failmenot

Highest weight: 330
Surgery weight: 320
Current weight: 231
Goal weight: 160
All I can say is this weight loss feels AMAZING!! The old me is coming back and ready for it all! This journey has had its ups and downs but the best part is seeing a better me

Thank you for sharing. I have 50 lbs. to lose and people say I'm crazy to have this surgery but my heart and mind tells me to do it. I'm 41 I've struggled with gaining and losing this weight the last 20 years. It's time to make a change. Keep up the great work!

Awesome job to everyone on their weight loss!!! This is an amazing tool and a life changing experience to us all

I dropped nearly all the weight by the 12 month mark. Since then, it's been a lot slower and had I been following the diet here in Europe, I'd have lost more (I've been here 3.5 months and only lost 8 pounds, but it's from all the physical activity, as I've been eating and drinking bad stuff like CRAZY and need to get back on board when I return home).
I had a lot of complications my first few months, hated food and developed an intolerance/nauseous reaction to almost everything, so the first 100 lbs were gone in less than six months. I'm a picky, fussy eater who never cooks and is very busy, so I just found the right foods and stuck to them hell or high Water, lol.
I rarely ate full meals during my first year because that simply didn't work for me (I'm so busy and always on the move). I just found the right combo of stuff at CVS/Walmart/gas stations (high protein/low carb nutrition bars, this special milk called Fairlife (it filters lactose and sugar out, Protein added, I used it like a Protein shake because regular Protein made me nauseous), Protein Gummies, fruit/veggies on the go (snack packs that would have sliced apples with yogurt/sugar free caramel, or diced watermelon, or carrots with Peanut Butter, etc), protein gummies, and TONS of cheese. I also eat fast food pretty often, but I limit it. Chili from Wendy's, hot dog with chili from checkers with only a tiny fraction of the bun, cheeseburger from mcdonalds with the bun pulled off, taco bell pretty consistently (I either get crunchy shell or peel away most of the flour tortilla).
I didn't do hardcore exercise (but between school, work and internship I was working 90-100 hours/wk), although I did walk everywhere. Walked as much as I could, because I knew I could sustain that.
My biggest tip is to BE REALISTIC about your preferences/likes/habits/behaviors. I didn't try to completely change myself, because I knew I'd fail if I tried to be one of these "make ten meals, freeze them in tupperware, use cauliflower crust and complicated healthy recipes and go to the gym every day" people. They are WONDERFUL, they are successful, but they are not me. So I tweaked/adjusted things, creating a plan I knew I could maintain. There wasn't really a wagon to fall off of. I still eat fast food, I just skip the fries and pull the bun/breading mostly off. If I want dessert or a snack, I indulge, taking a few bites and then toss the rest in the trash or give it to a friend. That way, I'm not obsessing over it, I've satisfied the craving, and I haven't binged/gone overboard.
In the end, you'll find what works best for you. You may be one of the people who takes great joy in completely changing everything, establishing brand new cooking/exercise routines for yourself, etc. Whatever the outcome, just find something you can LIVE with.

In my experience Converting from band to sleeve after having medical complications was truly life changing. Best of luck on your weight lose journey. Low BMIer Banded 04/2012 @ 190 lbs 5'1. Sleeved 10/2015 @154lbs now at my personal goal 128lbs as of 12/31/16.

@@atontor nice transformation, Congratulations, I'm in NYC too. Blessings for you.
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Hi everyone!
I had to search for some older pics because I never allow my picture to be taken, but I found a couple to put next to one from yesterday.
It will be a year post-surgery on Dec 30th and I made my first goal... 100lbs down from surgery day. Woooooooo!
I was 369 on surgery day and today I got 263lbs. I can't even believe it. I also had my one-year follow up with my doctor today and she was estatic with my progress. I went from a 58 BMI to 38 BMI. I has been a long journey and I'm no where near done, but I am, for the first time in a very, very long time, happy :')

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Amazing attitude !!
When someone asks you how much dead weight you have lost, add his weight and feel proud
Hugs
Kate

Getting ready for a wedding today. Figured I would take this shot and compare it to one I did about 6 years ago. I was indeed at my heaviest weight at the time. And I dont even need a belt to wear these pants.

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Here are my most recent "ahhhhhh I'm so proud of this journey" pictures! 6 pounds until I reach 150! I'm considering adjusting my goal to 140. Congrats everyone.

Thought I would update my current picture with one from the gym today.

Here is me at my heaviest, around 330.

Today was chest day and there was a moment with no one around so I sneaked a picture. Maintaining at around 200.
Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

Everyone looks amazing!!! I remember when I first signed up for this website to see what I was getting myself into. On September 11, 2014 I decided to have the sleeve done. My highest weight was 290 pounds. My surgery weight was 275 and my current weight today is 123. This was the best decision I have ever made! Wish I would've done it sooner!
  

-120 pounds and loving life! From a size 26 to a size 12. About 30 pounds to go...

Me and my lady at a wedding last weekend

July 2014 vs Now
And a huge NSV....actually having my picture taken on vacation and NOT hating it. Looking back thru old photos I was rarely photographed. Making up for that with my son now!
When I asked him who his favorite Disney princess is.....his answer was mommy. Best weekend away ever.

down 137lbs in 9 months. Weight loss is sooooo much slower now, but grateful that it's still going in the right direction!

