Hello All!

The first 7 months I made monthly updates on this forum. I've pretty much just been maintaining the last couple months, but I thought I would post an update. I'm 23 years old and had my surgery August 22nd last year so I am between 9-10 months post op right now. I started at 231 and am currently 139. Yahooo!

I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this summer!! Last year I honestly had one ugly pair of capris and two "nice" tops. Whenever I had to get dressed to go somewhere, I would choose between those two tops. I never felt confident. I hardly have any pictures because I avoided them. Most days I would just wear baggy sweats and my boyfriend's t-shirts...how attractive!! I was also hot ALLLLL the time.

I was getting dressed this morning and thinking about how different this summer will be. This morning I woke up and went for a 3 mile jog. I came home, showered, and put on a pair of jean shorts and a cute tank top (I now have lots of clothes to choose from!) I did my make up and hair-without sweating from the heat of the blow dryer lol When I finished I felt confident. This weekend I'm going to the beach with my friends (which requires a bathing suit) and I'm also running the 5k mud run on Saturday! This is a whole new life!! haha Thank God!!

I was real hesitant to post a picture of myself in a bathing suit; however, that is the biggest question I get asked. "WELLLLL, do you have loose skin???" People are so curious. Some people have a big stigma with the weight loss surgery - like since I had weight loss surgery I must have awful skin underneath my clothes. This is not the case.

Don't let anyone tell you this is the easy way out. I've worked my butt off this past year. I work out a ton and make healthy eating choices. At 10 months out, I feel hungry just like anyone else! I'm able to eat junk food. Gaining back weight is not impossible However, I make good, healthy choices. The surgery is a fantastic TOOL, but its not a miracle. So I thought I would post this picture to show it's possible to lose over 90 pounds and not have a bunch of skin! Seeing these types of pictures motivated me to get my butt to the gym

I wish everyone lots of success and happiness!!

Picture 1: As you can see, I had serious stretch marks before. They have turned to white, but those are forever. However, I feel okay in a bikini. Beats the giant t-shirt I wore to the pool last year!

Picture 2: I'm able to wear sundresses this summer! Yay!

Picture 3: I have 3 beautiful younger sisters. I always felt like the "fat, ugly" sister. I feel like I am now the fun, older sister that I always wanted to be. The after picture is with my youngest sister before she goes off to prom! She looked beautiful.

If you want to read any of my other posts, some links are below:

http://www.verticals...eafter-picture/

http://www.verticals...es/#entry712587

Wow!!! You look amazing!!! So inspiring!!

Wow, you look so great! You go to the beach and you rock that suit, sister, you deserve it!! Oh - and I like your Tigers shirt, too

Wow... You look amazing!!

LOL.. Well, crap there goes that theory. I'm 5'3" too!

Well, I'm 5'3" and I'm pretty sure I'm never going to look like that again at any weight, lol. Ahh, youth

What an amazing transformation!!! You look great!

Congrats! You look amazing ::wolfwhistles:: I can't wait to feel comfortable again without a shirt This time next year I will not leave the beach

You look fabulous! You are the perfect example of what my doctor said about excess skin. It depends on your age & how long you have been overweight. I passed 23 more than 23 years ago (haha) & I've been overweight for almost 23 years in fact so I'm basically screwed. But I'll be healthier once I lose the weight & I'll be just as happy to shove my excess skin in a wheelbarrow & push it ahead of me! I can't imagine how delighted you must be with your new body! Enjoy it darling! You deserve it!

You look great!

Awesome!!! Congrats!!!

You look great!!

you are super adorable! congrats on being near the end of your weight loss journey and now into maintenance. I know what you mean by having 2 shirts to choose from and one pair of pants. I've been like that for like 4 years...every once in awhile replacing one when it gets holes. I can't wait to have a nice wardrobe of all ONE SIZE AND NOT MANY DIFFERENT SIZES.

Congratulations, you are so inspiring! It's amazing how much this surgery can help give us the lives we've always wanted to live. So awesome!

You look awesome!!

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You look great - not sure whether my skin will look like that - I think the fact that you're 23 has alot to do with that. You did it.

You look great!! Ty 4 pix. I hear so much about people's success but hardly ever any pix, so thanks n I wish you the best of luck moving forward:)