Ariel16

Had gastric sleeve in October 2014. I have been at goal for 2 years this month

A stranger asked "can you make me tall and skinny like you". Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

One day I wrapped a normal size bath towel around me and it fit. Didn't think about it fitting, just noticed it one day. That's the day I realized how much weight I lost. I have tears in my eyes as I write this. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

When you lean against a wall and can feel your shoulder blades touching it. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I loved to eat. Eat anything and everything. food was my comfort, something that never let me down. After the sleeve surgery eating habits change dramatically. I realized after surgery that the loss of my eating habits was something I had to mourn. I missed eating whatever I wanted. Fast food, beer, buffalo wings, pizza, Cookies. That part of me is gone forever. I don't miss it, but it was a loss and it takes some time to get over it. No matter how prepared you think you are you're still not. The change was so abrupt that I didn't know what to do. Now I think very carefully about everything I eat, when I eat etc. Eating is completely different now and always will be be to keep the weight off. I have been at goal for 19 months. The cliche is true that nothing tastes as good as thin feels. Wearing size 6 jeans feels a million times better than beer and wings. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I had sleeve surgery and have been at goal for 18 months. I lost 30 during the work up for surgery and people told me oh then why do you need surgery. This was some who has been a size 6 her whole life. I knew what I needed to help me lose the weight. If could do it by myself I would have. Don't let others judge you or bring you down. Bariatric surgery is a very personal thing. And it's nothing too be ashamed of. People who have never struggled with their weight just don't get it and never will. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I completely understand. My recovery was also very rough. Constant hunger, pain, and nausea. I also thought about just pigging out and go back. But this soon after you would be so sick. I had to have two CT scans and labs 2 times per week. But their attitude was awful. Kept telling me I was only hungry in my head. I had horrible nausea and my stomach would growl constantly. I maybe got about 20 oz of Water in per day. They kept reeling if I don't drink i have to go in forIV Fluid. When I just felt so bad I told them I need fluid then they said no just keep drinking. I ended up going to an urgent care center and got 2 liters of fluid. I never bothered telling the surgeon's office. I regretted having the surgery. It took 3 months to start feeling better. At 7 months after surgery I reached my goal weight and have kept it off for 18 months to date. Just keep sipping water and take it one hour at a time. Stay strong and don't give up! It is a long tough journey but try not to get discouraged. Be patient with yourself.

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I am happy to share my story to help anyone on their journey Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I feel the same way. It's both. Fixing the outside does fix the inside. I am still the same person but I carry myself differently. I am not ashamed of my body anymore and always hiding. It makes me more confident. I hold my head up high, smile more. And everyone is attracted to confidence! Keep your head up and keep smiling! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

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And lastly being able to buy bras and panties from Victoria's Secret instead of just shower gel. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

When my pant size became a single digit. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

You have to have links taken out of all your watches. Jewelry is too big. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App