mlbdl

I've been watching but I'm a few episodes behind. Whatever her motives may have been, I think there is also so much we are not seeing, TV creates alternate reality. My husband and I have noticed that in some scenes she even appears to be wearing prosthesis to make her look large so I'm pretty sure they went back and filmed scenes after she had already lost the weight. Having her do it to make her ex husband jealous is more interesting to the common viewer than for her to have the surgery for health benefits. Plus we already have a show based in that idea (My 600 pound life). I think it isn't our place to judge her based on what we see on TV alone, Reality TV is the farthest thing from Reality.
I commend her for having the surgery and losing the weight. I hope this sets an example for her daughter who are all overweight except the oldest one who lives on her own. Hopefully they see their mother slimmer, happier and in better health and chose to make changes in their lives. Especially the youngest one, she is very large for her age and if she doesn't change now she will be heading down a slippery slope.
As for the skin surgery, should she have waited, yes! But I also think she was at a point where a surgeon felt comfortable doing it and unless we were in the room with that doctor we can't really know much more than we are shown.

Well.....Happy New Year? I can't believe I haven't posted since December! This is the first time I've posted here in 2017! I guess as time goes on, you just kind of adjust to the new "normal" and it because less "new" if that makes sense. That's probably why you don't see as many people 3+ years post op on the online forums. You just kind of settle into the new routine and you don't have to work at it as much to maintain.
Here are some recent pics. One is just me and the other two are with my daughter (I'm the one on the right in both). I also have lots of pictures before/after surgery and Tummy Tuck in my blog (themeiamnow.blogspot.com).
So...where am I now? I am 3 years and 7 months post op. I have lost and maintained the loss of 128 pounds. I am up about 15 pounds from my lowest post op weight. The story on that.....I became extremely anemic and wasn't able to really exercise or watch what I ate. I was just in survival mode. So, I gained about 20 pounds back. After getting well, I lost about 5-9 of that regain (depending on the day and time of the month) and I realized something. I definitely could get back to my lowest post op weight. But it would be through the religious carb and Protein counting that I did right after surgery. For me, with my eating disordered brain, that is a dangerous way to live. It's way to easy to let that take control and become too obsessive if you have a history of anorexia in your past.
So, through much therapy and taking control of my life situations I've realized something very important to my journey. I am enough just the way I am. I do not always have to struggle with my body and obsess over my weight. I eat mindfully and I generally watch my carb and protein intake, but I do not obsess over them. I've decided that I will stay right where I am. I have no desire to kill myself to maintain 120 pounds, when I can easily and comfortably maintain 135-140 without killing myself, eating somewhat "normally" and feeling good in my skin. So, I would say I've been in that range steadily for the past year and half with very little effort.
To anyone starting out on the journey, I would say that the biggest contributor to my success (and I can say with confidence now that it IS a success) was dealing with the emotional eating and dealing with the underlying reasons that I was binge eating. Once I took care of that, I had no more reason to abuse my body with food.
It was NOT easy. I had to be committed to make the difficult decisions to end the relationships that needed to end, to draw the boundaries that needed to be drawn, and to face some demons that were easier to just ignore. But I can honestly say, I'm entering a time in my life where I feel happier, freer, and healthier physically and emotionally than ever before!

I felt the same way you did, and I'm much older. I'm 9 months out now, and I wish I had done this at least 10 years ago. But maybe I wouldn't have been ready then. But, if I had done it 10 years ago AND everything went as well as it has now, I would have had 10 years back of my youth that I lost. 10 years of my mental health not screwing with me now. Some people will take offense to that but I'm just talking about myself. Knowing what I know now, and knowing that statistics say the VSG is safer than gall bladder surgery, I regret not doing it sooner. BUT you have to do all your due diligence and make your own decision. I definitely had my fears, even 2nd thoughts, even a few months out. But NO REGRETS for me now. I've also had no complications. Bumps in the road? Yes. Things to work out in my head? Yes. Regrets? No. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Who are you - or me - to decide who is doing weight loss "right"? How is this Mama June any more the "face of WLS" than, let's say Graham Elliott? Mama June's journey doesn't negatively impact my journey and I hope it doesn't negatively impact yours either.

When you're called someone else's name and it's a skinny person instead of one of the other big people you're usually confused with (and look nothing like, not even hair color)!

OMG bony butt!! Yaasss! Mine hurts all the time now! And eyeing sizes? Forget it!

