BrantS1976

Goal weight: 283 pounds (would put me at an even 100 lost)

Starting weigh 292 pounds

This should be fun!

First one was fun, so count me in for this one. My goal is 283 (12 pounds) which would put me at 100 pounds lost six months after surgery. Missed my goal by about two pounds on the last challenge, so I'm ready to go get this one!

Looking great and excellent weight loss for your first six months. Congrats, all your hard work is paying off!

Congrats on your anniversary and your success. You look incredible.

Like others have said, my only regret is not having WLS sooner. Also as others have said, it is a lifestyle change. Be ready to commit fully an you will see results. Once you see the results any thought of regret goes away. You will need support, and it will be available to you (online here and through in person support groups - most surgeons put one on). Take part on them. Even if you think you don't need them, you will find you get something out of it.

Looking good even just a few days after. You must be so excited about reaching your goal and getting rid if the loose skin.

My very healthy, athletic daughter lives the 90/10 lifestyle. I'm adopting it too !

I think I need to embrace that way of life. My 99.99/0.01 way of viewing things is probably not particularly healthy for me.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and support. A lot of good ideas in here. I appreciate it greatly.

I was actually six pounds heavier the day after surgery due to all the fluids and swelling despite the fact I did not eat a thing in the first 24 hours.

You know...Brant, I think you are right. I am at where I am because I couldn't face my weight. I kept trying to pretend it wasn't a problem. If I am really going to turn my life around I need to face it head on, with my feet firmly planted and a clear notion of where I am headed. Thanks. Sometimes I guess all you need is a nudge in the right direction.

I think most of us who are on here have been (and in some ways still are) right where you are. I found by facing it, it no longer became something I was afraid of, and instead I gained the confidence that I could take it on. I say this, but I am still working on my own internal self talk in my head. Despite having lost 88 pounds in 5 months, I still get down on myself. I think that is probably going to be the toughest thing for me to fix on this journey. I think the key thing is to work on figuring out how you got to where you are and what some of the causes are. No sense in bringing all that extra baggage along even after you've lost the weight right?

So my doctor and everyone else who knows is telling me how great I am doing. I have lost 88 lbs in five months, and I feel great. However... I would be lying if I didn't say that I am scared to death right now. I have lost over 80 pounds twice in my life and it didn't stick. Logically, I know that in those cases, I didn't have to tool of WLS on my side and it never came off this fast. I also know that in the past I was nowhere near as good about what I was putting in my body as I am now. Despite the best efforts of my rational mind, I am scared of screwing this up. Like anyone else I make little mistakes here in there, occasionally allowing myself a very small treat that is not on my ideal food list. The fear also sets in everytime I have a long day at work and I don't make it to the gym because I am exhausted. This time around success means more to me as I want to make sure I am around to watch my 15 month old son grow up. Leaving this life early is no longer an option I am willing to accept or talk myself into. Not sure what it says about me that I am fighting this hard for this, but am still scared to death I might screw it all up. I appreciate any thoughts or insights you guys may have,

I am in Washington and had the plication surgery (without band) as part of a study in October 2013 and have lost 88 pounds so far. My only regret is that I didn't have it sooner. This surgery was great for me, but as it is still considered investigational and generally done as part of a study, insurance will not cover this type of WLS. Since I was self pay I chose this because the method of surgery sounded safe to me and it was least expensive as my doctor was providing the aftercare for free if you were willing to participate in the study. That saved me about $5 or $6k off the cost of what a sleeve would have been.

I have to disagree. I think it is time to step on that scale and face your fears head on. I chose to make a lot of changes prior to surgery, including giving up soda and other foods that did me no good, and it made the transition much easier. For me facing my weigh problem head on and tackling some of my problem foods before surgery helped show me I had the power to change. While WLS is an amazing tool, that is all it is. It is not a magic pill, and to lose weight still requires hard work and diligence, even after surgery.

Any questions you have email me zacconechris@yahoo.com or though here.. Im at goal now but i love trying to assist people. I am a believer this saved my life!!!

Chris

Chris,

If you don't mind, i would love to pick your brain as well. Looking at your starting weight, you were in the same boat I was. At my heaviest was 423 lbs, and was 383 lbs when I started my two week, pre-surgery diet.

Current weight 295.8 lbs. Starting weight 305 lbs Goal for St. Patty's Day 293 lbs. Missed my goal by 2.8 lbs. Not bad considering I hit a stall for most of this last week. Not what I hoped for, but I'll take it.

Current weight 297 lbs. Starting weight 305 lbs Goal for St. Patty's Day 293 lbs. Down 1.9 from last week.

Current weight 297 lbs. Starting weight 305 lbs Goal for St. Patty's Day 293 lbs. Down 1.9 from last week.

Well, wanted to update and let you guys know that I finally hit the milestone.

Couldn't check in yesterday, but doing so today, and I've hit a milestone.

Current weight 298.9 lbs Starting weight 305 lbs Goal for St. Patty's Day 293 lbs. Finally broke into the 200's!

Current weight 301.2 lbs

Starting weight 305 lbs

Goal for St. Patty's Day 293 lbs

Going to break into the 200's any day now!

Glad to hear you got your apology and he tried to explain himself. I hope he comes around and is more supportive, but am glad you are prepared in case he doesn't. Take care, and keep us posted.

I gave up the soda a month prior to surgery. I used to drink it all the time, but have to say I felt better after a couple weeks of not drinking it. After hearing all the warnings about carbonation and any kind of WLS, I just avoid it all together. I decided my health was more important to me than some of the foods and drinks I previously enjoyed. On a similar note, I haven't had a philly cheesesteak since surgery either. Definitely miss those more than the soda LOL.

Congrats on your approval. Always happy to hear when insurance works out for someone. Being self pay kinda sucked.

While the complication stories are scary, they are rare and the risks of not confronting the obesity problem are just as real and far more likely to occur. I can be hard to tell people what you are doing, but remember that you are doing this for your own health and are making a great decision for yourself. At your weight, if you don't want to tell people you had WLS, you can probably just tell people you are dieting and exercising and it won't seem odd. I started off at 383 pounds and four months in have lost 80 pounds, so it's pretty apparent to everyone and not easily brushed under the rug. The surprise for me has been that people have been really supportive and I was surprised how many friends and colleagues I have who have had a friend or family member who has had WLS.

Did she happen to explain how one moves ones hips like yeah? (reference to lyric from Party in the USA) Yes, I admit, I know a few lyrics from one of her songs. Shoot me now please. LOL

They sound awesome. Looked up their website and will have to get some for when I am craving something sweet by guilt won't let me reach for the ice cream.