Three months and two hours ago I was wheeled back into the OR room to have about 85% of my stomach removed. I was nervous, afraid and excited. The entire process working up to that day had gone by in a flash - I went from deciding that I'd look into wls to scheduling the surgery date in less than 3 months as my insurance was shockingly fast.

Everyone has their own reasons for undergoing such a big surgery as this and I'm no different. I wanted to be healthy as my weight just kept creeping up and I wanted my co-morbidities to go away. I also wanted to have the realistic chance of beating my pcos enough to have children biologically before it's too late. And, well, I wanted to look cute and to feel my age instead of 30 years older.

I knew surgery would work because it's impossible for it not to make at least some sort of impact but I'd no idea how big the changes would be! I started the whole journey weighing 223lbs and wearing a size 20/22w and XXL tops on a short 5'4 frame that isn't built to hold such weight. On the morning of my surgery I clocked in at 215lbs and could squeeze into a size 18w if I didn't want to breathe. And as of this morning I'm at 162lbs and wearing a size 12 and Med tops!! And I can even wear skirts and dresses from the GIRLS section!!! While I personally would like to be smaller, I'm now officially only 17lbs away from my doctor's goal!

I have so much more energy now it's rediculous! I ran through my "one day skinny girl" closet within the first month so clothing has been a challenge. Thank you Target and Goodwill! lol The emotional fallout of the rapid weight change was no joke but it's leveling off now. I haven't hit a true stall yet but my weight loss has slowed quite a bit which I'm fine with as I honestly can't tell if I have more loose skin or if I'm just noticing what I had to begin with. I'm still averaging about 1-2lbs a week (I check my scale everyday as I'm masochistic like that!). But one of the coolest things I've discovered since the surgery? I can now be picked up and carried around by my other half without them throwing out their back or anything! NEVER thought I'd be able to say that!

I'm so, so very glad for this surgery. I feel like a completely different person now as I'm no longer always hurting and tired. As far as my pcos goes, I'm already effectively "cured" of it and have already ovulated twice. I know I've still quite a ways to go before I meet my own personal goals but the fact that those goals are now something attainable rather than a dream is amazing. 61 pounds gone forever. Just...woah!

Your story is AMAZING and very inspirational! Thank you for sharing. I go in to be sleeved in less than 2 weeks (July 1st) and am excited, nervous, all of the above . Congrats and good luck on your continued journey!

Congrats!!! =] I know you're feeling great about your success!! Keep it up

That is amazing!!! I am inspired by your story!!! If you don't mind me asking what ins did you have?

Congrats!

Thanks everyone!

I have BCBS of NC and they've been surprisingly awesome. I only had two true days of prep testing but those were very, very busy days. Got approved in less than 48 hours thanks to the very clearly stated case of co-morbidities!

Congratulations on your acheivements. That's a big deal. You can do it to get to your goal. I had my surgery the same day.

Congrats! That's awesome! i hope I can do as well when I get to 3 months out.

Congrats on all your success!! I hope you meet all your goals

So happy for you. Congratulations!

How dies eating feel now? Is it easier? are there things you can't eat still?

So happy for you. Congratulations!

How dies eating feel now? Is it easier? are there things you can't eat still?

???

Eating is fine - not even lying, there are times I forget that I've been sleeved because I've gotten so used to my new normal. I've been incredibly lucky in that I don't feel hungar but at the same time it's not such a good thing as I can easily get busy and not thnk about it until it's been hours.

While I can eat anything I've tried so far, I do stay away from bread, Pasta and rice and only eat potatoes very sparingly. While I don't plan to live like I'm on a diet anymore, it just isn't comfy for me. It very much feels like it quadruples in size in my belly and I need that space for better things! I'm also leary on beef. Not so much because of the sleeve but because I was never a big beef eater before and I just don't care for it. I have heard that beef can sit heavy and be uncomfortable for others. Oh, and at least for now chocolate is still gross to me which I'm hoping lasts as long as it needs to for me to reach goal!

But all in all, eating is fine now. I can go out to restaurants with others and not feel like a freak. I can even cook for others again now that a lot of my head hunger has worked its way out of my system! Flavors are now more intense for me which is grand because I love spicy things! I wonder if the flavors are more intense because we have to slow down to eat and therefore actually taste it?

How INSPIRING!!! Your start weight is the same as mine same height too!!!!

Your story is AMAZING and very inspirational! Thank you for sharing. I go in to be sleeved in less than 2 weeks (July 1st) and am excited' date=' nervous, all of the above . Congrats and good luck on your continued journey![/quote']

I'm sleeved July 1st also