mel2643

Has anyone come across their friends treating them different after losing weight. I have four close friends that haven't said a word to me regarding my weight loss. Sometimes it just means more hearing it from your close friends.

It's my six months surgiversary today. Wow! :)

I broke my stall by 3lbs!!! CW:170 w/ 40 lbs until I reach my GW!!!

I wear a gridle aka FAJA ( spanish ) and girl does it hold it in , i look like jlo after im in there! But serious i wear mine and its like making my body stay its actually molding mybbody ! N i am big on my apperance so this works for me

We are coming up on 3 months post surgery for both of us (3/19/13)- Mrs down 62 and Mr down 100
Best thing though - is more energy and feeling better over all. Wishing continued success for everyone and most of all better health.

Hello,
My name is Brittani. I'm 25 years old and I"ve lost 297 pounds. Yes, you read that correctly. 297 pounds in 1 year and 7 months! I am happier than I have ever been.
Some major changes have happened in the last ~2 years. All for the better. Some happier than others, some not. I'm in the middle of a divorce. BUT, and some people may critisize me for it but I'm choosing to sharemy happiness, I am in a WONDERFUL relationship with my boyfriend. He is everything I have ever wanted and needed, and continues to amaze and surprise me with everything I've been missing in my life. I've been with him since October, and my ex-husband and I have been separated for over a year... It was time for me to allow myself to be happy.
ANYWAYS, I've lost a lot of weight in the last while. Downsides, I have a lot of loose skin, but I'm comfortable. I'm loved just the way I am and I love myself. UPSIDES! I DON'T WEIGH 500 pounds!!!
My daughter Zoe is growing and is almost two. I had my surgery when she was 3 months old. It was the hardest decision of my life to leave her. I flew to Mexicali Mexico and had surgery under Dr. Alberto Aceves. It was the most wonderful experience of my life and the best experience I've had in a hospital to date. And I've been in the hospital quite a few times.
So far the only hard part has been knowing my limits. Sometimes I push myself to eat more when I know I shouldn't, and I pay for it by praying to the porcelein gods, lol.
ProTip: Don't eat and drink at the same time, unless it is a TEENSY TINY sip! You can/will vomit. No beating around the bush here. lol
I have a few goals for the coming years. I want to have some cosmetic surgery done. My arms and my breasts are my biggest problems. Baggy saggy is all I can say... I want my legs and tummy done, but those and the ( oYo ) Boobies aren't getting done till I'm done having babies. Because I do plan to have more. My arms, those will be done by this year. I DEMAND IT! lol kidding kidding, But no, I want to do them by the end of next year at the latest. Just have to save up the money!
Alright my lovelies. I have to go to bed. But I am uploading two photos. My before and after at 200 picture, and then a picture I took last week at the Renaissance Festival. Prety sure I've changed a lot.
Love,
Bri

I have lost 145 pounds

Well...I had my one year anniversary last week. I have lost 100.2 lbs and 12 pant sizes. If you are at the beginning of your journey, it is worth every ounce of doubt, fear, and pain. Take a deep breath and jump. It is worth it!

Good evening everyone! Just introducing myself here, my name is Yvonne.
I'm 31 years old, married, no children. I enjoy computers, video games,
painting/sketching, aquariums (saltwater & freshwater), my 2 cats, and
many other things.
I've been obese for a very, very long time. I was a chubby kid and a fat
teenager, transitioned into morbidly obese in my early 20's. Of course
I've always had issues with self-esteem, so with that I never really had
the desire to lose weight.
That changed of course when I met and married my husband, I started
becoming frustrated with how my weight effected our relationship and what
it meant years down the line. I decided I wanted to do something about
it, not only for us, but for me as well.
I've always been 100% healthy even with my obesity. I've never had blood
pressure problems, diabetes, cholestoral issues, or any co-morbidity
aside from a very light case of sleep apnea, and even then that was very
recently.
However, I also wanted to make sure none of them became a problem down
the line.
This is why I decided to opt for the VSG.
I started the process last year in July. I found a local surgeon, Dr.
George Woodman, and attended the required class. Unfortunately, shortly
after starting the process I was informed that my insurance company does
NOT cover anything coded "obesity", so this had made things very
difficult. I was able to secure a loan for MOST of the charges, but I
digress.
I obtained my pre-surgery work up and assessment from my primary care
doctor. Most of the bloodwork was covered, however I still had to pay
close to $1,000 out of pocket. It was also discovered that I had a minor
blood clotting issue, which I was referred to a blood specialist, and
even though it had nothing to do with my obesity I was still forced to
pay out of pocket for all of those tests.
Let me just say, I am not full of money, I live check by check.
Regardless, I met with Dr. Woodman after everything and was advised to
lose 30lbs due to my BMI.
My first weigh-in with him I was 360lbs, also note I am 4'11.
I was all set and ready to begin the required weight loss, I started
dieting and exercising. I managed to lose about 15lbs, then in August I
had a really nasty celulitis infection in my leg.
This put me in the hospital for a week. During this time I also had a
nasty break out of sores inside of my mouth due to the antibiotics, so I
couldn't eat anything at all. I also couldn't move or get out of bed.
After my week in the hospital I fell into a depression and gained back
everything I had lost during that time and a little bit more.
Finally in January I was able to shake off the depression and continue my
journey. I contacted Dr. Woodmans office and explained what happened, we
met for a new weigh-in and I was 367lbs. He still told me that due to the
anestiesiologists rules I would need to be less then 70BMI before they
could provide the surgery. He provided me a tenative date of February
13th.
I got back on the horse and managed to lose 25lbs by that date, and
thankfully the anestiesiologist accepted this and allowed surgery to
commence.
I really didn't have any issues, Dr. Woodman had told me surgery was a
bit rough due to my weight but he has had tougher situations.
Surgery went smoothly. My family and friends were there for me in the
hospital.
It's now been a month since surgery, and I've lost a total of 45lbs (this
includes the weight I lost before surgery).
I'm feeling a whole hell of a lot better. I no longer need a scooter when
I go shopping. Hell, I even went walking around the mall, something I
haven't been able to do in years.
I look forward to losing more weight, but for now I am happy with the progress I've made so far.
I have a question, what is the average amount a sleever loses in 1 month? I feel like I'm losing a bit slow.
I've attached a picture of myself, this one is recent.

