nannare

When someone tells you to go buy a belt cause you a consistently having to pull up your pants. And your daughter tells you to change your pants because you are bagging in your crotch! LOL! I loved that one but still wore them because I haven't been in them in three years. I bought them new and thought if I just lost a little weight I could get in them (and be comfortable). I gained instead. Now I can wear them but not for much longer and I am so happy about that!

When you can look down and see your feet

When you lay on your side and you can feel your knee bones rub together for the first time and it feels weird so you put a pillow between your legs.

When your extended family keeps telling you how great you look....or when you are looking at a size Med dress and you know that it is going to fit you!!!!

When the wedding rings that used to fit so snugly that they left marks fall off your fingers and you have to hunt around in the laundry basket to find them (time to find a jeweler to size them)

When your sister in law that hasn't seen you in months (lives out of state) walks past and didn't reognize you.
Also, when you actually default to going into the "normal" stall in the public bathroom instead of the handicap stall.

When the size 8 jeans you took in the dressing room are TOO BIG! (happened yesterday!) OMG....I lived for the day when I could ask the sales woman to bring me a size 6. Which freaking fit and of course I bought!

When your X will literally not look at u! :-) love that one!

When your old clothes fit you like MC Hammer's balloon paints.

You can answer, "Either is fine with me.", when asked, "Would you like a table or a booth?"

You have the courage to sign up for a pilates class. I was always afraid of getting down on the floor and not being able to get back up

You spend and entire 2 1/2 mile run holding up one side of your pants or another, because by the time you realized hey were gonna shake right off your butt, it was too late to turn around and go back home.

Your old belt now goes 1 1/2 times around your waist.

a very critical old friend sees you after about 3 years and says...."Wow, are you losing weight?"

Your old boss walks right past you not realizing who you are. Happened to me last week.

I haven't posted in several months but I wanted to post an update to my Gastric Sleeve story.
My surgery was July 12, 2013. I am 5'8" tall and at that time I weighed 296 lbs., and wore a size 3X or 22-24 women's.
Today, April 12, 2014, is 9 months from my surgery and I've lost 76 lbs. At 220 lbs., I fit in size 1X or 16 women's.
I would like to lose between 40 and 60 lbs. more by September of this year. My ultimate goal would be 147 lbs - a size 10. However, I will feel totally successful and satisfied to get to 170 lbs - a size 12.
I lost nearly every bit of my weight the first four months after surgery and have been at 220 lbs. since then.
I am enjoying this new weight and all that it has done for me.
I no longer have to use a CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea. I have no more heel or foot pain, very little knee pain, almost no more back pain. I have no more acid reflux. Even more good news is that I like looking in the mirror again. I can shop in normal size clothing stores. I am not embarrassed when I go out with my family and friends. I get very encouraging comments from people who have watched me go through this process.
I do sometimes get frustrated that I'm not losing any more weight currently, however, I am most often optimistic that I will continue to both enjoy my current good health as well as moving forward to meet my weight loss goals. Slowly but surely.
I can eat nearly anything - in small amounts. I have to be careful with milk (makes my tummy hurt), so I use unsweetened almond/coconut milk for my Protein or fruit smoothies if I need the extra boost. I avoid most sugary foods (thank goodness I wasn't really all that much of a fan of sugary foods before). I also still have to work to make sure I get the Protein I need each day and have to consciously monitor my Water intake. I make my meals of high quality protein, fresh vegetables either raw or steamed or baked, and if I have any room, I'll eat some carbohydrates like whole wheat bread/grain, brown rice, potatoes, corn, Beans, peas, etc. I allow myself a small piece of chocolate once in a while. I can have a cocktail every other month or so when my hubby and I go out to eat.
I exercise sporadically and I know I need to work on this area. I walk and I use an elliptical machine up to 3 times a week.
I have the opportunity to encourage others in my life who are contemplating weight loss surgery and I never mind sharing my story.
I certainly feel super glad that I have this lifelong tool to help me work on my health and fitness!!!

Day of surgery at 383 (?), down from a high weight of 410 a couple months before. 6 months and 1 year progress pic. Down from a size 40/5x to a 16-18/XL.

I love to share my success with other sleeves who understand and don't think I'm just bragging. (Yes, I've gotten that)

Had wls 3-12-2013 in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz preop 254 day of sugery and after 3 week diet 234 today 134 my goal weight to stay between 125-130. I am an apple shape as you guys can tell and will have to have plastics to remove hanging skin on my stomach, thighs, arms, and back fat, not to mention my breast are in terrible condition should of been at goal weight by now but to many cheat days and not enough exercising I'm joining Planet Fitness today.  

I am one year out and down 103 pounds still have 30 to go for my goal weight but loving the journey!!! Everyone looks fantastic best decision of my life.

Little update on me everyone's looking great xx
I'm nearly 10 months post op, 93 lb (42 kg) lost so far, still have 28 lb (15 kg) to lose but I'm getting there with sweat and hard work
My stats : Height - 5'9" (1.76 m), SW - 287 lb (130 kg) , CW - 194 lb (88kg)
TW - 165 lb (75 kg)
Can't believe I'm posting a picture of me in that state. The before picture was 3 days after my surgery, when I got home

I love this thread. It is always so inspiring. I realized I haven't posted here for awhile. I hit goal a week ago. CW 139.

Me today...53lbs. down...As you can see from my screen picture, I have lost some inches also...You look great!!! My surgery was 1/14/14...

6 months