JaneJaneDoe

I started at 33 BMI and today (5.5 months post) I am 25.1 BMI.... almost in the healthy range! I have loved, loved this journey. I have never been depressed at all. I think I'm right on track and I have set my goal to settle in the 135-145 range (ideally 138). I believe I am right on track and so very happy I did this. I do exercise. I run/walk (and yoga). In the last twelve days, I have logged 41 miles. I think my running/walking/yoga has extremely helped my skin tighten. My cellulite in my legs has greatly improved and I'm actually wearing cute shorts this summer (first time wearing shorts in years!). Self pay $14,500.
Surgery: 12/31/14
High Weight: 195
Surgery Weight: 188
Today's Weight: 146 (weighed 145.8 after my run this morning)

I'm new to this site. Going to get sleeved on 6/15/2015. My story in a nut shell... I went from bikini model babe to eating my way to doubling my weight over the past 20 years. I am an expert diet pro. I have gained/lossed 80%/40% of my body weight respectively. I have done this more than I can count. My husband of 10 years met me as I was hitting a low weight 152. We've been married 10 years and I have ballooned up to 227. He has never treated me any different. I fought the deadliest form of breast cancer and so far 5.5 years out and I'm still alive. Now I really want to live!! But not at the fat, unhealthy weight I'm at now. I don't want to do anything or go anywhere and I hate the mirrors. So after considering this for 8 years now The Lord is blessing me with this opportunity. I don't know how to fill out profile. I hope to get to know some great people who can share this journey with me!????

After hearing so many nightmare stories of the band, I never even considered it. I do not regret having the sleeve done, it has allowed my diabetes to go into remission (which is the number one reason I did this surgery). I suggest you use the search feature (in the upper right-hand corner of the page) to find answers for this; so many have contributed, and many are finding what is right for them this way. Good luck to you!

Hi everyone, I love checking in and hearing about all the progress.
I have some good news, yesterday I got on the scale and including the 27lbs I lost pre-surgery, I have now lost 100lbs. Down from 310 at my heaviest (11/26/2014) to 283 at my surgery (1/20/2015) to 210lbs now. I am thrilled and so proud of myself. I'm tearing up just typing this. Anyway, keep up the great effort, we all go at a different pace but it seems like everyone here is making progress.
30lbs to go till my goal ????
My heaviest

Yesterday

Hay!
Jan 5th sleeved!
Doing great, feeling SOOO MUCH BETTER!!!
Here is my before and after so far.
Left was 2 weeks after surgery
Right was mid April, so I've lost some more since than, but started lifting weights too so I've been bouncing around the same weight.
But I'm excited!!
New pics to be coming soon since the wedding I'm in is June 19th!
But the dress is hot pink not blue!

In November 2013, before I had surgery, I posted this:
"Today was rough. I had to travel to DC for work - three *full* trains each way, crammed in like cattle (on two of them, standing room only and the escalators were broken almost everywhere). My boss is a runner so i spent most of the day trailing a few yards behind like some yappy little dog. Plus, since I don't normally have to dress up, I had to buy something appropriate. It's my own hangup, I know, but I always swore I wouldn't ever cross the line and buy elastic waist pants. Last night, I had to cave and buy elastic waist pants because nothing else fit right. I doctored up the outfit and felt about as cute as a 300 pound 5'3" 35 year old can feel, but it still hurt to buy those stupid pants."
Yesterday, I had to make the exact same trip. It was hot, and the AC kept going out on the trains - basically the same setup.
The difference? Over 80 pounds.
I kept up yesterday. Wore a dress *with a belt*! It didn't fit much better than last year's outfit, but that's because I bought it 2 weeks ago and it was getting too BIG already . I fit in all the seats, and I sure didn't last year - didn't even have to sit on one hip to avoid infringing on someone else's seat.
The best part? You know when you get on a train, you always try to find a row where you can sit alone if you can, and if not you scan for the best possible seatmate. Yesterday, more than once, I was chosen as the best option and people sat next to me when they had a choice to sit next to someone else. That NEVER happened before.
It doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but it's days like this that make up a life. Life is hard enough without having your body fight against you every step you take - the weight loss achieved from the sleeve has just made everything easier, and that's what I wanted it to do. I can't wait to see how things continue to change for me.

