Stella S

I had lap band surgery in 2010 and went from 350 lbs to 174 lbs. I kept the weight off for a couple years and then slowly I began to put on pound after pound. This past Summer I was back up to 265 lbs. I felt worse than I did when I was 350 lbs. I decided I had had enough was taking back control of my life. I changed my entire way of life on August 24, 2015. I began eating healthy again and focusing on lean Proteins and lots of vegetables and tons of water!! I started exercising again and went back to the gym (That I had been paying for every month and not using!) and worked out for 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week. This past Monday morning -2/15/2016; the scale was back down to 195. I have lost 70 lbs so far and would like to lose around another 10. I've had a few moments along the way when I started to fall back into my old habits (I've got a massive sweet and salty tooth and I love my candy and snack foods.) I've eaten a few things I know I shouldn't have but then it hits me a few bites in, doing that is what put me back in the place I was. I don't want to go back there again. I will continue to work hard to not go back there. I'm sure everyone has heard that lap band is not a magic tool that will make or keep you thin. That is very true. I know from personal experience exactly what I can eat to work around the band and I also saw what doing that did to me. I'm feeling great again! I'm getting compliments again from friends, co-workers and even people at the gym! I'm able to go to the mall stores again and shop for the clothes that I want and they actually fit and look pretty good on me .
You can lose the weight again. It is possible. You are not a failure. Losing weight is one of the hardest things in the world to do. You lost it once so you know you can do it. You know you have the power in you to do it again. You just need to look deep inside yourself and be honest about what made you gain the weight back. You may have stumbled along the way but you just need to pick yourself back up and get back on track. It's easier than you think. Remember this quote that I keep on my office wall - "To get through the hardest journey, we need take only step at a time, but we must keep stepping." I take each day as it comes now and focus on what I can do that day to help me achieve my goals. Don't think about the future. Think about today and how you feel at this very moment and what you can do to make you feel your very best at this very moment!

I have lost ninety five pounds, thirty before surgery and sixty five afterwards. While that is not as much as some and I still want to lose twenty more I am happy. I have gone from a size 28 down to a size 16/18. I feel healthier and happier, I was pre diabetic and I had high blood pressure. I have neither of those issues today. I can also get on the floor and get back up. I can walk a mile and more and I feel pretty. A good accomplishment for a year.

Oh, and one other major accomplishment, I am able to get down on the floor to play with a five year old, and get back up again.

Now the hardest thing is deciding what to buy because when you do shop, everything fits and everything looks good. Haven't done that in 30 years. It's an amazing feeling. Instead of buying that one thing that looks the least unattractive, buying many things that look GREAT!

Thanks everyone, I guess my main concern regarding tattoos is due to the large one on my back, it goes from my mid-back to partly down my cheeks taking up just short of half of my back., It's not my only tattoo but the one I'm more curious about possibly changing.

@@Spiceyfrog you are my hero. thank you for having the generosity of spirit to share your story and your pictures to help and educate this community.

All the surgeons seem to think I would only be happy with implants I did not want the hassle or the expense of having to replace them every 6 to 10 years. Mine have been reconstructed I went from an F to a B or C cup. Find a PS that listens to you.

I have stuck with Razorbacks from Patagonia and Razorbacks from under armor I went from about an F To now C. I always choose extra firm hold to minimize the chicle. I run

I am having an Inverted T Tummy Tuck on April 21st. I'm very excited and extremely nervous. I'm 43 and a mother of five children. I have had three c sections, one on the pelvic line and two up and down the stomach. I'm overweight with it all being in my belly. I met up with my surgeon and agreed he could make me have a flat belly with a curve again. I have looked at numerous before and after pics and videos of stories. Do's and don't and care afterward. I would appreciate any advice. I have cut out all caffeine and chocolate. I have also started working out. I have had a previous back surgery so I am limited. I'm working mostly my arms and some excercises for the lovely back fat. ? I have added my current pic. It isn't pretty but it is real! Can't wait to have a waist again!

All the surgeons seem to think I would only be happy with implants I did not want the hassle or the expense of having to replace them every 6 to 10 years. Mine have been reconstructed I went from an F to a B or C cup. Find a PS that listens to you.

It is scary. Anytime someone cuts on you it is normal to have fear. It is a giant decision By surgery was almost 2 years ago. Simply put have my life back.

It is scary. Anytime someone cuts on you it is normal to have fear. It is a giant decision By surgery was almost 2 years ago. Simply put have my life back.

Clever! I had taken pillows from my spare room bolsters from my gym and other pillow type stuff from the home. I think people make it work with what they have or what they get

Enjoy! I like the tight skin where I can not grab the inside of bones! I had not heard of bariatric MD doing tucks new information for me!

I am so glad!!! Great picks! Enjoy

It's a great feeling I still wear a bra but the fact I could go without is a great feeling. No implants either

Burn that bra! I wish I could burn mine. I think I've worn a bra nonstop for the last 40 years. It must be great to be able to go without one.

Burn it!!! I just picked up a little dress and for the first time in my life plan on going without a bra. Friday will be date night and the cold well definitely not stop a little bit of show off!

I have had read that as well and find it to be true. It has been said that today Maryland Monroe would now be between a 0 and 8 but was size US 12 or UK 16 I so wish women's clothes were size by inches or centimeters like men options.

I was a 38 G went to a 30 F but lost all density. Ditto my bum. Now I have perky 30 b - c with a plum bum to match after PS returning the hour glass - just smaller!


Stella

Be excited! Read and try many options. Information! As for the bathroom - I urinated more but limited dairy to reduce the other - no easy task but their are enough soy Protein sources available. Also I kept my medical team at the top of my text list !


Stella

We are close timelines. I had LBL with full TT. Breast and bum reconstruction with my own tissue I am having fun!!
Stella

@@_Kate_ Did someone say boobs..... lol. Kate they look amazing. Your PS did a great job. At the time i did my TT i was going to do breast reduction and lift... but i was talked out of it. I guess i should be happy that they still look pretty good considering a 100lbs loss..... I started out at a 44G-H.... Now im a 34H....

Excellent!!! Nice to have things where they belong!
Stella

I self paid for sleeve 18 k. I have a lower body left wit bum using my own tissue. This included TT with muscle repair. I had breast deconstruction and reconstruction with my own tissue. I did not want to replace implants each 6 or 8 years. It was 23 k. Both procedures I went with MD and facilities that were comfortable for me. I did get cheaper quotes but wanted to be confident. This body has been through a lot. ☺
Stella