Sophie7713

Bambi - Your body has experienced a major change in weight also adjusting to a new way of eating for the better. It's normal if you are staying compliant for things to shift up and down a bit. You will balance out in time. Try to go back to our threads in 2019 - 2021... I think you will find them helpful and encouraging. Cheering you on! YAY! BTW, why not go under 200 - say 195? It may feel even more rewarding in a new decade... the 90's😃!

How are things progressing? Are you closer to your goal? Fun at the gym today - my spotter, the handsome Pirate from the Caribbean!

AWESOME! Congratulations and best wishes... Happy Spring.

I had my arm lifts October 2024. Lipo was not part of my procedure. It was, however, the most painful of all my plastics - I do believe because as appendages away from the warmth and protection of the main body (and, my surgeon does not like compression garments for arms) - the healing journey was not pleasant, but well worth it. I'm so pleased with the results! Began lifting weights to further firm + contour arms beginning August 2025. Best wishes and much success with your new happy arms!

Today is my 1 year anniversary of my surgery, time really did fly
I was over 300lbs when I started and now, I'm so close to "one"derland, something I never thought was possible anymore
I know my journey is far from over, the real work starts now.

I’ve been thinking about the GLP-1 because the food noise has been really rough lately. Since my lowest weight- before the boobs and before my “muscle mommy” era (LOL)- I’m up about 15 lbs. The weird part is I’m still roughly the same size, except for tops because of the new additions.
But mentally, things feel different. I find myself binging at night sometimes just because I want something sweet. I don’t know where my control and discipline went. I used to be so hyper-focused, and now that I’m more in a maintenance phase it feels like I get in my own head. Then I end up sabotaging myself or almost punishing myself for it.
During the week I do great. I meal prep, I eat 140g+ of protein, I do about 30 minutes of cardio and get 10–12k steps, and I weight train 4–5 days a week. But Saturdays can turn into a free-for-all sometimes. And when I allow myself to have cocktails, I have a hard time stopping at just one. Then Sundays I feel like sh** and then get back on track. I know that the muscles are shaping me and I look different at this weight then someone who never weight lifted. I look in the mirror and be like "ok baddie" but then I step on the scale and I am pissed.
This is honestly the first time I’ve said it out loud, but the last few months have been really hard for me.

GLP1 medication is a life saver for me. It completely changes how I feel and think about food. It turns off so much food noise and constant thoughts about what I want to eat. I truly believe GLP1 medications should go hand in hand with bariatric surgery after a certain point if the patient needs it. I hear so many stories of people who slowly gain it all back and I truly believe in this medication. It helps with so many of my PCOS symptoms and even helps with things like shopping addiction for me.

I don’t know what I expected in terms of longevity of my plastics procedures but everything has settled well and feels really natural so I am satisfied.

Congrat! Your arms look fantastic, well deserved :)

Congrats!

Morning of op & 6 days post op

Absolutely, Green Tealaeh... Happy New Year! I concur - the investment in plastics after weight loss has resulted in a resounding feeling of confidence, a satisfied and completed journey 8 years out! I could not be happier with my new found shape even though I went from 5 feet to current 4' 11" (currently adjusting my weight for this height decrease)... The rewards are too many to count! And, your figure is simply gorgeous! Well done. Do you also feel plastics has helped keep one dedicated, motivated, and vigilant for the other important components such as healthy exercise, mindful eating and emotional wholeness + growth after our initial weight loss surgeries 2018?

Amber WAY TO GO! Best Wishes in crafting a lifestyle to LAST a lifetime. I like to remind myself as well - Excellence, not perfection. Here's to the wild, wilder, and wildest ride EVER... Congratulations!

This journey has been wild in the best way.
I started this journey at 297 lbs.
1 year post-op: 165 lbs
2 years post-op: 175 lbs (with a breast augmentation)
I had my VSG on 1/24/24, the day after I turned 35. At that point, I wasn’t happy with how I looked or how I felt. I was exhausted, uncomfortable in my body, and honestly… I wasn’t showing up as the best version of myself. My kids and husband weren’t getting the best version of me… and honestly, neither was I.
So I chose to do the work. VSG has been an incredible tool. I consistently work out 5–6 days a week, combining cardio and weight training. I eat fairly well, with treats here and there… because we’re human and food is delicious! I have energy for days. My kids and husband get the best version of me, and for the first time, so do I. I’m stronger, healthier, more confident, and deeply grateful for how far I’ve come.
Along this journey, I learned:
• Discipline over motivation
• Progress over perfection
• Self-respect over self-neglect
I decided to choose to show up every single day not only for myself but for my family!

The Weight of the Decision: Why I'm Choosing the Tool Over the TrendFor a long time, I felt like I was stuck in a cycle of trying, failing, and starting over. But when you're carrying over 400 pounds, the stakes change. You aren't just looking to "fit into old jeans" anymore; you're looking for a way to save your own life.

Lately, the conversation around weight loss has been dominated by two paths: Bariatric Surgery and Medical Weight Loss (like those once-a-week shots everyone is talking about). I've spent a lot of time on the fence, but I've finally realized where I stand.

Why Medication Wasn't the Whole Answer

Don't get me wrong--medical weight loss is a miracle for many. But for me, it felt like a temporary bridge. When you have a significant amount of weight to lose, the idea of being "on the fence" usually comes down to a fear of the unknown. Will the meds work forever? What happens if the insurance stops covering them?

I realized I didn't want to just manage the symptoms of my weight; I wanted to fundamentally change the way my body operates.

