sfernandez2828

Thank you all so very much! I'm glad me sharing my pictures will help inspire some of the people just starting this journey! It makes me feel good that I can help other people.

Hang in there! It does get better! The first six weeks are the hardest. I am almost 10 months out and have lost 140lbs. Just take it one day at a time. In the beginning, I drank nothing but either isopure (which I didn't like, but it was high in protein) or water mixed with nectar protein powder and had soups occasionally. I remember I would get 4 meals out of one can of soup. By the time you're about 2-3 months out, you will be thinking and feeling differently. Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

Congratulations! It feels great doesn't it?!?! I remember when I stepped on the scale and it said 199 and I just started crying. It was such a huge milestone for me because it has been almost 15 years since I weighed under 200lbs. Congratulations again and keep up the good work!

Thank you! I have so many different lotions it's crazy! Some of the ones I have are the Lane Bryant firming lotion, aveeno, vaseline, and meleluca among many others that I don't remember off the top of my head right now. I use all of them throughout the week. I use an anti wrinkle cream on my face at night, but I can't remember the name or brand right now.

Congratulations to you! I have been averaging about 12lbs a month. Sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less. Just depends on how hard I push myself during my workouts and how diligent I am with my diet.

I sent you a friend request on myfitnesspal. I eat a lot of fish and chicken and fresh fruits and veggies. If I have to have Pasta or bread, it's always whole grain or whole wheat. I do not do any of the white pasta, bread or rice anymore. I do a lot of baked or grilled stuff now rather than fried or sauteed. I always buy either low fat or fat free cheeses and yogurts. I also always buy plain yogurt and add my own fruit to keep the sugars down. Yogurt with fruit already in it, the sugar content is through the roof.

Thank you and good luck to you! Have you started the liquid preop diet yet? The first 2 days are the hardest. After that, it gets a little easier. When is your surgery?

Thank you, but no I did not really excercise much before surgery. I did however, start changing my diet before surgery. I quit drinking sodas and sugary drinks. I quit eating junk and fried foods. Just those small changes and walking 2-3 times a week, I managed to lose 25 lbs during the 3 month nutrition classes I had to take. I had always told myself that if I was ever in a place where I could have the surgery, that was it. I knew it was going to be a change for life and I was ready for it. That's why I started doing small things before surgery and before you know it, all of tge little changes end up adding up to big changes.

Thank you! I mainly just stuck to the rules. I used the myfitnesspal app to track my fluids and food to make sure I got all my fluids, protein and Vitamins everyday. I used both the nectar protein and Bariatric Advantage protein powders and I still use both. I walked as much as I could in beginning slowly increasing my time everyday. After I was about 3 or 4 months post op, I joined a gym. I would make sure that I worked out at least 5 days a week 2 hours a day. Usually an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. Sometimes more if I have time. I started out with just cardio and slowly added in some light weight training. I'm very strict on my diet since the surgery. Don't get me wrong, I do treat myself every now and then, but I don't go crazy like I used too. I hope this helps you and congratulations on your surgery date! It will be here before you know it. Feel free to add me as a friend or message me any time if you have any questions.

Thank you everyone! :wub:

Thank you, I try to workout at least 5 days a week. Most of the time I do, but sometimes I don't. Just depends what I got going on. I'm fixing to start training to do a half marathon in April.

I do have some excess skin on my arms, belly, and thighs, which is why my arms are covered in the second to last photo because I don't like the way it looks in pictures. My dr said that my excess skin is not as bad as it could be because I do a lot of exercising, weight training and always getting in all of my liquids and Protein in everyday. He says that I may not end up with much excess skin at all if I keep doing what I'm doing because it takes up to 2 years before the skin is done shrinking. I'm just really good at hiding my excess skin. I have noticed here lately that I don't have as much as I did a couple months ago. I also use a high moisturizing lotion everyday, sometimes twice a day if I remember. Hope this helps.

Thank you ALL so much for all of the compliments! I'm glad I could share my pictures with you all. Can't wait to see where I'll be at my 1 year sleeversary!

Thank you everyone for all of the compliments! I truly appreciate each and every one of them.

No, I have not had a lift. I do have some excess skin, but I can hide it really well. My surgeon said to wait at least 2 years after surgery to do the lift because that's how long it takes for your skin to quit shrinking.

Thank you all so much for all if the compliments! My starting weight was 309 and I'm at 165 now. I have 25 more lbs to go to reach my gaol weight. I was sleeved on 12-28-2011

Me at my sister's wedding 5 days before I had my consultation appoint ment with my surgeon. 1 month after meeting with my surgeon. 8 weeks post op on a cruise. 8 weeks post op on a cruise with my mom and sister. 5 months post op. 7 months post op. 8 months post op almost 10 months post op. almost 10 months post op.

Congratulations to you! You look amazing! Loved your story. What an awesome journey this is! I will be 10 months post op on the 28th of this month. I've gone from 309lbs to 168lbs and a size 26/28 to a size 10. It's amazing all the things we can do now. I did a 5k for the first time ever a couple weeks ago and I couldn't believe how easy it was. Now I'm going to do a half marathon in April and eventually I want to do a full marathon.

I hated shopping before surgery and now I love it a little too much lol. In the beginning, I only shopped at thrift stores because I knew the clothes wouldn't fit for very long. I will be 10 months post op on the 28th of this month. I have gone from a size 26/28 to a size 10. I'm so glad I decided to have the surgery even though just about everyone I knew was so against it. Best decision I have ever made for myself! Congratulations to you!

Hope your surgery date stays the same. It's definitely a frustrating process. Hang in there! You'll be having your surgery before you know it!

Sleeved 12/28/2011 Beginning weight: 309lbs Weight at surgery: 284 lbs Height: 5'4" Size: 26/28 Current weight: 168lbs Current size: 10/12 depending on the brand

Thank you! It's definitely been a lot of hard work. A lot of people told me that the surgery was taking the easy way out, but it's not. You still gave to do the work. I do excercise at least 1 hour a day, sometimes 2 depending on the day, 5 days a week. I keep track of my foods with the my fitness pal app and I make sure I get my vitamins and protein in everyday. I also make sure to drink at least 64oz of water everyday. I do hit stalls every now and they typically last anywhere from 1-3 weeks. The closer I get to my goal though, the harder each pound is. I'm trying to reach my goal weight by my 1 year sleeversary, but if I don't make it, I will still be proud of what I've done and accomplished during this first year.