PhotoLover8

So, five month anniversary and I sometimes can't quite take in all the changes in life over that time. Short period, monumental change.
Am I the same person? Yes, I am. But I feel as if someone has polished me. I feel shiny and full of energy, like I did many years ago. I am calm, confident and happy, emotions that have been buried beneath misery, uncertainty, frustration and anger. Not all weight related but summed up by my failure to deal with my health and weight.
Life is now full of endless possibilities. I see no barriers. I am even considering taking up running. Me, the girl who was told from a child that I was built for comfort, not speed.
I mentioned this in another post but I am beginning to like how I look, all of me. Yes there are some lumps and bumps but so what? I have restarted a social life and hosted a dinner for business colleagues last night with 4 courses. Didn't even panic - chopped up the starter and hid it round the plate: ate most of the piece of fish; had some sorbet from the pudding; and ate some oatcake and a bit of cheese. Sounds a lot but wasn't really - but no one noticed other than the man next to me who said he liked a woman who didn't fuss about her food, lol. If only he'd known :-))))) Now to get on with the next challenge, dating - eek!!!
When I had the surgery, I did so with great hope of change but not sure what it would look like. Now that I am here, I am not sure I can actually explain what this all means to me. It's pretty overwhelming to be down six sizes, there are times I barely recognise myself, lol.
I can tell you all the things I can now do that I couldn't before. But I wish you could see inside my head and see the new me or feel the pleasure I take in life now. This surgery has given me a second chance ... and I will not waste it.
Thanks for listening :-)))))

I can't believe it's already a year since my surgery. I love my results thus far, I still want to lose and it has gotten a lot tougher now that I am past the year mark.
144 pounds down so far and don't regret a single moment of this journey
First pic day of surgery, 2nd pic was taken Sunday

Hello all!! It's terribly strange for me to say that in just a few weeks I'll be celebrating my 2 year sleeve-aversery! In some ways it feels like I had my sleeve done years and years ago, and other ways it feels like just yesterday. I thought I'd pop back on because I remember reading these posts before my sleeve and wondering what I was in for. I also remember wondering why there didn't seem to be many veterans on here. If I may, let me give you a little insight on what it's like 2 years later. My highest weight was 342.2 (every oz counts right?) and now I stay between 168 and 171....if you're doing the math...171.1 is exactly half my weight. Odd isn't it? I was never one to really work out. I would walk in the neighborhood, maybe. But working out? No way. I can remember reading posts about people finding the fun in working out and I thought they must be nuts. Funny that I have now become one of those folks. I am at the Y every Mon/Wed/Fri and alternate between Zumba and a strength class. Depending on the week I'll add yoga in on Tues/ Thurs but I'm not always able to fit that in. I've competed in several 5k's and will be doing a mud run this Saturday. The most exciting thing for me is that in August I got my Zumba certification and hope to begin teaching that soon. Two years ago, had you told me that fitness would become this important to me, I would have laughed at you. As for food, I feel as though I eat fairly normal. I do stay away from breads because I don't like the way they feel in my stomach, and for me, one bite could easily lead to 7. Sugars? I do allow myself a very small dessert on Sundays only...my mom cooks a big Sunday dinner for the family and I do allow a taste. My portions are different from where they were in the first few months, but still no where near what I used to eat, or what everyone else is eating for that matter. I still measure deli meat and Proteins just to make sure my portions stay in check. I can tell you that I have zero regrets, aside from the old cliché regret that I wish I had done it sooner. I'm enjoying shopping and feel pretty again...which ladies, let's be honest. Cute clothes do not come with x's or w's attached to the size. I have gone from a 26 and 28 to a 6. It's unreal! Recently I was asked by my doctor to film a web spot for him which later turned into a commercial and 3 billboards (which still blows my mind). I'm posting the link just so that, if you're interested, you can hear a little bit about my story. I'm hoping that any of you who might be on the fence, hear this or read this and trust that it's truly a life saving procedure! Little things like walking up the stairs without getting winded, fitting into a booth, tossing your meds...crossing your legs....all of this is possible! And let me also say this, I swore that even after my surgery I would stick around this board. To help and encourage others, to stay in touch...but let me tell you. I am no longer a sit in the chair and surf the web kind of girl. Our tv is rarely on. I think, the reason why you don't see many old timers on here is because they've found their energy...they're out and about. We haven't left you and we certainly haven't forgotten where we started from....but life is now night and day better. I wish all of you luck in your journey and pray that you have successes beyond your wildest dreams!! The link to my story is : http://www.srmconline.com/weightloss/Pages/My%20Journey.aspx Click on hear my story, I'm Kristin Wishing you all the best!!

Thanks so much for posting. Congratulations!!!!

62 lbs gone forever! I feel like a SUPAH STAH! Lol!

Did a lil shopping today I bought my first size of 14 jeans! I haven't done that since high school ! I wanted to cry tears of joy!

Just saw this, thought you might be interested in it, sorry if it was already posted here.
http://www.drsharma.ca/bariatric-surgery-on-the-moms-leads-to-epigenetic-modifications-of-the-offspring.html

You look happy!

