MikeIL

Walking up and down stairs without losing breath and having to step onto a step with both feet before taking the next. Enjoyed the summer without being a complete sweating mess in the mildest of heat Going into public places and not worrying if I'll fit in a chair Flying to see relatives and fitting in a plane seat Took an Amtrak cross country and stayed in a sleeper. Was able to sit in the booths in the dining car Shopping at actual dept stores for clothes and not getting screwed by Casual Male prices Walked the 12 mile trail along the southern rim of the Grand Canyon

I just passed my one year anniversary on the 12th.

I just passed my one year anniversary on the 12th.

I just passed my one year anniversary on the 12th.

I just passed my one year anniversary on the 12th.

I just passed my one year anniversary on the 12th.

When I began this journey at the beginning of 2018 I was 426 pounds. Can't tell you measurements because all my clothes were in X's and not inches. But for reference, I was in a 5x shirt from Casual Male. I only wore sweatpants and those were also a 5x. People only saw me in clothes and the comment I often heard was that I carried my weight well. Being 6'1" I had the advantage of being tall and heavy vs short and heavy. It was all an illusion.
Medically I was prediabetic, on CPAP, could only sleep on my back, had knee pain and sweated like a frog fresh out of the pond in any weather over 72 degrees.
7 months post surgery and I am down 139 pounds. My A1C is 4, off the CPAP, I can sleep on my side, I can walk all day and not have knee pain...unfortunatley I still sweat a lot.
My physical appearance has changed in visible ways. Prior to surgery, I use to measure my weight loss and gain by how close I was to my steering wheel. If I was rubbing it then it was a bad week, if I could fit my hand between my belly and the wheel it was a good week (I avoided scales, I knew I was fat and honestly just wanted to get by in life). I look down at my steering wheel now and I see the marks where my belt scratched up the leather. Now there are a good 10 inches between me and the steering wheel. I can get in a car accident and not worry that the airbag is going to kill me.
I can see the weight loss in my face:

I also see the weight loss around my body. My shoulders are boney, my arms have lots of skin, my butt sags, the skin just hangs everywhere.
I'm down to a 2x and my waist is in a 50 pant which needs a belt. I hold these clothes out in front of me as I'm about to put them on and I say to myself, "There is no way this will fit me" or "Boy this is gonna look tight" and the clothes fits perfect. Not tight and hides my sag well.
Overall I don't want to sound like I'm not delighted, but I'm realizing just how large I was...and honestly still am.
I wish I were brave enough to take a photo so I could show you what I mean, but I can't believe after all this weight coming off I'm still so big. I sit and there is a huge belly still in my lap. My thighs are huge. Maybe as I continue to lose weight these two areas will decrease dramatically, but it seems like there must be 150 lbs there alone.
I never thought for a moment that after my surgery I was going to have a thin, fit beach body. I hoped though that it would be less fat looking when dressed and in public. I almost feel like I want to tell people "Yeah, but just half a year ago I was..."

Walking up and down stairs without losing breath and having to step onto a step with both feet before taking the next. Enjoyed the summer without being a complete sweating mess in the mildest of heat Going into public places and not worrying if I'll fit in a chair Flying to see relatives and fitting in a plane seat Took an Amtrak cross country and stayed in a sleeper. Was able to sit in the booths in the dining car Shopping at actual dept stores for clothes and not getting screwed by Casual Male prices Walked the 12 mile trail along the southern rim of the Grand Canyon

I just passed my one year anniversary on the 12th.

You look GREAT! Waaay different from your first pictures where you already looked great!
ps I'm also digging the shoes...😁

I agree, you look great and have come so far! I hope I do as well as you have! Congrats!

I just passed my one year anniversary on the 12th.

Walking up and down stairs without losing breath and having to step onto a step with both feet before taking the next. Enjoyed the summer without being a complete sweating mess in the mildest of heat Going into public places and not worrying if I'll fit in a chair Flying to see relatives and fitting in a plane seat Took an Amtrak cross country and stayed in a sleeper. Was able to sit in the booths in the dining car Shopping at actual dept stores for clothes and not getting screwed by Casual Male prices Walked the 12 mile trail along the southern rim of the Grand Canyon

Holy CRAP. You look GREAT. You must be feeling awesome! Congrats!!!!
P.S. Digging your shoes 😎

When I began this journey at the beginning of 2018 I was 426 pounds. Can't tell you measurements because all my clothes were in X's and not inches. But for reference, I was in a 5x shirt from Casual Male. I only wore sweatpants and those were also a 5x. People only saw me in clothes and the comment I often heard was that I carried my weight well. Being 6'1" I had the advantage of being tall and heavy vs short and heavy. It was all an illusion.
Medically I was prediabetic, on CPAP, could only sleep on my back, had knee pain and sweated like a frog fresh out of the pond in any weather over 72 degrees.
7 months post surgery and I am down 139 pounds. My A1C is 4, off the CPAP, I can sleep on my side, I can walk all day and not have knee pain...unfortunatley I still sweat a lot.
My physical appearance has changed in visible ways. Prior to surgery, I use to measure my weight loss and gain by how close I was to my steering wheel. If I was rubbing it then it was a bad week, if I could fit my hand between my belly and the wheel it was a good week (I avoided scales, I knew I was fat and honestly just wanted to get by in life). I look down at my steering wheel now and I see the marks where my belt scratched up the leather. Now there are a good 10 inches between me and the steering wheel. I can get in a car accident and not worry that the airbag is going to kill me.
I can see the weight loss in my face:

