Neversaynever

So I started at 304lbs ( 21' 10 ) for the uk'ers and blimey did I feel every pound!
I have lost steadily and I am now 245lbs (17' 7!) so very chuffed, and cannot believe how much my life has changed.
Here are a couple of before and afters, one at my heaviest and the other, two days ago for clarity.
I can't really see a massive difference myself but others have told me they can definitely see it, can you?

So I started at 304lbs ( 21' 10 ) for the uk'ers and blimey did I feel every pound!
I have lost steadily and I am now 245lbs (17' 7!) so very chuffed, and cannot believe how much my life has changed.
Here are a couple of before and afters, one at my heaviest and the other, two days ago for clarity.
I can't really see a massive difference myself but others have told me they can definitely see it, can you?

So I started at 304lbs ( 21' 10 ) for the uk'ers and blimey did I feel every pound!
I have lost steadily and I am now 245lbs (17' 7!) so very chuffed, and cannot believe how much my life has changed.
Here are a couple of before and afters, one at my heaviest and the other, two days ago for clarity.
I can't really see a massive difference myself but others have told me they can definitely see it, can you?

So I started at 304lbs ( 21' 10 ) for the uk'ers and blimey did I feel every pound!
I have lost steadily and I am now 245lbs (17' 7!) so very chuffed, and cannot believe how much my life has changed.
Here are a couple of before and afters, one at my heaviest and the other, two days ago for clarity.
I can't really see a massive difference myself but others have told me they can definitely see it, can you?

Lol, god knows! but, you have still done absolutely amazing

Well done!

142lbs in 5 months is amazing, you are a star!

OMGosh, yes! Look at your arms and face! Wonderful!

I definitely see the change....congrats! You look wonderful! Keep up the good work!

So I started at 304lbs ( 21' 10 ) for the uk'ers and blimey did I feel every pound!
I have lost steadily and I am now 245lbs (17' 7!) so very chuffed, and cannot believe how much my life has changed.
Here are a couple of before and afters, one at my heaviest and the other, two days ago for clarity.
I can't really see a massive difference myself but others have told me they can definitely see it, can you?

Lol, god knows! but, you have still done absolutely amazing

Here's a good one for ya'll.....
I've lost 43 pounds thus far and the only piece of clothing that's too big for me is the cup size of my bra!!!!
FIGURES!
But that's ok, I'll take weight loss anywhere and still be ecstatic! Thank the Lord for Gastric Sleeve!

The absolute best revenge would be sending him pics of my current hotness (and future hotter-ness ). That would hit him where it hurts. Because I know I was the best sex he'd ever had, and I doubt he's found better in the last 4 years

When my mother was in the nursing home before she passed away. Alzheimer's was beginning to take hold so I tried to treat the condition with essential oils. I requested the nurses administer the oil to her once per day. And then when I visited her, I sometimes asked the nurses if that was being done. Their response was rather surprising. They would say the name of my mom and say "Oh! sure we remember her. She is the one who always smells so nice."
Now in a nursing home, the smell can become very bad. Sometimes, it is almost like smelling death. And I can imagine that the nurses and aids that have to work in that environment day in and day out can get overwhelmed by the odors. Now I could not detect that the essential oil blend helped my mother's memory improve. But I decided it was a very good idea to continue treating her with oils because it brought a bit of sunshine into the lives of the nurses and aids that had to care for her. And if it brightened their day, they would go the extra mile to brighten her day.

I have had an Abdominoplasty with no tightening due to previous hernia repairs :-)
I had my hernia repaired normally - Without mesh - Then it came back in 2007 - So the second time it was repaired with mesh.
Then a few years after the hernia was fixed I had my Inverted T tummy tuck...... The surgeon said he tried to see what he could do - But had he repaired the muscle I would have been left with a lump down the middle. So he did not repair that - I am very happy! - There was virtually no pain after the op - Just tightness for a few days...
And that happened in 2010 and I am as happy today as I was after the op!
I attach a pic taken not long after the op...

And one of more recently... (2017 I think this one was)

I have noticed that a lot of belly buttons after surgery look like cats bums... lol
Here are two pre-surgery pics...


