So I had surgery December 18 2012. I wish I had done it sooner! I've never been happier or more energetic!

In the beginning:

190lbs (185 pre-surgery)

Size 14 (tight)

Blood pressure 155/125

Now:

152lbs

Size 6-8

Blood pressure 130/80

I've lost 38 lbs and only have 27 more to go!

The best part there is the blood pressure! I celebrated like crazy at the dr when I weighed in and even crazier when she told me my BP! There is hope I won't die young!

I don't have much problems with sagging skin as I'm only 25. In fact - my stretch marks on my stomach have all but disappeared after using the scar treatment for my scars on my stretch marks as well.

I haven't been eating perfectly the whole time, so the weight has come off slowly but surely. I work on a farm, so I don't have to work out (although I do push ups, planks and leg lifts when I have the time) and I think the manual labor has helped considerably.

Anyways! I've attached before and after pictures! Because I know we all like those!

The before pic was December 2nd and the after was a few weeks ago at ~155 in a size 6 fendi dress I bought with no hope that it would ever fit me... It's a little loose!

Hopefully some people find this post encouraging

awesome - I wanted to buy a dress that is too small......may just have to!

The change in blood pressure is great!

Congrats!!!!! Keep up the good work!

Congratulations!

LOL.. Love your pictures (classy toilet one too)

Good job.. We are almost the same with loss but I'm no longer shaped quite as young as you

You look wonderful! I would have guessed that you were at goal if I hadn't read the post first. Can't wait to see your goal pic. Pretty dress, too.

PS--what is the scar cream that you used?

Thanks for the support guys!

The dress is flattering for sure - I still need to lose my lower belly (although my upper abs are showing through!), a teeny bit more in the arms, and a bit more in my legs. If I got down to 140 and couldn't lose anymore I'd probably be satisfied! I have pretty big bones lol!

And yeah it had to be on the toilet because I have a psychological problem with full length mirrors - I've never owned one. Lol super classy!

I used 2 things actually! I'm not sure which has made the difference, so I keep using both... Bio-oil (orange oil "cellin oil" I think) and a silicon scar therapy treatment. I started the scars with just the scar therapy in the beginning but now I put bio oil on them too... They're still pretty raised and purple but the stretch marks have been doing amazing!

Hope that helps!

Thought I'd add another before and after for direct comparison... 2 different bridesmaids dresses and a hugeeeee difference!

I've never been so happy in my life! Down to single-digit sizes! Just a couple sizes to go! I'm aiming for a 4 or a 6

You look amazing, congrats!!!

You were beautiful before and just stunning now. You must be on cloud 9. Congratulations!

I agree.. Very encouraging too!

Beautiful! Your stats are alot like mine. Good luck with the last few lbs but hey if you maintain as you are now, you're skinny!

Wow! You look absolutely incredible! I'm 24 and Just starting my research into the surgery. My weight has fluctuated my whole life. I just recently found out I have PCOS and my doctor started me on metformin. The constant yo yo-ing is absolutely exhausting and it's time for a change. My friend got the surgery done and she's down 76 lbs. Thank you for your story!