ChaoticBliss

What a great affirmation! Congratulations on all your success and staying positive. Staying positive is always the hardest part. I am two years sleeved and have not hit goal. Hovered 12 lbs away but that's as close as I have gotten. I am not giving up either!Thank you for sharing. ????

What a huge milestone! So proud for you ????

@@FedUpwithBeingFat I have been very fortunate with not getting too many questions. I eat smaller portions of course but friends and extended family don't notice. In fact because I eat every two to three hours people joke that I am always eating and lost weight anyway. What they don't understand is my portions are much smaller than the norm. My kids notice most but I laugh it off and tell them I am not going to starve. I always carry a to go box from every restaurant and no one thinks anything of it. When they ask me I just explain exercise and Portion Control. I also did a lot of self help reading on normal eating and acknowledging why I eat, sometimes I mention that. The sleeve was a tool to accomplish my goals, but it was those other things also that helped me succeed. I also have not faced as many questions because I was a serial yoyo'er so losing weight was not as surprising s the keeping it off will be.

I haven't regretted my decision not to tell anyone one bit. My husband and these forums have been great support system. Good luck with your surgery!

I have told some close friends, my family and 3 coworkers but not my bosses and the only thing I'm worried about is that I've only taken one week off work and if I have complications I don't know what I'll do. I'm working on Monday next week and my surgery's on Tuesday so I'm debating on telling them just in case.

I had my surgery on Wednesday and went back to work the following Tuesday without any problems. Assuming no complications, you should be fine. Good luck on your surgery!

I am still pre op and I have only told my husband. I would like to keep it that way because I don't feel like I should have to explain anything about what I do with my body to others. I have no plans to ever tell my son because I think it would be too difficult for him to not let it slip out.

I completely understand. We didn't tell our children either. In our case as a blended family, there are ex's who would have no right to comment but would certainly do so from everything like money or their opinions however skewed ... to 4 sets of parents wit lots of different viewpoints. It was just so much simpler to keep it between us and not put anyone in a position that they felt they had to keep a secret. I wish I could tell my best friend, and I could, but it's a heavy responsibility to put on her to "not tell anyone". Mums just the word around here.

My new motto is "imperfect perfection". What we see on Tv and in magazines is not real most or the time anyway. I try to get past my own head and realize that I am the most imperfect perfect me and that is what I aspire to be. My own mother is 5'11 and never weighed more than 135lbs and she still has a tummy and her thighs spread when she sits and my 5'6 frame is just now fine for me. We all have our mental battles and some hurdles are harder to overcome than others. I am only 13 months out, but I still have problems seeing the me that is now. I still see the pre surgery me. I try to focus on how much healthier I am, how I can climb two flights of stairs and hardly notice, how I have the energy to live the life I want. That is what matters. It isn't always easy, but these ideas help keep me on the right track. Good luck to you

Two years ago , I took my kids to a Waterpark. I was overweight but I went on all the rides. I remember the stairs causing me to be out of breath but the rides were fine and we had a nice time. A year later, more weight, another "better" Water park, I am not even comfortable in the specially ordered swimsuit I ordered for the trip. I have embarrassing moments with tubes and slides but I went for my children, not my self image. I am days away from surgery. Another year later, 60 pounds down, another Waterpark, I feel great. I notice that the stairs don't even cause me to be out of breath, the slides are fun and I have very few problems with tubes. I make it across the "Lilly pad rope" challenge and my 13 year old son is like " aww mom I didn't even get to see you wipe out" while I could tell he was proud I made it across. My older teenage daughters were not embarrassed to walk around the park with their "beautiful" mom. This is not the experience from prior years. This is what VSG has done for me. This is what I have done. This is really enjoying my life as their mom! Water parks included. ????

It's been forever since I Posted!!! Sleeved July 8 2013. SW 241 CW: 153 - 29 lbs until my goal of 125! It's been so hard to make that scale move the las 6 months but I'm pushing now harder and it's slowly moving again. Here are a few photos.

Just amazing. You are so fit and healthy! Great work, keep it up!

<p>First pic was taken Christmas Eve, two weeks after surgery. After I'd already lost 14 lbs pre-op and still on liquids..</p> <p> </p> <p>Second pic from yesterday - taken by our personal trainer after a very sweaty session. Now I'm just 17 lbs away from goal. Hubby hasn't had surgery, but he's lost 65 lbs of his own. So proud! We run our first 5K today. </p>

Wow! Amazing job you two. My husband has been all in with me also without surgery. It is so helpful to do it together. My hubby lost some for awhile, but stress is bringing it back. All we can do is keep on trying and working together. You guys are an inspiration, keep up the good work.

