supbanana

Hm, it looks like my post about my experience with Dr. Illan was deleted, but I can honestly say it was the best medical experience of my entire life. I have the experience recorded on my blog if you want to check it out:
http://gainingme.livejournal.com/5015.html
And pictures! http://imgur.com/a/ldVZI
This before/after isn't entirely accurate because I started the surgery process at 300lbs, not 340, but today I'm down to 240 (I've lost 60 pounds since August 1st)! Love my sleeve so much, highly recommend Dr. Illan, would go back in a heartbeat.

2btrim, thanks so much, I enjoyed reading your entire experience! Really glad to know that Dr. Illan was okay with scar tissue, as I have plenty.
Supbanan, I read your blog, fantastic descriptions as well and I love the pictures! You look fantastic!
Thank you both for sharing your experiences in such detail.

Hm, it looks like my post about my experience with Dr. Illan was deleted, but I can honestly say it was the best medical experience of my entire life. I have the experience recorded on my blog if you want to check it out:
http://gainingme.livejournal.com/5015.html
And pictures! http://imgur.com/a/ldVZI
This before/after isn't entirely accurate because I started the surgery process at 300lbs, not 340, but today I'm down to 240 (I've lost 60 pounds since August 1st)! Love my sleeve so much, highly recommend Dr. Illan, would go back in a heartbeat.

I'm a BBW (well, big, idk about beautiful) that is insanely attracted to tall fat guys. Like John Goodman status. I'm 5'10" and I've always been very fat in an area where most people are both shorter than me and skinnier by a good chunk. I've never really felt feminine and always kind of feel like a freak. Being around a guy that is both taller and heavier than me makes me feel like an actual woman instead of an awkward Amazon, which is such a rare feeling because in my area there are very few men that match that profile.
My only boyfriend was 6'4" and weighed 160lbs when I weighed 270. I always felt like I was going to snap him like a twig and was constantly self conscious about it.

Ha, I have kind of an 'all in one' deal. My grandma likes to tell me, "wow honey, you sure can tell you lost weight!" Which is great, but reminds me of how she used to say, "gosh honey, you sure can tell you gained weight!"
My favorite compliments though? Apparently surgery increased my confidence or something because people keep commenting on my excellent posture, how regal I look, how I walk with 'poise', etc. I love it.

Ha, I have kind of an 'all in one' deal. My grandma likes to tell me, "wow honey, you sure can tell you lost weight!" Which is great, but reminds me of how she used to say, "gosh honey, you sure can tell you gained weight!"
My favorite compliments though? Apparently surgery increased my confidence or something because people keep commenting on my excellent posture, how regal I look, how I walk with 'poise', etc. I love it.

I know this sounds crazy, but it works wonders. Have you heard of the Oil Cleansing Method?
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
It's basically cleansing your face with oil - it removes all dirt and makeup, gets the gunk out of your pores, and leaves you nice and moisturized. It's good for all skin types, including acne prone or oily skin.

Yes. Sadly, it doesn't go away even when you consider yourself normal! I'm short (5'1") so my current weight of 145 is still overweight. I went in for treatment for endometriosis and couldn't believe my new PCM told me I should really consider shedding some weight. Because, you know, I should weigh between 97 and 127 pounds at my height!! To top it off, I had given birth five months earlier!
Yes, I wanted to shout and scream and resort to violence. Nothing like feeling defeated after working hard to lose weight.
In my experience, those in the medical profession are the worst about this. Rather than do some simple tests, let's just tell someone to lose weight and exercise. Because surely, we've never tried that option before, right?
~Cheri

I must be one of very few that proactiv makes me look like I had burns to my face.

You know what gets me? The ones who have WLS and then go on to advertise for a gym or a weight loss product.
Really?!

Got a new one this week, " you lost your boobies! You don't have then anymore!". Ok, I'm a 36 C/D. Yeah, it's smaller than when I was a 44 C but really?

