Hey everyone!

I had my surgery August 22nd, 2012 so I'm about 15 months post op. I've lost a total of 101 pounds and I feel great I started at 231 lbs. and now weigh 130 lbs.

At 23 years old, I feel like life can't get any better I've been maintaining for about 7-8 months. I feel so much healthier and more confident. I continue to exercise and make healthy choices to motivate myself to be the healthiest me that I can be. This journey has been one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life. I've surrounded myself with positive people who have supported me throughout this whole process.

I'm now participating in the "Bari-Buddy" system at the hospital I had my surgery at - getting paired with people who just had the surgery to be a support to them. It's been a great experience - both rewarding and inspiring to help support other people who are in the same position I was in 15 months ago.

Since the summer, I've graduated college and started a new job. I'm now an occupational therapist working in a pediatric setting. This is something I always wanted to do but I was always too intimidated to work with kids - because let's be honest...kids are a little too honest!! I am so grateful that I now have the confidence (and the energy!!) to help these kids achieve all of their goals.

I hope everyone is having lots of success and happiness Here are some before and after pictures!

What an inspiration!! You look fantastic. Beautiful girl before and after. Congratulations on your successes both weight loss & career.

I bet your looking even more sexier today more than ever! Enjoy your life and eat healthy and exericise......CONGRATS!

You look absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

I read this with interest because I will be sleeved in January and I want to hear about the "tough things" you and others have gone through.

OR put anither way, what specifically did you experience the first post-op days?

Would like to hear from some folks or be pointed to good discussions of this that already exist. Thanks in advance.

I really had zero problems with my surgery. 12 hours after my surgery I was up walking and feeling just fine. I had one meltdown 3 days post op when it hit me that I really could not eat! I did not have any tough things that were health related once I had my surgery. I mostly had emotional battles with myself. I had to let go of my addiction with food and find healthier ways to fill my day. I took up makeup as a hobby about 1 month out of surgery and focused my energy on that in my spare time. I also took exercising very seriously and worked out often. Once I realized that food did not have to control my life, everything else fell into place.

As far as what I experienced my first few days post op - BOREDOM! haha You don't realize how much time food takes up until you are drinking liquids for 1 month. The pre-op diet was very hard for me, but I stuck to it and did not sway. Do not cheat on your pre-op diet - I really feel like it sets the standard for how you are going to approach your diet after you have the surgery. Good luck!

Congratulations! You look awesome!

Wow! You look amazing:)

Your story & photos are so inspiring. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Congrats. You looking wonderful!

WOW!!! Great job!