This made me happy happy to see. <br><br> ME: day of surgery vs current<br> I still have some work to do, but this makes me feel amazing!!! <br><br>

You look amazing! I so wish I could have done this when I was younger. I am just thankful to turn 40 at my high school weight . Take care of yourself and enjoy this new you!

<p>I thought I would post my goal pictures. I have not had plastics yet...I wore this outfit to the seminar I spoke at last week..</p> <p> </p> <p>Here goes! See my hubby..Isn't he cute!!!!!!!!</p>

You look great! Congratulations on goal, that has got to feel good.

<p>SW: 260 (4/23/14) CW:205 Height: 4'11</p> <p> </p> <p>Started in a size 22, now I'm down to a size 14! #LovingMySleeve</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div>

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Lookin' great! Keep up the good work! I love my sleeve too

Almost 10 months out! <br> SW:240<br> CW:165<br> GW:150<br><br> From a tight size 18<br> To a 10!<br><br> I'm 5' 7"<br><br> 50yo<br><br> It's getting tougher for sure!

Wow-o! You look amazing!

I am 1 year out. I can easily eat 8 ounces. That's 3-4 ounces of Protein, the rest are veggies and some simple carbs. I feel like I finally eat a"normal" plate. I am satisfied and content. Those times when something tastes just amazing, I take home leftovers and look forward to the next time, or I tell myself I can always come back and have it again. I have a long healthy life to enjoy all the wonderful food that will come into it. That helps me not feel like I am missing out on that one singular meal.

What a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing it so eloquently. My mental struggle is of course ongoing, but this has been the best tool for redefining myself both mentally and physically. I wish everyone the same success, even if their road takes them a different way to get there.

It is very circumstantial for me. I find I can drink almost all the time, even during meals, though I abstain due to the nutritional and digestive time necessary after eating. I can drink all the way up to time to eat, but on some occasions depending on what I eat, I do have to wait to drink. I am a year out, I can eat or drink anything, without issue.

<p>Since I am new to this, I must ask. I see everyone has their goal weight. I have not had my first appt yet with doctor. (next month) Is this goal weight what you have discussed with the surgeon? or is this your own personal decision. AND.... has anyone not wanted to go as low as the weight the surgeon decided? </p> <p>Im currently 6 foot tall and weight 315 , and im assuming my doc is going to go less than 200. I don't really wanna go less than 200. I felt my best and sexiest at 200-220. I like being thick. I understand that he'll want me to get to a healthy weight, but even at 315 im overall healthy except for the extra pounds. Lots of em. </p> <p>Is there a way to get to your happy weight and stop? Or is that not advisable ? Or is the weight loss not controllable?</p> <p> </p> <p>Of course I will discuss with my doctor, but just wanted to hear from experiences!</p>

My doctor did not give me a "goal weight" at all. I think his inferred goal post was "normal" on the BMI chart. My personal goal is only slightly below that, just wiggle room below. Ultimately, the goal is to be healthier and be comfortable in your own skin. I think other than that a number doesn't even matter. Good luck to you

Here are my before & after pics! It has been an awesome year & again congratulations to all who are celebrating their anniversary this month everyone is looking fabulous!!!! SW- 321 LBS CW- 205 LBS>

Woohoo! Congratulations. You look amazing, what great work! This has been an amazing year and adventure for all of us.

Oh my goodness. I am so sorry you are having to go through all this. Sending prayers your way.

<br><br> <br><br> Down 146 since dec 2013 go me

Go you!!! Great job. ????

Surgery date 1/23/14 60 pounds later

Wow! Great work. You exude confidence in your after photo. A picture speaks a thousand words. ????

<p>Here's my first official before and after pic</p> <p> </p> <p>Surgery date 4/29/13 down 155 lbs</p>

Awesome job! You look beautiful and I can tell you feel great too!

Wow! It looks like you had an amazing year! Congratulations ????

I had my 1 year check-up/blood work yesterday. Officially down 108 lbs! My scale at home says I am down 105 lbs. So a slight difference.<br><br>I can see ONEDERLAND...its just around the bend!

Congratulations and great work!

I am not sure what happened on my other post... But, here are my before and afters almost exactly one year to the day.