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

congrats! you look amazing!!

You are a total inspiration!! I am starting at close to the same weight as you were, and cannot wait ( as wierd as it seems) to see the neck bones I actually have hiding under all this fat!! Thanks for sharing your pics with us!!

Look Great

Wow you look amazing i had the surgery a week ago today and I am worried about scars but i can't really see yours in the picture. Do you have any?

You look AWESOME!!!! I'm still waiting for insurance approval. Looking at your pics makes me super excited about getting the sleeve done. Can't wait to go shopping and instead of having four shirts and two pair of jeans, I will have a closet full of clothes I enjoy to wear. :-)

You look amazing! This is very inspirational! I have the same frame, height and starting weight so hoping to have similar results!! Thank you for sharing