I really hope that this helps. Take these pictures with you to show the Dr if you need to - My mesh is quite large - 15cm x 20cm it said on a piece of paperwork I have - Unless they cut it smaller of course but I can feel it in me and it feels large!
Feel free to send me a PM and ask all the questions you need to. I am happy to help.
Suffice to say that it can be done - There is nothing to worry about - And I am so very happy with my results - This surgery was done in 2010 - My belly is as flat today as it was back then I think - Heck I'll go take a picture - Be right back...
OK - I am back........ (Few minutes later)
Here you go - Taken just now - The op was in April 2010 if I remember correctly..... This is today... Please excuse the marks from Jeans/Belt etc - LOL - Daughter said you won't be able to see my scar because of the Jeans having left marks.. Sorry about that......

I really hope that is of some help....
*Edit again*
I want to say here - That after you have this surgery (Or any surgery like this) - No matter what the Dr says - You get some 3M paper tape and you put it on and keep it on - Replacing it as needed etc - Every day - All day - All night - For THREE MONTHS - No matter what - Support the scar whilst it heals - Then your scar will be a lot less visible than mine is. I tested this through my surgeries after this one - And the other scars are much finer and better through being supported as they healed, and if I ever did this one again I would definitely support the scar (Or any scar) as it heals so it heals to a fine line without stretching a little like mine has :-)
The tape looks like this - It's cheap and worth ten times the price for a good scar :-)
https://www.medisave.co.uk/3m-micropore-skin-tone-surgical-tape-1-25cm-x-9-14m-x-24.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2rCVuODv3AIVDuWaCh01bQx2EAkYASABEgIkW_D_BwE

I log everything in My fitness pal as I am too lazy to work out if I have any calories left for the day and also the amount of Protein etc I have already eaten. Its just easier it does all the hard work for you!

I'm 3 months and I eat about 1200 - 1400 a day, no problems.

I was a high starting weight. September of 2017 I weighed 475 recorded by my PCP. My surgeon had a very aggressive goal for me to lose to 380 before surgery so out of desperation/necessity, I counted calories, ate little and did what I could. On surgery day I was 386, nearly 5.5 months later. I'm fast approaching 6 months post surgery now and have had lots of issues with my tummy that have prevented me from eating and or keeping food down. I weighed yesterday and was 308. Somewhere in my day dreams I entertain the idea that I've lost too slowly. My expectations were crazy though! I thought I would lose 20 lbs a month until I was slim! I thought I would be well into the 200 lb range by now. Time is so antagonistic! I've waited so long to get the help I need and I just want to blink my eyes and see a new body each time! I know it's a day dream though. When I see the nutritionist she does this "in body" check and can calculate a fairly good estimate of my BMR and my metabolism is super crap now. So...I try my best to eat good things, to eat reasonably to move more and to be honest with myself and I know the weight will come off.
I try to think of things I'm proud of all the time. This helps me to refocus and not sink into despair about the speed at which things are moving for me. Lately, I've been cooking lovely dinners for my husband and son that are healthy and delicious. It makes me happy to see them eat better along with me and I feel like I'm being a better person. I don't make them suffer or anything lol. The challenge for me is to actually make something they like and I'm so proud of this. I think if you can find something that is hobby-like that supports your new life change, you might be able to deflect some of the worries you have. Cheers.

And PugM9m234 that would be one time when" go play outside with your friends more" might be valid. But the portion that bothers me? Why should any 8 year old be exposed. to the loathing and discrimination of fat-shaming? It is bad to hear it on the playground but from adults in a position of trust? All I really,would say to them?" Shame on you! This is a small human being with feelings, not a glob of Silly Putty. YOU really owe HER an apology for your actions."
You see I too have been there, gone through similar things When I was that age I didn't hear exactly that. I was d***** with faint praise. Our family doctor , Dr Shamansky , turned to my mother and said "YOU,know your daughter has soft flesh", at this time I was high- normal size, tall but normal," This means SHE will grow up to be fat!" That too is a rotten statement, I was fated to,be,obese later in life? Why didn't he tell Mama I was going to have PCOS while he was at it? Onle reason he didn't was I was Peri-puberty not completely into it yet. And they hadn't come,up with the term yet.
Sorry for the rant, it uncovered a sore nerve I thought I had buried.
We soak in a lot of scorn, trying to keep the peace and have people "like" us.

