Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

10,189 topics in this forum

Hi. Starting a new thread (hope nobody minds!). I am happy with my success as a bandster. I've lost heaps of weight from BMI 42 to currently 31. I've written a great book about supporting others with a band, or intend to. I've also stopped smoking last March and now losing the extra weight I gained during that period of time. It is great to have a forum like this. :tongue_smilie:Please add me as a friend. Got lots of more things to say, but then you'd be sitting here until the cows come home. Take care. Still learning the ropes, but want to add myself in the 'sucess' part of this forum as I do believe that happy people are a great inspiration, happy place to be. :confused…

I went to a party today for the first time post op and was able to feel like a normal person. There was a nice spread of finger foods. I put one little finger food item of the ones I thought I could eat on my plate, and really enjoyed nibbling on all of it over two hours while we watched a football game. I felt so normal and no knows I had the surgery! It was amazing. No pain, no burping, just fun! What a blessing!

Tonight at exercise class we had to get on the floor for a leg routine and I had trouble getting comfortable because I FELT MY HIPBONES. I don't remember when, or if ever, I've been able to feel my hipbones like this. I was so excited!

Weighed in at 198.8 today. That's 21.2 pounds down since my August 10th surgery, and 48 pounds down total inc. pre-op diet.:thumbup:

My highest weight was 288. When I saw that I could see 300 approaching, and that is when I decided it was time to do something. I started researching WLS. At 280 I started the pre surgery diet. Today I am at 238 and feeling wonderful. 50 pounds down from my highest. It's a landmark and I am really excited. Am about 1/3 to goal, at 7 weeks post surgery! YIPPEE>

Tonight I decided to kick off my weekend with a good closet clean out (it's such an exciting life I lead :-). My closet has shrunk so much since I started losing weight, all my clothes actually fit into one closet. I decided I would try on everything in there and came to a size 10 dress I ordered on clearance last month. IT ZIPPED all the way up!!!! I couldn't believe it. I am ecstatic! SIZE 10. Full disclosure: it is tight and my bulges show, but it feels comfortable. Also, the size 10 shirt I ordered is still too tight to wear, but I know I'll get there some day. I posted a picture in my album, but I'll have my husband take some full body shots later this weeke…

It’s been almost one year since my banding; and when first contacted to write about my personal Lap Band experience, I really did some soul searching, looking at what my life was like for all those years versus my life today. You see, when I first heard about the Lap Band, I thought it was too good to be true: a non-invasive surgery that would be life-changing and bring me my dreams? Bring it on! :cursing: My decision seemed like a no-brainer! But during my six-month required wait prior to surgery, I studied, studied, studied about what my new life would be like, the good and the bad. So I was well-informed and knew the sacrifices I’d be making. I honestly thought it…

Although I've yet to meet my first goal, I am so happy about something that I just had to share it with you! For the first time in about 7 years I FIT INTO A PAIR OF JEANS!!! Not the stretchy kind with the elastic waist, but real jeans! WITH A ZIPPER AND POCKETS! This may not seem like a big deal, but I hated the stretch 'denim leggings' i've been squeezing into for years. When my friend and I go to rock concerts, I have to give her my phone and money to carry in HER pockets, because I have none and dont want to take my purse in. Hated that! :eek: ...not to mention I felt like a total dork. How uncool are stretchy denim leggings on a 250 pound woman, right??? :thumb…

So, last night we were invited to go over to my sis-in-law's house to have BBQ and drinks and hang out. Well, since I am only one week out from surgery I did not think that the 8lbs that I have lost are that noticeable. So, I just put on some jogging pants and blouse that I would always wear. THE FIRST thing my sis-in-law said was that she could see I was losing weight! Mind you, they do not know about my operation. I was so happy on the outside and jumping for joy on the inside! It was my first family gathering since the surgery. It did not bother me that everyone was eating and drinking around me. I took my little can of Soup and drank it there with them at t…

Hey Friends, Went to my 1st Dr appointment post-op, and have lost a total of 20 lbs. I must say I feel great! My wife says the snoring is gone, I feel rested when I wake up, and have no stiffness what so ever, along with increased good mood. Im now working out and and its only aiding in my feeling good, and helping with the weight loss. The food is going down easier, and my tolerance is much approved. The key is listening to your body, and anticipating being full. If I eat till Im full, than its too late and Im suffering. I must say this is the best thing I've ever done for myself, and that includes buying myself the big screen Plasma TV, :confused1: Ryan

