BostonGary

Sorry to hear that. It's unfortunate, but there's very good reasons why they have a psychological exam for this procedure.
This surgery is not a solution. It's a tool... I can't stress that enough. You don't simply have this surgery and be cured of a weight issue, it's a surgery to help you resolve your weight issues, but it's not a complete solution.
If people have eating disorders or food addiction, this surgery is quite frankly a waste of time and money. They are making the right decision in making people wait or avoiding the surgery if the result is going to be an expensive surgery that will fail the person in the long run.
My suggestion is to focus on the reasons why they suspended your surgery and try and resolve them. You said that you've been struggling "with eating my whole life". If that's something you've recognized, I think you need to ask the question that if tomorrow you woke up and you were at a healthy weight, would you still be "struggling with eating". Meaning, does your attitude about food and how your relationship with food is, would that change? It sounds like it wouldn't.
Focus on why you have food issues, try and resolve them. I suggest seeking help and seeing if you can.
I wish you luck.

Congrat's -- as someone else who's in the "100 pound club", I can say it's life changing.
Keep up the good work. Enjoy your new life without having to carry another body around with you... lol.

I never thought I could or would be as successful as everyone I saw on this forum. The first few weeks post op I looked at people posting 100 pound weight-loss thinking if only that could be me! I have to say that it happens so slow and yet so fast! I am one of those people that loses weight every few weeks! 2-3 weeks with our losing weight then a 10 pound weight-loss, it’s so crazy! The biggest thing I take out of this is a new relationship with food that I hope to keep for a lifetime! So excited to see what the next year holds! Good luck to everyone on this journey. I don’t regret it for a second (except not doing it sooner!)

The good news is you recognized your habit as being "old". So take solace in that. Ask yourself the simple question "would you have recognized that before the surgery?" I bet not.
I'm not a stress eater, so I can't speak to how to stop that, but with the sleeve, you have a good tool to try and mitigate that the possibility of your stress eating and remind you that you shouldn't.
The moment you feel full, that first moment. You know, that tightness, that uncomfortable feeling? Stop. Put it down and walk away -- that's the tool telling you, you've had enough.
The good news here is that 500 calories of Ritz crackers is no different than 500 calories of another food (within reason). Your body will burn off those calories and you shouldn't see any impact. However, as you know, do that daily... and you're back to where you were before the sleeve.
The prior commenter was right, keep healthy options around -- also Water. Feel hungry or stressed. Drink a bottle of water, then have a handful of walnuts, almonds, etc. That should take the urge and the need for eating away.
This tool only works if you know how to do use it. It's not a solution for obesity, it's just a great tool to help you.
Hope that helps.

I'll be a year out on 11/21, I'm down 110 or so pounds. I'm loosing about 2-3 pounds a month since June, so my weight loss has slowed, But that's still "losing", and my caloric intake has increased as I've become more active and more comfortable with understanding my stomach and diet more. But here's the thing. I've tracked and I'm never above 2500 calories at one given day and I'm usually hovering around 1000-2500 a day. What I found is that I typically eat most of my calories mid-day. dinner, I try and limit that, but of course if you eat out, that's nearly impossible.
But here's the important thing. I stop eating when I feel full. I literally stop -- had enough, and that's usually around 10 oz of food. Which is not a lot of food... calories of course can vary, what you eat can make a difference. If you eat a big piece of chocolate cake, that's going to be 1000 calories, so I stay away from sugar, deserts and things of that nature and try and load up on Proteins, grains and "fuel" foods that make me feel good (full) but also are not going to be a negative on my health.
I'm feeling great, I'm about 30 pounds away from my "personal" goal. But if I stopped losing now and maintained this weight for the rest of my life, I'd be happy with that.
So do calories matter, of course they do. But you should also trust your sleeve. Eat slower, eat better food. Stay with proteins like chicken, fish and lean red meat. Stay off fatty foods like fried foods (I don't eat them) and YES, eat carbs but health ones like brown rice, wheat and grains. Deserts... meh. I tent to have a couple bites to "try" and I'm fine with that.
This surgery works if you don't have this massive obsession with food and when you get hungry, you don't binge eat or snack. So for me, it's been a terrific tool for me. If I do snack, it's something like cheese and crackers or yogurt... I haven't had a potato chip in nearly a year in a half. That doesn't mean I don't like potato chips? I've just found other things that I enjoy as much that are better options...
Where could I do better?
What I have not done is get enough exercise in, that's been something I've been disappointed with personally and I'm working on that by trying to find things which I enjoy vs. treadmill / walking / swimming (which I find to be a time waste and boring). So I've started Tennis and more active "sport" things which can get me a good cardio on a regular basis.
So some pointers that I live by now:
- Count your calories, but don't obsess. I keep within 2200 (as a male)
- Eat healthy calories. Get into better habits, now is the time. "Soup is always better than a sandwich." Common sense.
- Stop eating when you feel the slightest bit full - TRUST YOUR SLEEVE
- Don't drink when you eat, you'll fill up quicker and be hungry sooner
- Get more exercise (a struggle we all face)
- Eat only when you're hungry, "don't social eat". Food is energy, but you only need it when you need energy. Your body will tell you when... people tend to just eat to eat for various reasons. Eat only when you feel hungry, then go to the top of this list and obey... LOL

