Finally finding my way back to this forum, it's been a LONG time. I'm about 16 or so pounds from my new goal weight. Ha! 175 seemed so unobtainable that I never thought I'd actually hit that number, much less pass it and keep going. I'm still losing - in month 19, I'm at 5 pounds lost. I weigh 166 and am 5'6".

Best decision I've ever made, but it's also a LOT of hard work. There's no easy way out. I make decisions every single day and I live with the consequences of those choices. I still only eat around 800 calories a day. I can get up to 1200 if I try really hard, but I still have amazing restriction and I seem to lose best at 800, so I just keep it there. I get around 30-50 carbs per day, a LOT of Water and 70-100 Protein. I use MyFitnessPal to keep myself in check.

There's a LOT of skin. I held most of my weight for 30 years in my stomach. It's really bad. There will be eventual plastic surgery to deal with it. But I'd much rather have that than all the fat that was hanging around.

My life is so much different now. I'm a totally different person, yet completely the same. I'm able to do more and live life how I'm supposed to be living it. I have been married to the most amazing man in the world for nearly 20 years and we have two (nearly) perfect children and life is pretty darn good.

To those of you struggling, stalling, wondering if you can do it... you can. You just have to want it bad enough. And by that I mean... BAD. Stalls are normal. I lose some, stall, gain some back, stall, lose that and then a little more, stall again. My longest stall was 20 days at 3 weeks out. I routinely stall for about 2 weeks at a time nowadays. It's all good, as long as the overall trend is down.

I'll attach a photo of me at 200 lost, I've lost 8 more since then, but the difference is pretty amazing.

Wow wow wow! You are a true inspiration!! Thank you for sharing!! :-)

I was dreading that my weight loss would stop near the one year mark, but my surgeon told me I can still lose weight easily for 3 to 5 more months.

Eh. I think it's harder after month 12, but really... it's all about you and doing what you're supposed to be doing and sticking with your tool. If you eat 2500 calories per day, you're not going to lose. Period. LOL. Everyone I talk to that has "stopped losing" has stopped losing for a reason, whether they want to admit it or not. If I talk to them long enough, there's ALWAYS something. Just stick to your program and you'll do fine.

What a story...from 375 to 166!!! That is incredible and I bet you feel incredible!! You certainly look it! You bring tears to my eyes. Please don't let this offend you, but when I look at your before pic, I see a smile that is trying to hide a lot of pain and embarrassment...But when I look at the after...it's like looking at a little child who has just has just been presented with a first place ribbon!! So proud and so much to look forward to! God Bless and I hope the plastic's fairy finds her way to you and grants all your plastic wishes,lol!!

What a story...from 375 to 166!!! That is incredible and I bet you feel incredible!! You certainly look it! You bring tears to my eyes. Please don't let this offend you, but when I look at your before pic, I see a smile that is trying to hide a lot of pain and embarrassment...But when I look at the after...it's like looking at a little child who has just has just been presented with a first place ribbon!! So proud and so much to look forward to! God Bless and I hope the plastic's fairy finds her way to you and grants all your plastic wishes,lol!!

Honestly, I didn't even realize how much I had to deal with until I started therapy. I think that's why I'm still losing and becoming more accepting of who I am and who I was. I have a long way to go - both in therapy and weight loss. These last pounds are the hardest and I'm fighting. BUT I'm still fighting and haven't given up. I think that's key in this whole thing.

And yes... plastics fairy... I'll be needing her eventually. I'm just NOT looking forward to more surgery. Ugh.

Thanks for sharing your awesome story! You look great! You're truly motivating to those of us who just started our sleeve journey to healthier and more fulfilling lives!

Congrats! You look amazing!!!!!!!!

I just showed my six year old your photos and to quote her, "WHOA! She looks GOOD! Good for her!"

I agree, you look AMAZING! Congrats!

You look amazing!! Congrats!!!

I just showed my six year old your photos and to quote her, "WHOA! She looks GOOD! Good for her!"

I agree, you look AMAZING! Congrats!

Thanks... I'll be done eventually. It's interesting with kids... they've seen me through this whole thing so it's been a gradual change over the past 19 months, but when I'm looking at photos they really do "get it". Mine are 12 and almost-10. They say they don't remember me that big. That's a good thing, I suppose. Definitely keeps me going!

I love your story. So motivating. Congrats, you are truly amazing!

All I can say is WOW!! You look amazing! I, too, am from Texas. I was sleeved 11/15/12, and have lost 51 lbs to date! You have definitely inspired me. I have struggled with my weight since my elementary school years, and I'm ready to do this. Congrats on the new you!

Just wanted to update my photo. I took this tonight in celebration of reaching a mini-goal. My FACE is what gets me... holy crikes!

Wow...speechless! You look FABULOUS! Congrats on your phenomenal success during your journey and for providing inspiration for the rest of us

Congrats