rnsamantha

I was sleeved 6/25/15. These are my first before and afters! I have lost 105 lbs, down from a size 20-22W to a 10 in 6 months. Working out 5 days/week and I have adjusted my goal to try and lose 13 more lbs for a goal of 160 lbs!

I had to buy new belts because my old ones got too big!

I had to buy new belts because my old ones got too big!

The first time I mentioned weight loss surgery to my husband was when I went for a lapband consult about 2 years ago. He expressed that he felt I could lose the weight if I stuck to a diet and exercise program. So I worked with a personal trainer, did low carb and lost 50 lbs to get down to 200 lbs (still overweight)....and then I gained all back plus 30 more lbs over the next year. When I told him I was going to pursue gastric sleeve, he was a little concerned, but overall very supportive. I think seeing me make a concerted effort (one of many failed weight loss attempts) and simply ending up even heavier than before helped reinforce to him that I really could not do it on my own with any long term success. Now I'm 6 months post sleeve, down 105 lbs, and for the first time in my adult life an almost "normal" BMI of 25.5. As a side note, I'm also very happy I didn't get the band as when I went for my consultation this time around the general perception towards the band had really changed in terms of potential complications.

The first time I mentioned weight loss surgery to my husband was when I went for a lapband consult about 2 years ago. He expressed that he felt I could lose the weight if I stuck to a diet and exercise program. So I worked with a personal trainer, did low carb and lost 50 lbs to get down to 200 lbs (still overweight)....and then I gained all back plus 30 more lbs over the next year. When I told him I was going to pursue gastric sleeve, he was a little concerned, but overall very supportive. I think seeing me make a concerted effort (one of many failed weight loss attempts) and simply ending up even heavier than before helped reinforce to him that I really could not do it on my own with any long term success. Now I'm 6 months post sleeve, down 105 lbs, and for the first time in my adult life an almost "normal" BMI of 25.5. As a side note, I'm also very happy I didn't get the band as when I went for my consultation this time around the general perception towards the band had really changed in terms of potential complications.

I had to buy new belts because my old ones got too big!

I always eat breakfast. Generally 4-5 oz triple zero vanilla Greek yogurt with about 1 oz berries on top or a RTD Premier Protein shake. My surgeon always advocates getting your Protein in food forms rather than relying on shakes, but I still do 1 per day since they're convenient and delicious!

I always eat breakfast. Generally 4-5 oz triple zero vanilla Greek yogurt with about 1 oz berries on top or a RTD Premier Protein shake. My surgeon always advocates getting your Protein in food forms rather than relying on shakes, but I still do 1 per day since they're convenient and delicious!

174.9 this week for me. Merry Christmas everyone!!

Today at the gym a woman I've never met approached me and said "I've seen you in a class we take together over the last couple of years, and I just wanted to let you know you look amazing". Seriously made my day! I'm 5 months out.

If it weren't for dairy products I would likely starve (or at least I would have in the first few months postop). I eat 1-2 cheese strings daily, Greek yogurt every morning for Breakfast, and my daily Protein contains milk. 6 months out and hit my goal weight this morning! 103 lbs lost, so I'm going to keep eating dairy here!!

I was worried about long term malabsorption and Vitamin deficiencies with bypass, so I elected for the sleeve. My surgeon said I was a good candidate for either (my initial BMI was 41)

I was worried about long term malabsorption and Vitamin deficiencies with bypass, so I elected for the sleeve. My surgeon said I was a good candidate for either (my initial BMI was 41)

Also to clarify, you still need to take Vitamins following gastric sleeve, and there is still potential for deficiencies with both sleeve and bypass. For me personally, I perceived the sleeve as having a lower risk for malabsorption because it did not involve bypassing a portion of my small intestine. Bottom line: there's benefits and risks to both surgeries.

If it weren't for dairy products I would likely starve (or at least I would have in the first few months postop). I eat 1-2 cheese strings daily, Greek yogurt every morning for Breakfast, and my daily Protein contains milk. 6 months out and hit my goal weight this morning! 103 lbs lost, so I'm going to keep eating dairy here!!

I was afraid to lose and to be honest, my surgeon advised me not to lose to much during my 6 month supervised diet. Subsequently, I only "lost" 6 lbs in 6 months which brought my BMI down to 40 (and for that last weigh in I kept my phone, keys, heavy necklace etc. all on!) I think it depends on your insurance. In the end I had mild sleep apnea on the required sleep study, which meant I met the "comorbid condition" requirement so my BMI could be 35+. I have Meritain insurance.

I was worried about long term malabsorption and Vitamin deficiencies with bypass, so I elected for the sleeve. My surgeon said I was a good candidate for either (my initial BMI was 41)

I was worried about long term malabsorption and Vitamin deficiencies with bypass, so I elected for the sleeve. My surgeon said I was a good candidate for either (my initial BMI was 41)

I was afraid to lose and to be honest, my surgeon advised me not to lose to much during my 6 month supervised diet. Subsequently, I only "lost" 6 lbs in 6 months which brought my BMI down to 40 (and for that last weigh in I kept my phone, keys, heavy necklace etc. all on!) I think it depends on your insurance. In the end I had mild sleep apnea on the required sleep study, which meant I met the "comorbid condition" requirement so my BMI could be 35+. I have Meritain insurance.

I was worried about long term malabsorption and Vitamin deficiencies with bypass, so I elected for the sleeve. My surgeon said I was a good candidate for either (my initial BMI was 41)

I was worried about long term malabsorption and Vitamin deficiencies with bypass, so I elected for the sleeve. My surgeon said I was a good candidate for either (my initial BMI was 41)

I was worried about long term malabsorption and Vitamin deficiencies with bypass, so I elected for the sleeve. My surgeon said I was a good candidate for either (my initial BMI was 41)

I was worried about long term malabsorption and Vitamin deficiencies with bypass, so I elected for the sleeve. My surgeon said I was a good candidate for either (my initial BMI was 41)

178.1 this morning up a bit.

Today at the gym a woman I've never met approached me and said "I've seen you in a class we take together over the last couple of years, and I just wanted to let you know you look amazing". Seriously made my day! I'm 5 months out.