I'll keep it short and sweet, I promise

Height: 5'1"

BEFORE:

(left is before, right is after losing the first 40lbs)

Weight: 241

Size: 18/20 pants, XXL tops, 40DD bra

AFTER:

Weight: 138 (up to about 145 in these pics since they're a little outdated)

Size: 6 pants, S/M tops, 34C bra

I wanted to set a reasonable goal for myself, so I basically just set the goal to lost 100lbs, from 241 to 140. Now that I've gotten past that in only 8 months, I think I'm going to go for 125-130.

As a frame of reference, here is a picture of me from about 8-9 years ago when I was in high school:

I'm so happy and loving life again. This was truly the best gift I ever could have given myself and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to do it. I hope my story inspires others.

Wow great job!!!! What an inspiration to me. I go tomorrow for my first consult. I am a self payer so in hope it goes quick!!

How exciting for you!! I hope it all goes quickly but look at it this way - you've waited this long, and you're on the fast track now!

I feel really proud to be an inspiration to anyone - it hasn't always been easy and I've had those fleeting moments of, "Ugh, what did I get myself into?" But never regret, not even for a second. And then to have it come off as fast and consistently as it has been, I've been really lucky. I would go back and do it again without a second thought!

Good Grief!! That was dramatic to say the least, you look like an entirely different person. Not saying the old you was bad, but everyone looks better when the are healthy. Mission Accomplished on that front, cant wait to have my day on the table. Do you have any issues with hair loss? I have been reading posts about people losing quickly and experiencing this, I am Oh Sooo "Terrified" . Again you look really really really great, congratulations on your success!

Oh THANK YOU!!! Yeah I hear that I look totally different a lot... never thought it would be such a nice compliment LOL. It probably doesn't help that I colored my hair either.

About the hair loss... yeah, I definitely had it. I'll give it to you straight - I was a little freaked out at first. It first started around 4-5 months post-op but by 8 months (a couple weeks ago) I definitely noticed it was coming back in and getting thick again. NOW - full disclosure - I had a LOT of hair, and it was ok, in honesty I had plenty to lose.My hairdressers always told me I had the most hair they had ever seen. I'm really happy with the thickness it is now, actually. But, I did lose about half my total hair. I doubt that people with less hair lose that volume. Everyone I hear about losing half their hair always say that they have tons of hair to start with. I was always a shedder anyway

Please feel free to ask any other questions that come up, I am always eager to help! Good luck with everything!!!

You look awesome! Congratulations! I will be glad when I hit the 100 lb mark and get to onderland!!!

Look how far you've already come!! Great job - one huge milestone for me was getting out of the "obese" BMI category and get into the "overweight" one, as weird as that sounds hehe. And it looks like you're almost there with that too, according to your ticker! Congrats on all the success so far

I have very long and thick Dreadlocks, it won't be so cute when they are falling on the floor . Hey but to return to my former self, it will be worth every lock that falls on the floor. I can always buy a wig, as my mom says it's just hair and it grows back. I thought about getting the surgery years ago but my husband didn't want me to get it, he kept saying just try diet and exercise. (he's 130lbs easy for him to say) He kept saying "I still love you regardless of what you weigh" and don't do elective surgeries "you could die".The problem is I don't love my outer self,as far as diets when wasn't I on one and I am going to die from my comorbidities. Now that he see's my health and my energy taking a nose dive, and these issues could become serious he has been 100% on board. Also my youngest has never seen me thin, I don't want him to ever feel embarrassed of me because kids do talk. Again I can't say enough how Great you look congratulations to you, it wasn't the surgery alone that got you there it was your hard work!

You look amazing!

Pam

Ditto

Congrats you look amazing. My biggest concern is skin hanging afterwards was that an issue for you if so how did you combat it? Again you look great!!!!!

WOW you look amazing thank you for the inspiration, and congrats!

FANTASTICO!!!! YOU ARE B E A U T I F U L !

Oh THANK YOU!!! Yeah I hear that I look totally different a lot... never thought it would be such a nice compliment LOL. It probably doesn't help that I colored my hair either.

About the hair loss... yeah, I definitely had it. I'll give it to you straight - I was a little freaked out at first. It first started around 4-5 months post-op but by 8 months (a couple weeks ago) I definitely noticed it was coming back in and getting thick again. NOW - full disclosure - I had a LOT of hair, and it was ok, in honesty I had plenty to lose.My hairdressers always told me I had the most hair they had ever seen. I'm really happy with the thickness it is now, actually. But, I did lose about half my total hair. I doubt that people with less hair lose that volume. Everyone I hear about losing half their hair always say that they have tons of hair to start with. I was always a shedder anyway

Please feel free to ask any other questions that come up, I am always eager to help! Good luck with everything!!!

Congrats on your weight loss. That is a huge accomplishment. Any tips? Were you able to get in all of your Protein and Water in every day? How much did you exercise a week?

Congrats!! Just saw your very successful 8 month post. I have very similar stats to you a will be sleeved the 28th. Do you have any tips or advice you would like share? Do you workout often? What is your diet like? Thank you for anything you can share.

Thank you everyone!!!! I actually posted a more recent update to my journey here:

http://www.verticals...o-128-pictures/

Here is an updated before/after pic:

I'm down about 10lbs more than the lowest ones in the pictures from when I started this original post! Never, ever thought I would get that low (128lbs) and I seem to be hanging there for the last month or so, so I may be close to done losing and into maintaining. As I head into Summer and spend more time outside I am hoping to get down about 5 more pounds so that I can gain and lose that without worrying about it.

I appreciate the support and can't tell you how much it has helped me along the way. So much love

Edited March 13, 201313 yr by sarahcc