I'll be a year out on 11/21, I'm down 110 or so pounds. I'm loosing about 2-3 pounds a month since June, so my weight loss has slowed, But that's still "losing", and my caloric intake has increased as I've become more active and more comfortable with understanding my stomach and diet more. But here's the thing. I've tracked and I'm never above 2500 calories at one given day and I'm usually hovering around 1000-2500 a day. What I found is that I typically eat most of my calories mid-day. dinner, I try and limit that, but of course if you eat out, that's nearly impossible.
But here's the important thing. I stop eating when I feel full. I literally stop -- had enough, and that's usually around 10 oz of food. Which is not a lot of food... calories of course can vary, what you eat can make a difference. If you eat a big piece of chocolate cake, that's going to be 1000 calories, so I stay away from sugar, deserts and things of that nature and try and load up on Proteins, grains and "fuel" foods that make me feel good (full) but also are not going to be a negative on my health.
I'm feeling great, I'm about 30 pounds away from my "personal" goal. But if I stopped losing now and maintained this weight for the rest of my life, I'd be happy with that.
So do calories matter, of course they do. But you should also trust your sleeve. Eat slower, eat better food. Stay with proteins like chicken, fish and lean red meat. Stay off fatty foods like fried foods (I don't eat them) and YES, eat carbs but health ones like brown rice, wheat and grains. Deserts... meh. I tent to have a couple bites to "try" and I'm fine with that.
This surgery works if you don't have this massive obsession with food and when you get hungry, you don't binge eat or snack. So for me, it's been a terrific tool for me. If I do snack, it's something like cheese and crackers or yogurt... I haven't had a potato chip in nearly a year in a half. That doesn't mean I don't like potato chips? I've just found other things that I enjoy as much that are better options...
Where could I do better?
What I have not done is get enough exercise in, that's been something I've been disappointed with personally and I'm working on that by trying to find things which I enjoy vs. treadmill / walking / swimming (which I find to be a time waste and boring). So I've started Tennis and more active "sport" things which can get me a good cardio on a regular basis.
So some pointers that I live by now:
- Count your calories, but don't obsess. I keep within 2200 (as a male)
- Eat healthy calories. Get into better habits, now is the time. "Soup is always better than a sandwich." Common sense.
- Stop eating when you feel the slightest bit full - TRUST YOUR SLEEVE
- Don't drink when you eat, you'll fill up quicker and be hungry sooner
- Get more exercise (a struggle we all face)
- Eat only when you're hungry, "don't social eat". Food is energy, but you only need it when you need energy. Your body will tell you when... people tend to just eat to eat for various reasons. Eat only when you feel hungry, then go to the top of this list and obey... LOL