I really believe that fat-shaming is kind of the last frontier of things we're allowed to make fun of in public with little impunity.

Best- you look great. You inspire me to take better care of myself. One that pissed me off the most. Guy at work lost 140 without surgery. Coworker said he did it the hard way and all i did was close my eyes and wake up with a smaller stomach and shed the weight. All i responded was yep i took the easy way out. Best i didn't say what was really on my mind.

The compliment so far that has made me feel the worst: wow! You have a waistline now! You look so cute with an actual figure, you're not just a big blob anymore!
I still have a long way to go and don't really see my waistline or figure anyway, but being called a (former) "big blob" made me feel horrible, even though I know it's true.

We live in an apartment, when we moved back to FL from Chicago, we hadn't sold our home yet, and now we are finally looking for a house. I went into the leasing office, the first time in about 8 months (since before surgery) to let them know about an issue on our building, and the leasing manager stopped the new maintenance guy, and told him that I had lost an entire person. She explained to him that I was HUGE (her exact word) and that she didn't recognize me when I came into the office. She actually asked me for my unit #, and when she thought I was making a payment, or an inquiry about my account she was going to ask for ID, I have lived here almost 2 years, and attend the holiday parties, and swim in the pool, and use the health club regularly. We have been on a first name basis since I moved in. I don't know what to think about what she said. She too is very over weight. I told her about VGS, and how it has changed my life. She then went on to repeat my story to the maintenance guy. It was awkward to say the least. I know she is happy for me, and means well, but it was weird having her tell something so personal to a total stranger.

I was in a store with my 12 year old son this weekend and I tried on a size medium hoodie and it fit. He could tell how excited I was and came over and gave me a big hug and said "I'm so happy for you!" It was the best feeling celebrating losing 77 pounds with my son.

I know this sounds awful but......My husband in the past has commented on my butt as being a shelf. Well the other day while bent over he said he could no longer call it a shelf-a$$. He said my shelf was gone. Thank goodness I I have become shelf-less. He is clueless how to make a compliment towards anyone including me. Believe it or not this was supposed to be a compliment.
Keep in mind this was coming from a man that would introduce me to his friends, family and co-workers as his large Scottish wife and didn't think that there was anything wrong with the word "large".

I had horrible acne flare ups since I was a teen. I do remember when I started using coco oil there was an initial breakout, but I stuck with it for those few days and I have never looked back. I have been using it for years. It is a natural antibacterial and anti fungal. It isn't for everyone, but I have converted a handful of friends and we all love it. Good luck, I know how frustrating it is.

Okay, and then there is height.... this is more of a thing to me now that i can wear heels. I love HEELS. So, I sorta like hanging out around guys who I don't tower over. I start at 5'5" and add several inches to that - i feel well matched to someone who is at least 5'10". would I pick a life partner on height? heck no. Might i pick a dance partner on height... maayyybbeee... okay, I am superficial!

That's funny! I never understood what people meant when they joked about sitting on a vibrating washing machine, but now I totally get it.

I don't shave that area but my 'apron' has shrunk a lot so I can actually look down and see my pubes now. I imagine if I did shave down there it would be loads easier now.
On the other hand, my facial hair is going crazy. it's always been a problem but now it's coming in really thick and fast, and worse is some of the hairs are jet black since the surgery (I'm blonde, wtf?). If I weren't blonde I would laser off this hot mess in a heartbeat.

Hmmm I'm thinking maybe juviderm filler? Might be kinda expensive tho..... Ok I have to say that this was one area I never worried about sagging....UNTIL NOW! EEEEEEEKKKK

I have NO IDEA how I ended up in this room, but he speaks the truth, big time. LOL...I look down and I'm like, "holy crap, what is that thing!?"

I know this sounds crazy, but it works wonders. Have you heard of the Oil Cleansing Method?
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
It's basically cleansing your face with oil - it removes all dirt and makeup, gets the gunk out of your pores, and leaves you nice and moisturized. It's good for all skin types, including acne prone or oily skin.