Some days, I still see myself as the person on the left in the mirror but am finally starting to accept that's not who I am anymore through pictures. Such a hard thing to get past mentally. Here's to being under 20 pounds from goal. Loving my sleeve! #happierandhealthier
VSG 11/17/15 HW 244 SW 223 CW 153

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Here is my update
 
Craig Martinez
Austin, Texas

Got 32 pounds left to get to GW 180...

I had my one year follow-up appointment yesterday afternoon and could not be more pleased with the feedback I received and the results of my lab work! It's hard to believe it was slightly over a year ago that I embarked on the journey of WLS. I was and continue to be blessed by the support of my loving fiance who started his journey just 5 months earlier. Together we have lost over 250 lbs and have never felt better. I cannot wait for what the future has in store for us

Hard to believe these pictures were taken one year apart! My boyfriend had gastric bypass on August 1, 2013 and I was sleeved on January 15, 2014. Combined we have lost over 220lbs!
My boyfriend (6'0) -
SW: 340
CW: 198
Me (5'3) -
SW: 230
CW: 150

Well I haven't been on her for so long and it is good to read all of your posts! My surgery date was actually June 7, 2013 I have been out of town but for some reason I really wanted to share a little of my journey.
I started this journey actually 2 years before I had the surgery. It took me that long to make the decision that once I had my surgery I would never turn back to my old eating patterns. Making such a change to your body was something I took very seriously and played the head games for 2 years. You know..........You can do this just eat right, exercise stay with the program! I was at the gym 3 times a week and trying so hard. I managed to lose about 25 pounds then my mother passed away. I kept up the same routine same eating patterns and despite all I gained 10 pounds back and finally said "That's it!" I knew I needed the help and made the decision to have the surgery.
When I started the 2 weeks of liquid diet before surgery I had my answer to my biggest problem. I was a carbaholic that was the biggest insight into who I was and what was controlling me. I knew then and there I could no longer eat useless carbs. They were and are still a drug for me. Have you ever noticed when you eat a good piece of bread, cake, chip etc. it makes you want it more? It calls you from the cabinets and the frig......."I'm in here so close just come and have a few more!" Damn carbs!! I still fight this but know myself so well now I know what trigger foods to avoid and what I can treat myself with on an occasion. I am not anti carbs just the bad ones that pull you in. Avoid them!
I haven't been the best at exercising but I do go twice a week during the school year (I work at a high school) and swim and bike ride during the summer. My goal weight was 160 pounds and I had a secret goal of 150 pounds. I knew I was going to make the 160 because I wasn't changing my body without a good outcome if I could help it. The day of surgery I weighed 293 pounds and today I weigh 149 pounds. I have been able to maintain this weight pretty easily (no boasting) and am amazed and give all the glory to God and my sleeve! When I returned home from my 3 week trip I had only gained 7 pounds and knew it was mostly bloat. By the end of the first week home it was gone and I marveled at how helpful this surgery actually is!
To this day I still do not have hunger pains.........Thank the Lord!!! I know when my body is in need of food because I get an empty feeling or show signs of low blood sugar but that doesn't happen to often. Only if I am really really busy and honestly forget to eat. No eating disorder here.......no worries I still love my food!
My body definitely has wrinkles all over the place and one day when I win the lottery I will have some surgery to fix myself up. The funny thing is when I was on vacation and was carrying some Water weight the wrinkles in some areas were not as bad. This is how I knew it was Water weight. I missed my wrinkles and was happy to get them back because I felt back on track. Proof of being where I was supposed to be. Weird!! I still get a runny nose when I get full and can eat about 8 ounces on a really good day. I eat a high Protein diet with a lot of veggies and fruit. I have become a gluten free organic eater it made the difference for the last 5 pounds. I do love a Crown and diet organic coke or glass of wine. I didn't have a drink for about a year or more after surgery. This is one thing I caution everyone with. I quickly caught myself enjoying a drink in place of carb foods and put a stop to that. I thought well there is little calories and carbs in a Crown and diet coke so I will be okay and I didn't gain weight but drinking should just be kept at a minimum. You could easily fall into a really bad habit. For some reason eggs are still hard for me to eat I can't eat more than 2 on a really good day. What is up with that? Scrambled eggs........Really!!
I take my Vitamins religiously and my blood work has come back great.......very grateful! One of my favorite treats is a cup of coffee with my half of a Premiere Protein Drink and some hazelnut Creamer. It's a great middle of the day treat.
I am still the person I was before surgery but with more confidence, self awareness and energy. I will protect this new person and body with all vigilance. The true answer to this surgery is getting to know the authentic self, recognizing your triggers and fixing them. Be it personal issues or food issues such as mine. Easier said then done I realize this full on. When I was on the liquid diet I put a whole new spin on being a bitch............My family was ready to run away! Every once in awhile I will go to a restaurant that overwhelms me and I tear up and get mad but I do not stray from my eating patterns. I know myself......... I would rather be mad for a few minutes than go down that slippery slope of gradual weight gain from getting addicted to carbs again.
This was pretty long so if you hung in there and read the whole thing........Thank you!! I'm not perfect by a long shot and I'm sure there are some that would criticize. Please don't this is my life and I am feeling pretty darn good about it. I wish each and every one of you the best and brightest of outcomes!!!!

Down 160# and never felt better!
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