Hi all, Just had to share the fact I now have some 38E pretty bras and they are lovely and they make my boobs look quite nice, with healthy cleavage rather than just loads of squeezed flesh, if you know what I mean. It's been so long since this has happened I am quite excited :001_huh:

It is hard for me to compose what to write here on my 1 year lap band anniversary. It seems surreal to write that I have lost 90 pounds since my surgery date. How'd that happen when I haven't been able to lose any weight on my own for the past 18 years? And any attempts to lose weight before that were extremely difficult. I think I am realistic enough to know that the lap band is not for everyone but I would say that everyone who is struggling with obesity should research the heck out of it to see if perhaps it is the tool that will make a significant impact in their life. My philosophy when I started to research the lap band was that I'd research it and do all o…

Went back to my PCP on Monday...... He was soooo Proud of me! Everything was GREAT... except for my Choleserol.. it's 21 points over normal. He does not want to put me on meds and I don't want to be on them. He suggested more exercise:crying: and for me not to expect a big change in just 3 months, says it would take at least 6 months if I worked at it...... yuck... hate to exercise!! He didn't seem overly concerned with it, because everything else is normal! I go see my sureon on the 12th so will be curious as to what he has to say regarding this too.

My 12's are way too big & I can slide them on and off without unbuttoning them. I bought some 10's from Goodwill & they fit, but I didn't like the way they fit me. So, I've still been wearing my 12's even though they are falling off of me & I look like a teenager who is trying to "sag"! :lol0: Night before last, we stopped at Old Navy to check out their clearance sale. DH really wanted me to buy a new pair of jeans & to be honest, I wanted a new pair that fit as well. So I took 10's into the dressing room (praying they would fit, if not I probably would have cried!). They fit okay. They were a bit loose in the legs so I asked dh to go get an 8...he…

Hi everyone I just wanted to share my **success** story, even tho i am only 2 months out i have learnt soooo much already. I realllly cant beleive how far i have come with food records, will power and brain training. i remember before surgury i was reading how people did this about face with habbits and lifestyle and was kind of scared for myself that i couldnt toe the line, get it right. i didnt want to lose the battle yet again, but heres the thing.....i have lost 80 lbs (half myself and half with the sleeve) and now, for the first time in my life i have some control over my food intake. i take great delight in having a small portion 6 times a day i dont ever fe…

I am new to this site and can not thank everyone for all the fantastic post. That is what has made my final decision to go for the sleeve instead of the band. I am self pay and had to beg my husband to help get the money. To me I am worth it. He is more worried about me getting skinny and finding someone else. Anyone heard that one before? My surgery date is Nov 19. I look forward to lots of support on this site. Thanks and pray for me. :001_tongue:

I've been busy with out of town guests over the last few days and actually didn't have a chance to jump on my scale and weigh. Well, this morning I stepped on the scale and it read 179, I finally broke out of the 180's! Also, yesterday we all went shopping and I was actually able to button up some size 12's (a little tight) and actually bought a size 10 dress. Now I know that these things all run very big because I still have 14's in my closet that I can barely get into, but it just makes me so happy to see these awesome results when just a few months ago I was wearing 22's-24's. Lastly, at jazzercise I had to use my 5 lb weights because I couldn't find 8 or 10 lb…

I had my surgery in 03/25/2009 and it has been the best thing that has happened to me. I spent years being told no by all the major insurance companies. But aetna saved my life. I went from 323 size 03/32 to now today 250 size 18/20 bottoms and 22/24 tops. I am so glad food doesn't control my life anymore. I thought i was going to have alot of depression and food issues but i am glad to say i have had none. Not one regret. Surgery went fine no complications and no pain after surgery. I am looking forward to be a size 12. I have 70 more pounds to go. I know i will make it. I also love this website. I am able to upload my pictures. I see i have a new spot to hang out …

Ok, it’s not my final goal – but it is one that I have really been waiting for and am super excited to have achieved. I knew it would hit sometime this week and I did it this morning:thumbup: I jumped on the scale and it read 185! I started this journey back in February at 285. Another of my big goals is to hit 24.9 BMI, which is only a pound away (184lbs) and should happen in the next day or so. I have set many other mini goals along the way that have been great to hit as well: - Overweight instead of Obese (BMI) - L Shirts and 36 Pants (started with XXXL and 44) - Lowest diet weight 206lbs - Onederland - M Shirts and 34 Pants - 100lbs Loss :scared2: My real g…

Hooray. My 3 week stall is over! Onward and downward!