I also see the weight loss around my body. My shoulders are boney, my arms have lots of skin, my butt sags, the skin just hangs everywhere.
I'm down to a 2x and my waist is in a 50 pant which needs a belt. I hold these clothes out in front of me as I'm about to put them on and I say to myself, "There is no way this will fit me" or "Boy this is gonna look tight" and the clothes fits perfect. Not tight and hides my sag well.
Overall I don't want to sound like I'm not delighted, but I'm realizing just how large I was...and honestly still am.
I wish I were brave enough to take a photo so I could show you what I mean, but I can't believe after all this weight coming off I'm still so big. I sit and there is a huge belly still in my lap. My thighs are huge. Maybe as I continue to lose weight these two areas will decrease dramatically, but it seems like there must be 150 lbs there alone.
I never thought for a moment that after my surgery I was going to have a thin, fit beach body. I hoped though that it would be less fat looking when dressed and in public. I almost feel like I want to tell people "Yeah, but just half a year ago I was..."

Keep it up, you are doing awesome. I often find myself replying the same way when people try to compliment me on my weight loss! I feel like I need to justify why I still have more to lose - or why I'm still overweight - I'm working on it!! It is waaay harder to just say Thank You!!
I do still have a long way to go - and worry that now that I have hit the 6 month post surgery mark - AND have had other health issues that are going to limit my ability to work out - my weight loss is going to drastically slow down, but if it does, I will deal with it - I will take one day at a time and Celebrate my success as it comes!

Keep up the good work Mike. You look awesome, and you sound like a nice man.
We all have trouble facing reality about our size. Take pictures and measurements so you can give yourself credit for your hard work. Take those compliments, you deserve them.
Good luck on the rest of your journey, there are many more wonderful surprises.

I often feel this way too. I honestly think some of it is we do not see ourselves the way others do. I constantly lament to my wife about my “big belly” after losing over 240 pounds... I stand in disbelief that I still have a belly. A belly that looks huge to me now. She always shoots back “boy, you don’t have a belly anymore.”

I look at my clothes... my new clothes, and think there is no way this will fit me. Then it not only does, it is loose.

I honestly have the hardest time seeing myself as a non-fat person no matter how many people I love and trust that tell me otherwise. Logically and rationally I know I am smaller. You don’t lose as much as I do and not look smaller. So I know people aren’t lying to me.

It’s just... I was fat for so long and I still see myself as fat. So man, I understand where you are coming from. I’m just now getting to where I look at my photos and see real progress.

Unless you were morbidly obese it is really difficult to understand this. I get that. But it just goes to show that being morbidly obese affects more than just your physical health. It really damages you mentally too.

Again, well done and you look and are amazing!
Something I observed today,
I was talking with a group of women that have not had surgery. I had been obese for years and I remember how I felt when thinner people would complain about 10-20 pounds. I rolled my eyes because I had 100 pounds to lose. It’s amazing, heathy people also have body issues.

MikeIL...you are doing amazingly well with that loss! Always remember... you did not get over 400lbs in a few months. It will take awhile to get to where you want to be and can truly notice all the changes. Focus on how you feel and keep trying new things that you never could have done at your high weight!

This!! This is what I worry about with doctor..initially I was a 'prospect' so lots of attentions and allusions to things being doable..but now I'm a 'customer'..no need to "court" me. It is wrong. Not sure how many ppl in your area but maybe another practice would appreciate you more. Doctors forget that having 'success stories' and ppl willing to reference, maybe even drop into a meeting of newbies....ya know?

I have learned the best response to the compliments that I don't think I deserve yet is to just say Thank you...

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Omg you're such an inspiration..All of us know we are overweight I have a problem with the word fat.lol
But until like you we actually look at the size we were it's hard to really take it in.
You have lost a whole person and your doing great things for your health.
Those are absolutely amazing milestones.
You look awesome and should be proud of yourself!!
I don't know what your goal weight is but I would bet that you are at least at the halfway point.
Keep your eyes on the goal and keep your chin up!!
I am having the RNY REVISION SURGERY on July 16th. I had sleeve surgery will be 3 years ago October 25th. I lost 87 lbs and have arm skin enough for wings but I have severe GERD and it has gotten worse since the sleeve. I still want to lose at least 85 more lbs. Terrified of the hanging skin. But thankfully there's surgery for skin removal after losing all the weight.
With any luck my insurance companies will pay for at least part of it.
Anyway I wish you the best of luck with your journey.
Allie in SC

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

7 months out and 139 down is phenomenal and noticeable.
A bit of perspective – Someone struggling with obesity at a higher BMI is wishing they were at your current weight. Have gratitude and know you are amazing.
Many of us have body issues. It may take self-help or counseling. It takes time for your mind to catch up with your rapid weight loss. It may become easier to see yourself correctly after goal and your weight settles.
Well done! keep going.

It’s natural to feel that way. For myself instead of taking a compliment I find myself saying ohh but I have so much more to lose! Instead I should say thank you I have worked hard and will continue to do so! Congrats on your weight loss!