Stalls are real. We all have and will experience them. I know it's frustrating, but please do not let them discourage you. Just stay the course and the weight will come off... slowly. Stay positive and focus on your good eating and being active every day.

Stalls are real. We all have and will experience them. I know it's frustrating, but please do not let them discourage you. Just stay the course and the weight will come off... slowly. Stay positive and focus on your good eating and being active every day.

I completely understand how you feel and I am so happy you love your results! I am about 2 pounds bigger than you and people keep telling me I am tiny, or so small, or so skinny....and I look around and I'm like, wait, who me?? I also love the results I had after plastics and the abdominoplasty is still my favorite. It is SO COOL to not have to worry about a belly pooch when I'm wearing a tight dress or tight pants. I also had the posterior part done and it is also cool to not have to worry about having muffin top anywhere.
Enjoy your new figure! You've certainly earned it.

"Happy tears" I should have said in the title......
So I had my sleeve surgery in Sept of 2013 and reached my initial goal pretty quickly, maybe in 10 months. Then I realized that my "dream goal" was within reach. So I pushed a little further and eventually reached my "dream goal" of 125 pounds, which is about 155 pounds lost. It's been a crazy journey and I couldn't have done it without entering therapy with an amazing therapist to deal with my "food issues" which really aren't "food issues" if you know what I mean.
Anyway, I was approved about 6 weeks ago for a abdominoplasty & panniculectomy and a quick week and a half or so later was in surgery. It's been a struggle since then because I don't think I was quite prepared for the difficult recovery. Or maybe I just wanted it so badly I dismissed what I was hearing. Anyway. All is good now.
I had my 1-month post-op check up yesterday and my surgeon cleared me to start running again (YAY...not that I feel that I could yet...but...YAY) and said he was super pleased with how my incision was healing. Up until this point I had dermabond tape over my incision and I had to keep it "dressed" (covered in bandages and taped up) with binder on top. Everytime I showered or changed my dressing I made it a point not to look in the mirror because I kind of wanted a big reveal, you know? So at the appointment he removed everything and said I was good to go. Side note: I will still wear my binder for a bit longer because he had a LOT of ab muscle repair to do and I still feel pretty weak and just weird in there because sometimes I can feel the internal stitches poking a bit according to him, "because I'm so thin"....which is SO strange to hear someone say about me. Weirdest ever.
Anyway....so I rushed home, ran up to my bedroom to the full length mirror, took off my clothes and stood in the mirror crying my eyes out. It's so freaking amazing not to have all of that extra hanging skin there reminding me of who I used to be, and how I used to basically abuse myself with food. I couldn't believe it was me I was looking at. Totally overcome with emotion. I will always have a faint scar, and I'm glad because I never want to completely forget where I was lest I go back, but what a mental change for me to have that "excess baggage" gone. For the first time I "feel" thin.
I'm not brave enough to post before/after pics yet. I want the scar to heal a bit more. The surgeon said he take the 'after" pic at the 3 month appointment, so maybe then I'll post them. But for now..... I'll let you all have a peek at my new little belly button. It used to be a freaking canyon.....seriously..... Just this alone is such a confidence booster and change.
this whole journey has just been freaking amazing and now i need to figure out how just to maintain. No losing, no gaining.....just stay put.

254 June 2nd 2014 to 135 June 2nd 2015 119 pounds

What 100 pounds looks like

Never thought I would ever RUN a 5k, especially under 30 min. But here I am with a PR of 26 min 17 sec and winning 3rd place overall female. If I can do it....anyone can!!!

Today is my surgery anniversary. So glad I made this decision for myself!

Hello all!
So I had my real first OMG moment.
I went dress shopping for a wedding I'm in, left picture is 2 weeks after surgery, jan 19th and right picture was today! April 12th.
Same dress but 5 sizes smaller.
84 pounds down from
December 27th 2015.
I was blown away by the side by sides. I can't stop looking and smiling at this picture!! This is, by far, the best thing I have ever done for myself. Today...I'm very proud! ????????

