infinite_allure

As a 20 year old trying to figure myself out, I have to say gastric bypass was the best decision I ever made for MYSELF. For the first time I decided to help me, & boy has this decision turned my life in a completely different direction. I am stronger as an individual because of the hardships I endured after this surgery. I have gotten to know myself in so many ways now that I cannot hide behind mountains of food. Doing this took such courage, & having no support was the hardest part. To this day I still get criticized but guess what? I DONT CARE! & I've never actually meant it when I say that, but this time I do. The confidence I have can't be shut down. I feel so happy, i feel so FREE! DOS 1-14-2014 : 280lbs 6 months out - 110 lbs down Currently 170 & feeling Good

a while back I posted a thread where I spoke about the lack of support I was experiencing from those around me . . well, I will no longer believe im good enough because of what others THINK .. I will now feel good about myself because i've made it! im happy & rny was by far the best decision of my life. my surgeon, my weight management center, my pcp, & my therapist have been there for me in remarkable and admirable ways . . a few calls to them and im finally starting to see why I did this.. because I deserve to feel healthy beautiful in my own skin!! so word of advice to other young ladies my age (20) out there : dont let your young age stop you from making this decision. I chose to risk it all in a life changing decision! if its truely what your heart desires and in your heart you believe this will help you become a better and healthier you, go for it! at the end of the day people will always have opinions about you.. but the most & only important opinion you should keep in mind is your own!! [ATTACH]45044[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]45045[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]45046[/ATTACH] Height: 5'8 weight on DOS: 275lbs Current Weight: 190lbs DOS : January 14th, 2014 (almost 5mnths out) lbs lost so far ... 85!!! yaaay!

Here's a before . . . [ATTACH]45186[/ATTACH] &NOWWWWW [ATTACH]45184[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]45185[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]45188[/ATTACH] Never thought this would be me .. to all those girls out there going through this forum who don't believe just like I never did, this is PROOF .. you can do all the things you want .. just believe in yourself, & give yourself a chance .. I PROMISE you won't regret it, love YOURSELF !! almost 5 months out &im feeeeeellliiinnn gooooooooooood !!! -85 lbs

thank you! I haven't started to hit the gym yet, I do work out videos at home and I go for a morning run everyday with a very active pitbull, she drives me nuts!! lol

thank you so much sweetie trust me you will be!! you are going to GLOW with happiness .. most importantly you are going to love yourself so much more!! so for now, sit back and enjoy the ride, it is truly going to be life changing! God Bless You!!!

thank you!! im so glad you are inspired! this is truly an amazing journey! enjoy every part of it!

thank you everyone for your encouraging words!! I still struggle with believing a& understanding that I am not who I was before. without a doubt, my surgery changed my life. so while others see it as an easy way out, I have come to the realization that it was basically my only way out! & I should never feel ashamed! im way too happy for all of that! lol I was wearing a size 16 pre-op and im currently wearing a size 9. I believe my height plays well into my appearance thus always making people say "you never looked that fat to begin with" "youre going to get tok skinny" I just brush it off! im happy and most importantly im not just living, I finally feel ALIVE!!!

thank you so much! I've dealt with negative comments through the past 5 months, people have put me down with the "youre going to get too skinny!" line. it really messed with my head . but coming on here I feel like everyone understands my happiness because they are experiencing the same! so glad I can share my story...

thank you so much!!

I am 4 months post op, and have yet to feel support from those I love. In fact, many things have been said behind my back, things like "she only did it to lose weight","of course, anyone can do it, its the easy way out" & ohh the mockeries that have been made from it. it really sucks, but when im feeling down I always come on here and read other stories, so I thought maybe its time for me to tell mine. im just afraid, of people judging me. most people do it because of my age (20) I actually had to request a different anesthetist because when I did my visit her first question to me was "why are you doing this? you are still young, you really dont need this. if teenagers would just get off their butts we wouldnt have this problem in the US. think about what this will do to your body, it is a very serious step." & even after that I still respected her opinion .. until the end of course when she said "i hope this really changes you and whatever underlying issues you have to make this decision" .. I think of it constantly. I want to be happy, I want to be free .. but I feel like everyone around me wants the opposite. & dont you just love the "you where a better person when you were chubby" Im afraid of putting my story out there, but you guys all give me strength & hope to be myself. maybe someday i'll have that same courage.

You look great!