I felt the same way you did, and I'm much older. I'm 9 months out now, and I wish I had done this at least 10 years ago. But maybe I wouldn't have been ready then. But, if I had done it 10 years ago AND everything went as well as it has now, I would have had 10 years back of my youth that I lost. 10 years of my mental health not screwing with me now. Some people will take offense to that but I'm just talking about myself. Knowing what I know now, and knowing that statistics say the VSG is safer than gall bladder surgery, I regret not doing it sooner. BUT you have to do all your due diligence and make your own decision. I definitely had my fears, even 2nd thoughts, even a few months out. But NO REGRETS for me now. I've also had no complications. Bumps in the road? Yes. Things to work out in my head? Yes. Regrets? No. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

I felt the same way you did, and I'm much older. I'm 9 months out now, and I wish I had done this at least 10 years ago. But maybe I wouldn't have been ready then. But, if I had done it 10 years ago AND everything went as well as it has now, I would have had 10 years back of my youth that I lost. 10 years of my mental health not screwing with me now. Some people will take offense to that but I'm just talking about myself. Knowing what I know now, and knowing that statistics say the VSG is safer than gall bladder surgery, I regret not doing it sooner. BUT you have to do all your due diligence and make your own decision. I definitely had my fears, even 2nd thoughts, even a few months out. But NO REGRETS for me now. I've also had no complications. Bumps in the road? Yes. Things to work out in my head? Yes. Regrets? No. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

When you rest your face on your hand and it is uncomfortable because you can feel the bones in your face now as well as your arms and shoulders. Odd feeling, but a good thing.

When you don't have to worry if Chairs are "big people" friendly.

When sales people in "regular sized" clothing stores actually come up to you and smile knowing you are a very potential customer.

When you look in the mirror and have to look twice and then realize omg that's me... Damn I look good! ???? This happened to me in a store. Lol

LOL! I got my first "daaaaamn, girl!" last week.

I'm sure he does a great job and you'll be very happy with the outcome. Just follow the program and you'll be fine. For me, the gas was the worst part. The posts here about what to bring to the hospital were so useful. If you haven't seen those, you might want to do a search. Having an extension cord for phone charging was key. Also having a pillow in the car for the ride home was a huge help. One of my friends recommended having small cups of liquids and Jello ready to go, like the paper or plastic cups you might use in a bathroom. It worked great for me, especially just being able to eyeball portions. Good luck!!

When I was researching south Florida doctors, his name and hospital ever came up. I used Dr. Wizman in Margate. My surgery was supposed to be at Northwest but he had a falling out the day before, so it was moved to Coral Springs. I live in Delray. The patients in the support groups are fantastic. The nurse that runs the general support group, Sandy, is wonderful. The RD that has the monthly lecture comes from Cleveland Clinic and she's amazing, too. I also strongly considered CC but it was just too far and their support groups are very inconvenient from a time perspective. I wish you the best with your search. Let me know if you have any questions.

Celebrating my first mini victory. Stepped on the scale this morning and finally broke out of the threes. Weighed in at 299.6. Haven't been under 300 in at least 5 years. My weight has always been a roller coaster but when I crossed back over 300 years ago it was really depressing for me.
When I first started this journey in May 2016 I climbed back up to 354 lbs. I'm only 3 weeks post-op as of tomorrow, and despite having a bumpy journey the first two weeks I'm so thrilled to see the progress. I've lost 18 lbs since surgery and a total of 36 lbs since starting the two week pre-op diet. I'll take a 36 lb loss in 5 weeks!

Long way to go yet but excited for the rest of the journey!

Congrats!! You're inspiring me! We're the same size and I'd like to get my arms done and breasts lifted. Do you mind saying how long it's been since you had your Bariatric surgery? Mine was 6/30/16, and I'd be surprised if I lose anymore weight. I'm feeling pretty good where I am.

I know how you feel. It's not right, and it wasn't her story to tell. I've had it happen to me at work. One person in particular approached me in a gossipy manner (I'll spare you the details on what I mean by that) and said, "So looks like that surgery worked for you." Now I know I never told her. I responded, "Oh? Do you know that I had surgery firsthand?" She didn't understand what I meant. I asked her if she heard that through gossip or directly from me. Then I just stared at her. She got the message and slinked away. She's not a nice person, never been my confidant, has one of the biggest mouths in the company, and I don't think I've ever heard a kind word or tone come out of her mouth. I don't feel bad for not acknowledging that I really had surgery. She could take whatever she wanted from my answer. She would do that regardless of what I said.

I know how you feel. It's not right, and it wasn't her story to tell. I've had it happen to me at work. One person in particular approached me in a gossipy manner (I'll spare you the details on what I mean by that) and said, "So looks like that surgery worked for you." Now I know I never told her. I responded, "Oh? Do you know that I had surgery firsthand?" She didn't understand what I meant. I asked her if she heard that through gossip or directly from me. Then I just stared at her. She got the message and slinked away. She's not a nice person, never been my confidant, has one of the biggest mouths in the company, and I don't think I've ever heard a kind word or tone come out of her mouth. I don't feel bad for not acknowledging that I really had surgery. She could take whatever she wanted from my answer. She would do that regardless of what I said.