Reading through these posts made me say, "I felt that way!" At eight days post-op, I vividly remember how I felt like I was starving. I remember telling my hubby how hungry I was and wondering if the doctor took out enough of my stomach. As soon as I started eating soft foods I felt much better. I think it must have something to do with eating Clear Liquids and your body is just craving substance. I'm now five months post and down over 40lbs. I love, love, love my sleeve and am ever so thankful for it. I will say, eat slow and learn your "full" point. I have only thrown up once... now I know my point. Good luck on your journey!

Reading through these posts made me say, "I felt that way!" At eight days post-op, I vividly remember how I felt like I was starving. I remember telling my hubby how hungry I was and wondering if the doctor took out enough of my stomach. As soon as I started eating soft foods I felt much better. I think it must have something to do with eating Clear Liquids and your body is just craving substance. I'm now five months post and down over 40lbs. I love, love, love my sleeve and am ever so thankful for it. I will say, eat slow and learn your "full" point. I have only thrown up once... now I know my point. Good luck on your journey!

Reading through these posts made me say, "I felt that way!" At eight days post-op, I vividly remember how I felt like I was starving. I remember telling my hubby how hungry I was and wondering if the doctor took out enough of my stomach. As soon as I started eating soft foods I felt much better. I think it must have something to do with eating Clear Liquids and your body is just craving substance. I'm now five months post and down over 40lbs. I love, love, love my sleeve and am ever so thankful for it. I will say, eat slow and learn your "full" point. I have only thrown up once... now I know my point. Good luck on your journey!

Reading through these posts made me say, "I felt that way!" At eight days post-op, I vividly remember how I felt like I was starving. I remember telling my hubby how hungry I was and wondering if the doctor took out enough of my stomach. As soon as I started eating soft foods I felt much better. I think it must have something to do with eating Clear Liquids and your body is just craving substance. I'm now five months post and down over 40lbs. I love, love, love my sleeve and am ever so thankful for it. I will say, eat slow and learn your "full" point. I have only thrown up once... now I know my point. Good luck on your journey!

Thanks everyone for you feedback/stories. Being a low BMI, I have just been wondering if there are others out there like me. There are; and it's good to know.
I am a 33 BMIer. I have struggled for ten years with yoyo dieting. Most recently I lost down to 155 and maintained it for about six months. Then ballooned back to 195. I had been prescribed phentermine by my endocrinologist, plus I was going to a boot camp at 5:30am M-F. After boot camp, I would come home and run 3+ miles. Then sometimes at night walk with my hubby. Some days I was exercising three hours a day! It's crazy to think about. I enjoy exercising, but should it really take three hours a day to maintain a normal BMI? And the phentermine gave me horrible headaches and kept me from sleeping at night. I know it was hard on my body. After gaining back the weight, I tried to do another round of phentermine, but I just hated taking the pill every day that gave me massive headaches and gave me horrible insomnia. I cried recently at the doctor because they now want me to do a sleep study... I snore horribly. I asked, "if the results are bad, where do we go from there?" The doctor said, "CPAP machine." I cried. I don't want to treat the symptoms of my problem. I want to treat the real underlying issue... the weight. So even though I am a low BMI, I feel it is worth the surgery to have a permanent solution for a real problem. I know if I am not proactive to get my weight under control, I will continue to balloon and become diabetic, on a CPAP machine, on blood pressure medicine, etc.
I have read some ridicule from those higher BMI folks aimed at low-BMIers for ever considering surgery. It seems odd that they are ridiculing because they have probably felt similar ridicule in their lifetimes from being an obese and/or morbidly obese person. I don't quite understand the judgment. That judgment has kept me from posting at times, but I am a lover, not a fighter. I certainly can look past it and find a "safe" place to continue my journey. Thanks for all the positive that I have found on these forums. I will say, the positive does outweigh (no pun intended) the negative; and that's what matters.
So low BMI people, continue to post and share! Thanks in advance!

@@tnkrrbl,
Just encouragement for you, I have similar stats to yours and am 4.5 months post-op. I started at 195lbs (highest weight), surgery at 188lbs. Today I weigh 151. I'm thrilled beyond words that I did the sleeve. My husband has been so encouraged that he is scheduled to have the sleeve in June. I yoyo dieted for years... can certainly lose the weight, just could never keep it off. I am highly motivated to keep the weight off and, now with my sleeve as a tool, I believe in myself and am taking the necessary steps to ensure my success. I hope you will look back and be happy with your decision too! Hang in there!

