Molly23

Since having surgery on 4/20/17 I’ve been really successful losing weight. My highest weight was 311 and this week I weighed in at 194. I went from a size 24 and currently between 12-14. I’ve enjoyed the compliments most of the time and I love buying trendy clothes. Despite all of this I find that a good amount of the time I’m still struggling with seeing my results, especially in the mirror. Last night it hit me hard and I was just disgusted by my reflection in the mirror. It’s like the old me was staring back and I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it. I just hate those moments especially since it feels like no matter how supportive my friends and family are they just can’t understand. I think that it’s also linked to the fact that ever time I lost weight in the past I gained it all back and then some. Now that I’ve lost 117lbs it’s my worst nightmare to put all of that weight or even some of it back on. I’m terrified of back sliding more then ever, possibly because this is the most successful I’ve been losing weight. I was also on vacation recently and gained 1.5lbs. I know that isn’t significant and I’ve lost it since but it’s just another reminder that it’s possible to gain it back. I’m getting worried too because my appetite is close to non existent and I’ve been having a protein shake, yogurt, be protein bar as my only food for about a week now. I’m getting my recommended protein but I know it’s not a good pattern. I’m especially concerned because it’s at the same time I’m having a hard time with my BDD. Has as anyone else been through either of these phases and what did you do to move on? I’m considering seeing the therapist I saw pre-surgery but I’m on the fence about whether it would help or not.

Thank you!

Thank you! It really surprises me every time I look back and think about how many improvements this whole process has made in my life. I'm just beyond thankful to be where I am.

Thank you! I'm definitely not quitting any time soon!

Thank you so much!!!

Thank you so much!! Usually I start to self sabotage when I get close to a big goal like getting under 200 so I'm relieved my head is still in the game. Definitely gotta keep it going!

Aw thank you! Just following the plan and trying my best! It really pays off!

Thank you! Recreating the picture was just too tempting when I realized how far I've come. I'm super happy so far and excited about the chance to actually meet my weight loss goals!

Thank you! Hope your recovery is going well!

Thank you! Feeling great so far. Looks like you're doing great from your stats! Congrats!

Thank you so much!! I'm feeling great! Looks like you're a few weeks into recovery. Hope all has been going well for you! Week 3 was tough but it got better every day since. Best wishes for your post op!

I'm just too excited for this milestone and I know that you all would understand how major this is. Today when I got on the scale it read 198.8! This is the first time I've been in the 100s since probably high school (but I have no idea what I weighted then). I know in junior high I was 186 and I was probably shorter than I am now so this is a pretty huge success. I've never been able to lose weight like this with all of the different diets and workout plans before. I'm so thankful for the sleeve and that my doctor encouraged me to go forward with it. Since the sleeve my high blood pressure has improved, I was able to get rid of a CPAP machine and my chronic ankle pain from a childhood injury has improved a great deal. My last vacation in December I needed to use an ECV because walking was excruciating. I had another vacation last week that was three times as long and my ankle was sore some days but I was able to keep up and walk the entire time. The entire process has been so motivating and positive I couldn't possibly ask for any more. I've now lost 112lbs since my highest weight and I'm thrilled. I definitely hope to lose some more, likely about 30-40lbs. Hopefully this will put be in a good goal range and I can focus on maintenance. I'm a little under 7 months from surgery and it feels amazing to actually have my goal weight in sight. I got to recreate my 'before' picture and I love having the side by side comparison. I even took the same shirt and remade it into a much smaller size!

Latest before and after pic! I’m officially down 109lbs from my highest weight. 6 months since surgery. I’m feeling better everyday! went to Disney and took in a shirt I wore here in December. I got the chance to recreate the pic and I feel so damn good seeing the transformation! Before: Size 24 and 3X Current: Size 14 and L

I hit a huge milestone last week and finally hit 100 pounds lost total! I'm about 5 months post op and I lost about 30 pounds of that during the pre-op diet. A year ago I don't think I would have believed that I would be 100 pounds lighter. I was a size 24/3X at my highest and now I'm wearing size 14/L! I'm so excited about how successful this surgery has been. I've been working hard to follow the plan during this time and I'm just thankful that I've been able to keep up with it. I have about 50lbs left to get into goal range. The nutritionist thinks somewhere between 150-170 will be good for me. It's really unbelievable to be so close to that weight. I'm about 2/3 of the way there and I'm just hopeful that I can reach goal.