I'll be a year out on 11/21, I'm down 110 or so pounds. I'm loosing about 2-3 pounds a month since June, so my weight loss has slowed, But that's still "losing", and my caloric intake has increased as I've become more active and more comfortable with understanding my stomach and diet more. But here's the thing. I've tracked and I'm never above 2500 calories at one given day and I'm usually hovering around 1000-2500 a day. What I found is that I typically eat most of my calories mid-day. dinner, I try and limit that, but of course if you eat out, that's nearly impossible.
But here's the important thing. I stop eating when I feel full. I literally stop -- had enough, and that's usually around 10 oz of food. Which is not a lot of food... calories of course can vary, what you eat can make a difference. If you eat a big piece of chocolate cake, that's going to be 1000 calories, so I stay away from sugar, deserts and things of that nature and try and load up on Proteins, grains and "fuel" foods that make me feel good (full) but also are not going to be a negative on my health.
I'm feeling great, I'm about 30 pounds away from my "personal" goal. But if I stopped losing now and maintained this weight for the rest of my life, I'd be happy with that.
So do calories matter, of course they do. But you should also trust your sleeve. Eat slower, eat better food. Stay with proteins like chicken, fish and lean red meat. Stay off fatty foods like fried foods (I don't eat them) and YES, eat carbs but health ones like brown rice, wheat and grains. Deserts... meh. I tent to have a couple bites to "try" and I'm fine with that.
This surgery works if you don't have this massive obsession with food and when you get hungry, you don't binge eat or snack. So for me, it's been a terrific tool for me. If I do snack, it's something like cheese and crackers or yogurt... I haven't had a potato chip in nearly a year in a half. That doesn't mean I don't like potato chips? I've just found other things that I enjoy as much that are better options...
Where could I do better?
What I have not done is get enough exercise in, that's been something I've been disappointed with personally and I'm working on that by trying to find things which I enjoy vs. treadmill / walking / swimming (which I find to be a time waste and boring). So I've started Tennis and more active "sport" things which can get me a good cardio on a regular basis.
So some pointers that I live by now:
- Count your calories, but don't obsess. I keep within 2200 (as a male)
- Eat healthy calories. Get into better habits, now is the time. "Soup is always better than a sandwich." Common sense.
- Stop eating when you feel the slightest bit full - TRUST YOUR SLEEVE
- Don't drink when you eat, you'll fill up quicker and be hungry sooner
- Get more exercise (a struggle we all face)
- Eat only when you're hungry, "don't social eat". Food is energy, but you only need it when you need energy. Your body will tell you when... people tend to just eat to eat for various reasons. Eat only when you feel hungry, then go to the top of this list and obey... LOL

I'll be a year out on 11/21, I'm down 110 or so pounds. I'm loosing about 2-3 pounds a month since June, so my weight loss has slowed, But that's still "losing", and my caloric intake has increased as I've become more active and more comfortable with understanding my stomach and diet more. But here's the thing. I've tracked and I'm never above 2500 calories at one given day and I'm usually hovering around 1000-2500 a day. What I found is that I typically eat most of my calories mid-day. dinner, I try and limit that, but of course if you eat out, that's nearly impossible.
But here's the important thing. I stop eating when I feel full. I literally stop -- had enough, and that's usually around 10 oz of food. Which is not a lot of food... calories of course can vary, what you eat can make a difference. If you eat a big piece of chocolate cake, that's going to be 1000 calories, so I stay away from sugar, deserts and things of that nature and try and load up on Proteins, grains and "fuel" foods that make me feel good (full) but also are not going to be a negative on my health.
I'm feeling great, I'm about 30 pounds away from my "personal" goal. But if I stopped losing now and maintained this weight for the rest of my life, I'd be happy with that.
So do calories matter, of course they do. But you should also trust your sleeve. Eat slower, eat better food. Stay with proteins like chicken, fish and lean red meat. Stay off fatty foods like fried foods (I don't eat them) and YES, eat carbs but health ones like brown rice, wheat and grains. Deserts... meh. I tent to have a couple bites to "try" and I'm fine with that.
This surgery works if you don't have this massive obsession with food and when you get hungry, you don't binge eat or snack. So for me, it's been a terrific tool for me. If I do snack, it's something like cheese and crackers or yogurt... I haven't had a potato chip in nearly a year in a half. That doesn't mean I don't like potato chips? I've just found other things that I enjoy as much that are better options...
Where could I do better?
What I have not done is get enough exercise in, that's been something I've been disappointed with personally and I'm working on that by trying to find things which I enjoy vs. treadmill / walking / swimming (which I find to be a time waste and boring). So I've started Tennis and more active "sport" things which can get me a good cardio on a regular basis.
So some pointers that I live by now:
- Count your calories, but don't obsess. I keep within 2200 (as a male)
- Eat healthy calories. Get into better habits, now is the time. "Soup is always better than a sandwich." Common sense.
- Stop eating when you feel the slightest bit full - TRUST YOUR SLEEVE
- Don't drink when you eat, you'll fill up quicker and be hungry sooner
- Get more exercise (a struggle we all face)
- Eat only when you're hungry, "don't social eat". Food is energy, but you only need it when you need energy. Your body will tell you when... people tend to just eat to eat for various reasons. Eat only when you feel hungry, then go to the top of this list and obey... LOL