@@tnkrrbl,
Just encouragement for you, I have similar stats to yours and am 4.5 months post-op. I started at 195lbs (highest weight), surgery at 188lbs. Today I weigh 151. I'm thrilled beyond words that I did the sleeve. My husband has been so encouraged that he is scheduled to have the sleeve in June. I yoyo dieted for years... can certainly lose the weight, just could never keep it off. I am highly motivated to keep the weight off and, now with my sleeve as a tool, I believe in myself and am taking the necessary steps to ensure my success. I hope you will look back and be happy with your decision too! Hang in there!

I started at 32.3 BMI. Surgery 12/31/14 and no pre-op diet. Although I did lose 8 lbs pre-op on my own (weighed 195 on 12/5/14, then weighed 188 on 12/31/14 surgery day). I just decided on my own not to pig out over Christmas; I was working on changing my eating habits and working on my mental behaviors with food. Luckily I have had zero post-op depression or hard moments. Zero. I don't know if I can attribute that to working on that before or if I was simply just so, so, so ready to change. My journey has been nothing but positive. I am ecstatic that I did this. Zero regrets. Good luck to you on your journey; I wish you the best!

I started at 32.3 BMI. Surgery 12/31/14 and no pre-op diet. Although I did lose 8 lbs pre-op on my own (weighed 195 on 12/5/14, then weighed 188 on 12/31/14 surgery day). I just decided on my own not to pig out over Christmas; I was working on changing my eating habits and working on my mental behaviors with food. Luckily I have had zero post-op depression or hard moments. Zero. I don't know if I can attribute that to working on that before or if I was simply just so, so, so ready to change. My journey has been nothing but positive. I am ecstatic that I did this. Zero regrets. Good luck to you on your journey; I wish you the best!

Just an update from a low BMIer...
Surgery: 12/31/14
Height: 5'4"
Surgery Weight: 188lb
Today Weight: 176lb -- I lost 12lbs the first 12 days. Since then I've been on a stall. I'm fine with it, knowing my body will start dropping again soon... body is just adapting. A few people have noticed my face is slimmer... wearing big winter clothes doesn't help. I know as the temp warms, and the pounds continue to drop, more people will notice.
FOODS: I had Clear Liquids first week with no problem. I did have HUGE hunger on day 8... that was the same day as my post-op apt and Dr said I could start easing into real foods. I had refried Beans with some shredded cheddar and it was so yummy. I also had scrambled eggs. Yum. Since then (I'm on 16 days post-op now) I've had a big variety. I've had chicken (soft chicken that was in tortilla soup) and it went down FINE! I chewed slow and really small bites. I will say I had some grilled chicken on 14 days post-op and .... it was the first time I had to throw up. I think I just ate too quickly. Other than that I'm doing really well. Eating very healthy and not really ever hunger (just that one day at post op 8days). I have to be purposeful about my Water and Protein.
PHYSICAL: I feel GREAT! Other than some tired days during the first 8 days post, I feel great. I'm taking Calcium and mult Vitamin (purchased at my surgeon's office). My incisions feel great and I know it is just going to get better and better. I've been walking on the treadmill and outside. The furthest walk I've done is 2.3 miles. Felt great!
For those pre-op, I was SCARED to death and kept asking myself should I do this. Well, I am so very happy I did. I would do it again in a heartbeat! I was self pay (first dr appt was on 12/5/14 and surgery on 12/31/14... so this happened FAST). ONLY hubby knows! Since I'm a low BMI, I knew people would be really negative towards me having this surgery. They don't know my struggles. So, we are keeping it quiet. I was nervous about this, but now that I'm past the initial healing, I am so glad NO one knows. Hubby is thinking about doing the surgery too.
Hope this helps those of you considering the sleeve. Blessings!

@@JaneJaneDoe that's one of my worries...no one at my job knows and I want to keep it that way...
Praying all goes well for me and others on here.
Thanks for you all feedback!