I always enjoy before and afters. Here are mine!

I lost 200 lbs in about 11 months. I started in 24's and 3/4 X shirts. My BMI was 53 and is now 22. I now wear 2/4 pants and med/large shirts. I am 5'7. I had an apple shape before and now I am still an apple...just smaller! So jealous of the hour glass folks.

I ate about 600 calories a day/ less than 20 carbs/more than 64 oz fluid/more than 60 protein. I truly believe, for me anyhow, the key is low carbs. I weigh, track, log every bite of food on MFP (hollirrose). I had a handful of times that I ate off plan but never for more than a meal or day.

I don't work out that often. I walk some but not consistently. Overall I am more active.

I get the most private messages about skin. I have it. My arms are awful, my upper thighs sag, my tummy will never be flat. For the most part..I think I look normal in clothes. It all tucks in pretty nicley and if I wear shapewear..I almost look skinny. Naked, I look a little like an emancipated shar pie!

I always enjoy before and afters. Here are mine!

I lost 200 lbs in about 11 months. I started in 24's and 3/4 X shirts. My BMI was 53 and is now 22. I now wear 2/4 pants and med/large shirts. I am 5'7. I had an apple shape before and now I am still an apple...just smaller! So jealous of the hour glass folks.

I ate about 600 calories a day/ less than 20 carbs/more than 64 oz fluid/more than 60 Protein. I truly believe' date=' for me anyhow, the key is low carbs. I weigh, track, log every bite of food on MFP (hollirrose). I had a handful of times that I ate off plan but never for more than a meal or day.

I don't work out that often. I walk some but not consistently. Overall I am more active.

I get the most private messages about skin. I have it. My arms are awful, my upper thighs sag, my tummy will never be flat. For the most part..I think I look normal in clothes. It all tucks in pretty nicley and if I wear shapewear..I almost look skinny. Naked, I look a little like an emancipated shar pie!

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That is amazing! You look awesome! That sure is encouraging to those of us behind you! Thank you for your tips too!

Congratulations! Truly inspiring!!

Naked, I look a little like an emancipated shar pie!

Bless you! Beautiful and Comical!!! Congrats on all your hard work!

You are my favorite pic poster!! I added you on mfp and can't wait to see what you're eating!

Do you ever wish you'd lost slower? Perhaps the skin wouldn't be as bad. That's what they say anyway. Just wondering because I'm at the beginning of my journey and still trying to figure out what tactics I want to use. Low carb, up my calories, what.

Wow! I hope to follow in your footsteps! Getting sleeved in about 10 days, Apr 22nd.

A question-- how have your tattoos fared? Thx,

Actually, not too bad at all. They look normal. Just happy I dont have any on my chest! They would not have held up so well.

You are my favorite pic poster!! I added you on mfp and can't wait to see what you're eating!

Do you ever wish you'd lost slower? Perhaps the skin wouldn't be as bad. That's what they say anyway. Just wondering because I'm at the beginning of my journey and still trying to figure out what tactics I want to use. Low carb, up my calories, what.

I lost a fat man. I dont think it would have made a difference in the skin department if I had lost slower. I think skin is genetics, age, amount you need to lose, and luck! I kind of won the skin lottery when it came to my neck and tummy. My tummy isn't flat and tight but it doesn't hang like some I have seen. My upper legs look a little melted and my arms were shot from the get go. How you choose to lose is totally up to you. What I can say is that I have seen tons of people who take the slower route and run out of steam along they way. Most also need to eat more at the 6 month and 1 year mark, which makes it much harder to lose the further out you get. It is still possible but I am all about taking the easier route. When I had this done.. I commited to saying no to all things not protine for the first year. What is one year when most of us have dieted/struggled our entire lives? 201 lbs was the result of saying no most of the time. I was not perfect this entire time. Trust me there was a swiss roll incident.. standing at my cabinet with spoonfulls of nutella/peanut butter, oh and at least a handful of other eating frenzy incidents. The thing is that I forgave myself and went back on plan after that. Good luck with your decision. It can be a hard one to make. I was torn too. I am tickled now with the route I picked!

I lost a fat man. I dont think it would have made a difference in the skin department if I had lost slower. I think skin is genetics' date=' age, amount you need to lose, and luck! I kind of won the skin lottery when it came to my neck and tummy. My tummy isn't flat and tight but it doesn't hang like some I have seen. My upper legs look a little melted and my arms were shot from the get go. How you choose to lose is totally up to you. What I can say is that I have seen tons of people who take the slower route and run out of steam along they way. Most also need to eat more at the 6 month and 1 year mark, which makes it much harder to lose the further out you get. It is still possible but I am all about taking the easier route. When I had this done.. I commited to saying no to all things not protine for the first year. What is one year when most of us have dieted/struggled our entire lives? 201 lbs was the result of saying no most of the time. I was not perfect this entire time. Trust me there was a swiss roll incident.. standing at my cabinet with spoonfulls of nutella/peanut butter, oh and at least a handful of other eating frenzy incidents. The thing is that I forgave myself and went back on plan after that. Good luck with your decision. It can be a hard one to make. I was torn too. I am tickled now with the route I picked![/quote']

Thank you SO much for writing so much, and being so open and thorough with your replies! I appreciate it more than I can explain. Sometimes it's so disheartening to get a reply to questions like mine that just say "thanks everyone. "

I'll continue on the low carb road. I was leaning that way anyway. Going to mfp now, to stalk.

Oh. Nutella. The stuff is evil!!!

You are so tiny! I would never guess you had weight issues. You look fabulous!

Oh ... You just made my night! I went from being a fat kid to an obese adult. Sure heath played a big part in getting VSG but my goal was really to look "normal". Thank you!!

That doesn't even look like the same person... OMW, you look amazing!

You are truly an inspiration. ..I am also stalking you on mfp lol

Nothing motivates me more than seeing before & after pics! You look absolutely amazing! You don't even look like the same person anymore! Congratulations to you & thank you for sharing your pics with us!

Wow, truly inspiration, u are me same weight same bmi. Thank, now I there is hope for me.

Also, I've been thinking about you to tonight (can't seep). My dh is 200 lbs. and I can't imagine carrying him around. I'm 198 and you lost more than I weigh. AMAZING!! And all in 11 months. You must FEEL so much better!!!!! I'm eating the hollirrose way for sure.

Signed, number one fan.

Ps- you are beautiful and your smile is the best!

You look fabulous! But my question is what was your exercise regiment? Thanks!!!

All I can say is WOW! You look GREAT!