I agree with spanx! I just hope when I get it all off my ins ill cover my Tummy Tuck

I can't imagine ever wanting to stray from my husband. He's in perfect shape. 6' 185lbs and very good looking. If he's still with me and in love with me now when I'm 5'3" 280lbs, I can only see our love and attraction growing. At least I hope.

I think I remember hearing that good relationships stay together but bad relationships probably don't make it. Bariatric surgery divorce statistics supports this and I myself did end up getting a divorce. My ex and I both got the surgery and realized that besides food we really didn't have much in common. Not to mention I was a pretty crappy husband being obese and miserable in life and that didn't exactly strengthen our marriage either. We remain long distance friends and have moved on with our new skinny lives. I never became a party animal or a model - Im still my self - just healthier and happier. If you find your relationship having issues there is nothing wrong with a little counseling. Not to worry - if its real love and you have a good relationship now you should be ok.

Hi everyone!
I had a nutritionist appointment last Thursday where she told me to increase my overall caloric intake and especially my carbs. I was one of those die hards staying between 20-50 carbs a day. She told me to not worry about it. To add fruits and veggies and some whole grains, too. She also told me to get my Protein but don't obsess over it. She claims I am healed and dont' need 100g protein a day... for such a shortie like me 50-60 is perfect she said. So happy to rid of those nasty protein shakes!
Well, since doing this for four days, I'm happy to report I think she was right! I have dropped 3 pounds since Thursday...in the 170s woop woop!!! This could be a coincidence as I typically do lose in a stair-step fashion, but I don't think so.
It's been fun to add in some blueberries and raspberries and peppers, onions, broccoli. Funny how I've been missing this healthy food more than chips and Cookies (don't get me wrong...some days I crave these too!).
Anyway, thought I'd follow up from my Thursday post to let y'all know upping my cals and carbs helped. The lesson I learned, however, is to add variety to my diet and not obsess. This is a lifetime process, and it's crucial for me to develop a healthy, normal relationship with food now. I've spent so many years dealing with disordered eating, and I'm ready for food to just be food...nothing more or less.
Courtney

I am so embarrassed to admit this but I have not been able to ride in my husband's car because I couldn't fit in the seatbelt. He has a 94 Toyota Celica and it is very sporty and he loves it. Tonight we had to drop my CRV off at the mechanic and I had to ride home in his. Not only could I buckle the seatbelt but I had a ton of extra space in the belt!!!!

I know 399 still seems like a lot but I am very happy!! I was 475 when I started this journey in September of 2012. On my date of surgery 1/28 I was 450 and as of today I am down to 399!! There were times in the beginning I didn't think this was a good idea, but I am at the point now where I am getting into a rhythm and am starting to make better choices on what I should eat. It seems I can handle almost anything in my new stomach so far with what I tried except mashed potatoes, I've tried them twice each time I get so sick. I still can't have bread, Pasta, rice, or steak for another 3 months but besides that my doctor has given the go ahead on everything else. It's still hard for me to tell when I am full due to eating to fast, but I am learning and getting better.

before picture was a month before surgery may 2012 & after picture was 2 weeks ago 8 months post-op when i hit my 100lb mark!

