AB2B

I almost feel like this post is a joke! Who would put themselves through this traumatizing surgery and then risk their life by not following Dr's orders??? Serious medical issues can result in eating food too quickly: leak, tears, hemorrhage, etc. Is risking your life really worth a few bites of food? Why on earth did you get this surgery? You need to contact your surgeon ASAP and inform him/her on what you are doing to yourself.

Funny you should say that. I don't know exactly how much a cylinder head weighs but I threw on in my backpack and carried it around for a bit this last weekend. I know that it has to be a bit short of my missing 81 pounds but I can guarantee that my body didn't miss it one bit!

We hop on the scale. We write down what we eat. We measure various parts of our bodies, and we go through complete changes of wardrobe. Along the way, we have non scale victories to help us see how we are doing. We get feedback from others on how good we look. Even with all that, we sometimes lose perspective of how we are doing. At least, I do. I'd wager there might be one or two others like me here.
Today, I got a real dose of real perspective on how my weight loss journey is going. I was visiting my parents and helping my 82 year old father with a few chores around the house. One of the things I did was pick up some 50 lb bags of sand and salt for the driveway and walkway at their place. I mean literally. I grabbed them out of the back of my truck and carried them up the front stairs of their house.
If you want a real good idea of how you are doing on your loss of weight, grab 50 lbs of sand, sling it over your shoulder, and walk upstairs. Do it a few times. Then realize you used to carry that and more, every single day of your life, everywhere you went. I'm down 117 lbs right now. I had no desire to throw two bags on my shoulder to see how it felt. I was content with one.

In 24 hours, I was just approved by my insurance company for my surgery. I have UnitedHealthcare through the state of MD. I'm a state employee. OMG! This is really happening. Surgery Date January 31st.
Loving Me

There is no way in he!! I am NORMAL! hahaha.....But based on my BMI this morning I am now in the normal range...I can't believe it! I had surgery on 5/16/16. My starting weight was 252....I've lost 97.8 pounds and weigh 154.2 this morning!!! I only have 4.2 pounds to go before I hit my goal weight!! It's only been about 6.5 months.....I'm just amazed!!
First pic (I'm in the middle)....my daughter, me and my mom at Thanksgiving.

Second picture is me this past Easter before my surgery....ekkkk!

Congrats!!!
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LipstickLady -
What a wonderful, honest, well written post! You described so well the little things we deal with on a daily basis.
I'm 52 and also considered a "fit-fat" person (but that's really an oxymoron, right?). My cholesterol and blood pressure levels are fine and I'm not diabetic . I swim. I've done CrossFit. I do yoga. I spin (and can keep up with women half my size).
But at a high of 280 lbs these activities take a major toll on my body and I have to pop a couple of Advil because my knees are swollen, my back aches and I'm exhausted. The rest of the day I'm on the couch feeling like a failure wondering why I can't get this problem under control.
I'm exactly 1 week post-op today. The week has been a physical and emotional challenge, but posts like yours are so inspirational, and such a huge help. Your photos show someone who is living a life full of joy and it helps me to see that this could be my future too.
Sending you a huge thank you!
Lisa

This is my favorite story thank u sooooooooo much for sharing Ur a beautiful lady and I love Ur spirit u remind me of me soon I will be in Ur shoes u R my hero God bless u ????????????????????????
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You are all amazing. Thank you for the kind words. I can't tell you how much they all mean to me. My post wasn't about fishing for compliments but as what this journey is really about. You all made me feel so freaking good.

Thank you for posting this!
I have told myself that the "only" thing wrong with me right now is that I am 140 pounds overweight. The scared part of me tells myself "maybe you don't need to take such drastic measures; you're not trying to cure diabetes or high blood pressure". But I am tired a lot and my body feels heavy and sluggish on a regular basis. I don't last that long during physical work before I have to sit down and rest. Not a 10 or 15 minute rest, not even a half hour rest. I have to rest for like an hour or two, then I can get back at it for a couple more hours. Then I have to rest again. We live in the country so I am constantly frustrated by the lack of ability to get things done. But even at work, just sitting on my behind at a desk, I feel really tired when I'm done for the day. I have little motivation to exercise because I feel "blah" most of the time. That is no way to live.
It's been so long since I have been at a normal weight, I have completely forgotten what it was like to be that way. Thank you for reminding me!! Every day I come on here I find more reasons to see this through because of all the really special people on here who share their experiences and stories.
You look absolutely great by the way. I love how happy and heathy you look. Those pictures just ooze vitality.

Wow I feel like I am reading a sneak peak into my own story. I am a fat healthy chick. Here I sit 5 ft 2in 284 oozing more confidence than ladies half my size. Active, but beat afterwards. Waiting for my approval from insurance for a July date. I pray that my story ends up exactly like yours. I was afraid when I came across your title that it was going to be a story of how your health went downhill after surgery - so glad that was not the case. Keep rocking it out sister!

Wow. All I can say is wow. This was helpful on about a zillion levels. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your post! I read it and saw myself. All my lab tests--wonderfully normal including the EKG. I am the life of the party--people literally change the dates of parties and BBQs if I am working (I work at a hospital and have alternating weekends) so I can attend. I admit, my knees and back get painful if I walk too far, gardening is getting tougher and I am getting lazier to the point of being a couch potato so that is why I am doing it! I will be 56 when I get my surgery this fall and I can't wait to feel better and have more energy!
I am glad there will be a more active future for me

Bravo to you! I've read many of your posts over the last year and I am so thrilled to see your beautiful face! I just posted a similar thread because I feel this moment is very cathartic in my life, the moment of realizing that everything that I was so happy about and so good at when I was 230 lbs, is now happy on steroids after WLS. I appreciate your post, your pics and all of your success from the standpoint of sisterhood. That, my friend, is truly priceless! Rock on!

