terilynne1966

I agree! I understand that some people would rather avoid the negativity, but it generally does a disservice to those who suffer from obesity to project a false image of someone who's successfully lost a significant amount of weight without surgery. It just perpetuates the myth that with just a little more will power anyone can lose that weight.

So this is going to piss off a lot of people. But I call BS on everyone that says they are a "private person" or "its nobody else's business" when trying to justify why they don't admit to having WLS. Saying you had your gall bladder removed or a hernia repaired or any other number of fake surgeries instead of WLS is "sharing" a personal health issue, just not the one you actually had. If you needed a knee or hip replacement, would you fib and say you sprained something to explain your brace and/or crutches? Do you hide your need for insulin if you have diabetes? Do you all wear contacts instead of glasses so people don't know you have bad vision? How about if you needed your appendix removed? A kidney transplant? Can you seriously say you would come up with a "story" to cover up the fact you needed these surgeries?
What are you all afraid of? Why are you ashamed? This was a huge commitment for all of us. Why aren't you willing to stand up and defend your convictions by being honest about your decision to have surgery? Some people claim they don't want to hear negative feedback. Well how is the social stigma of obesity and WLS ever going to be overcome unless those negative people hear and see all of our success stories for themselves. Every time I am asked about my weight loss I see it as an opportunity to educate. Maybe next time the subject is brought up, that person can say "I know someone that had VSG and she looks and feels great! Why don't you give her a call".
I don't mean to offend, I just don't think "privacy" is the whole reason why WLS isn't admitted to and talked about openly.

I don't think I ever believed I actually had bones in that fat body...I now find them fascinating!
I sleep on my side and wake up almost every morning with my hip bones aching from all night on the mattress
I am constantly messing with my collar bones...haven't really seen them before now and I can't keep my hands off them!
Men now flirt with me...I don't guess I ever knew I was missing being flirted with...now I get touches on my shoulder during conversations, eyes looking me up and down, friendly hugs that last longer than they did before...this whole flirting thing is a revalation!

It gets even better.... I left home last Saturday for Phoenix with a friend to relax and get a good tan before the winter hits in Canada. Then I flew to San Francisco this morning to meet up with my husband for a week of touring around and then home together. Well we ended up in different terminals so I asked him to come to my terminal and met me at my luggage carousel. We'll he could find me - why- because he didn't recognize me. Apparently, a week away and I've changed so drastically that after 26 years of marriage he couldn't recognize me! Apparently, my tan and further weight loss did it. Personally, I think he just hasn't noticed the difference seeing me everyday and then was looking for the old *chubbier* me
Feeling pretty good right now

ok, now that I know an NSV is a non-scale victory, I have one to share. Fitting comfortably with room to spare in a booth at a restaurant when the last time you went you were (your belly was) hanging over the table, all squeezed in.
Separately but the same, being able to swing up and out of the booth easily and smoothly, rather than huffing your way through a 3 step process to get out.

My shoes kept falling off too. I just bought some new ones.

Today marks 6 years since I went into surgery and came out a changed person. I am so much happier than I ever thought I'd be. Life is better. I am stronger. I am smarter. I went into the hospital 6 years ago weighing 301 lbs. This morning I got on the scale and I am 122 lbs! I have a small frame and I'm 5'2. To me, I feel perfect. I am content. I am happy. The road here wasn't easy. It was emotional. It was hard. It was even lonely. ... But today, It is no longer hard, it's not emotional and I'm never alone. Happy Re-birth to me!!!

Looking good and feeling great. 6 months post op. Went from 302 pounds to 169pounds. Here are some before and after photos and a photo of my muscle rebuilding.

Tomorrow will be 1 year. Loving the new me I started off with weight watchers @ 266. The Bariatric center started me out @ 245. I am down 122 pounds. I am now 144 pounds I have 10 more pounds 2 go but I am so happy.LIFE IS FUN AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!

Tee Hee! Right now the only thing in Victoria's Secret that fits me is the lotion. But I'm gonna' get there!

.

