wlssuccess

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

One of my favorite quotes is "just because u took longer than others, doesn't mean u failed. Remember that"
Nothing could be more true. Nobody had the chance to choose our body, we just gotta rock what we got, embrace our own unique fabulousness!! So go on girl, embrace it, ur fabulous!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It took me 10 months, after 11 months I had lost 105lbs and reached my goal of 155lbs/size 6.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

One of my favorite quotes is "just because u took longer than others, doesn't mean u failed. Remember that"
Nothing could be more true. Nobody had the chance to choose our body, we just gotta rock what we got, embrace our own unique fabulousness!! So go on girl, embrace it, ur fabulous!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Enough is enough! This topic has been locked.
I'd like to remind all members to please read our posted forum rules that you agreed to upon signup.
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Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So happy for u!! Rock ur journey girl!!!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight - probably around 260lbs

Start weight 254lbs, Goal weight on right 160, low weight on left 150lbs

Me, rocking my new body in a bikini!!! Never thought that would happen

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

On a related topic, I still get judged by the non-obese for my size. Now keep in mind, I'm 2 years post VSG (and 8 days post revision to bypass because of GERD), have lost 130 lbs and wear a size 4. I was shopping at the outlets and went into Lululemon to look at the workout clothes. As I walked in the door, the greeter looked me up and down, smiled at me and sweetly said, "the size 12-14's are to the left by the men's". In that exact moment, she took me back to when I was 255 lbs. I felt so horrible and all I could do was turn tail and walk away. That moment reinforced to me how hurtful and harmful it is to judge someone solely by size. (Although it makes no sense given that I don't think I look like I wear a 12). Do I feel empathy for the obese? Yes. Do I wish everyone got to the point where they were ready to lose the weight? Yes. But I realize all I can do is try not to judge the journey someone else is on just because I chose a different path. Because I know from experience that it hurts.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is a great topic, even if it's an old thread.
I've been at / below goal for 14 months now. And I definitely take notice of heavy strangers when I'm out and about -- probably more now than I used to. (BTW, I don't pay much attention to the size of people I already know, because I'm focused on what we're doing together or discussing.)
It would be hard for me, as a WLS patient who recently lost 100 pounds, not to notice others' sizes and wonder if they look as big as I used to be, or bigger, or how our sizes compared before I lost weight, or how our sizes compare now, etc. The thoughts and emotions I have about these heavy strangers are all over the place, depending on my mood, how they present themselves, and so many other things.
Do I feel superior to them? Honestly -- sometimes, I do. But that feeling is immediately coupled with immense gratitude to the fates / my surgeon / my PCP / my own efforts / whoever invented the sleeve / etc. that I'm no longer in their shoes. I'm also overwhelmed by how much change I've undergone in the last two years.
Often I project my old memories of obesity onto these heavy strangers. I think I know the pain in their joints and back. I think I know the mental exhaustion they go through just finding the energy to go to the grocery store and the resolution it takes to keep moving their carts toward the back of the store and finish their shopping lists. I think I know from their lack of eye contact how frustrated / embarrassed / mortified / angry they are about their situation, their appearance, their health concerns and how disadvantaged they feel at work and in their personal relationships because of their growing weight.
Sometimes these encounters are emotionally overwhelming. For me, being obese was brutal. It was an awful way to try to live. It's hard to see others in that situation.
On a related note, I recently started being a guest lecturer at my bariatric surgeon's all-day educational seminars for patients now prepping for their own WLS. When I'm standing in front of those folks I feel like I'm with my tribe.
I try to tell my own WLS story in a way that makes it easy for them to identify with the "skinny bitch" I now look like at 135 pounds and to imagine they could soon feel renewed health and social freedom. I show slides of myself over the years -- of unflattering weight fluctuations, aging, with obvious growing exhaustion and health challenges.
From their head nods and strong eye contact and smiles I know we're connecting. I wouldn't walk up to a stranger and offer them some version of "WLS could save you, too." But those pre-op patients are sitting where I sat three years ago. I know how badly they NEED TO FEEL that their hope is not irrational and that they really can escape the prison of obesity. I feel so honored to give back this way.