Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

10,189 topics in this forum

I had weight loss surgery, the gastric sleeve, in August of 2011. Here is what led to my decision. My weight had always been a struggle for me. I was “chubby” when I was a kid and in my teenage years I was thin, but not skinny enough. As an adult I joined a gym and started to work out and I loved it. I still felt that I wasn’t skinny enough, but I was able maintain my weight for years with exercise. Eventually life happens and I gained weight, a lot of weight. I was later was diagnosed with pre diabetes and depression. So my life, for many years, went something like this: try fad diet, work out, lose no weight, stop working out, and turn to food for comfort. I tr…

Just turned the big 40.....yr and 3months out.... 127lbs...loving the new me [ATTACH]47275[/ATTACH]

Before wt. loss surgery I was in size 26 (325lbs) now I'm wearing a size 18 (255.5lbs) . It has been 2yrs.4mons. since I been banded. When I think I could had done better I think I had lost 4 dress sizes & 69.5lbs, that is really good. Couldn't have done it w/o my band.

This made me happy happy to see. ME: day of surgery vs current I still have some work to do, but this makes me feel amazing!!!

I looked around a bit and I've seen apps mentioned in individual threads, but I didn't find a thread where people came in to specifically sing the praises of (or warn against) apps we can use to help us with our new relationship with food. I'm a big believer in using any help available and I see my sleeve as the greatest tool I have so far but far from my only tool. So since many of us use our phones and tablets for a multitude of things, what are the apps you use that help you with your journey? If you don't mind, please link to the app online if there is a page for it. That way others can check it out and see if it may help them as well. Two that are helping me…

Does getting the sleeve surgery have any negative effects on your kids? My children have gotten used to all the bad habits I've raised them on (my fault) and I've been telling them how I'm going to change my life and stop buying all of the junk and processed foods (or ATLEAST reduce it by 95%). They understood but they acted sad about it. I have four babies: 10 yo Justin (son) 7 yo Ashtyn (daughter) 5 yo Trason (son) 2 yo Shaylen (daughter)

I bought 2 pairs of jeans at a rummage sale not realizing one pair was skinny jeans. They fit and I don't look bad in them. I wore skinny jeans!!!!

I've lost well over a 100 pounds since my surgery. I went from a size 28 pants to a size 12. Problem is, when I go cloths shopping, I still go to the plus size section. Just the other day I bought a cute shirt - 3X! When I put it on the next day, it was clearly too big! Am I crazy? Does anyone else not "realize" how much weight they have lost?

I have been at goal since Feb 2013 so please keep that perspective. I went to an 80s theme dance party tonight. I didn't have time to shop so had to raid my closet. It's all about how you combine, accessorize and style that gives a "look". Since I have naturally big glam metal rock hair.... I went that route. So many compliments... hair like the lead singer of Poison, dressed like Pat Benatar... and a guy walked up and said I was channelling Leta Ford... and she was so hot! I would have never had the confidence to do this before. But so much good fun!

I have been approved by my insurance company for surgery, and I am just now waiting for the dr to call me with a surgery date. I know I am getting the band, but wanted to get some advice about also doing the plication. I am 40 years old, and have a starting weight of about 305. Does anyone have any pros and cons of plication you could share with me? I appreciate any help you can share!

Hi - one month out from getting Sleeved and down 32 pounds!!! Reading about hair loss and gallbladder issues. Any successes taking Biotin? Any thoughts on the pricey Gallbladder prevention meds? Thank u!!!!

These were too small before surgery. I think it is time to downsize LOL

First pic in 2006 at my heaviest of 241. Second pic with my fiancé at 231 in 2013. Last 2 pics taken today at 179, 3 months post op down 37lbs since May 8th and 52 all together! Feeling good. :-)

Lately I've seen a TON of posts about lucky sleevers that drop 100 pounds in six months. Congrats to them and to their loss. And I would never, ever begrudge anyone the right to crow about a fantastic success. It's part of why we're all here, to share the ups and downs of this surgery! But frequently, these posts are followed by folks that feel frustrated because they aren't losing at the same pace. All too often, we forget that everyone loses at a different pace. It's easy to lose sight of the real goal (long term maintenance) in the face of the scale goals we set for ourselves. And it's also easy to forget that this isn't a race and that there's no special priz…

SW:326 CW:217 SLEEVED FEB 6 2014 20 years old 108 pounds down. And counting

Can't believe I'm posting this...but here it goes! First bikini EVER!!!!