ONLY 89 Pounds?! Do you hear yourself? That is freaking fantastic, add that to what you lost before, and it is even better! You had a lot to lose, and two-three years is NOT too slow to lose it. I am at 2 1/2 years, have not gotten to goal, and do not consider myself a failier. I will get to goal, probably soon, I had less to lose than you. You can do it. Its just a lifetime of work, getting to goal is just a small part of it. You are only a failier if you completely throw your hands up and quit. Some swear by eating more, and lifting weights, some swear by eating less and exercising or not. The best investment you can make is in dumping the negative talk, give yourself some positive affirmations or something that works for you... and stay in the game, no mater how long it takes.Lat year I gained 22 pounds by not paying enough attention to what I was doing. Then, earlier this year I also tried the eat more route, and gained 6 pounds... freaked me right out... I then used the Southbeach phase one... lost the 6 pounds I had gained... then started on the 5:2... have lost 16 pounds in 13 weeks, which I am ecstatic about. I am back to where I was before I gained the 22. I am 5 pounds from goal, 34 months from surgery. I have learned a LOT. I did not lose fast, but I think I have enough info to maybe keep it off this time. That is the hard part. You have done great, and you need to feel good about it, love yourself girl. You have come a long way, and stand a good chance of getting to goal, if you don't give up, and adapt as you go along.

Today was my 6 month follow up with my surgeon.
I have lost 55% of my excess weight. According to him, the average loss at 6 months is 40%.
My starting weight was 262. Surgery day was 249.
Today I weighed in at 194 on my scale. 196 on his. I liked mine better.
He also noted in my medical file the redness and itching under my breasts and pannis. He said if he puts it in my file, any Excess skin removal would probably be paid for by my insurance as medically necessary. YAY!!!
I walk 2-3 miles per day and can eat anything without issue( not that I do). I do have an occasional treat, and HORRORS!!!, have had soda a couple of times.
This is my journey and its a life long one.
Its been amazing so far.
Please don't bother to comment if what you want to say is negative. Don't want it or need it :-)

Wish me luck.

I was able to fit into size 20 jeans that I havent been able to wear for over a year! I am only 2 weeks post op. I have lost 30 pounds in the last 4 weeks. I had a liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. The scale had told me I had lost 30 pounds but I couldn't really tell a difference. Then this morning I decided to see if a pair of size 20 jeans were even close to fitting. I was able to do them up without even a struggle, they fit perfect!!!!!! At work we get to wear jeans on Fridays but I never did because I couldnt fit in my jeans and refused to buy size 24 jeans. Anyone else have any non-scale victories this week?

Oops.... Forgot my stats
Sleeved 6/3/13
Starting weight: 344 (seriously I still can't believe that)
Current weight: 272
Starting size: 24/26 in pants and at least 3x in shirts
Current sizes: 18/20 pants and 1x/2x tops!! Even bought an XL top the other day!!!!!!!!

104 pound loss!!! In onderland at 185!
[ATTACH]18531[/ATTACH]

Extremely good!
Sent from my iPhone using VST

DOS 253
Today 210
Total loss 43 pounds! Is that good for 2 months!?

A chance to do things that were quite simply out of reach before....
hike to the top of a mountain, riding a small endurance horse, traveling comfortably, walking everywhere - living life to the fullest
(click on my profile if you want to see my before pic)

I had surgery 7 weeks ago and have lost 36 lbs. I have been blessed to not have any negative comments. The best compliments I have gotten:
"I'm so proud of you!" ~ My amazing husband!
"My wife is hot!!" ~ From my awesome husband while I've worn a nice dress or basketball shorts and a shirt. He always called me beautiful and complimented me but because I am gaining more confidence and letting it show I think he feels more free to make a comment like that and know that I will receive it in a positive way and believe him.
"Skinny Mini!" ~ From a number of people at my church.
"How is my favorite skinny Puerto Rican?" ~ From my neighbor Joe. He always called me his favorite Puerto Rican (Though I'm pretty sure I'm the only Puerto Rican he knows!!) but he added the skinny on there recently.

I had surgery 7 weeks ago and have lost 36 lbs. I have been blessed to not have any negative comments. The best compliments I have gotten:
"I'm so proud of you!" ~ My amazing husband!
"My wife is hot!!" ~ From my awesome husband while I've worn a nice dress or basketball shorts and a shirt. He always called me beautiful and complimented me but because I am gaining more confidence and letting it show I think he feels more free to make a comment like that and know that I will receive it in a positive way and believe him.
"Skinny Mini!" ~ From a number of people at my church.
"How is my favorite skinny Puerto Rican?" ~ From my neighbor Joe. He always called me his favorite Puerto Rican (Though I'm pretty sure I'm the only Puerto Rican he knows!!) but he added the skinny on there recently.

I'm 7 weeks post op and down 36 lbs! I can't wait to see myself at 6 months and a year! For now, I am proud of getting to Onederland!

I started the process on 9/20/12, so almost a year ago. I weighed 657lbs at the first weigh-in. I was told I needed to weigh 450lbs before they'd perform the procedure. I dieted and worked my ass off for 8 months and finally got there. I got approved by insurance and scheduled my surgery date for 5/29/13. The week after I scheduled, my surgeon called and said the hospital made a new policy and patients needed to weigh 410lbs so it would be easier on their CAT scan machine if there were complications. So we put it off another 2 months. I got to 420lbs and they decided that I'd lose enough during my liquid diet that we could FINALLY schedule. My date was 8/26/13, so I'm exactly 3 weeks post-op. I weigh 386lbs and my goal is 200-250lbs.
Point is, I had set-backs and after losing 250lbs on my own pre-op, I too wanted to give up at times. Don't. Just keep going until you can get your insurance to approve. You'll get there. Nothing good comes easy. :-)

Ok, granted, it is 299.4, but I am so taking it! I haven't weighed less since 2007! Yeehaw!
Though not sleeved yet, I have been on a 1500 calorie diet, eating relatively healthy most days and working out every day. I am on my way. Two more classes, one today and one next Monday, and then my case will be submitted to the insurance for approval. Fingers crossed on that one.
And though I was only going to count the weight on the scale on Friday, I was too excited! I am now doing the gopher dance from "CaddyShack." "I'm all right, don't nobody worry about me...."