i uploaded before and after pics to my gallery! check them out.

started at 273lbs.

size 18-20 in stretch jeans.

had surgery on dec 20, 2011.

diagnosed with leak at 5wks postop.

now weigh 176lbs.

size 8-10 in stretch jeans.

short term goal: 165lbs by aug 26th (my birthday)

long term goal: 145lbs

EDIT: ive decided to push for 155lbs for my birthday! & a long term goal of 145- 135lbs. i never thought id want to lose so much but hey! it is what it is!

i started the gym on july 6th for the first time since having surgery! i have a goal to reach people!!!

Can I add you as a friend from my mobile?

You are "glowing" and an inspiration to us all! A whole new life has now opened up to you, enjoy.

great question.

well first let me say that a year ago at this time, i was OBSESSED with this site & OBSESSED with youtube videos and watching the people lose weight with each video. i loved it. i invested 1,000s of hours doing research and reading about everyones journey.

well as far as differences go..

pre-op: i was big. i couldnt stand for long periods of time. my neck, back, legs & feet would always hurt. walking was hard. i NEVER wanted to go out in fear that i would run into someone from my smaller days. fashion wise, i only wore stretchies or sweats. if my boyfriend asked me to wear jeans, it wouldve been equivalent to dressing up to go to a wedding! SERIOUSLY! it was so uncomfortable. sitting was uncomfortable because my fat would be compressed into one big ball. my gut would sit on my lap & it was just bad. i was trapped. i only wore black. i could barely put on my socks (no exaggerating). i couldnt find clothes that fit me. my health was bad. i was being put on all these different meds. i was so limited!!!! i had long, beautiful thick hair but would never get it done because there was no point if i were only wearing sweats

post op: i never wear sweats or stretchies! im in jeans all the time. i wore a dress for the 1st time since my 5th grade graduation. guys are always trying to talk to me and they compliment me while walking down the street. i found confidence that i didnt have for years! i fit regular sized clothes. i no longer feel pain and i could walk if i wanted to! not just because i have to. i barely ever wear black! i take pictures for show, not just to see how bad i look or to save as a "before pic". lol. i take less meds but more vitamins and stuff which i dont mind since they are to keep me nice and healthy. thanks to surgery, i am no longer addicted to food. i can eat a small amount of something and i am fine! i havent drank soda in over 7 months & i have no desire to. im so much nicer and bubbly now! but as far as cons, i lost 6/8 of my hair & have lost length. its very depressing. my breast are still big but are not as perky which is also depressing.

thats really it. i feel free. i feel like the shackles have been released. i feel like a normal person where as before, i felt judged.

funny thing is, i look in the mirror and see the same person. i never viewed myself as how big i was. i looked in the mirror & saw the figure i have now. its only when i take pictures & put it side by side of a before pic that i see the difference!

but thats really it.

I'm sure this is how a lot of us "Pre-Sleevers" feel right now. What would you say are the biggest differences in your life pre-sleeve to post-sleeve? And how much has having this surgery impacted your life?

i believe u can

Can I add you as a friend from my mobile?

aw thank you! that made me tear.

You are "glowing" and an inspiration to us all! A whole new life has now opened up to you, enjoy.

Jas, so wonderful to feel your smile and see your success. I know you still have the residual pain of your leak be UAE you went through so much and were so upset, but I am confident with your weighloss success, have just extended your life. Doesn't it feel so incredible to truly live? I remember when Favordone sent you flowers, that is support and we are all still here to support, before, during and after!

By the way, how did you lead the before and after pictures? I just can't seem to find what I have to do?

Take care....

thank you so much. when favoredone sent me flowers, i felt sooooo loved and cried. it meant so much to me. you have no idea! shes asister for life!!!! it truly does feel amazing to live! and be happy!

as far as the pics, its an app in my phone called pic stitch!

Jas, so wonderful to feel your smile and see your success. I know you still have the residual pain of your leak be UAE you went through so much and were so upset, but I am confident with your weighloss success, have just extended your life. Doesn't it feel so incredible to truly live? I remember when Favordone sent you flowers, that is support and we are all still here to support, before, during and after!

By the way, how did you lead the before and after pictures? I just can't seem to find what I have to do?

Take care....

You are an inspiration!

thank you

You are an inspiration!

Very inspiring! Congratulations and Thank you for sharing your journey.

thank you

Very inspiring! Congratulations and Thank you for sharing your journey.

That's awesome. Thanks for the taking the time to explain this. I definitely agree with the "back and feet" hurting. I am District Manager, so I walk around a lot. I also give a lot of presentations, and I notice that if I stand in one place for too long, my back along with my feet literally start "barking." LOL

Again, thanks for sharing your story. That's awesome!!!!

Wooooooo!!!!!

You look FANTASTIC!!!!!!

Way to go

youre very welcome love!!

my back pain wasso bad that i used to have to take pain meds because it would feel like i was sleeping on rocks! my chiro said that the fat was crushing my back. i was so very insecure. im turning 24 & i felt like i was 50! i knew my weight wouldnt stop going up & down & i needed something to stop it because if not, at 30, id probably be dead! im only 5'1 and weighed 273! it wasnt good.

my surgery experience was hell & if i had to do it again, i honestly wouldnt because of my experience with the leak but im glad i did it because it saved my life in the long run! if you have any questions, feel free to inbox me.

That's awesome. Thanks for the taking the time to explain this. I definitely agree with the "back and feet" hurting. I am District Manager, so I walk around a lot. I also give a lot of presentations, and I notice that if I stand in one place for too long, my back along with my feet literally start "barking." LOL

Again, thanks for sharing your story. That's awesome!!!!

thank you

Wooooooo!!!!!

You look FANTASTIC!!!!!!

Way to go