james1112

Day of surgery at 383 (?), down from a high weight of 410 a couple months before. 6 months and 1 year progress pic. Down from a size 40/5x to a 16-18/XL.

I love to share my success with other sleeves who understand and don't think I'm just bragging. (Yes, I've gotten that)

6 months

I'm a little under 15 lbs from my ultimate goal, but after buying new clothes for spring I decided I had to show them off!
HW: 260
CW: 164
GW: 150

^ Before
^ After - last weekend
I'm rockin' the sleeve! Best decision I ever made for myself!

I was sleeved 5/15/13. I'm down 106 pounds! Highest weight was 273 and today I'm 167 : )

A little over 11 months out and 149 since surgery and 205 overall for me.

4 months & 1 Day post Op
HW: 318
Sw: 303
CW:223
GW:160
I was sleeved 10/21/13 & lost 80lbs since . I am 23 &my one & ONLY regret is that I didnt get this surgery years ago!
Here is a pic of me the day of my first Dr appointment (left) & the second pic (right) is me about 3 weeks ago (since them I have lost 12lbs actually lol)

Here I am at my highest and my lowest let me know what you think. Starting weight 387 current weight 230. Just bought my first pair of 36 jeans down from a size 50. And still losing yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sleeve four month ago, October 7, 2013 and down over 100 since day of surgery.

heres mine me at my biggest of 425lbs, then a the full body was oct of 2013 and the head shot was new years eve

8 months out. 154 lbs and finally fit into that little black dress!! So happy I made this life change even though it was difficult, I've never felt better or been healthier in my life!!

Ok I finally found a pre picture so I will try to upload them.
The teal dress is a size 10!

Before/ during (posted in another thread previously)

Creating a new thread because the other one has gotten really long.
So, here are my before and currents to keep the topic moving.

Current as of last week:

I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart! I had a wonderful experience in TJ and now I am home sweet home! ????
No pain, no nausea, no nothing but new beginnings! I am very happy with the choice I made!
#thankful

I had often told myself during my journey that even if I were to ever possibly hit goal I would never post a success story. Maybe I was being modest or perhaps just really hard on myself or…just not able to forgive myself for ever letting my weight get out of control as it had. I guess a lot of it no matter how you sum it up is really just embarrassment.
Well I had a change of heart. That change of heart came because I can remember so vividly the feeling of the hopelessness and despair. At times I felt I was knocking on deaths door and that there was nothing I could do about it. So I am writing this tonight in hopes that if I can help just one person even if only one tiny bit then it is my responsibility to do so. I believe in paying it forward and giving back. If it wasn’t for the people before me that helped me then where would I be? It would be irresponsible for me not to do the same. You are not alone and there are people out there, really good decent people who can help you but YOU have to want it and at some point you need to swallow your pride and ask for the help. Help will not come to you. YOU have to seek it out.
I have told my story several times and you can read it on my profile. I lost 170lbs doing Atkins between 2003 and 2004. I went from 393 to 220 and felt great…and then I got sloppy and let my guard down and weight started packing on. I went from 220 to 488 in 8 years’ time.
At 488lbs doing day to day activities was quite a chore. My knees were taking a beating carrying so much weight on a 5’6 inch frame. I developed arthritis and serious sleep apnea. Walking from the parking lot to my office was a real task and that was even with the use of an elevator. I had to sit out in the car and have my Wife do the grocery shopping because I couldn’t last more than 10 minutes on my feet. I had to sit and fold laundry sitting in a chair. This list could go on and on about the limited mobility. My amazing Wife stood by me and encouraged me to make a change but we both knew until I was ready to commit to change it would not happen. I am not sure how many other women out there would have put up with what she did. My weight affected us both physically and mentally. I did not feel like much of husband at times and I am sure there were plenty of times she felt more like a caregiver than a wife at times although she never said so or complained.
Something had to give and it finally did and in September 2011 with my wife at my side I attended a local seminar for WLS. We listened to the Doctor discuss all the surgical options available at the time and being new and somewhat naïve we decided Lapband was the way to go. It was reversible and probably the least invasive of all procedures. I signed up for a one on one consult with the Surgeon that night. October 2011 I met with the Doctor and told him I ready to make a life change. He told me he wanted to see me lose 24lbs and work on shrinking the liver. Insurance required me to do a 6 month monitored diet so instead of losing 24lbs preop I lost 38lbs. My Surgeon was impressed and after completing all the preop requirements I finally got a surgery date of April 16, 2012. I weighed in on surgery morning at 450lbs on the button.
So there I was April 17th and getting discharged from the hospital and all that went through my mind is why the hell did I do this? There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS.
As much as you research and prepare for this new life it seems at some point you say OK well I had the surgery why is the weight not coming off?? This is so frustrating!!! Well apparently I had never heard of bandster hell. Bandster hell is that time from when you have the surgery to the time you actually get the necessary fills to get the need restriction to control your portions. Some very few people are lucky they have the surgery and automatically get that restriction. Not me, it took me 6 months. 6 months of frustration.
Probably one of the most difficult pieces for me to learn was patience. Lack of patience made this road even longer. I stepped on the scale almost daily these last 2.5 years waiting on a large drop in numbers that never happened. How on earth could you possibly see a large drop if you’re stepping on the scale daily? Do yourself a favor and don’t do it. To this day I still step on it daily but now it is about accountability not so much weight loss.
Always look for other measures to success. We call them Non Scale Victories or NSV’s. Losing weight is not just about numbers. For a while I was buying new clothes every other month because I was shrinking so fast. I went from a size 62 waist to a 34. I went from squeezing into theater seats to have padded space on each side.
I could go on and on here rambling about all sorts of stuff weight and band related. If you’ve read this far then thank you and thank you to those who helped me get here. I would like to especially thanks @@Alex Brecher without him I wouldn’t have a home here and I perhaps would’ve remained lost.
If anyone has any questions or comments or just need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me regardless how personal you think your question may be.
My name is Jim and I am junk food addict. I have lost 300lbs and the lapband saved my life. 2yrs and 8 months 488 to 188.
Peace!!