Saw my PCP today after seeing him a couple of weeks ago for dizzyness and something going on with my ears (which I think is all related to my BP) -- he ordered a ton of tests and told me to come back in 2 weeks -- that was today. Findings: BP was 102/66 (same as it was 2 weeks ago). I don't need to take the BP pills anymore - YEAH! All other tests came back good - Cholesterol, WBC & RBC good, glucose good, sodium good, potassium good, folic acide good, Calcium good, Vitamin B12 good, Vitamin D good - he said he couldn't be happier, to keep up the good work and he'd see me in 3 months (unless the dizzyness doesn't go away) He told me to continue taking a…

This is an article about a web-friend of mine that had VSG in Arizona. We met on YouTube when I first began my meetings with my surgeon. He has been a real inspiration to me. Dr. Chaisson was his surgeon. The Explorer - The Voice of Marana, Oro Valley and Northwest Tucson > News > They're now half their former selves

Well I just wanted to post that first I think my stall has broken. I am losing again and not yo-yoing up and down 2 lbs like I was. Stupid stalls! My personal onederland was going to be 179. I have not seen that number in years. I didn't think 199 was a good first goal because at surgery I was 204. So here I am. Onederland for two days so I think it will stick. :cursing:

This is the only place that I could say this and be completely comfortable. I am so excited because my BMI has moved from morbidly obese to obese!!! That feels soooooo good!

Hey Everyone! I am so excited about my project this morning, I just have to share. I have had difficulties getting dressed in the morning because everything I try on is too big - not a familiar problem for me. Anyway, I decided it was time to ditch everything that fell into the "too big" category for good. In diets passed I always held on to some of my favorite big things, just in case. Not today - if it was a 20, 22 or 24 it is GONE. Most of the 18's went too. I have no concerns that I might find myself back into a 22 in a year. I love my sleeve. I found some stuff from skinnier times past that fit just fine and some 12/14's that almost fit. My neighbor mig…

Hi guys, i appreciate the time people are taking for the sake of helping others. I have been living in Costa Rica for 5 years and decided to get the gastric sleeve here, the hospitals are 5 star and the price is about half. Im 33 male 5'6" and about 218 pounds. I have a fairly low bmi for this procedure but i have been struggling my entire life. How does this surgery benefit people with relatively low BMI's if all post op measures are followed? Do men experience hair loss as well? Thanks for the help!

1 week post op and I finally can sleep on my side! Feeling good and almost at 30 lbs loss already!

I am so excited...my BMI is finally below 40! Have lost 25.6 lbs since starting the pre-surg diet and BMI is 39.8. This is hard to believe. Seeing this happen makes it so much easier to deal with the challenges of weight loss!:laugh0::001_tt2::thumbup::biggrin0::biggrin0::biggrin2:

I am getting in the program here shortly and I am very excited to move forward. I am really nervous about one thing and I was wondering what all your surgeons told you about the chances of blood clots. I had a grandparent who passed away after a surgery years ago and they believe a blood clot was to blame. Granted she was in her 70's It is the #1 thing I am afraid of about this surgery. Any info you have about this issue would be wonderful. Thank you for your responses in advance, I love reading about all your successes and will continue to follow.

I am down 45 lbs! I am so happy! I can't wait to get below 250 and be closer to onederland than threeserville. I also finally found a way to get my extra Protein. I use the whey Protein Crisps. They are kinda like protein grapenuts. I pout a little milk on them and mix them in my yougart and down they go. I just can't do another shake. I hope all of you are also doing great! I love my sleeve!

I am so excited! Down 30 lbs in a month. Hard to believe! I am having a hard time finding a Protein suppliment I like, I am still choking them down, but it takes forever. I love my sleeve!

