msperez84

Sorry, I don't wear dresses BUT, I've gone from men's 5XL to a men's Med. ...it just doesn't seem like I am me anymore at all.

I'm almost 1 year out of surgery and I went from a 26 to a small (top) and 8 (pants and dresses).
I'm still hoping to lose about 20 lbs and go down to a 4 size for pants and dresses.
The picture attached was taken this past February at 173 lbs and 9 months out of surgery. I went back to Texas for a vacation and posed in the exact same spot I posed for a picture at my highest weight (345 lbs) years ago.

Day of surgery I was a 20, now - less than 3 months after and I'm in 14s! Very excited. Surgery day 12/29 at 223, now I'm 185 pic taken today. Height is 5'2. Woop woop!!
Please ignore my lack of makeup and messy hair...lol

Feels wonderful doesn't it? Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

I was a solid size 24 in October2015 and now I'm in a 14. I'm finally able to shop in the regular sizes rather than the plus size area. I thought this was going to be so great, but I find that I'm intimidated by the new styles and almost too many choices. I think part of it is wanting to cover everything up with over sized clothing. I guess it is just part of the process. I still have 55 pounds to loose so hopefully I will get used to the new look.

Beautiful great job
Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

I started at a 24/26 and I am currently at a 14/16 I'm very happy that I see the change in clothes size but I have a problem and still see a 300 lbs girl when I look in the mirror I have not adjusted to the way I look yet.SMH

things have been tricky but 'ok'. im down to 171 now. had a bit of a stall week last week trying to figure things out but this week i seem to be 'ok'. i admit im not sure what works anymore or what my loss triggers are but im just trying to stay good. i worked out twice yesterday but my Protein intake was bad so im gonna try and make that better today

Jason, I am SO glad you're doing this experiment.
I've been entertaining the idea of a similar science experiment myself -- on my whole face. But I'm going to wait and see the results of yours first.
I may then duplicate in peer-reviewed fashion your own experiment and publish my results here.
P.S. And dude! Your weight loss! I honestly had no freakin' idea what a hugely successful WLS patient you'd been. I just thought you were a smarty-mouth.

I was recently having a discussion with a Personal Trainer (PT) mate of mine.
He was asking me about the changes I'd noticed with my body since losing my 230 lbs (so far)..
I told him about my 'deflated balloon belly'...
He laughed...
I told him about the 'bat-flaps' of skin under my upper arms that slap against me sometimes when I move...
He laughed...
I told him about my two sizes smaller feet...
He laughed..
The I told him about what was REALLY p*ssing me off...
My 'turkey neck'...
You see, I had a great big bullfrog type head...
Neck really...
I was one puffed-up-canetoad lookin' dude...
I mean, have a look at this -
As you can see, I've kept the beard in an effort to cover up the under-chin carry on...
Actually, that pic on the right was in October last year, so I've lost a little more from there now...
I'm in a new job now, so I'm decidedly more 'neat and tidy'..
Anyway, back to the 'roid cream thing...
My PT mate was telling me that a lot of the female body builders he knows use the 'roid cream to smooth their bits (no, not THOSE bits) when it comes to comp time...
He reckoned that if I grab a tube or two and have a crack at applying it regularly, it may just smooth and tighten my biggest uncovered embarrassment...
So, here's the sh*t -
Beginning Monday, I'll be applying the Doot Cream twice a day...
It'll be post shower in the morning and evening...
Over the weekend, I'll try to take a decent pic of the affected area...
If I can do so, I'll post it on Monday, then each Monday after I'll post updated pics to see if there's any difference...
I'll also be trying some 'neck yoga sh*t' that I just stumbled on when I googled "wobbly neck skin"...
I hope to be able to shave the beard off (or some of it) by my birthday in July (18th for all those planning gifts)...
So, if anyone is interested, stay tuned and we'll see how we go...
Of course, if anyone has already tried this, please feel free to chime in and let me know how you went...
Thanx for reading all the way to the end...
Assuming you did...
Jason

You're going to do great. Just take your mini lunch in there and eat it with determination and pride.

This thread is giving me life!
Sent from my SGH-M919 using the BariatricPal App

This was my first post. Thank you guys so much for your responses. I no longer feel alone.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using the BariatricPal App

Welcome! We are a fairly helpful bunch (for the most part).
Best of luck with your surgery.

I think you should probably work on your food shame issues with therapy, now and after surgery.
You can pour your Protein shakes in tumbler, so people can't see they are Protein Shakes.
You can put your Protein on a bed of green veggies, even if you aren't eating the veggies it looks more "normal"
If you feel like people comment and think about how you eat now, you are going to be more self conscious after surgery.
You really need to address this or it is going to snowball into a huge issue and create new problems.

This was my first post. Thank you guys so much for your responses. I no longer feel alone.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using the BariatricPal App

When someone rudely comments about how little I am eating.......I usually throw them off with a response like.....
"I'm a prepper and I am conserving and stockpiling the bulk of my food for later when Armageddon comes....."
They're not sure whether to laugh or walk away.... but it usually shuts them up....

I like @@VSGAnn2014's suggestion of practicing a response.
A response I find myself frequently using when someone offers me food or tries to push food is:
"That looks delicious, but no thank you, I am fine with what I have." Or something similar.
I find that if I communicate that I choose not to eat something, rather than that I am restricting or turning my nose up at food, preop me tend to respond in a positive way.
"No, thank you." goes a long way.

lunch update. first of all it was delicious i even added some taco meat to it. i wasn't able to take more than 5 or 6 bites of it but they were delicious bites im so happy. i feel free
re fried Beans with cheese and taco meat with salsa and sour cream and avocado

You two are great! My surgery is 11/2 and you've been so helpful for what it will be like!! Thank you!

Look for a makeup artist in your area that does one on one makeup sessions and book one. You can learn to correct a lot of what you are complaining about with artful makeup application.

I just realized my prior post could have sounded unsympathetic. Did NOT mean for it to sound that way.
I bet in a month or so you will be feeling just fine about it. Suggestion -- don't get into explaining every little thing. Just say you're doing fine, that you have to go through a lot of phases (but don't explain 'em all). And say:
"Thanks for your support. You're very kind."
That way, you'll train 'em to support you. And be kind to you.
And if they bug you, eat at your desk anyway.
Best to you!

11 months post op -90.

Today's makes 8 months since I was sleeved I started at 213 and am now 143. I am currently in the maintenance phase

This is the first time posting any pics. I am a couple days shy of 2 mos post op. Down 46lbs.