I have had 2 knee replacement surgeries, had my fall bladder out in the bad old days when everthing was OPEN. I have had other surgeries, some Ambulatory some requirng hospitalization.
And at 72, a LOT CLOSER to MORTALITY than you! And I am not frightened, not a bit. Lets examine just a few reasons.
1 I really really want THIS Surgery. I started seeking it,is August 2015. I have suffered twists, turns, ups and downs in this persuit. If I tried to sell my story to TV they would refuse it as implausible, not even real enough for a soap opera, yet I LIVED it!
2. I have few people left in my family. In the 2000s I have had a lot of deaths in my life. My mother,my mother- in- law, both,in the same year, 11 aunts and uncles, some i,loved as extra parents,my godmother, many friends and acqaitances, many,of them younger and seemed to be in good health,my husband 6 years ago at the age,of 70 on the 4th,of July, yes the day I should have been celebrating my country's Independance and a son suddenly at the age of 31 suddenly. And although there a few still left to,mourn me every year the number grows smaller. It has gone from a massive funeral, wake and procession to local cemetery to a picnic,luncheon at the local park and a scrapbook for people to look at.
3. It can only improve my health,mobility and future life. A body riddled with arthritis, obesity, being short,of breath, unable to walk around the block only once before I have to rest, not,being able to sit in many chairs because they are too narrow, being more comfortable in bed then up and,moving. Sure I still have a life, but it is not giggles and laughs anymore.
4 I do trust,my surgeon. Oh Frustr8 is VERY very careful who she trusts with her body. Scars, dings, missing paint here and there on my chassis, but IT is STILL MINE. I checked out my doctors reputation, his bio, his statement of purpose, whether he had patients my age before and,most important had he ever had fatalities as a general or Bariatric Surgeon? Since i,now love ME I wanted to give myself,the very best I could. And he is perfect as a surgeon, but I still wanted to meet him, how did he present himself? He is more than a people mechanic , he will,hold my very,life in those hands. Wanted to,make sure he had no tremors or twitches. And all is good.
4 I learned as much as I could about surgeries available. I am 72, no time for "do overs" this has to be,very good. Actually had decided before I met my doctor, Dr Needleman, what surgery I would seek, sure I might listen to his medical advice, but MY BODY, MY CHOICE!
So on September 5th I will March proudly through the front doors of Rhodes Hall, the admission area before 5 AM, with a sm8le, happy that,he day has finally come. I don't know what all the steps from them on will be but I can and will go forth happily. And at 7AM, give or take a few minutes, I will be wheeled through the Operating Doors, frankly I would prefer to walk but I will make that concession. And there clad in all his Sterile garb will be my Bradley J Needleman MD, the Big Kahuna, the director of Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Weight Loss at the Ohio State University-Wexner Medical Center, a full Professor in the College of Medicine. When Frustr8 went surgeon fishing she landed herself a Trophy Specimen.I sure there will be a lot of other people there,this is, after all, a Teaching Hospital as well as a Bariatric Center of Excellence. I will go peacefully to sleep, my arms extending out to each side, I will be intubated, my gown removed,my tummy blown up with CO2 gas to the point I look like I am expecting octuplets, and quite a few more people will learn. that I am a redhead all over. Makes no never mind to me, I'll be sound asleep. And I will receive my RnY, my tool , my key to a brighter thinner future. And I expect to wake up,in the Recovery Room still smiling. What not, if I weren't lying down I'd be wagging my tail. A little tummy pain? Pish Tosh, I've had acute pancreatitis, this has got to,be a walk in the park after THAT PAIN!
I expect to be,up and walking, no Cath in place, so it will be "Tinkle Time", walk walk walk and sip sip sip until I recover in a few days to go home. Only concession to my age is I might get to stay longer.
Que sera sera!
So my young friend I am not waiting for death, I rather look to life triumpant afterwards and you should too. What came before is merely a prelude to the Future.

Ok so now I measured 3/4 cup of yogurt out and could not eat it all. But THIS time I did not even try. Restriction is back at full capacity y'all. No sliders...

I'm almost 3 months out, and I've had a few NSV the past few weeks.
I took a 40-minute run and didn't want to die. I actually felt like I could have kept going.
I learned how to swim after 19 years because I finally felt confident enough to go to the pool.
My (very thin) best friend asked if I wanted to have some of her clothes because she's moving and needs to cut down on her closet. Everything I tried on fit me!
I had to buy size medium shorts! (I was wearing 3x at the beginning of this journey).
I'm very happy!

I'm actually asking people to take pics of me, instead of running from the camera. My excuse is I need to update my dating profile pics. That's true, but I also like the validation that I look as good as I feel. (yes, I'm vain! )

I also use a pill box with the days written on them. They cost £1 over here in one of our £1 shops ( don't know if you have an equivalent over there?) so very cheap!

I hate taking them, really I do but I take them every morning with my first cup of tea, that way I remember but also its just easier to do it and get it out of the way.