I finally got to go get my "200 lb down" present to myself, my sister tattoo! I still have a hard time believing how much I have actually lost and how different I am. So, I'm going to make sure I reward each of my milestones! Here's my first one, a tattoo shared with my sister. A big part of dealing with my weight loss was dealing with our relationship so I could mend the issues we had between us. I am so thankful for the gained relationship with her, and losing the pounds and resentment. Now I'm looking forward to the last 100 lbs to be gone, I'm well on my way!
(My sister's says: "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together...")

(Mine says: "...keep me in your (heart), I'll stay there forever.")

I am 11 months out. 110 lbs down. Hope the pic works...

Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I've dropped by, but I just want to give an up date and a word of encouragement. I had my one year post-op yesterday. It was a bit late (2/14/12 surgery), but anywho. I was down #160 (335-175), twenty dress sizes (28-8) and over 252 inches. If I can do this, anyone can. I had my toes in the grave. I was on 21 meds and the doc told me I would die that way...whether I lost weight or not. Because of my problems he (my PCP) didn't think I would lost a huge amount (50-60#), but he encouraged me to have it do so I could 'feel a little better about myself.' Well, I'm glad to say I proved him wrong. I did lose weight and a lot of it. I also lost all of the meds and the cane/walker/wheelchair. I am a WALKING miracle. I give praise to God for my healing. Now because I was instantly miraculously healed, but because he allowed me to find the path and the means (insurance) to get what I needed to be healed. I do believe God instantly heals somethings in some people, but I also believe he uses the hand of good physicians to administer healing. This is the way he chose to give me mine. I encourage anyone that has had a long, unyielding struggle with obesity to talk to a doctor about WLS... Sleeve in particular. If you are on the edge trying to make up your mind, take my advice. Do it! You are sick? In pain? Lonely? Depressed? What are you holding on to! You have nothing to lose, but all of that. Are there risks? Yes. Is it hard? Yes. But come on. We all know the fat has a 100% chance of causing complication/death. Is it really that much of a gamble to take a 1% chance with a surgery. You're more likely to get killed in a car wreck on the way to get your next fast food burger. Do yourself and your family/friends a favor and choose life. I did and I would do it again and again.

Before surgery (28, 335#) and on my 1 year Surgiversary (8/10, 178#)

At my 1 year post op (8, 175#) holding my old size 28 skirt.

Side view. Now a size 8.
Sent from my iPhone using VST

Missy constantly gave her best friend Janet a hard time about her vertical sleeve operation. Although Janet was losing weight and feeling good, Missy relished pointing out that Janet took the "easy way out' and should have had enough will power to lose weight "the normal way". Janet loved her life-long friend Missy but was thinking about dumping her as a friend because of the abuse.

A strange light awoke Missy one night and a feeling of travelling very fast came over her. It only lasted about 10 seconds. Missy shrugged it off and went back to sleep. When she went to her refrigerator the next morning it was nearly empty. When she walked outside she found an odd futuristic setting, nothing was the same. She tried to find out what was happening from her strange neighbors but they refused to talk to her and appeared angry.

She found her way to the indoctrination center that had replaced the library and accessed the computer. She discovered she was in the year 2514, there had been a huge food shortage, the world government "encouraged" everyone to get a Vertical Sleeve Gastronomy to cut down on food use. Those who refused were treated as selfish pigs and called glutton bellies and enemies of the people. They were accused of taking "the easy way out" and were shunned because they refused to do things "the normal way". Missy went to the bathroom and checked her belly, no scars like Janet had, she was in trouble.

She woke up in a cold sweat. Food was in the fridge, back to 2013, it was all a dream. She called Janet and arranged a lunch date and then called a florist to surprise her at work. Janet got her friend back, Missy woke up.

Novemener 2012 Sleeve Patients add me...
I find it better to add people that had surgery around the same time that way we're about at the same calorie intake...
My my Fitness Pal name is...
PuertoRicanPear Lol just 1 word

This is my before (282) and picture(175) still have about 20 pounds to go! I am almost 15 months postop.. So far total lost 109 pounds!

A a current photo (I am not done yet, still in progress). The horse I am riding is on the smaller side compared to what I am used to.
My before photo is of me just standing. I will be honest, it is hard for me to look at that photo, but it is a good reminder of where I never want to go again.

I'm 5 months out and down 120 lbs. i can not believe how amazing i feel and the difference i see in the mirror. although this journey is far from over it is so rewarding, its hard with the stalls, smells and cravings but i am mentally strong to overcome these MINOR things.. i wish all you all the best of luck during this no matter what phase of the process your in. stay the course, follow the plan and NEVER, EVER GIVE UP!!!!!