I'll be a year out on 11/21, I'm down 110 or so pounds. I'm loosing about 2-3 pounds a month since June, so my weight loss has slowed, But that's still "losing", and my caloric intake has increased as I've become more active and more comfortable with understanding my stomach and diet more. But here's the thing. I've tracked and I'm never above 2500 calories at one given day and I'm usually hovering around 1000-2500 a day. What I found is that I typically eat most of my calories mid-day. dinner, I try and limit that, but of course if you eat out, that's nearly impossible.
But here's the important thing. I stop eating when I feel full. I literally stop -- had enough, and that's usually around 10 oz of food. Which is not a lot of food... calories of course can vary, what you eat can make a difference. If you eat a big piece of chocolate cake, that's going to be 1000 calories, so I stay away from sugar, deserts and things of that nature and try and load up on Proteins, grains and "fuel" foods that make me feel good (full) but also are not going to be a negative on my health.
I'm feeling great, I'm about 30 pounds away from my "personal" goal. But if I stopped losing now and maintained this weight for the rest of my life, I'd be happy with that.
So do calories matter, of course they do. But you should also trust your sleeve. Eat slower, eat better food. Stay with proteins like chicken, fish and lean red meat. Stay off fatty foods like fried foods (I don't eat them) and YES, eat carbs but health ones like brown rice, wheat and grains. Deserts... meh. I tent to have a couple bites to "try" and I'm fine with that.
This surgery works if you don't have this massive obsession with food and when you get hungry, you don't binge eat or snack. So for me, it's been a terrific tool for me. If I do snack, it's something like cheese and crackers or yogurt... I haven't had a potato chip in nearly a year in a half. That doesn't mean I don't like potato chips? I've just found other things that I enjoy as much that are better options...
Where could I do better?
What I have not done is get enough exercise in, that's been something I've been disappointed with personally and I'm working on that by trying to find things which I enjoy vs. treadmill / walking / swimming (which I find to be a time waste and boring). So I've started Tennis and more active "sport" things which can get me a good cardio on a regular basis.
So some pointers that I live by now:
- Count your calories, but don't obsess. I keep within 2200 (as a male)
- Eat healthy calories. Get into better habits, now is the time. "Soup is always better than a sandwich." Common sense.
- Stop eating when you feel the slightest bit full - TRUST YOUR SLEEVE
- Don't drink when you eat, you'll fill up quicker and be hungry sooner
- Get more exercise (a struggle we all face)
- Eat only when you're hungry, "don't social eat". Food is energy, but you only need it when you need energy. Your body will tell you when... people tend to just eat to eat for various reasons. Eat only when you feel hungry, then go to the top of this list and obey... LOL

