fernandfj

My high was 350, 331 at surgery 7/29/15 and 211 today!! I'm incredibly happy with the results and now focusing on wrapping my mind around where I am and how to stay here!

I told those closest to me. If someone asks, I also tell them I had bariatric surgery. I haven't shouted it out from the rooftops and I have refrained from trying to proselytize, especially with those that I know could benefit but aren't really considering it. I fully understand, however, those that keep it to themselves - this is a private, personal matter like most types of surgery and medical procedures. You have to find the path that makes you the most comfortable and stick to it.

Congratulations on the weight loss and changing to a more healthy lifestyle!

Patricia, welcome! I was sleeved at 51 and my only regret is not having done it earlier!

It sounds like you have met a very understanding person who already has recognized that there is apart of you that is very guarded. As suggested, if it comes up, or if you feel that this is becoming an obstacle, discuss it openly and honestly. The longer such things are kept hidden, the bigger an obstacle they become. Get it out of the way so you can move on. I've often found that when I worried about discussing something with someone close to me, the strain and stress of worrying about it was far far worse than any reaction that took place. Good luck and enjoy!

I've gone through a whole bunch of sizes over the past eight months and am now able to shop in stores I never used to even go into. I've tried to be very conservative in what I've bought and only buy enough clothes, especially work clothes, to allow me to go a week. I've spent a lot of time on ebay and online looking for the best deals as I don't want to spend much as I keep on going down. I started as a 50-52 waist and am now a 36 and my shorts have gone from 3XL to L (and L is now a bit loose. I can't wait until i stabilize and can actually think about a wardrobe as opposed to just buying the bare minimum required.

Good luck! It's really worth it. Just focus in on that. It may not seem like that today or over the next couple of weeks, but the health benefits - both physical and mental - are incredible. Stay the course and you will be very happy with the results!

Congratulations! You look great!

Congratulations- what a change! Thanks for inspiring us by posting the pics! Congratulations- what a change! Thanks for inspiring us by posting the pics!

Great job! You look fantastc - keep it up!

I had horrible pains in my back, knees and legs and when I saw an orthopedist they told me they wouldn't operate until I lost a considerable amount of weight. A physical therapist hold me that it was quite possible that with the weight loss from WLS my symptoms could disappear. I am eight and a half months post op, and the pains I felt are a memory. Once I lost about 75 lbs, the pains really subsided and after 100 they were gone (along with high blood pressure and sleep apnea). My knees are still damaged and my back still has hernias, but he weight loss has alleviated the pressure and the pain. This was the very best thing I could have done for my pain.

Great job! Congratulations!

I used to get the hiccups if I ate too fast a and a runny nose if i ate too much. I would also start salivating non stop if I ate too much. That was the worst. I quickly learned my limits and have managed to avoid this problem the last few months. Now my tummy just makes weird noises while I eat. It sounds like my stomach is rumbling and it is loud enough that anyone near me can also hear it. My wife, bless her heart, laughs it off, but it is a bit embarrassing when it happens outside of the house.

The only magic formula is to get your Protein, exercise and Water in. Your body will dictate the rest. The trend will be downward, although there will be lots of ups and downs along the way. You will stall, then you will lose. As long as you keep the faith and get your water and protein in, you will be trending the right way. Also, don't fret about the numbers - go by how you feel, clothing sizes, etc. I obsessed for months at first on the numbers and it only stressed me out. Once I accepted that I could control inputs - food, water, exercise, etc. but not how much or how fast I lost, I was able to relax a bit. At this point, I have none of my pre-surgery co-morbidities and I feel better than ever. Whatever number I end up at is just that, a number. What really matters are the major changes I have made in my eating and life-style that will allow me to stay healthy.

i make a protein/fruit smoothie every morning and have been doing so since surgery. I use berries, bananas, whatever fruit I have handy or PB-2 and cacao powder and sweeten when needed with splenda. I swear by them. I also blend veggies sometimes for a drink in the afternoons. I have a sleeve and have never had a problem with them.

I've lost a bit over 130 pounds in eight months and am now just starting to really see the difference in the mirror. Everyone around me commented how much I've lost, how I'm looking so much better, younger, etc, but I didn't see it. I felt it however, in the lack of pain in joints and my back, my increased activity and mobility, etc. Like everyone else who's commented above, it does take a while for the eyes and brain to really adjust to the new reality. Once you start seeing it, however, it reinforces your desire to keep going!

Congratulations! Keep up the great work!

Finally reached goal at just under 8 months. Before pic about 350, after 215.

Congratulations! Keep it up!

I've become a huge online sale shopper for work clothes especially. I've gone from a 50 to a 36 in pants, a 54 to a 44 in jackets and from 3XL to L in shirts. I am buying a new size every six or eight weeks and I buy the minimum possible that I could get away with at work. Its been a bit expensive but every time I hit a new size I feel like I won the lottery. It's so different buying clothes and having a problem because the size you chose is too BIG!!!!!!!

@@24601, Several endocrinologists I saw in the past and my present one have told me that I should not go by BMI because of my frame and bone density. They recommend that I go more by body fat, which right now is at about 20% which is well within the normal range for my age.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I very much appreciate the advice and support!

Congratulations! Keep up the great work!

I am one pound from my goal and can't believe it! I had surgery almost eight months ago and I hope to hit my goal weight by my eight month date. This has been quite a journey and I am happy about where I am. My real question is should I stop at a bit over 130 lbs lost or keep on gong? My weight loss has stabilized to 8-10 lbs a month and I am sure I could lose more. I also have some areas of my body that still need to lose weight, most notably my thighs. My surgeon suggests I lose another 10-15 lbs so when I inevitably bounce back, I will be where I want to be. I originally had set a goal of 225 and went right past it. Now I am closing in on 215, a weight I never thought I'd see again. I would be perfectly happy to stop here and maintain, but I wonder if I should let my body decide this for me.

Fantastic accomplishment. Thanks for the inspiration!