Susan 2.0

So happy for you, SueJersey!!!! "You look MARVELOUS!!" When's your next cruise?!? I just got home from Hawaii :-) I'm 51 weeks out & have been stalled at 70-75 lbs lost since June. But I also added alcohol & sweet tea back into my diet about that same time. It's been a great ride & a fun summer but I'm hoping to get it kick-started again soon with a 2-week liquid (Optifast) diet. But even if I don't then I'm a happy camper right here at 5'6", ~175lbs, size M/L & 14/16 !!!!!!

On my way to Hawaii !! My one year surgiversary gift to myself. As you can see from my photo, Gnomie & I are enjoying the first class cabin while over the Pacific.

Just thought I'd share since I didn't have a clue what my girls would look like after 75lbs lost. I had NO idea how big my girls were - until I lost them. Bra in photo is 42DD. My girl is (all skin, I think) now 38C. It was good for a laugh today as I was cleaning out my closet.

You look STUNNING!!! So happy for you. And congrats to your son on his accomplishments!

Nine months post surgery, down 77 lbs

Awesome, guys!!! Thanks so much. Your answers seem so straightforward. I guess I was over thinking it all.

Hey guys - sorry to just barge into the Men's Room but I'm looking for some advice. I'm back on the dating scene after almost a decade's absence. My absence was due to dating the wrong person & being depressed & somewhat of a man-hater after that, my parents' divorce (how can you trust "true love" if your parents just fell out of it?), my step-father cheating on my mom (how can you trust men?), having a former boyfriend cheat (again, how can you trust men?), etc. Needless to say, I was not very interested in trying to trust myself or any man, for quite some time. Now that I have lost over 75 lbs I am happily back to getting attention from men. I'm on Match & it's been quite an interesting journey so far. Anyway, my question is: how do I delicately explain my absence from dating for almost a decade when it was due to trust issues & obesity? And when is the right time to bring up being a former heavyweight without the guy worrying that I will return to my former title weight? Do I quickly follow up my former overweight status by stating there shouldn't be a concern that I'll go back to that because I've had surgery? Ok, sorry, that was more than one question - but they all really only require one answer OK, I'll quietly sneak back out of the Men's Room & hope no one notices I was in here. Thanks all! Susan

Hey my fellow Octosleevers!! I hope everyone is feeling as fabulous as I am!! Photos are a year apart & I'm down 78 lbs. I've slowed on my loss but I'm still losing so that's all that matters :-)

Photos are 1 year apart. I'm 8.5 months out from surgery & down 78 lbs.!! Love my sleeve!!

Thank you!!! I FEEL 10 years younger. In fact, in jest, I told everyone on my recent birthday that I was turning 33 & no one questioned it (aloud, anyway!)

Thank you!! I found it at SteinMart.

240-ish? Vs. 178. 7.5 months out

Any ladies around my age (43) trigger peri-menopause with this surgery & dramatic weight loss? Yeah - I think it happened to me. Doc is putting me on birth control to try to regulate my cycle & stave off the night sweats. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks!!! I definitely need more time in the gym to tone up so you're definitely my inspiration on that aspect. I cured my plantar fasciitis by walking about 30 every day.

Here are another set of B&A photos

I want to shout it out loud that I can see my ribs at my breastbone & my collarbones !!!! Yay!!!

Does your primary care physician know you're considering the surgery? You might talk with them about your anxiety & they might be willing to prescribe an anti-anxiety med for you until you're through the surgery. It's worth looking into.

Well, hi back at ya!

It is a learning process & you'll do fine. And you look great!!

Here are some more recent "in progress" photos. Top left corner is exactly 1 year ago @ approx. 250 lbs Bottom left is this past Friday night - 6.5 months after surgery - @ 185.8 lbs Right side is this past Sunday, my 43rd birthday - 6.5 months after surgery - @ 181.8 lbs (72.2 lbs lost) & officially just "overweight"!