I'll be a year out on 11/21, I'm down 110 or so pounds. I'm loosing about 2-3 pounds a month since June, so my weight loss has slowed, But that's still "losing", and my caloric intake has increased as I've become more active and more comfortable with understanding my stomach and diet more. But here's the thing. I've tracked and I'm never above 2500 calories at one given day and I'm usually hovering around 1000-2500 a day. What I found is that I typically eat most of my calories mid-day. dinner, I try and limit that, but of course if you eat out, that's nearly impossible.
But here's the important thing. I stop eating when I feel full. I literally stop -- had enough, and that's usually around 10 oz of food. Which is not a lot of food... calories of course can vary, what you eat can make a difference. If you eat a big piece of chocolate cake, that's going to be 1000 calories, so I stay away from sugar, deserts and things of that nature and try and load up on Proteins, grains and "fuel" foods that make me feel good (full) but also are not going to be a negative on my health.
I'm feeling great, I'm about 30 pounds away from my "personal" goal. But if I stopped losing now and maintained this weight for the rest of my life, I'd be happy with that.
So do calories matter, of course they do. But you should also trust your sleeve. Eat slower, eat better food. Stay with proteins like chicken, fish and lean red meat. Stay off fatty foods like fried foods (I don't eat them) and YES, eat carbs but health ones like brown rice, wheat and grains. Deserts... meh. I tent to have a couple bites to "try" and I'm fine with that.
This surgery works if you don't have this massive obsession with food and when you get hungry, you don't binge eat or snack. So for me, it's been a terrific tool for me. If I do snack, it's something like cheese and crackers or yogurt... I haven't had a potato chip in nearly a year in a half. That doesn't mean I don't like potato chips? I've just found other things that I enjoy as much that are better options...
Where could I do better?
What I have not done is get enough exercise in, that's been something I've been disappointed with personally and I'm working on that by trying to find things which I enjoy vs. treadmill / walking / swimming (which I find to be a time waste and boring). So I've started Tennis and more active "sport" things which can get me a good cardio on a regular basis.
So some pointers that I live by now:
- Count your calories, but don't obsess. I keep within 2200 (as a male)
- Eat healthy calories. Get into better habits, now is the time. "Soup is always better than a sandwich." Common sense.
- Stop eating when you feel the slightest bit full - TRUST YOUR SLEEVE
- Don't drink when you eat, you'll fill up quicker and be hungry sooner
- Get more exercise (a struggle we all face)
- Eat only when you're hungry, "don't social eat". Food is energy, but you only need it when you need energy. Your body will tell you when... people tend to just eat to eat for various reasons. Eat only when you feel hungry, then go to the top of this list and obey... LOL

I treat my WLS like it was a life saving operation.
I view this surgery no different than having heart surgery or any other high risk surgery to save someones life. I see no embarrassment or issue with telling people "I had weight loss surgery because I was getting far too heavy and unhealthy."
The stigma needs to stop -- this surgery should be treated no differently than any other surgery.
Remember, this isn't a "solution" it's a tool to help you survive.

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.
 

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.
 

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.
 

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.
 

You'll be fine. In 2 weeks you'll be asking why you didn't do this a long time ago... trust me.

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.
 

You look fantastic. Great progress.

Cogratulations, Gary! You and I had our surgery a week apart. Mine was 11-14, and I have lost 108 lbs, so we are very close in our weight loss. I started at 312, but my highest weight last summer was 334. Weight loss is slowing down for me too, but I'm still losing.
Glad to hear that you are exercising, I need to work on that.
Keep up the awesome work, you look great! Thank you for sharing.

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.
 

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.
 

You'll be fine. In 2 weeks you'll be asking why you didn't do this a long time ago... trust me.

You'll be fine. In 2 weeks you'll be asking why you didn't do this a long time ago... trust me.

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.
 

So I'm almost a year out (11/21/2016) and I'm about 105 pounds down.
My weight loss has slowed now, probably to about 2-3 pounds a month since June (as expected), but it's still happening and I've now started to be more active -- Tennis, swimming... I feel terrific and as you can see, there's a radical change. I'd like to lose another 20-30 pounds, but I'm going to do that with more exercise.
The first picture is a before and after of my face. Then there's some full body shots, or close to full body. Just to give you an idea of how radical this change was, prior to surgery, I was the following:
358 pounds and a 50/52 inch waist size.
Today
249 pounds and a 38 waist size
For me, personally, I'm back to where I was when I was in my late 20's, I'm 52 years old now. Health? I feel amazing, more energy, more sleep, more life.
Hopefully, this will inspire people. I know when I saw the pictures of people who made progress, I got inspired.