Tomorrow marks my 9 month post-op from band to sleeve.

What I've learned:

I can eat like a naturally thin person.

I can enjoy exercise and social activities without obesity holding me back.

I loved myself before, but now I actually like myself.

I have recognized my triggers, and weaknesses.

food is fuel, not comfort.

And most importantly, none of the physical changes outweigh how much healthier I am emotionally.

Now for a little attention whoring! ! !

Before 270 pounds size 22/24W

Afters 130 pounds size 6

I could never wear hooker boots because my calves were so huge, and I refused to buy ones that were cheap fake leather with elastic stretchy material to accommodate my fattness.

If you are considering the sleeve, research YES, but do not doubt that you can be successful. If I can do it, any one of you can do it. I absolutely love my sleeve, and that life that it affords me each day. Are there some struggles, yes, but the victories far outweigh the little speed bumps along the way.

YES, I know I need to tan.

thinoneday, thanks for the response. Sounds like it wasn't an issue at all for you. And your weight loss is terrific. Congratulations.

Awesome! Love those hooker boots too. Great job.

Congratulations!! You look amazing. You are an inspiration. I am very happy for you!

Tiffy,

Congrats. You look fantastic. I'm so happy for you. I hope I will be as successful. Can't wait for my turn to be sleeved.

The whole idea of weight "falling off" sure sounds awesome. I hope I will be as successful too Tiff! You're an inspiration to all of us. Right now we're wannabees - soon to be an inspiration too I hope.

Terri I hope you get insurance approval soon. I'm originally from Tulsa and worked for a while in B.A. when I was young. I have been gone for 35 years but I still miss Tulsa.

Thanks everyone, y'all are wonderful ! ! !

As for my exercise routine.

I had a weight lifting program set up for me by a trainer at the YMCA. It focused on certain parts of the body. Like day 1 was front of the body muscles, chest, biceps, quads, abs, Day 2 was back of the body, shoulders, back (upper and lower), hamstrings. My 3rd day focused on extremities, and doing leg lifts with weighted balls, squats, lunges, and some ab work. I did one day of cardio.

Now, I've cut the cardio out, just started lifting again after gallbladder surgery, and am doing major ab, butt, thigh work outs. I love, love, love Hip Hop Abs for cardio, also Zumba is amazing. My focus was to burn fat by building muscle. This did slow my weight loss down, but I lost inches quickly. Now, that I'm trying to maintain, my main focus is toning up at this point.

I still have a tummy fat roll that I'm working on. It's way smaller than it was even last month, but I knew I would be left with a panni. It's annoying, but it helps give me that hourglassy shape that I've always wanted LOL.

Cardio is great for calorie and fat burning. Weight lifting is great to burn fat, but you'll be building muscle which is leaner, and more dense that fat, so your numbers on the scale may not go down. Take your measurements before you start. This will help keep you going if the numbers don't drop.

Did you have ANY idea that this was even possible? I cannot begin to wrap my mind around losing enough weight to fit into a 6 - 8 or even a size 10!!! Did you lose most of your weight with the band or sleeve or was it a combo Tiff?

Did you have ANY idea that this was even possible? I cannot begin to wrap my mind around losing enough weight to fit into a 6 - 8 or even a size 10!!! Did you lose most of your weight with the band or sleeve or was it a combo Tiff?

It's still tough to wrap my head around buying small clothes. I still reach for larges, and I wear a small/medium top. So, it's kind of a mindtwist even to this day. I never imagined getting to a size 6. Last weekend at Wal-Mart, I fit into a size 4 crop pant. I almost fainted, but I know their sizes run big because I can't get into a 5/6 at Rue21. I actually have a pair of jeans size 10 in my closet that are technically too big, but they are comfy and I refuse to get rid of them. Those are now affectionately called my "fat" pants. John hates them because they sag in the thighs and butt. He tells me all the time to get rid of them, and I just can't do it. I have slacks in sizes 6 & 8, jeans in 7/8 and 9/10, crop pants in size 4 and 6, and my shirts range from small to medium. I have 1 dress that's a size 7 from Ross. Nothing fits exactly the same, I can go to 3 different stores and walk out with 4 different sizes. Shopping is very exhausting, but it's also loads of fun.