No F&^%ing way!!

start at 415. holding steady at 193-198. No issues. Restriction is still around but can eat almost anything I want. Thank you for new lease on life.
Christian

I'm 8 months post op, and I'm wearing a size 2!
I never thought I would be wearing a 2. Folding laundry is surreal--surely these tiny pants won't fit...but then they do. Everything fits, it's so easy (too easy) to find clothes. Feeling good!

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

Down from HW 249 SW 238 CW 144. Down 105 lbs since 11/11/13

30something, Dr. Katz did my sleeve two weeks ago! He's the best!

Today as I was at work a little boy says daddy she's fat , daddy daddy look she's fat! I held back the tears till I got to the bathroom, god it hurt so bad! And the fact that he was an innocent little boy , who was just calling like he saw it , is what hurt the most. Having that happen just made me more ready that ever! 9/3/14 I will be reborn!

Please don't be discouraged. You are so early out that your body still has Fluid & air built up from surgery. I'd recommend waiting about 2 weeks out before weighing yourself again. This will allow your body time to release the retention build up. That scale can also make you crazy so please be sure to take measurements as well for those days when the scale doesn't move at all. Good luck & welcome to the Loser's Bench!

I have to tell you.. I love a dad who spends time making sand castles with his child...Whether you carry your weight well or not. Your health is the issue here and I think you have had enough of it..
Good for you for taking the plunge to improve yourself and the benefits it will bring to you and your family...That little one will benefit by your energy boost!
I applaud your spit to be so open on here.....

