james2021

@pk88 hope your surgery went well and that you recover quickly! We got this

@james2021 thanks so much for reaching out and way to go on your achievement!! You've lost more than 1/3 of your starting weight. Starting again is always more challenging than staying the course, but being conscious and honest about it is crucial. I've been hovering in the same weight range for a couple months now as well and am at the stage where even a single pound lost is worth celebrating. I struggle with getting enough Protein (especially in the morning), avoiding carbs, and moving my body, which are old habits that got me to nearly 300 pounds. Sound familiar? I have a surgery on my right foot two days before Thanksgiving, so I'll be non-weight bearing for a couple months... and unable to drive. I'll be spending my winter/holidays healing and a big part will be to eat healthfully. Let's do this together! Let me know what you're doing toward your health and wellbeing. Won't it be great to spend next Spring and Summer feeling strong and amazing? Let's do this!

absolutely no regrets, i feel like i'm living again.

@pk88 so sorry to hear you are going through that, and amazing news that it was caught early. You're right, the surgery and being so on top of your health probably helped a lot!
After losing 110 lbs in the first 7 months, my weight has been stagnant for the last 11 months. I'm glad I haven't regained, but I really need to get back to basics, tracking, and start exercising in earnest. It's definitely getting a lot harder. I still want to lose another 50 lbs, at least!
Hope you are all doing well. ❤️

absolutely no regrets, i feel like i'm living again.

Just wanted to drop a note of encouragement to the folks who are considering surgery, pre-surgery, in the early recovery stages. I had VSG on May 20, 2021 and started out 355 lbs. In a year, I'm down to 237.2. Life is so much easier, I have so much more stamina, and I'm so glad I had surgery and didn't get cold feet. Once I was out of the recovery phase it has been amazing how normal life feels, even if it's a new normal. I am wishing you the best and keep at it! ❤️
 

Just wanted to drop a note of encouragement to the folks who are considering surgery, pre-surgery, in the early recovery stages. I had VSG on May 20, 2021 and started out 355 lbs. In a year, I'm down to 237.2. Life is so much easier, I have so much more stamina, and I'm so glad I had surgery and didn't get cold feet. Once I was out of the recovery phase it has been amazing how normal life feels, even if it's a new normal. I am wishing you the best and keep at it! ❤️
 

Just wanted to drop a note of encouragement to the folks who are considering surgery, pre-surgery, in the early recovery stages. I had VSG on May 20, 2021 and started out 355 lbs. In a year, I'm down to 237.2. Life is so much easier, I have so much more stamina, and I'm so glad I had surgery and didn't get cold feet. Once I was out of the recovery phase it has been amazing how normal life feels, even if it's a new normal. I am wishing you the best and keep at it! ❤️
 

Just wanted to drop a note of encouragement to the folks who are considering surgery, pre-surgery, in the early recovery stages. I had VSG on May 20, 2021 and started out 355 lbs. In a year, I'm down to 237.2. Life is so much easier, I have so much more stamina, and I'm so glad I had surgery and didn't get cold feet. Once I was out of the recovery phase it has been amazing how normal life feels, even if it's a new normal. I am wishing you the best and keep at it! ❤️
 

Just wanted to drop a note of encouragement to the folks who are considering surgery, pre-surgery, in the early recovery stages. I had VSG on May 20, 2021 and started out 355 lbs. In a year, I'm down to 237.2. Life is so much easier, I have so much more stamina, and I'm so glad I had surgery and didn't get cold feet. Once I was out of the recovery phase it has been amazing how normal life feels, even if it's a new normal. I am wishing you the best and keep at it! ❤️
 

Just wanted to drop a note of encouragement to the folks who are considering surgery, pre-surgery, in the early recovery stages. I had VSG on May 20, 2021 and started out 355 lbs. In a year, I'm down to 237.2. Life is so much easier, I have so much more stamina, and I'm so glad I had surgery and didn't get cold feet. Once I was out of the recovery phase it has been amazing how normal life feels, even if it's a new normal. I am wishing you the best and keep at it! ❤️
 

Just wanted to drop a note of encouragement to the folks who are considering surgery, pre-surgery, in the early recovery stages. I had VSG on May 20, 2021 and started out 355 lbs. In a year, I'm down to 237.2. Life is so much easier, I have so much more stamina, and I'm so glad I had surgery and didn't get cold feet. Once I was out of the recovery phase it has been amazing how normal life feels, even if it's a new normal. I am wishing you the best and keep at it! ❤️
 

after surgery was really, really difficult and you don't have food to rely on anymore in the same way for comfort. but it does get better! i was miserable in the 1-2 months after surgery. if you have access to therapy of some kind i feel like therapy was really critical for me, and the supportive community on forums/instagram. as your body readjusts and you are able to take in more calories it gets easier. ❤️ hang in there.

Pain meds made everything totally fine!

Thanks for the detailed reply. This really helps.

