas. So as I moved into a size10, I bought some more clothes and now I'm between an 8 and a 10 so skirts work best for me right now. I'm going to wait a couple more months and see where I am at the year mark. If I've managed to stay at this weight, then at that time, I will buy some more clothes that fit better. This is the most fabulous time of my life! I feel fantastic and my nutritional stats a…

Hello Guys Sorry I haven't been around for a while. I was sleeved in late October and just took sometime away from work and everything to really prepare for this journey. You all have been my strength and motivation and I would have went nuts a looong time ago if I didn't have you all to lean on. Surgery went great and Im among the lucky ones as I have had ABSOLUTELY NO hunger. Im here to answer any questions for people prepping and im still checking in with all my vsg friends. Lovin the view from the losers bench.

1. Having the counter lady at 7-11, who recognizes me because I used to smoke, ask me where I have been for the last few months (since I quit smoking in March) and ask if I was losing weight, then tell me I look 'great'. 2. Having a snarky co-worker who usually doesn't compliment anyone tell me I am looking 'really good'. (Knows I had surgery.) 3. Taking 65lbs of freshly washed size 3x and 4x clothes to goodwill. Those sizes are done forever! I feel like a million bucks, and I'm only 60 lbs down. Another 90 to goal. I can't imagine what that might be like. But I'm determined to get there!