Yesterday I hit my halfway goal of 35 pounds with 35 to go. Today, one more pound down, I'm officially OVERWEIGHT and not obese! My BMI is 29.9 and in my house, we never round up! lol How exciting! I had been stalled on that 1 last pound for over a week and while I wasn't stressing over not dropping the pound, I was SO wrapped up in anticipating seeing those numbers on the scale! Two big milestones in 2 days -- I'm in heaven! This surgery has been the best thing for me ever. I have TONS of energy -- sometimes exercising twice a day because it just feels so damn good! And my self-confidence is through the roof because I'm finally doing something so good for myself …

Going into my surgery I weighed 210. I currently weigh 126, that's up 5lbs in one week! Which is what brought me here today! I was very proud of my success! The weight just melted off me! Yay But it kept coming off to a point that it's to much. Well over the last few months I have been so addicted to Cookies and in this last week I gained 5lbs in one week, this is welcomed weight but to much for a week. I don't want it to keep going that fast! So of course the answer is stop the cookies. lol but I do need to replace that desired flavor that I'm requiring! Also, my hair has been falling out!! I guess I'm just looking for suggestions from someone who perhaps has gone…

I am so lad to have found this forum. I am 10 months post op...and down 150 lbs. just reading everyone's thoughts has been a great help.

Obtained a goal today! I bought a belt!! I can't remember having a belt in my adult life. This was one of my NSV I had set presurgery! I also bought a size 8 dress!!! Granted it is stretchy material, but the tag has a single digit!!! Shout!!!

I just bought my first pair of leggings in my adult life! and they were a size large! ive always been too embarassed to wear them b/c my legs were so huge, but i have to say i looked so slim in them, im so happy! started in size 22 pants, now wearing a 14! I am now able to fit a standard size bath towel around myself completely!

Am officially 116 lbs down since surgery (12/2/14) and have a normal BMI for the first time since elementary school. Bought size 6 jeans yesterday!

I had a pair of professional fitted slacks I have not worn in five years. No elastic whatsoever. They were tight even when I bought them. I tried them on a month ago and they were still tight at the waist. Today I tried them on and they are baggy!!!!! I'm wearing them but they kinda look like clown pants. Moral of the story is don't miss your clothing size window! Dig through that closet frequently. This made me very happy today. *clownish grin to go with my clown pants*

Hi there, I am 9 weeks and 1 day post op. Down 51lbs, halfway to goal and struggling. Nothing tastes good or even sounds good. I remember when I was fat thinking I wished food would taste like crap so I wouldn't want it. Now I just wish something tasted good! I will often just not eat cause it isn't worth struggling to find something I can stomach. I can't even get any flavor with what I drink. I am missing diet Mountain Dew so bad. I was never a coffee drinker and that was my morning kick. I would only have 1 a day. I know they say no carbonation again EVER... Really?!? Is anyone drinking soda in moderation? Anyone having the same struggles as me?

Met a friend for Breakfast this morning. I ordered two scrambled eggs, bacon and rye toast. My friend had an omelet. While we were chatting, I took two of the three pieces of bacon and put it on her plate. Did it without even breaking stride in our conversation and she didn't even notice....even when she was eating it. After we got up from the table, I glanced at my plate. About half of one egg left over. I ate my one piece of bacon. All the fried potatoes still on the plate. Half of one piece of rye toast gone and the other piece untouched. coffee cup drained but the OJ went untouched as well. I know at some point I won't even notice this type of stuff but I'm …

I went down today and got a new drivers license and concealed carry permit today with my new skinny pictures. I'm ready to accepting my new look and get on with my life as a skinny person. At the range Sunday at a pistol match, someone called me skinny, they had to say hey Mark, i'm talking to you bud. Its a good thing

i had gastric sleeve 1 year ago this month. Ive lost 65lbs. i'm a little bummed that i haven't lost more. I exercise at least 3 days a week most weeks I'm in the gym 5 days a week. for the first 6 months i was losing an average of 10lbs a month, then after the 6 months it just stopped. not sure why but I'm really trying to make good choices and exercise as much as possible.

