ariddle97

Twoterville

I still consider myself a success story. I had my surgery two years ago (7/13/2010) and I have maintained a weight loss of about 120 pounds. I look and feel better than I have in my entire adult life. I am writing today because I want to keep it a success story while I still can.
Here's the thing. I went to my surgeon for a check up yesterday and his first words were, "OK, now it's your be careful time." I gained 2 pounds since my check-up last year. His concern is that once the weight loss stops, your body re-sets itself to a new equilibrium and it is easy to re-gain weight.
Am I surprised that I gained weight? Hell no. I am surprised that I didn't gain more. For a long time time, I've been cheating like hell in what I have been eating - Cookies, candy, chips, pretzels, etc. -- all the stuff I have always loved. Why did I do it? Because I could, that's why. I have been able to eat those things, albeit in smaller portions than I used to, and I have felt some joy and excitement because I have felt like I was getting away with something. I wasn't eating because I was hungry, I was eating because I felt like it was a challenge to see what I could eat. How messed up is that? I either kept losing weight or didn't gain anything, so it really did feel like I getting something over on someone (Who? Beats me.) My first thought when I saw the gain of 2 lbs was, "No big deal, what's 2 lbs when I have lost 118?" But then I started to think, every bit of weight I ever put on came in 1 or 2 pound increments and it really started to scar the cr*p out of me. I will not go down that road again. I have come too far and gone through too much to allow myself to do that to myself again. One of the main reasons I had this surgery is that I felt that even if I could lose weight with diet and exercise (highly unlikely), I just could not go through all that hard work just to have it come back. Even knowing that, I have continued to sabotage myself. Man, the power that food has in my life is really amazing.
Anyway. I am writing probably more for myself than for others. I needed to admit these things and to make myself accountable so that I don't screw up one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Just wanted to put this out there and to remind everyone -- "Let's be careful out there."
Thanks for listening.
Brian

I've lost over 120 lbs in a year and finally have a couple pictures to show the difference. The after shots are from my recent bike trip to Sturgis, South Dakota and the Black Hills. All I can say is I feel great!!

Hi everyone! Yesterday was my 3 month surgiversary I was sleeved by dr. Ponce de leon in Tijuana on May 10th, and each month on the 10th my hubby takes pictures to compare the my progress, just wanted to share the latest with you! I am so, so happy that I made the decision to make the trip to Tijuana!
Here I am on the morning of surgery, 371 lbs

And here I am this morning, three months later and about 69 lbs lighter!

My apologies if they are a little on the big side, haven't figured out how to resize things! Have a fantastic weekend everyone!!

I have lost ...
The shelf that was attached to my back side...I still have a booty...but not a huge shelf...
I found my chin again..
I lost my feet before my surgery..but low and behold...they are still there when I look straight down..I can see them again..and not just the toes ..the whole foot..
And I have lost what 8 1 gallon containers of fresh water would approximately weigh in 3 months...if you want to do the math..I'll leave that up to you! If you don't want to do the math..just PM me and I will tell you!
This sleeve has been truly live giving to me...not only did it save me..it's given me my life back..an most definitely my control!