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I wanted to share my story to try and inspire others. I was overweight all my life, but when I hit a high of 250 after graduating law school I knew something had to change. My doctor actually told me that if I didn't take drastic steps I was on the road to early mortality, which prompted me to pay for the surgery myself. I had my surgery six months ago, and now I'm at 188, just 3 pounds from having a BMI of 25. My ultimate goal is 175 pounds (I'm 6 feet tall), so it's an ongoing process, but my progress is still steady. I'm no longer pre-diabetic, my asthma has cleared up, and I can run 2 miles a day. I couldn't climb a flight of stairs six months ago without gasping and reaching for my inhalor; now I live in a 5th floor walk-up. Everything about my life has changed -- I have more energy, feel healthy, and love what I see in the mirror. The everyday joys of weight loss -- stepping on the scale, having my clothes taken in, being complimented by old friends -- keeps me motivated. Thanks to a wonderful support team (the brilliant Dr. Brian Jacob, my health food cooking husband, and a dad taking the weight loss journey with me) I feel I can finish my journey and maintain a healthy weight. If anyone out there is in need of a support system of their own please message me -- I've been through plenty of ups and downs, and I'm always happy to help others through them.

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:success1: :myscared: wow - great story!

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I wanted to share my story to try and inspire others. I was overweight all my life, but when I hit a high of 250 after graduating law school I knew something had to change. My doctor actually told me that if I didn't take drastic steps I was on the road to early mortality, which prompted me to pay for the surgery myself. I had my surgery six months ago, and now I'm at 188, just 3 pounds from having a BMI of 25. My ultimate goal is 175 pounds (I'm 6 feet tall), so it's an ongoing process, but my progress is still steady. I'm no longer pre-diabetic, my asthma has cleared up, and I can run 2 miles a day. I couldn't climb a flight of stairs six months ago without gasping and reaching for my inhalor; now I live in a 5th floor walk-up. Everything about my life has changed -- I have more energy, feel healthy, and love what I see in the mirror. The everyday joys of weight loss -- stepping on the scale, having my clothes taken in, being complimented by old friends -- keeps me motivated. Thanks to a wonderful support team (the brilliant Dr. Brian Jacob, my health food cooking husband, and a dad taking the weight loss journey with me) I feel I can finish my journey and maintain a healthy weight. If anyone out there is in need of a support system of their own please message me -- I've been through plenty of ups and downs, and I'm always happy to help others through them.

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sashamarie - thank you for posting such an inspiring story and congratulations on your weight loss! i had my surgery a month ago and have had two fills so far, one the day before yesterday, and then again yesterday because i felt no restriction from the first one - yet I'm still very hungry today! how many fills did it take before you reached your "sweet spot"?

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I wanted to share my story to try and inspire others. I was overweight all my life, but when I hit a high of 250 after graduating law school I knew something had to change. My doctor actually told me that if I didn't take drastic steps I was on the road to early mortality, which prompted me to pay for the surgery myself. I had my surgery six months ago, and now I'm at 188, just 3 pounds from having a BMI of 25. My ultimate goal is 175 pounds (I'm 6 feet tall), so it's an ongoing process, but my progress is still steady. I'm no longer pre-diabetic, my asthma has cleared up, and I can run 2 miles a day. I couldn't climb a flight of stairs six months ago without gasping and reaching for my inhalor; now I live in a 5th floor walk-up. Everything about my life has changed -- I have more energy, feel healthy, and love what I see in the mirror. The everyday joys of weight loss -- stepping on the scale, having my clothes taken in, being complimented by old friends -- keeps me motivated. Thanks to a wonderful support team (the brilliant Dr. Brian Jacob, my health food cooking husband, and a dad taking the weight loss journey with me) I feel I can finish my journey and maintain a healthy weight. If anyone out there is in need of a support system of their own please message me -- I've been through plenty of ups and downs, and I'm always happy to help others through them.

I loved your story! I think it's great that you continue to stay motivated, which I'm sure is why you're so successful!

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Congratulations! I am glad to read positive posts, because, just when I think I've made up my mind to get banded, I read several posts that scare the wits out of me.

I follow Weight Watchers program (or at least, sometimes, when I'm not in over eating mode, like I have been lately) and last night I did a search on the boards there for Lap band topics and most people were negative about it, and most of them because of others they knew that had problems, etc..... It's so scary. but also so motivating (with all of the positive posts AND to see folks I know that had it done and they look fabulous, and love their band) to see that, as a tool, it would help me to get the weight off by not overeating and to stay off once I get it off, while not going too crazy with the "not so good for me" foods. Eating the 'right' foods, I get. I feel as if it would not be a HUGE change for me, once I would get past the first stages of eating liquids/soft foods. Once I reached normal food stage is where I am thinking I would be okay, as WW teaches smaller portions as well. It's also important to keep in mind, that WHAT we choose to eat does make a difference in our HUNGRINESS (is that a word? lol). I have truly found that out by following a good healthier diet some weeks, with fruits and vegetables, Proteins. Not too many carbs, but I did have some, like bagel thins, etc... I found that when I did that, I did NOT even think about junk food so much. And that is saying something for me because I am a self proclaimed SWEET TOOTH FANATIC. I am usually okay with just a snack size candy bar if I really want it. My problem is when I get on these mindless, crazy binges. That's why I want to be banded, to help me from going too overboard at times like this.

I wish much success to everyone. I am still thinking I want the band, I'm just a bit terrified too.:blink:

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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