Dear Sleeve, As you know, I am a professional tennis player. I need calories to run. Please allow me to finish one softly cooked egg and some oatmeal for Breakfast. Yes, I know how much you hate breakfast. I would appreciate it a lot. Thanks, Matt #bariatriclife #justoneegg

Well I started the summer season with my kids today by going to the local Water park. Even though I have lost 100 lbs since last summer, I found myself still getting nervous while driving there....keep the cover up on or take it off were my thoughts. I decided to ditch the cover up and go with bathing suit only. Even with all my loose skin, I felt good having the confidence to not wear a cover up over my suit for the first time in over 10 years. I also had the best time climbing the water jungle gym with my 5 yo daughter. Now you must know that this area has water pouring from every direction, slides, climbing nets, a ton of stairs, and the need to dodge children of …

Never did I think going on vacation for two weeks, and loss weight. Well for those who are wondering, it can happen. As I stated earlier I am back on track after a rough 3 years of not knowing what I was doing with the lap-band. I went away to California, and to Vegas, for 15 days. I made a goal to exercise 45 min every day, and watch what I ate. I did have a couple of sweets , small bites, and a little carbs (hot roll). I never weighed myself when i was away. I wanted the news to come to me in the doctors office where i weigh-in once a week. I LOST 10 Pounds... I did it, not afraid of trips anymore. This is a big point in my weight loss, i am 17 pounds away from my lowes…

Hello all, I have been MIA for awhile and just thought I would pop in and give a brief update. Today is 60 days post-op for me, and including the weight I lost 1 month prior to surgery I am down 85 pounds. I am so incredibly happy that I had the sleeve, and am taking my life back. My closet is empty but it has been a blast taking all my too big clothes to the City Mission instead of taking things that were too small. I hope everyone is doing great, and look forward to reading other stories of success. Good luck to all!

That title might be an obscure reference, but fans of THE WHO will get it... Got on the scale this morning and saw the number: 252. Though My surgery date was June 11th I actually started this journey back in October 2013 with my first official weigh-in with my surgeon when I was 354. Officially hit the 100 lbs. lost mark... I'm not much for "selfies" but maybe I'll post some before/after soon. Just extremely happy and proud of myself, which has never been an easy thing for for me to say or admit. Thanks for the forum to share these feelings and not be judged. VERY important to start light exercise once you feel well enough; I'm walking 1.5 - 2 miles a day and lifting …

Hey everyone! I was just wondering if any of you have had this surgery done more than 10 years ago and if you could let me know how the long term affects are? I spoke to my doctor about this but he told me that there are not very many study follow ups on post op patients of more than 10-15 years. I'm curious because I am having this surgery done in April and my parents and I are more worried about the long term effects such as weaker bone or increase arthritis) as well as fighting infections if one was to get seriously sick do gastric bypass patients have the same strength ability to fight these infections ?? Sorry for such a serious thread I'm just 20 years old and I hav…

it feels so nice to use the desktop application occasionally and feels really good to update my weight and see me drop 9 pounds. WHOOSH. Gone, never to be seen again..... YAHOO!! I know so simple and yet so not simple!