I know how you feel. It's not right, and it wasn't her story to tell. I've had it happen to me at work. One person in particular approached me in a gossipy manner (I'll spare you the details on what I mean by that) and said, "So looks like that surgery worked for you." Now I know I never told her. I responded, "Oh? Do you know that I had surgery firsthand?" She didn't understand what I meant. I asked her if she heard that through gossip or directly from me. Then I just stared at her. She got the message and slinked away. She's not a nice person, never been my confidant, has one of the biggest mouths in the company, and I don't think I've ever heard a kind word or tone come out of her mouth. I don't feel bad for not acknowledging that I really had surgery. She could take whatever she wanted from my answer. She would do that regardless of what I said.

I know how you feel. It's not right, and it wasn't her story to tell. I've had it happen to me at work. One person in particular approached me in a gossipy manner (I'll spare you the details on what I mean by that) and said, "So looks like that surgery worked for you." Now I know I never told her. I responded, "Oh? Do you know that I had surgery firsthand?" She didn't understand what I meant. I asked her if she heard that through gossip or directly from me. Then I just stared at her. She got the message and slinked away. She's not a nice person, never been my confidant, has one of the biggest mouths in the company, and I don't think I've ever heard a kind word or tone come out of her mouth. I don't feel bad for not acknowledging that I really had surgery. She could take whatever she wanted from my answer. She would do that regardless of what I said.

I know how you feel. It's not right, and it wasn't her story to tell. I've had it happen to me at work. One person in particular approached me in a gossipy manner (I'll spare you the details on what I mean by that) and said, "So looks like that surgery worked for you." Now I know I never told her. I responded, "Oh? Do you know that I had surgery firsthand?" She didn't understand what I meant. I asked her if she heard that through gossip or directly from me. Then I just stared at her. She got the message and slinked away. She's not a nice person, never been my confidant, has one of the biggest mouths in the company, and I don't think I've ever heard a kind word or tone come out of her mouth. I don't feel bad for not acknowledging that I really had surgery. She could take whatever she wanted from my answer. She would do that regardless of what I said.

I can so relate to being the only fat one, the only fat one in a family who likes to talk about fat people, and I can relate to the pain that comes through in your post. I I don't know if this will help at all, but it has certainly helped me. (I should say I have not been sleeved yet, probably late May or early June for me, and I have been the fat one for as long as I can remember.)
What has helped me tremendously is to remember that I am worth just as much as those people, my struggle has been different but has most certainly earned me the right to have the sun on my shoulders just as much as they have the sun on theirs. I hope you are able to allow yourself to be comfortable, especially knowing that you are taking charge.
OK, here's the thing that has helped me so much as I have moved towards releasing the fat and have decided to have the surgery: There are a lot of gifts buried under this fat. A lot of gifts that I never really thought about it until I was in my 40s. Being the "fat one", I am also the one who truly knows who the nice people are. My thin and "traditionally beautiful" friends tend to be treated much better than I am. On the surface, that seems incredibly hurtful… I know. But, I have the benefit of knowing that the people who treat me well regardless of my looks are the good people. In fact, it's one of the gifts that I am not looking forward to giving up. being the "fat one", I have had a chance to observe so many things, and to identify the places where kindness is needed, because as so many of us know, we become kind of invisible sometimes, ironic as that sounds. I would like to think I have as much compassion as I would if I had the experience of being traditionally beautiful, but I think people who are traditionally beautiful don't see the subtle things the fat ones do. I am not sorry to have had this experience.
Of course no one can say for sure, but I would suspect your MIL is going to think what she's going to think anyway, and in my humble opinion, the way to work with these people is to have as much fun as possible despite what they may or may not be thinking and saying. They're going to think and say it anyway, might as well show them that you are so much more than the fat one.
Sorry about the long post, what I hope for you is that maybe this time before surgery can be a time to gather the gifts gained by being the fat one, and perhaps to go out there on a limb and have some fun in the body you have now :-) if you need pep talks while you are away, message me! [emoji254][emoji93][emoji173]🦋

Consider this. The six months are going to pass anyway. If you give up, you'll be no better off than when you started but six months older and probably the same weight. If you continue, the six months will still be behind you but all the benefits of the surgery will be available for you to make the most of.

Like others that have suggested using this time to start implementing some of the post-surgery habits, I found that to be helpful. It made the first few weeks easier to adjust.

Good luck. It was SO worth it for me. I wish the same for you!