Surgery: The Tool, Not the Easy Out

The phrase I keep coming back to is "I need a tool." At 400+ lbs, my biology is working against me. My hunger hormones are loud, and my metabolism feels like it's stuck in concrete. I view bariatric surgery as a physical reset. It's not a "shortcut"--anyone who has seen the recovery and the lifestyle prep knows that--but it is a permanent architectural change to my digestive system.

It's the hammer that helps me build the house. I still have to swing it, but at least now I have the right equipment for the job.

Looking Forward

Choosing surgery is about choosing a definitive "Day One." It's about moving past the indecision and committing to a path that offers the most aggressive intervention for my health. I'm nervous, sure, but for the first time in a long time, I'm also hopeful

I am not sure yet that I would do it again, probably 80% to that point.
I had my sleeve surgery in July 2023 with serious complications, so much so that it is still not over yet and I am due one more procedure in February which will hopefully be the last. I had just let myself get to the point where I didn't regret my decision to have the surgery and then almost two years to the original date I suffered complications (clip failed and my stomach leak was back). I think once I know I am clear of all complications I will be able to not regret the surgery and the question about doing it again would probably be a yes just with a different surgeon/hospital.
Just make sure you are happy with the surgical team and have a good support system in place. I had researched my surgeon of choice, met with her and went through the detail with her etc but then, without advising me, the surgeon on the day was different. Most of the support team were the same but the surgeon I ended up with would not have been one I picked. I had a second choice that I cuold have advised of had the hospital contacted me in advance to discuss, even if it meant changing the date.

There are no daily challenges as such but I do feel the cold more now that I have less fat to keep me warm and having to check menus in advance to make sure there is something in a restaurant I know I can eat (more down to my fussiness) but all the positives (new wardrobe, able to know I can slip into a seat with ease, I walk with a lighter step, not feeling like I am being judged by everyone for being the fattest in the room etc.) outweigh the challenges. What I saw as challenges/hurdles at the start were more just about me getting into the right headspace to make the changes I needed in my eating habits (less, slower and regular) . Some of my good habits went out the window this Christmas but only by the new standards I hold myself to, still did not over eat or over drink the way I would have done years ago and I know that going back to my good ways from Monday (hey it is still the new year weekend) will be easy and get me back on track. In other years I would be starting some crazy new year diet cycle that would work for a few weeks and then I would be back to not being able to maintain the discipline and gain back what I lost.

I have no cartilidge in either knee and was at the stage of having to consdier knee replacement, was getting regular injections for the last few years, but since I have lost so much weight the pain in my knees has eased considerably, they now just ache sometimes if I have been walking a lot during the day but nothing like the pain before so I am hoping I don't need the knee replacement for many years (if at all).

Omg you both look gorgeous! Picture perfect! I rarely see anyone dressed up anymore except for weddings and even then people are playing it safe.

I would NEVER go back! A picture is worth a thousand words. If you comply, remain diligent to take GOOD care of yourself (and, your sleeve) physically AND emotionally - YOU will have VICTORY Diane72! You can do this. We are all cheering you on!

Cravings can definitely come back, especially during weight loss or post-surgery phases. What helped me was prioritizing protein and balanced meals, which really reduced sweet cravings over time. Sometimes a protein-based sweet option, like Built Bar, can satisfy that craving without throwing everything off. Staying hydrated and consistent makes a big difference too—you’re definitely not alone in this.

Oh ladies, there has never been a dessert I've met - I didn't like! I think your dietician and surgeon are wise and spot on. A VERY occasional few bites of a favorite dessert will not sabotage... Unless - there are a few so susceptible that it can spur a downward spiral. I had to combat that scenario and regain restraint after introducing unnatural/processed or baked sweets three years out. Mr. Sophie is our resident baker with party desserts to die for! BUT I have learned to share or take a few bites - then give or throw away the rest - so not to be amidst constant temptation. For myself, best to reach out for a fruit that possesses a balance of natural sugar and fiber. Cautionary tale: My former self having indulged in too many desserts and rich foods before sleeve. NEVER wish to return to that place or vicious cycle again.

I would NEVER go back! A picture is worth a thousand words. If you comply, remain diligent to take GOOD care of yourself (and, your sleeve) physically AND emotionally - YOU will have VICTORY Diane72! You can do this. We are all cheering you on!

I would NEVER go back! A picture is worth a thousand words. If you comply, remain diligent to take GOOD care of yourself (and, your sleeve) physically AND emotionally - YOU will have VICTORY Diane72! You can do this. We are all cheering you on!

Yes, time has totally flown by! Celebrating with you on your 9th year beginning this journey!!! Wow. What a game changer for us and others who currently take that courageous step to improve their health, happiness and well being. You are a benediction... A true treasure to all of us here at Bari-pals dispensing help, insight and encouragement thru the years. Remember our COVID days? Thank you! And, Tea, I was in awe at our recent Palm Beach - 65th Red Cross Ball honoring all our uniformed men and women who serve valiantly to keep us safe and sound - here and abroad. Danced all night! How wonderful not to experience the wiggle jiggle on my upper arms after brachioplasty October 2025. The arms are healing nicely. Weight lifting them 3 times a week for optimum form, strength and movement. YAY for PLASTIC SURGERY!!! Mr. Sophie sends his best. Jacksonville Wolfson Children's Hospital gala we attended in December 2025. Another night of dancing with arms up and swinging! FUN. 😉Do share some more updated pictures.

I would NEVER go back! A picture is worth a thousand words. If you comply, remain diligent to take GOOD care of yourself (and, your sleeve) physically AND emotionally - YOU will have VICTORY Diane72! You can do this. We are all cheering you on!

I would NEVER go back! A picture is worth a thousand words. If you comply, remain diligent to take GOOD care of yourself (and, your sleeve) physically AND emotionally - YOU will have VICTORY Diane72! You can do this. We are all cheering you on!