LizzieBeezWax

It happened to me, too. Don't fall at the first hurtle!! Keep pushing!

You guys will do great! Good luck everyone!!

Everyone here has nailed it. I started at 305 day of surgery, and lost about 150 in a year. But while everyone shares their own story the important thing is to not compare your success to anyone else. Do what the doctor tells you, Celebrate little goals, and don't beat yourself up when you make mistakes. Hang in there!! Stick with it and you'll do great!

Thanks everyone! Your support means the world...

Everyone who knows me knows how close I am to my mom. She is my sounding board, my confidant, my cheerleader. For as long as I remember she’s told me: “All I want is for you to spread your wings fly.” She’s wanted me to fly, told me to fly, done all she can to help me fly. Before, I didn’t realize how out of control I was – of my life, of my destiny, of my world, and of the world around me. I did not realize how little, we as people, have control of. I didn’t realize how very young I was compared to how old I felt. I did not realize it Before. Not until After did I understand life makes us no promises. I did not realize that nothing last forever – not really. In my wide-eyed, naiveté I did not realize the fragility of life and of people – not really. I didn’t understand (truly understand) that strongest of us fall. That othing last forever. That came into sharp focus on November 14, 2014. In September 2014, I was 24-years-old and over 300 pounds. I wasn’t happy, but I wasn’t miserable. I was cute, but I was safe. I was the funny one, the extrovert, the wingman to skinnier, prettier friends. I was comfortable. I was invisible. I was fun in social situations. I could laugh at myself – or lash out if I needed to. I had job I enjoyed, family and friends I loved, and I had just started graduate school. My life was going somewhere. I was going somewhere. My heart was shattered on September 28, 2014. My father was rushed to the hospital for pneumonia. Or so I thought. “I have lung cancer,” he told me. His voice shook in a very un-Frank Meyer way. But cancer is not something that would happen to my family. It would only happen to others less fortunate than I. By the time he died sex weeks later, we knew it had spread to his brain and his bones. He had one treatment and never got out of bed. I did not realize before the black, acidic six-letter word left his mouth how out of control I was. Not until I was helping my 62-year-old mother care for my dying father in home hospice. Not until I watched him deteriorate of the course of 6 weeks, while attending school at night and working full-time. Not until finally watching him die 3 days after my 25th birthday. Not until I heard the faceless ghosts leave my home with the shell of what used to be my father in a bag at eleven at night. Not until I truly lost what was important – something I could never get back – did I understand. Before my world was pulled from under me I had considered weight loss surgery, though never seriously. Monday, December 29th, 2014, I had my first appointment. “I want you to fly,” my mother told me. But I was too fat to fly. Because even in grief, I was furious with my father. He was my rock, my constant – but he was not a healthy person. He ate poorly his entire life and he smoked for forty years (two thirds of his). Even today, I am hurt and angry that for eleven years of my life he chose to slowly kill himself. At no point did he look at me – his daughter and only child – and think I was worth more than these choices? Did the food and the cigarettes mean more to him than I did? Rationally, I understand my dad did not abandon me. But he is not here. Rationally, I understand that I am now 26, an adult and in control of my future. But there are times when I am 5 years old and begging him to come back. My father was 66 when he passed. I never thought of 33 as being middle-aged. At 25, I was not going to by middle-aged at 12. July 20, 2015 I had gastric sleeve surgery. There are things in this world worth fighting for. My own health is work fighting for. My own happiness is worth fighting for.I am worth fighting for “I want you to fly,” my mother told me. And I know now my feet will never touch the ground again.

New York Born. Philadelphia Raised.

First of all be PROUD of those 36 pounds. Go pick up a 36-pound bag of dirt/seed and tell me it's not a lot You're going great!! That's extraordinary!! I know post-op, I was told to hit 80 grams of Protein, but I'm 5-7. It also varies from men to women. Keep going!

hair loss isn't as terrible or drastic as it sounds. Protein, Protein, PROTEIN!!! Plus, remember the people who are the loudest online are the ones who are angry. People go online to complain. Look hard enough and I'm sure some nut who's accused their surgeon of removing their stomach. lol Take everything with a grain of salt. You'll do great!!

First of all CONGRATS!! It's exciting! Allow yourself to he happy about this! I have 3 pieces of advice for anyone undergoing this surgery: 1. Be fiercely protective of yourself. Don’t let ANYONE stand in your way. We become overweight because we’ve put others needs before our own. Get selfish if you have to! What you’re doing is for YOU and you should be proud of that 2. Follow Doctors orders to the letter. Protein, fluids, exercise, dietary restrictions – do exactly as he says. And take advance of the first 6 months! It’s when weight loss is most rapid. Celebrate the little accomplishments. (I cried when my BMI was “obese” instead of “morbidly obese.” Haha!) 3. Enjoy the journey. YOU GO GIRL! You've earned this!

Hi Ladies! I'm Elizabeth-26 from Philadelphia. I was already sleeved July 2015 and am 113lbs down...I'd love to be buddies with whoever wants!! ????

Hi I'm in the Philadelphia area! Where are you planning on having your surgery?

Thanks so much! I had the surgery July, 20 2015 - I followed doctor's orders - Protein, exercise, food journal - to the letter. That's the secret Good luck!

Thanks so much! I had the surgery July, 20 2015 - I followed doctor's orders - Protein, exercise, food journal - to the letter. That's the secret Good luck!

@@sugabear44 Thank you! You're so sweet! My secret is following the diet/exercise/doctor's orders to the letter - even during a plateau. It makes all the difference! Good luck!

Left: 302lbs Right: 188lbs