I'm back in Onederland after being away for 23 years. I started at a BMI of 36. That is less than many of you, does that make it any easier for me? While at some pre-surgery support groups and at informational meetings, I did get some looks and remarks from people heavier than me. I had severe high blood pressure and severe sleep apnea. Doctors thought my weight was a major factor for both. Well guess what, they were right. I am no longer on any blood pressure medicine and I'm off that @#$ cpap machine forever! I would encourage anyone who is on the border and you have the means to go for it! I haven't been happier since the day my daughter was born 25 years ago. N…

I'm only a month and a half out from surgery, and as of today I've lost 46 pounds! I had a six pound loss this week. I know I'm still very far from goal, but I just need to celebrate a little!!!

Hi everyone. My name is Daniel, and I am writing you from Stockolm, Sweden. I did my sleeve the 4th of november, via a privat hosptial, the best 1400 dollar ever spent. My starting wirhgt was 128.6 kg, and now, after almost 10 months, I landes af 88.kg, and i fell great. I love my new body, my new healt and all the new clothes. I went from sia 44 in w in jeans, to almost 36, soont to be 34, and from XXXL to MEDIUM in thshirts. I can run, exercise, I sleep better and dont have pain in my knees and back anymore.... I just love my life:)

I finally got around to posting some on here and also on my blog. Take a look if you're interested. What an adventure looking through those pictures. A 5 year journey I would do over and over again. LapBand was the best thing that ever entered my life. I love it! Flab2fabdiva's Blog

I hadn't actually weighed myself today because I was so busy. . . I just hit the scale and almost fell off it when I saw. . . 199! ! ! I am so elated that I had to share with someone. . . For those just starting this journey, don't give up, keep the faith, and know that success is within your reach! ! !

14 days until my rebirth..... Where I gain my self esteem...and discover self worth... So I can begin my new life as I physically get smaller... Where I can walk into a room and suddenly feel taller.... To look in a mirror To stare at myself and smile.... to wear all the cute things that are temporarily in style... I'm dreaming of the days I can walk into a store... And save a little money cause u know the plus sizes are more... To never go to another restaurant and feel my face red with heat.... When I go to sit in a booth and cant squeeze into the seat.. To walk up some stairs, or walk half …

Just thought I would share my successes over that past 14 mos (actually Wed is 14 mos but lets not quibble) I have lost 135 lbs from the start of this journey and have maintained easily for the past 3 months. I was wearing size 28 and am now down to size 6. I could not walk a few feet without huffing and puffing like a steam engine and now easily walk several miles every morning. There is a large space between my tummy and the steering wheel when it used to be a tight squeeze. I am off all blood pressure meds and have been since about a month after surgery. I no longer use a CPAP machine and have not since shortly after surgery. I have had ZERO problems with GERD,…

Caysen has been bugging me for weeks to go have Mexican food at the local dive mexican food joint here. Well, I decided today to venture out and give it a whirl. . . The most exciting part of the meal was when I went to sit down and I didn't have to move the table closer to him to fit in between the seat and table. I almost moved it habitually, then stopped myself and thought "go ahead, try to fit there, no one is looking, if you have to move it then move it" So, as I glided in slowly I realized not only was i going to actually fit, I had a good 6-8 inches of space between my belly and the table. We ordered chicken fajitas for one, and brought home enough food for an…

At age 48 I had tried every diet I think out there. Depressed about my constant failures and concerns about turning 50 and not being able to get my body back in shape, also I was going through menapause as well, which by the way was instant thank god! LOL Lucky me. As soon as I first heard of lapband which was in a small article in a magazine I began researching, within 30 days I had made the decision that this would work for me. Unfortunately I did not qualify in the US as I was just under the minimum requirement, also when I went to a local Florida facility these doctors only had about 200 surgeries under their belt. I also was shown the scars from their patients …

I don't know what else to call it but as us Brits measure our weight in stones and pounds, I am very proud to announce that I am now under 15 stone - which is 210lbs - for the first time in 12 years!!! It was a truly momentous occasion for me to weigh myself this morning and discover I am now 14 stone 12lbs (208lbs)! Just another 8lbs and I hit onederland - yippee!!!:confused1:

I had my 6 month check up on Thursday- my Surgiversary was yesterday:001_smile: He was really pleased with my progress.... I'm at 65% of my weight loss ( wants us to be at 50% by 6 month mark ) So he was pleased. I didn't have to have any Labs done, we kinda strayed off the usuall routine because I lost so much weight so fast so he did them earlier... but since they all came back GREAT, we'll do them at 9 months. I've lost another 2 pounds:thumbup: One thing I did ask him about is that I started my period again, I hadn't had a period for about 3-4 months prior to surgery and that was in Feb...then I am like "Clock work" since June, and I notice the week prior…

Hello All, 1 year has gone by...some days it feels like just yesterday, some days it feels like it's been forever. I'm still not sure whether or not this is exactly where I should really post this, but I do know that this portion of the board has been most helpful to me when discouraged along the way. I've lost a total of 75 pounds so far, still 40 pounds from goal, but my outlook on life has most definately improved. It's amazing what carrying around 75 less pounds will do!! For those of you who may feel discouraged about your success, just know that this a process and not a quick fix, as the cliche goes, you didn't gain the weight overnight, don't expect it to di…

So, I finally feel like I can post here, because I finally feel like a sucess story. Right before I started my journey, I had given up on ever losing weight again. I was starting to learn to live with my weight and the fact that I would never be able to have children because of my weight and the PCOS. I was stuck in a catch 22. I was gaining weight because of my PCOS and couldn't lose the weight because of my PCOS. Well now everything is different. I have lost 100lbs, dropped 12 sizes, and gained so much confidance in my self. If someone said to me the day of surgery that I would actually loose over 100lbs with this procedure, I think I would of laughed in th…

Hi All, I am Renee' from Washington state. I am a wife to a wonderful man (together for 17 memorable years), mother to 2 fantastic children, one beautiful daughter (who has given me 2 beautiful precious granddaughters and a wonderful son-in-law) and a handsome fun loving son. I think my weight story starts in my memory when I was about 10-11 and in 4th grade. I really was not extremly overweight just "chubby". I now do not even think I was that chubby but the teasing from the other kids assured me I was. Once I hit teenage years, I started dieting and got quite thin. I had my daughter at the tender age of 16 and after birth started the "Jane Fonda" craze. It was easy be…

I'm down just 21 pounds & already people are noticing. Just the other day my FIL asked me how much I've lost and after I told him he said "you can definitely tell it!" He never comments on things like this. Then yesterday at my Dad's house, my step-mom asked me the same question & said the same thing my FIL said! I still can't really tell I've lost 21 pounds. I guess it's because I still see me as 201 pounds.

Hey hey!! 198lbs! I am so happy, since I started tracking my weight and dieting for this op and after I have now lost 53lbs, currently losing 2lb average a week and not feeling hungry. I can walk without pain, exercise and I feel that my life is coming back to me. The VSG is a fantasic procedure. :thumbup:

I'm still a work in progress but had to share... I was banded on 4/1/09. When I started this journey in 11/08 I was 273 pounds. Today, I'm down to 197.2! Still want to lose another +/- 35 lbs but I can't believe I'm under 200 pounds...already! :biggrin:

Hey all. Just wanted to update and share some good news. I saw the nutritionist yesterday (Fri July 3). I have lost a total of 13 pounds, 11 inches all over, my BMI has gone down 2 points, and my body fat percentage has gone down 4%!! All of that happened in 10 days! :001_smile: Also today July 4 (Yay America) I ate mashed potatoes!! It was the best food I have eaten in a very very long time! I am really starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! wooo-hooo!!:thumbup:

I'm thrilled that I've now love over 130 lbs - I went from a 50" waist to a 33-34" - but, now, everyone is telling me I am too thin and I'm actually beginning to think it as well. At 6 ft 4 in, I do need a little bit of meat on my body to not appear to thin - can't believe I'm complaining about being too thin - I asked my Doctor about what happens once goal is met (my goal was 220lb, his 200lb) and he said nothing - you just maintain - I asked about loosening the band and he said, don't like to do that, but, maybe a very little -I'm continuing to lose, have great restriction (no complaints about that to this point) - so, any of you out there get to a certain, goal point…