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That's 11 WEEKS post op! LOL

I'm in! I'm 5'2". I'm a little over 11 mos post op and I've lost 39 lbs. that includes 10 pounds pre op starting Oct 4th.

That's 11 WEEKS post op! LOL

I'm in! I'm 5'2". I'm a little over 11 mos post op and I've lost 39 lbs. that includes 10 pounds pre op starting Oct 4th.

xx

That's 11 WEEKS post op! LOL

Holy pickles, this is real!!!
So, Upon attempting to get out of debt, I picked up another debt. I decided I wanted to be sleeved and got a 7,000 loan for Dr. washington. Right now, I'm doing very well financially. However, I'm working my booty off! (not literally, yet.)
So I started a "fund". Thats what I call it: "THE FUND."
The fund included:
1200 for septembers bills. (my surgery is in august, so those will already be paid. But taking off 2-3 weeks from work, I wanted to make sure there were no worries the following month.)
1000 for the surgery balance. (since i got a 7000 loan, and owed 1000 more)
400 Fun money (Will be shopping and getting pedi's ..ill be in myrtle beach for 2 weeks, i need SOMETHING to do!)
200 for gas.
This financial goal I set a couple months back seemed SO FAR AWAY! but, i focused...worked my ass off and completed it!!!(UPON PAYING MY OTHER BILLS TOO!)
I put the last 500 in today and almost cried! This is real. This is happening. I'm really doing this for me and I have the financial means to do so. It's no longer so far fetched! Dr. Washington, Here I come!!!!

Just leaving the cardiologist. Had an ekg last week and it turns out.i have a right bundle blockage. Well according to the cardiologist my heart is healthy with no concerns. I am soo relieved!! So I'm still on for August 10th. It cant come fast enough!

Yep, loose skin on abdomen here, inner thighs, a bit of batwing, but you know what? I'll take it in a NEW YORK SECOND compared to what I had before. :-)

I am 33, have had 2 children (1 c-section, 1 regular), and have been overweight since kindergarten. I have lost over 120lbs total and I have a fair amount of lose skin. Like one person wrote, I look 80 yrs old naked, but 20 dressed is a great analogy.
It is not an easy thing to deal with, especially to come so far and have skin still getting in the way a little. That being said, I would much rather have some loose skin that I can basically hide with clothing than be overweight.

Thank you so much everyone. I just can't believe there are such selfish people in this world. After eading your responses, I feel much better about moving on past this fake friendship.
I love the support on this site.

Wow. You would think that especially since you were there for her when she had RNY, should be there for you, but nope. This is another shining example of a person that's not truly happy with themselves, so how can they be happy for you and or support you. A true friend places their own emotions to the side, and will be there and is supportive in spite of their own feelings. I do believe in seasons... and sometimes people that you think will be in your live forever are only there for a season, meaning a certain part of your life to fulfill a purpose in your life. With or without her in your life, you're on to a greater you and that's the most important. Congrats on your journey!

One of my best friends since 1st grade simply ignores anything I say related to my surgery. The sad part is that we've both been morbidly obese majority of our lives. She had RNY back in 2001, when we were in our early 20s, and I supported her all the way, even though I didn't think the surgery was for me. I went to some of her appointments with her and visited her in the hospital after surgery. I had already moved away after college, so I was driving an hour and a half each way to go be with her during those times. I did it because I wanted to be there for her, and because both of her parents were already deceased. She did go on to gain most, if not all of the weight back. Now, I'm ready to have wls, and she doesn't respond to texts if I mention my surgery. If we're hanging out and I mention where I am in the process, it's like dead silence. My family has told me to stop mentioning it to her, and to not tell her when I'm having surgery. It's very hurtful, because she's the godmother of my daughter, we hang out together all the time, and we vacation together every year. I think this surgery may end a close friendship that has lasted 30 years. No matter what, I'm having the surgery. Resolving my diabetes and high blood pressure will win any day, friend or no friend.

I know just how you feel. I have a very close friend. We've been friends for 40 years!! She has always been the skinny one and has watched me lose and gain weight multiple times since I've been in my 20s. It has always driven me crazy when she would say she needed to lose 8 pounds. When I would tell her that's nothing compared to 100 pounds her reply was "it's hard to lose weight whether it's 8 pounds or 100". Really? I don't think so.
Like your friend she thinks I'm making a horrible mistake by having most of my stomach removed. She asked me if I would be able to eat healthfully and sensibly after the surgery why don't I just do that now? It was really difficult to explain to someone who has always been thin.
Making a big change like this is going to cause some upheavel in relationships. I think you're right when you say that you're friend doesn't want you to be skinny and attractive. I have a feeling my friend feels the same way. She's very competitive and when it comes to appearences she has always been the "winner".
Do what's best for YOU. If she's a good friend she will come around and accept who you are now.