First let me start by apologizing for my long story! Believe it or not this is actually the shorter version lol!
Last friday on July 18, 2014 marked my One Year Surgiversary!!! This has been an Amazing & Incredible year for me! I weighed in @ 205 LBS, which makes my Total Loss- 116 LBS Down!!! My starting weight was 321 LBS, day of surgery I weighed in @ 314 LBS! Only approx 70 more LBS left to lose & only 6 more LBS to "One-derland"!!! I can't wait!
Not only have I lost a huge amount of weight but I have also made so many other Dreams a Reality!!! I have had a GREAT year with my Dad (as the doctors are amazed he is still here & never thought he would make it this far) I got Baptized, also took & Passed my GED on the very FIRST try!!! Eventually I have plans to go back for something else but right now my main focus is my time spent & cherished with my Dad!!!
This Wild, Crazy, Emotional journey has all been worth it, even when there were times I wanted to give up or even regretted my decisions. In the end of it all.... Getting the Gastric Sleeve Surgery was & is the best decision I have ever made for myself! I would not trade the rollercoaster ride for one second!!!
I am so Thankful to all my Family & Friends for all the Love & Support throughout this year!!! I thank them for loving me & never judging me for my choices in this crazy thing we call life! I am so Grateful to have such wonderful people taking this journey with me & becoming a part of my lifes journey!!! I am also Thankful for having found this site & for all of you as well!!!
Most of all I want to Thank my Lord Jesus Christ for giving me all the opportunities that has made this year the Most Memorable, Special, Meaningful, Most Precious, Crazy, Emotional year ever! Especially with being so Blessed even now with my Dad as I almost lost him again 3 weeks ago. But God has answered all of our prayers & has continued to give me some more time with him!!! Which means more to me then anything else in the world!!!
I am beyond Blessed to have had the opportunity to share all of my accomplishments that I have conquered so far with my Dad by myside!!! I Love My Dad, he has been my BIGGEST supporter through this entire journey! Always cheering me on & telling me I could do it as long as I stayed in my faith! Thank you Dad for having faith in me & for me during the times I wanted to Quit & Give up!!!
I also had my one year PO visit with my surgeon. All of my blood work came back Normal!!! Except my thyroid. Just have to increase it a little, but everything else came back Perfect!!! Whoo-Hoo, that is Awesome!!! He said I am an Inspiration & that he is very proud of my success!
I was crying as I thanked my surgeon for helping me make my Dreams come true!!! He remebered when I was pushing so hard to get this done when my Dad almost died. (actually he did, but they were able to bring him back & then he was in a coma for 14 days) Dr. Judd & his office helped tremendously to get everything approved & done with the insurance within a month & a half of him coming home from the hospital!!!
Without Dr. Judd & his team I would have given up but they never let me! I thanked him repeatedly for changing my life & his response was " I simply gave you a tool to help you but you deserve all the credit because it was you who did all the work, you made all the food choices, you did all the exercise & you should be as proud of yourself for your success as I am of you!!!
As I showed him a picture of me when I had first came to see him he looked at it & then at me & said " you have to stand up & show me how you look today compared to this picture" & as I did he said I have lost an entire other human being! I was in tears but they were Happy tears!!! He was also proud to hear I went & took my GED! Or as it is now known as the TASC Test!
It was an Awesome feeling to know that not only are my family & friends proud of my success but so is my surgeon! It was nice to hear him telling his nurses & other staff of my success & accomplishments & not only with my weight loss but my other life victories as well!!!
His one nurse who took a moment to talk to me the day I was so upset over having had gained a couple a pounds while my dad was in a coma & was not able to get a surgery date set that day that I almost walked out of the office giving up all hope of having my Sleeve Surgery. She came over to tell me how proud of me she was & is because I kept pushing forward regardless of all that tried to stand in my way! I thanked her for taking the time that day to talk to me, calm me down, give me hope & for not just letting me walk out the door & give up all hope!
It was a FABULOUS day all the way around & an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING year & I DID IT!!!
Did I do everything by the book? NO
Did I never eat a "BAD" food again? NO
Did I slip & make mistakes along the way? Yes, Yes, Yes.... I am human!!!
Did I hit stalls? Yes
Did I ever eat too many carbs in one sitting? Yes
Did I survive & still succeed even though I made mistakes? Yes
Is it ok that I was not perfect during MY journey? Yes
I may have fallen off the horse a few times but I always got back on & am very proud of all I have lost so far & to be down 116 LBS in only 1 year!!!
I am proud of all I have accomplished & conquered this past year! I have had an awesome support team & Lots of Love from Family & Friends!!! I have also been blessed with having you all here on this site as well!!!
This past year is just the beginning of a whole new life.... Emotionally, Mentally, & Physically! There is still so much more I want to accomplish & conquer!!! I am setting Goals & I will keep pushing until I reach them ALL!!!
Having this surgery be so successful so far & being forced to come face to face with an emotional & mental rollercoaster ride & somehow finding the strength to continue, learning to overcome some fears, to accpet & conquer through it all... I know I can do anything now as long as I try hard enough, give it my all & NEVER give up! Because this life changing journey has shown me & taught me the true meaning of STRENGTH!!!! It may take me a while but eventually I will overcome & conquer more things in my life! Especially with the Lord & my Dad by myside, I can & will!!!
So many Dreams are coming true! The Stars are within reach & I am collecting them as I move one step closer to making all my Dreams come true!!! They are my stepping stones to a Happy, Bright, Healthy & Successful Future!!!! I am so excited to see all of what it may hold for me!!! AMEN!!!

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So I just realized that it is 10 months post op. It kind of sneaked up on me! So I snapped a quick pic for comparison. I'm still a few pounds away from goal, and wish that I would be there by now, but hey....I'm going to take a couple minutes and let myself feel pretty fabulous about this!
One of the hardest things I deal with now is doing the "head-work". Being ok with maintaining, figuring out how to be a "thin" person, figuring out the emotions behind my food issues, etc. It's been a pretty fabulous journey. And you know what? Screw anyone who says this is the easy way out!

I didn't say much to anyone before surgery because I didn't want to hear any negative crap that people only heard about. I did a lot of research before I decided on surgery. Now I tell everyone & have had great support. We need all the support we can get. You will take a lot of stress off yourself if you just tell someone about your sleeve when they ask. You don't have to tell anyone unless they ask. Good luck with your friend & dinner. Enjoy.

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..
Here goes! See my hubby..Isn't he cute!!!!!!!!

Thank you to all the vets who have stuck around to help us all get more informed. I for one appreciate all you can tell me