I lost 23 pounds with the band initially then the complications started, lost restriction and started gaining weight back. In 3.5-4 months, I gained back 16 pounds before my revision surgery date. My highest weight was 270 the morning of the band surgery, 263 on revision surgery day, and today I'm hovering around 128-130lb. So, I would say 98% of weight loss came with the sleeve.

It's still tough to wrap my head around buying small clothes. I still reach for larges, and I wear a small/medium top. So, it's kind of a mindtwist even to this day. I never imagined getting to a size 6. Last weekend at Wal-Mart, I fit into a size 4 crop pant. I almost fainted, but I know their sizes run big because I can't get into a 5/6 at Rue21. I actually have a pair of jeans size 10 in my closet that are technically too big, but they are comfy and I refuse to get rid of them. Those are now affectionately called my "fat" pants. John hates them because they sag in the thighs and butt. He tells me all the time to get rid of them, and I just can't do it. I have slacks in sizes 6 & 8, jeans in 7/8 and 9/10, crop pants in size 4 and 6, and my shirts range from small to medium. I have 1 dress that's a size 7 from Ross. Nothing fits exactly the same, I can go to 3 different stores and walk out with 4 different sizes. Shopping is very exhausting, but it's also loads of fun.

I lost 23 pounds with the band initially then the complications started, lost restriction and started gaining weight back. In 3.5-4 months, I gained back 16 pounds before my revision surgery date. My highest weight was 270 the morning of the band surgery, 263 on revision surgery day, and today I'm hovering around 128-130lb. So, I would say 98% of weight loss came with the sleeve.

I initially thought I'd get banded, but when someone suggested I investigate further and told me to read up on the sleeve, I was sold. I still cannot imagine getting to goal, actually losing 75 - 80 lbs!!! It seems like a dream that I'm so close to getting started on this journey, you so inspire me, thanks!

It's still tough to wrap my head around buying small clothes. I still reach for larges, and I wear a small/medium top. So, it's kind of a mindtwist even to this day. I never imagined getting to a size 6. Last weekend at Wal-Mart, I fit into a size 4 crop pant. I almost fainted, but I know their sizes run big because I can't get into a 5/6 at Rue21. I actually have a pair of jeans size 10 in my closet that are technically too big, but they are comfy and I refuse to get rid of them. Those are now affectionately called my "fat" pants. John hates them because they sag in the thighs and butt. He tells me all the time to get rid of them, and I just can't do it. I have slacks in sizes 6 & 8, jeans in 7/8 and 9/10, crop pants in size 4 and 6, and my shirts range from small to medium. I have 1 dress that's a size 7 from Ross. Nothing fits exactly the same, I can go to 3 different stores and walk out with 4 different sizes. Shopping is very exhausting, but it's also loads of fun.

I lost 23 pounds with the band initially then the complications started, lost restriction and started gaining weight back. In 3.5-4 months, I gained back 16 pounds before my revision surgery date. My highest weight was 270 the morning of the band surgery, 263 on revision surgery day, and today I'm hovering around 128-130lb. So, I would say 98% of weight loss came with the sleeve.

BTW - I can't wait to go shopping.....you make it sound sooooo fun!

I initially thought I'd get banded, but when someone suggested I investigate further and told me to read up on the sleeve, I was sold. I still cannot imagine getting to goal, actually losing 75 - 80 lbs!!! It seems like a dream that I'm so close to getting started on this journey, you so inspire me, thanks!

Thank you as well. You're gonna do fabulous, and I'll be here for you as much as I can. You'll make goal, and you will WIN. That's what I kept telling myself through my recovery, and through every struggle. I was hellbent on winning, and refused to fail. I'm truly excited for you, and can't wait for you to get sleeved.