Enjoy the journey. It sounds cheesy, but it's true.

Every size lost, every new pair of pants bought, every teeny victory is to be savored. The first time you can back your car up and actually turn around in your car seat comfortably, the first time you paint your toenails and can breath while doing so, the first time you can cross your legs, or wear a regular sized garment, or get up off the floor without rolling to your knees first, or wrap your fingers around your wrist, or feel your hipbones, your sternum, your tailbone...

There are so many little things that you will do and then realize you DID (cuz ohmygawd you've not done that in SO.FREAKING.LONG). When the scale stops moving for a few weeks (but your pants keep getting looser) you have to rejoice in all the little things that are happening to your body along the way, because those are what add up to the big things.
No one will ever see your number on the scale (unless you shamelessly tell people like I do at times), and rarely will someone know your clothing size (well...uhm...) but they WILL see you bounce up the stairs without huffing and puffing, they will see your confident posture and smile as you shop at a regular store, they will see you run after your kids or for the bus...

This WLS thing is awesome. Ridiculously awesome. Enjoy every minute of it.

A Blender Bottle, Protein powder, broth/bouillon, sf Jello, sf popsicles, Vitamins, ready-to-drink Protein (clear and full liquid style).
I caution you to not buy too much in the way of protein powders and drinks...my taste changed rapidly post-op and protein that I had liked pre-op quickly became disgusting to me. I barely used any flavored protein, now I only use unflavored (5th month post-op). You'll feel well enough for a trip to a store within a week, so buy the bare minimum until you're through the first few months.

Protein shakes, broth, tea, crystal light, Water, Vitamins, Tylenol, and SF popsicles.
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Hi everyone,
I stumbled across this forum in doing my research, I have pretty much made up my mind about having WLS and I have decided that I think I prefer the gastric sleeve. Any thoughts on that?? I am terrified, and ready lol. I go to see my PCP tomorrow 11/7 to talk to her about getting the ball rolling. I am interested in hearing people's stories from the beginning of their journey. Why you decided to have WLS, why you chose the type of WLS you did. And I want to hear about the good, bad, and the ugly. Any information, tips, thing that "you wish you knew before surgery" tips, just as much information as you are prepared to give me lol.
my name is Ali, some of my stats are as followed: I'm 5'2" at 284lbs... I'm 32. Some of my reasons for wanting to have wLS are:
I want to be healthy, I want to have a healthy pregnancy. I want to stop letting my weight dictate my life and what I feel comfortable doing. I want to feel confident in my own skin, I don't want to be afraid of social situation, memories and pictures. I want to get married and look good on my wedding day and in photos. I want to fit comfortably on an air plane, paint my toes, get up and down without struggle. Have energy, workout, be able to make, maintain a life style change! This has been a long time coming for me. I have always pushed off the idea of WLS, out of fear, or pride, or embarrassment. I always thought oh I can do it myself. Yes, I lose weight, very slowly might I add, but I always gain everything I lost plus more. Every year I gain more and more weight. I am honestly at a point where I can longer make excuses for needing help. I need help. I am addicted to food, I have issues with food, I am ready to face it and make a change. Though i am terrified, I am ready.
So, yeah, that's where I am.
Ali
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Every thing came out great!!!!!! Moments after the surgery sucked!!!! But you start to feel better quick. Yesterday i was in and out of sleep. Today i been walking around. I still have some pain real slight pain tho. As far as gas, as of right now I've been burping all day. But so far so good.
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I am right there with you. I have been thinking about this for 4 years. I have struggled with my weight from a young age. I do it on my own and regain each time. I attended my 2nd seminar on October 31. I waited for open enrollment to start at work to change my medical insurance to an insurance company that now covers the surgery. I begin. Ew coverage Jan. 1. I have my first appointment with the surgeon Jan. 11th. I can't wait! Best of luck to you. This board is a wealth of information!
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I love your story. Stunning! Thank you for sharing. I can so relate!
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You will do great! Welcome.
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Hey guys,
I'm a very private person and I've never been on social media or anything, so actually posting something here is way outside of my comfort zone. But after spending hours and hours on here reading all of the supportive comments I decided to give it a shot. After attending the initial information session and verifying that my insurance would potentially cover my surgery, I had my surgery consult today and we're moving forward with the gastric sleeve. My surgery is at least six months out. I know there is a ton of work that needs to happen and many hurdles to cross, but at least I'm moving in the right direction. I've struggled with my weight since grade school, and have had some success dieting, but always gain it back (and more). I'm glad my insurance requires six months is dietician visits so I can hopefully build some healthier eating habits prior to the surgery. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you guys for all of the great info I found here. Take care.
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Most ppl post things on here because they want to talk about it funky munky and idk what ur talking about ripping my stomach open I just got my surgery Today btw no issues. Furthermore to each individual who had something negative to post I will not entertain u we are not clones and I do believe we are all made differently. And we all post on here to make ourselves or other feel better and possibly relate. TBH I didn't recall asking how you felt if y'all were so perfect at following the plan from the beginning wouldn't any one of us be on here. With that being said Thank you all for your posts and my doc did tell me liver was nice and small and had a successful sleeve Thank you
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I had 2 weeks liquid diet and didn't have anything not on plan. It sucked but my goal was to beat head hunger and cravings prior to surgery.