M2G

You were beautiful before and now you are stunning!!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, that blue dress is just amazing on you!!! That necklace is awesome...love it!!
Thanks as always for sharing your journey with us and not jumping ship when you hit goal. Hugs friend!!!

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

YES! Water is ok, and definitely encouraged.

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

I haven't looked at this post in a while, but Irene, you are looking FAB!!!!
My surgeon keeps pushing me to do plastics, but I'm undecided. I'm going to just live for a while and take things as they come. He thinks my arms/legs look great but is encouraging Tummy Tuck, etc. There is sooooooo much to consider. Thanks, as always, for posting about your journey for us!

So I finally reached the -50lb milestone. YAY!
And thought I should post some pictures. I know the before/during/after photos are something that helped me when I was considering WLS. I am currently 4.5 months post-op and sometimes I come here and feel like a slow loser, and then reality smacks me and I realize that I'm doing fantastic. Never before have I lost this amount of weight in such a short amount of time. All of my weight loss has been post-op because my surgeon didn't require a pre-op diet.
I can't get over how losing a significant amount of weight has made me feel. I didn't feel sick before, but now I just feel amazing. Anyone who doesn't think that -50lbs is a large amount, really needs to photo-document their journey. I can't believe how much of a difference -50lbs has made for me. And I'm not even halfway to goal yet!

So I finally reached the -50lb milestone. YAY!
And thought I should post some pictures. I know the before/during/after photos are something that helped me when I was considering WLS. I am currently 4.5 months post-op and sometimes I come here and feel like a slow loser, and then reality smacks me and I realize that I'm doing fantastic. Never before have I lost this amount of weight in such a short amount of time. All of my weight loss has been post-op because my surgeon didn't require a pre-op diet.
I can't get over how losing a significant amount of weight has made me feel. I didn't feel sick before, but now I just feel amazing. Anyone who doesn't think that -50lbs is a large amount, really needs to photo-document their journey. I can't believe how much of a difference -50lbs has made for me. And I'm not even halfway to goal yet!

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

Thanks Coops! Ifeel *exactly* the same way about you. You inspire me and keep me strong when doubt creeps in. Thanks for always being there for me! So glad we are in this together!!! HUGS!

Beautiful!!!! Purple is a GREAT color on you!!!

Okay, for those who asked for a picture. Here's my official 100 pounds gone picture:

WOW, you look amazing! Congrats!

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

Ok, so at 22mths post op I am still not at goal... and I am still obese... but you know what... photos don't lie!
I am attatching two pics; fir from May 2010 at my heaviest 238lbs and the second from May 2012 at my current weight of 165lb.
Like I said, I am 14-24lbs away from goal and still obese... so work this out!


Now, I don't want to sound cocky but I think I am looking ok in the second one... I absolutely hate the first one, and this is one of my 'better' pre op pictures!
Those of you out there who aren't at goal or in the stall from hell, I hope that seeing these pics help you to realise that the scale and the BMI are JUST numbers and there is more to success than the numbers.

OMG Coops!!! I don't ever think I've seen a before photo of you. You don't even LOOK like the same bloody person.
You are just darling, and I know all about the struggle and the stall from hell, cuz we have been there together the whole da*m time. I'm so thankful you are my sleeve sista... always cheering me up when I am down.
So allow me to return the favor. YOU LOOK FREAKING FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are right, the camera tells it like it is, and today it's saying you are fabulous!!! HUGS CHICKIE!

I completely understand where you are coming from. I had the same issue. I had mostly everything from 14-24 in my closet, and I've always cared very much about how I look (I always do my hair, makeup, jewelry, etc.) so it was hard letting go of all my nice clothing. I found that my taste hasn't changed much, but I found myself buying similar clothing in smaller sizes.
Now that I'm a 10/12 and M/L I have a few things that are XL (and mostly too big) but I do have a handy mom who can sew. She has fixed a few things for me that were my favorites. So at some point I will go through the XL stuff and see what can be fixed and what needs to go.
It is hard, but I think it's a necessary part of letting go of our formerly larger life.

I made my own version of PF Chang's lettuce wraps.
I chopped up carrots, celery, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and almonds. I diced 2 chicken breasts and cooked them in olive oil. Tossed in the chopped veggies and made a sauce from soy sauce, dijon mustard, vinegar, chopped garlic, and a bit of agave Syrup. I also tossed in some spices.
After everything was well cooked I served them in boston lettuce leaves. YUM!
(Sorry I don't know the amounts of anything because I didn't measure of keep track of amounts.)

Congratulations!!! You are beautiful!

Absolutely. I'm still terrified of gaining the weight back (I'm 18 months post-op!) I basically just decided to use the fear as motivation. Surgery was my LAST resort, I put a lot of time, effort, energy, thought, and research into this option and I refuse to fail and I refuse to go back. I refuse to be a WLS failure!!!

I'm 18 months out...
I can definitely eat more than a cup of food. But it also depends on the type of food. popcorn, and other sliders, I can eat more (so I use Portion Control with sliders) if you are talking chicken, steak, seafood, dense Protein, etc. then I can eat between 3-4 oz and I'm full.
I also tend to underfill my sleeve. I still don't have much hunger so it's easy to measure out a portion and just eat that. Just because I CAN eat more doesn't mean that I should eat more. Hope that helps.

You both look amazing!!!! Congrats.
I can see the concern, your after photos look NOTHING like your befores!