I always liked seeing photos pre op...hell I still like to see them now. So here you go!

I just under 9 months out and down 172 lbs (about 20ish pre op). I follow the 600 -800 calories/+60 protein/+64 oz fluid/-40 carbs. I haven't really exercised and maybe walk a couple of miles a week. I am overall more active and I do plan on starting regular exercise soon. I have had off plan days but I can count the number of "cheats" on both hands. I wanted to get to a normal bmi quickly and this is what has worked for me. I am a few pounds away from "normal" and want to lose about another 20. Enjoy!

Before/Size 24

9 Months/Size 10

Wow great job and lost very quickly. I am newly sleeved and would love some meal ideas that are within your carb range... under 40per day. I added you to myfitnesspal. Would love to see what your eating.

You look great,,,,

I was wondering (and if its too personal please don't feel like you have to answer) because you and I have extremely similar body types, how is the skin on your back and inner thighs since your huge loss?

Currently I have 'back boobs' (I carry the majority of my weight in my torso.. i guess you could say I'm a large apple lol) and I was wondering did your skin shrink quite a bit or will you need plastics for that particular area down the road? Everyone talks about getting tummy tucks or breast lifts but I haven't really read anything about the back or thighs.

PS I showed my husband your pictures and he was shocked! He thinks its so amazing how a person can transform SOOO much in a fairly short time! You are MY inspiration because we look so similar body wise. Well your before lol I hope to look like your after one day!!

Thank you for sharing :-)

Hollirose, can I ask you if you had stalls along the way, and if certain months during your nine month journey were more successful than others.

I am two months out and have been stuck. It's stories like yours and others that give me hope that I will not be the exception to the VSG surgery--and not lose any more weight!

Did you track your weight loss on a graph we can see?

Hollirose--- thank you for posting your pics and details! I have been searching for an apple-shape body type girl like me and you are the first I've found!!! You look amazing!!! You are such a great motivation for me today!! I just started my pre-op protein diet--- a whole month because My BMI is 50;(. Thanks again!!!

Okay, well I have to say- your pics are an awesome incentive. I am only about 2 weeks out and of course struggling. I have stayed strictly on the diet but as anyone here would understand, it can get very frustrating and that is an understatement. So being able to see what may happen 9 months later, well, that is a gift. Thank you for sharing

Wow!! You look amazing!!! Good job!!

Sorry for all the "!!!" But I'm excited for you!

Holy moly, you look amazing! Thanks for the inspiration!

I was wondering (and if its too personal please don't feel like you have to answer) because you and I have extremely similar body types, how is the skin on your back and inner thighs since your huge loss?

Currently I have 'back boobs' (I carry the majority of my weight in my torso.. i guess you could say I'm a large apple lol) and I was wondering did your skin shrink quite a bit or will you need plastics for that particular area down the road? Everyone talks about getting tummy tucks or breast lifts but I haven't really read anything about the back or thighs.

PS I showed my husband your pictures and he was shocked! He thinks its so amazing how a person can transform SOOO much in a fairly short time! You are MY inspiration because we look so similar body wise. Well your before lol I hope to look like your after one day!!

Thank you for sharing :-)

Oh the back boobs! I remember those! I think I spent most of my day doing this pull tug move on my bra strap to try and hide them pre op. Somehow they would always spill out and over the super thick back strap. My bra was a tight 46 before and now I wear a 34. My back boobs are pretty much gone. I do have lose skin that is kinda of shar-pei dog skin looking. It is not tight but it doesnt hang over or look weird in my clothes and I never have to readjust my strap. My thighs at the top look funny....droopy and wrinkley. At different points they have looked all right ...not normal but ok. Then I lose some weight and they look pretty bad again. Right now they dont look great but hope they do the magic shrink again. If plastics were covered I would get the works done. Since it is not going to be..i am just happy to be deflated. All that skin was filled at one point. You and I are lucky.. we are married and have husbands who will love us fat or skinny..skin or no skin. Just wait for your own transformation! It will be amazing.

