5-18-13 & it had been exactly one year since I had my vertical sleeve gastrectomy. At my highest weight, I was 358, at the start of my pre-op diet, I was 338, on the day of surgery, I was 288. Today, I'm 193 pounds. (I'm 5'7) From a size 30 jeans, 30/32 tops to a MD top, & size 12 jeans. May 28th I will have my corset Trunkplasty to remove my excess stomach skin. My surgeon estimated 15-18 pounds of skin & from a 12 to an 8. Mentally, I struggle everyday because I feel like I should be smaller. But I've been exercising HARD since my 6 month pre-op diet, following my surgeons plan to a T. Not much else I could've done. I just have to love myself & where I am, but I'm going to keep on pushing towards my goal!

Kristie

Congratulations, you look amazing! My stats are almost identical to yours, I have yet to get under 200, but I'm trying my best too. I think you look much smaller then 197, you look great!

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Hope the surgery was a success - wishing you a quick recovery!!!

Simply amazing. Truly an inspiration.

I'm still really swollen (and my thighs are a hot mess! ) but this is what I look like after the surgeon removed 12 pounds of skin from my stomach. From 200 pounds to 188. Looking forward to more swelling coming off. Also the drain needs to come out. I promise to take better pictures later.

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Looking good! Thank you for sharing your update pictures it really gives a lot of people a sense of what to expect.

Looking good! Thank you for sharing your update pictures it really gives a lot of people a sense of what to expect.

You are welcome. It really looks even better in person. It's such a huge difference without the hanging apron

You are welcome. It really looks even better in person. It's such a huge difference without the hanging apron

I bet it feels so much better too! Even with the drains and pain still huh?

I bet it feels so much better too! Even with the drains and pain still huh?

Oh yes. Even with the drain & pain, it was well worth it.

It will be interesting to see how my body looks when I get closer to goal.. But I know for sure my thighs are shot! So I should start saving now!

It will be interesting to see how my body looks when I get closer to goal.. But I know for sure my thighs are shot! So I should start saving now!

I started saving tax returns for 2 years when I found out I was finally going to be able to have the sleeve. Smartest thing I've ever done.

I started saving tax returns for 2 years when I found out I was finally going to be able to have the sleeve. Smartest thing I've ever done.

That's a good idea, I bet it will be good motivation to save up money too!

Thanks for posting those pictures! It's good to see what the change looks like. You look great!

You look damn good

You look damn good

Thank you so much! It's indescribable how it feels to have people tell me that.

Here's my updated before/after:

(Please ignore my oh so stylish bodysuit, I had the excess skin removed off of my stomach on 5-28-13)

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