I have been on my WLS Journey since the Summer of 2007. I have encountered and overcome many ups and downs, but I have come to realize it's the LESSONS I've learned along the way that have made me the woman I am today. Not losing all of the weight, not getting fit and not even becoming comfortable with who I am.
I have learned:
How I feel about myself on the inside will ALWAYS reflect how my body looks on the outside. This is why I always fight to look strong.
How my spirit is dressed on the inside will always match what I wear on the outside. This is why I always maintain a respectful and nice wardrobe.
How my Soul is fed will always be a testimony to how I treat my loved ones and my friends. This is why I will always keep it real, regardless of how the outcome might befall.
How my inner world is organized and kept will always be spilled to my outside world. This is why I always make sure my house & home, and where ever I spend a significant amount of time is clean, in all ways possible.

To LOSE the weight, you will have to GAIN: Strength, Motivation, Determination, A willing mind, An unyielding heart, An unfailing spirit, and constant thankfulness for all the goodness in your life. You must FEED yourself daily with healthy nourishment, Water, positive words, love, physical activity and encouragement & being lead in the right direction from your supporters, whoever they are.

GREAT job! I admit it, I'm jealous. I don't even look good in a two piece that covers everything because of all of my loose skin. I agree with Lissa, you did a great job toning. Here's a new exercise, pat yourself on the back...you deserve it and we don't do it enough!!

I know this is a brave move on my part but here goes.... The first pic is of me last spring in Brazil (far left) (234 lbs). I was there visiting for a wedding and this pic was taken by my brazilian family and I didnt know it would eventually end up on Facebook! I was so embarrassed by it. I got tagged in it and it went all over my page and everyone saw it before I could get it taken down. Anyways.....The second and third pics are of me at the beach last week (147 lbs). I have a funny tan line on my belly that we all thought was hilarious. I do think there is quite a bit of difference that nearly 90 pounds makes! I am no supermodel but I thought I looked decent in a bikini, my first one in 22 years! I wore five different ones, one for every day at the beach! I was only a little bit self conscious in them. A huge leap for me!  

That's 11 WEEKS post op! LOL

Things are going pretty good! Surgery went well, and I had the catheter taken out around 12 to go walk around. My diaphragm hurts from them puffing me up to work, but Tylenol is helping. I have been dry heaving which makes me even more sore. For the most part, it's going great! The citrus cotton swabs make me gag, so I'm stuck swallowing spit and waiting for the leak test in the morning. Thanks for all the well wishes. I was definitely a basket case the past few days!

Hi all! I just wanted to send well wishes, happy thoughts and get skinny soon vibes to MEREDITH!! She had her surgery this morning!!!! Hope all went well !!!! <3

Dr. Washington was my surgeon in July of 2010. He was operating out of Central Jersey Bariatrics in Freehold, NJ back then. He and his assistant (Emily Choi) were wonderful, and I'll be eternally grateful that he gently nudged me (but didn't force me) away from lap-band into the sleeve. I've since lost a ton of weight. Anyone with Dr. Washington will be in great hands.

I had my sleeve on March 21st. Dr Washington is the best. He took time to explain everything surgery. My surgery was more complicated than most due to previous adominal surgery for a case of mickles. Dr. Washing had to spend a lot more time on my surgery due to this. Everything went great. I lost 20 lbs per-surgery and now have lost a total of 53lbs. My diabities is now normal, my high blood pressure is now normal with no meds. I no longer snore at night. My cronic knee pain is all but gone. I started with a BMI of 39 and 288 lbs. I am now at 235 lbs on my way to 200 lbs. I am now able to wear clothes I thought I would never be able to fit in again. I am 58 yrs old and now feel like 35 again. Thanks to dr. Washington and his great staff.
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We all have been there. You hit a stall and it lasts so long that you start to believe that your weight loss is done. I know all about stalls...I know everyone gets them, but regardless I still get those little demons creeping up in my mind saying...you arent going to lose anymore weight, you are a failure. This last stall was a duzzy. I had been the same weight plus or minus 2 pounds for almost 3 months. I started to believe that I had let myself down, and started feeling depressed, thinking what was the point? I started eating crap that I knew was bad for me believing that why should I even try to eat right if it isnt going to work anyways. Well just when I was about to give up completely my scale did something amazing.... I lost 5 pounds in a week! Thinking it was just a fluke I got back on the scale the next day and wouldnt you guess it...no I wouldnt have, but I lost another pound! Then a few days later I rechecked to see if I gained any back...and bamb! I lost another two pounds! I lost 8 pounds in a matter of 9 days I just wanted to give a little inspiration to those of you that are in one of those dreaded stalls....just keep positive...keep working that sleeve, and your body will do the rest! keep smiling!

Paint my toenails without leaning to the side! LOL