I always liked seeing photos pre op...hell I still like to see them now. So here you go!

I just under 9 months out and down 172 lbs (about 20ish pre op). I follow the 600 -800 calories/+60 protein/+64 oz fluid/-40 carbs. I haven't really exercised and maybe walk a couple of miles a week. I am overall more active and I do plan on starting regular exercise soon. I have had off plan days but I can count the number of "cheats" on both hands. I wanted to get to a normal bmi quickly and this is what has worked for me. I am a few pounds away from "normal" and want to lose about another 20. Enjoy!

Before/Size 24

9 Months/Size 10

You look amazing !!

Hollirose, can I ask you if you had stalls along the way, and if certain months during your nine month journey were more successful than others.

I am two months out and have been stuck. It's stories like yours and others that give me hope that I will not be the exception to the VSG surgery--and not lose any more weight!

Did you track your weight loss on a graph we can see?

I will see if I have a chart or something to post tomorrow. I track and log everything on mfp.com. There should be something there with numbers. Keep in mind I was a heavy weight.. I didnt check your stats before I replied.. so the less you have to lose the less weight you lose in short periods. I did have a few stalls or pauses along the way. The first was around three weeks and it lasted a week or two. The next was around 6 months and again was a week or so long. I am a stair step loser. I drop weight 2 days in a row...gain a little...then nothing for a couple of days.. and the process starts all over again. It never seems fast enough!

Why do you think you are stalling? Are you always getting your fluids in? What about protein? How many carbs a day? If your are doing those 3 things you will lose weight! I swear it is that simple. We all have these feelings that we will be the one that fails. You wont! Just hang on and you will continue losing.

Okay, well I have to say- your pics are an awesome incentive. I am only about 2 weeks out and of course struggling. I have stayed strictly on the diet but as anyone here would understand, it can get very frustrating and that is an understatement. So being able to see what may happen 9 months later, well, that is a gift. Thank you for sharing

Im sorry you are struggling. I totally understand where you are coming from. It can be kind of rough in the begining. You have just had a big change...probally arent eating real food yet...and probally just want to gag thinking about drinking another prot shake. It gets easier. After about 2 months this "vsg life" became normal. A new normal and for the most part a much better normal. There are still times if we go to a resturant I get a bit sad that I cant/dont participate in the gorging or at family/work functions it always centers around food. It is less and less often that I am sad about it but those feelings are still there sometimes. I would not trade eating for what I have now. I bought size 5 small underwear tonight. Nothing sexy..the hanes her way stuff they sell in packages at target. THIS former fatty wears flippin' small undies! These are my victories now! You will have several victories along they way. You have totally got this!

You look beautiful! Congrats !

Hollirose--- thank you for posting your pics and details! I have been searching for an apple-shape body type girl like me and you are the first I've found!!! You look amazing!!! You are such a great motivation for me today!! I just started my pre-op protein diet--- a whole month because My BMI is 50;(. Thanks again!!!

Congrats on your date. I am very excited for YOU! My bmi was 51 or so pre op. I had a 2 week - 2-3 shakes a day and small piece or meat and salad a day. Then for 2 weeks it was liquid only. Im not going to lie..it was tough. I white knuckled my entire was through it. The first few days I was hungry.. it got better but boy it was aweful. I cried over pizza. Let me just say I am not one to ever cry and I was slobbery, nose runing, red eyes, tears getting my shirt soaked over pizza. I look back now and just chuckle about it. I know it really wasnt the pizza and there is a ton of stress in the final weeks. Just know that you are strong and that you can do this. My insurance would not cover my surgery. I had given up and then out of desperation pulled every penny of of the bank and went to mexico to have this done. This is something that I have always wanted and needed. Imagine wanting something so badly and finally getting it...and once you have it...it is even better than you thought it would be. You will do great!! Good luck!

Awesome! Great job!!