I have PCOS and I had the sleeve surgery on 4/20/17. I’ve lost 101lbs since my highest weight. This is the most successful I’ve been with weight loss since puberty. Weight has been one of my biggest struggles with PCOS. My nutritionist actually said that little to no starches in my diet is important not only for weight loss but also for PCOS. I’ve only had a few bites of any starches since surgery and it’s made a big difference. I feel much healthier and have had less of those intense mood swings related to my cycle. Like another woman said though, I haven’t had any reduction in my hirsutism which I was really hoping may be improved. I know that the high protein diet post op helps to prevent general hair loss so I wonder if it’s just helping to prolong my hirsutism. Unfortunately I have light hair so I’ve been told laser isn’t a great option but I may look into other permanent hair removal methods in the future. I’ve been on the pill since I was diagnosed about 12 years ago so I’ve had a monthly cycle for that entire time. The first couple of months after surgery my period was 2 weeks on 2 weeks off but after three months it has stabilized and I’ve only been getting it for a few days once a month. One thing that my PCP said is that hormones are stored in fat cells. So while I’m losing weight the hormones essentially get forced out when a fat cell shrinks enough. She said that was the most likely reason for my erratic cycle after surgery especially since the weight was coming off really fast. I have absolutely no regrets about surgery at all. I don’t think that it will resolve all of the symptoms that go along with PCOS but I do feel like I’m better equipped to handle my PCOS. I’m also hopeful that as I get closer to goal it will improve even further. Best of luck!!

Thank you! I love setting small goals for myself! It's helped a lot during the process. If I only think about my final goal it can seem like too much sometimes. Reaching all the mini goals along the way have given me a lot more confidence. I usually just went with celebrating 10lbs at a time. Right now excited to reach 100lbs lost since I'm 4 lbs away! Next mini goal is getting under 200! I've got my eyes on the prize! Congrats on your success so far and best of luck!

It feels incredible! Somedays I forget just how run down I felt from my body carrying all that extra weight. It's so much easier to move during exercises too. Congrats on your success! It's so exciting that you're so close to goal!

Anytime, I don't mind questions at all. It's just my experience and I know everyone has a different path. I'm so thankful that my doctor recommended surgery, I'm not sure I would have ever gotten the courage to bring it up myself. I would do it again in a second if I had to make the decision all over again.

Thank you so much!! I feel even better!

The best thing I can say is to get out of your head. A lot of my self sabotaging ways wanted to creep back in at moments and I had to stop myself and ask if I was really hungry. The answer was usually no but my head has been so used to telling me I'm hungry when I'm not it continued to try. I feel lucky, like a light bulb went off and my mindset now is that food is my body's fuel. I still eat things that taste good and I enjoy but I leave out anything without nutritional value. It helps a great deal and I crave those things less the longer I go without them. Just trust the plan from the nutritionist, it really does work. I feel excited that I've got the food side worked out since that has been the biggest battle my whole life. My only other advice is that if the mind game is winning to try to see a therapist. Mine was very helpful before surgery and the nutritionist has been a bit of a food therapist after. Just be honest with yourself. Best of luck with everything! Stay positive and it will come together!

Love this!! Hoping I can say the same some day. Congrats!!!

Thank you so much! Just trying to do my part so the sleeve works as best it can.

Aw, thank you!! I see you're a couple months in. I hope the sleeve has gone well for you so far! Best of luck with it!

Thank you so much! I love shopping but it's usually been helping friends or family look for things. Being able to go into a non plus size store and put things on is liberating (not so much for my wallet). I haven't been buying much, mostly pants. I've been altering a fair amount of tops with decent success. I definitely want to wait for most things until I'm more stable. Yay! Another MA sleever! Not sure if you want to share where you are and where you had surgery. I'm in the south coast and had my surgery at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton with Dr. McCluney.

Me too! I love seeing how much the sleeve helps people. It also helps cuz I don't always see progress in the mirror but I do in the pics! Can't wait for pics when I'm at goal. thank you!