yeah I know it sucks about the insurance but I can't let that stop me I've been waiting too long it's time to make a move..... Thank You

I have a beautiful wife of 16 years, an awesome 12 year old son who has already earned his black belt in Taekwondo and plays football every season, and my baby girl my 15 year old daughter who is on traveling dance competition team and a red belt in Taekwondo.... God has truly blessed me with an amazing family.... I'm 38 years old 5'10" and weigh about 550lbs.... My breaking point... Was when my daughter asked me to be in a father daughter dance with her... I tried so hard going to her dance class learning the dane but its hard when you can barely stay on your feet 5 minutes without back pain and knees giving out... over the last few years i pretty much just sat on the sidelines of life watching my family experience life without me.... I'm hoping to get the sleeve in January of 15
Go Bears!!!

Thanks brother for sharing. ... I myself weigh around 550lbs and know all about sitting on the sidelines watching life pass me by... you're an inspiration.... Thank You Sir

They better

I paid $4500 in Puerto Vallarta with Dr. Juan Francisco Hidalgo he did my surgery at the CMQ Premiere Hospital. I stayed at the hospital for 2 nights and the whole trip was 5 nights and 6 days. The $4500 included the beach resort hotel. his website is www.weightlossteam.com

Oh noooooo! I hope they get to the bottom of this!

@@james1112, I was recently sleeved on 10/13 by Dr. John Pilcher in San Antonio, TX. When I first met Dr. Pilcher at my initial consult, i weighed over 500lbs. He gave me a small weight loss goal of about 16 pounds, which was easy to meet. I would strongly encourage you to reach out to him.
Another surgeon you may want to consider is Dr. David Syn, located in Lubbock, TX. He hosts informational seminars and has had experience with patients weighing 1,000 lbs.
Best of luck to you!

Thank You.... it does suck paying insurance premiums for years and the time I need it most they won't cover it because of where I live.... But it is what it is.... I'm no longer going to let this stop me....

Thank You.... it does suck paying insurance premiums for years and the time I need it most they won't cover it because of where I live.... But it is what it is.... I'm no longer going to let this stop me....