I recently discovered these forums and I am super excited to explore and learn and hopefully help others, too.
I have been overweight my entire life. Even when I was in elementary school.
My dad gave me nicknames to try to get me to stop wanting to eat. Fat in the can, the Crisco Kid. He was funny and I love him dearly, but he had no idea of the forces behind my eating problems. And an old-school way of tough-love (never physical, but jokes, which can be bad too).
Anyway, In '92 I enlisted in the Army Infantry. Yes, I lost enough weight to get in, and Boot Camp took care of the rest. Then slowly gained weight back while I was in, despite all of the running and pushups and "pleasant nature hikes." Weight became a problem and I was called out all the time. But I always passed my physical fitness tests, and always did my job and stayed out of trouble, so I was mostly left alone.
Fast forward to today. Heaviest weight after the Army was 315 pounds (I am 6'2"), and now I am 275 pounds. Constantly up and down up and down. Discovered Engine 2 and stayed on it for 6 months, was down to my 250s, then simply could not stay on that diet, and pushed back up to my current 275.
Finally went to Ohio State University's (OSU's) Bariatric program and in-processed trying to use BCBS. BCBS requires the last 5 years of weight history. I am apparently supposed to be under a medically supervised diet for 6 months. See a Dietician (end of this month) and a Psychiatrist (end of this month), and find my own Therapist and start having sessions.
So no surgery until next year some time.
HOWEVER, I changing jobs in a few weeks, and will now have Cigna Health Insurance. My OSU coordinator looked up Cigna and said they did *not* have a 6 month supervised diet, so if things go well I should be able to have surgery before the end of the year.
SUPER excited!
Going with bypass, not sleeve, because I became diabetic this past year (only taking Metformin to control), and have routine bad heartburn. It is a better fit.
Anyway, that is me, and hopefully a new me is around the corner. I cannot wait for a fresh start in life, albeit a difficult start.
Thanks for listening

Just an accountability check in/update. I’m so thankful I didn’t chicken out of this surgery. I’m 3.5 weeks post-op, still in the puréed food phase and down 26 lbs. the puréed stage hasn’t been that difficult as I’ve gotten creative with my options. I’m still drinking a couple of Protein Shakes as I can’t really eat more than a 3-4 “bites” before I’m stuffed. I am struggling to get all my Water in daily. I seem to top out at 32 ounces, not including at least a small bottle of Gatorade zero and the 12 oz of 1% milk for my shakes. I started adding a collagen supplement and that stuff smells horrible. 🤢 All in all, everything is going smoothly thus far. 😁

I'd take the loose skin any day of the week over weighing 373 lbs again. ANY FRICKIN' DAY!! However, mine did drive me nuts after awhile (it was easy to hide, but *I* knew it was there...), so I had it removed. Poof! Gone.

Ok surgery done!!! In recovery surgery took a little longer than normal due to state tissue from gall bladder surgery in 1992. But ready been up and walked and peed. Not just waiting to go ip to my room.
Sent from my SM-G981V using BariatricPal mobile app

wooohoooo after bouncing around 72-70 kg's since March I have finally dropped to 69kg

I had mine may 24th

I hit my one year tomorrow. I’ve lost 77.2. I’m 5’9”, 167.8 lb.

I’m at my lowest, been hanging out here the last couple months. Still hoping to get to 165. But happy where I’m at clothing size wise.

I'm a little past a year since my surgery, I got my surgery done May 19th 2021. My starting weight was 272lb and my current weight is 189lb I'm 5'9 and my goal is 172. I've had bad days to where I've eaten carbs and sugar but I do my best when I have cooked my meals ahead of time and have Protein early in my day! Thanks for everyone sharing their journey, it helps keep me going, knowing I'm not alone!

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G using BariatricPal mobile app

You look fantastic!!!! great job.

ONE YEAR LATER… my surgery for gastric sleeve was on May 26, 2021… I have lost 90 pounds and still hope to lose about 20 pounds but I feel great. I started at 268 and wearing 2xl and size 20 pants and XL tops. They were all snug. I am now wearing 12-14 (size L) bottoms and M tops. I carry most of my weight from the waist down.

My surgery and recovery was not bad at all. I immediately began walking and am back up to walking/jogging 3-4 miles several times a week. I also do reformer Pilates four times a week. That has been a game changer for me.

I have had NO reflux and no other issues since surgery. For that I am most thankful. I don’t get hungry and minimal cravings. I don’t really eat a lot of dairy since surgery. It may be the only adverse outcome from surgery. I am looking forward to the warmer months so I can benefit from the fresh fruit and veggies that are available.

This surgery was a game changer for me. I am so glad I did it and am thankful for my surgical team and my husband for his amazing support. I am considering doing some skin removal but maybe not for another year to see where we are then.

The first photo is from the first day of my two week liquid diet before surgery and a photo taken last month. The other four are a series of photos one of my coworkers took over the past year - date stamped.

Wishing all of you a happy 1 year anniversary! Hope we can all continue to give as many success stories a year from now!!!