I started looking into weight loss surgery last year. I joined this site awhile back and got really encouraged. I started weight watchers June 2013 and did good for a little while but then fell off, stop going in Jan 14. My old manager had great success with Weight Watchers she lost over 60 pounds and she went from a size like 18 To a 4, in like a year with Zumba and everything. Was a great inspiration but then I got a promotion and got transferred to a new branch and she just recently moved to Arizona to my support team dwindled. I have United healthcare and their requirements is a six-month diet plan you can go back up to five years and if you enroll in the bariatric p…

This is before my sleeve and July. I was sleeved 4/7. HW 239.5 SW 225 CW 179.5

[ATTACH]47001[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]47002[/ATTACH] Hw 344 Sw 326 cw 225 10/22/13 33 yrs old

Hi all , I'm a sleeve candidate and I'm struggling with the decision to go ahead. I REALLY want to have the op as I've struggled with weight my whole life but I'm extremely scared that my 'life' will end. (I do love food) It's a bad place to be I know, but can anyone help with this fear? Does your attitude towards food change over time??? Or will I grieve the loss of a painful but comforting 'friend'? I appreciate any help or guidance you can give Marie

Finally after two flippin' weeks of being the exact same weight I went down two lbs this am!!! (I weigh daily) I'm so happy. Yesterday was my 8 week surgiversary and I'm now down 45 lbs. I hope I don't hit a stall again for a while. Back to losing! Woo-hoo! I don't know if this is what did it but I have a very active lifestyle plus I have been exercising a lot since I hit six weeks post op. This is also when my stall began. So I increased my calories from 700/day to 900-1000/day for the last three days. Maybe that did the trick? Sharing that info in case it can help someone else. I will NOT go over 1000 though and I'll see what happens over the next few weeks.

I cannot believe that I am finally at goal. I'll be honest, after my surgery I didn't even believe the band was going to work. Crazy thing is that I was a self-pay and was having those thoughts! I was so wrong! Today I am down 90 lbs, and loving my new body. It's not just the way you look in the mirror but how you feel when you are lighter. I just turned 30 this year and feel as though I restarted my life and am so motivated to continue to challenge my body. I've included my before and after pictures.

Ok, so here's my first pictures. The "before" was taken Dec 4, the day I started my preop diet. The "after" was taken 3 months later (2 1/2 months postop) and 50 pound down. Size 22 to 18.

I ran my first 5k this morning. Was the biggest loser run/walk in Chicago. I did pretty good can only improve from here! Just wanted to share! I've watched every season of BL since it started. My favorite people to date have been Danni Allen and Bobby Saleem and I got to meet them today. This was such an awesome experience! [ATTACH]46979[/ATTACH]

I have a surgery date - August 18, after starting this in March. I start my pre-opt diet tomorrow. I have my Protein shakes and have tried a few, not sure on these. Any suggestions? Also where do most people get your chewable Vitamins? online? I am so excited to start this journey. I am 55 years old, actually just had a birthday. As most of you out there have fought my weight for many years. This will be the beginning of my new life.

I talked myself out of gastric sleeve surgery last year and I am so mad at myself. I go to the weight loss seminar tonight and turn in my paperwork so I an get an appointment with the Dr. Wish me luck!

I've been feeling bummed lately because my weight loss feels slower and I'm having trouble finding food that my sleeve actually agrees with and won't make me sick. However, yesterday I went to an amusement park with my family. I was able to walk around all day in the heat with tons of energy! The old me would had throbbing feet and ankles and needed my asthma inhaler all day. Hell, the only time I needed it yesterday was because my brother dragged me on a rollercoaster with four loops lol. I only needed it because I shut my eyes and held my breath the whole time! That's another thing- I haven't ridden a ride in years because I was afraid the attendants would tell me I'm t…

We have had our ups and down but I am 116 pounds down (6 below goal), I feel amazing. It's still a learning experience everyday. I celebrated with an a awesome NSV!! I was able to go on a ride without worrying if I could fit in the seat. I was actually a little scared because I was moving around so much from the extra room I had

Does anyone use my fitness pal? I could some buddies on there. My user name is sbstylun Sent from my SAMSUNG-NOTE using RNYTalk

I'm down another pants size. It's hard for me to believe it -- same brand of Lee long jeans. I was tight in 18s at the time if surgery, thrilled to go dow to 16 then 14 then 12 and now.....wait for it....10! Ten? Who is this? Meanwhile, scale is not budging. Who cares -- I wear size ten jeans?!!!!

I am a week away from my surgery and I am both nervous and excited. I pray I have as much success and most of you have had, it is good and uplifting reading your success stories.