Well, I have to say that I was watching the calendar for this day, and then it almost passed me by! Today marks 3 years since I had my sleeve done in Mexico, and I still have no regrets!

Has it been an easy ride?? Not at all. I am still learning and figuring things about. Some days I struggle with bad choices, but the good days mostly outweigh the bad days. It took me 18 months to reach my goal weight, most likely because I purposely decided not become overly obsessive about it. For many people, tracking everything works the best for them. For me, it did not. It made me extremely anxious. I had been there and done that so many times, I wanted this time to be different. I wanted to make changes that I knew I could sustain for a lifetime. Now I have been happily sitting at my goal for the last 18 months and couldn't be happier. I would do it over in a heartbeat!!

I have attached a few pictures, The First picture is me at my heaviest on my wedding day. The second was the day of surgery, I was about 40 lbs lighter than when I got married. The third picture is from shortly after I reached goal in my biggest pair of jeans (which I kept for reference and I highly recommend!). And the last picture is just take this past summer with my kids in the mountains (where I carried my daughter piggy back style part way up the side of the mountain...never would have done that before!).

And I just realized that I am wearing the same shirt...I really like that shirt!!

Wow! That is an amazing transformation. You don't even look like the same person! A lot of times people look like younger versions of themselves. You look like a younger version of....well, someone else . I bet people who hadn't seen you in a while didn't even recognize you.

Congratulations on getting to and staying at goal.

Awesome! You look great. The wedding photo .. I was heavy when I got married too, and I loved my wedding but the photos also make me sad. I have thought of renewing our vows maybe for our 20th anniversary (still 7 years away) so I can be thin in wedding photos. Is that weird?

Well, I have to say that I was watching the calendar for this day, and then it almost passed me by! Today marks 3 years since I had my sleeve done in Mexico, and I still have no regrets! Has it been an easy ride?? Not at all. I am still learning and figuring things about. Some days I struggle with bad choices, but the good days mostly outweigh the bad days. It took me 18 months to reach my goal weight, most likely because I purposely decided not become overly obsessive about it. For many people, tracking everything works the best for them. For me, it did not. It made me extremely anxious. I had been there and done that so many times, I wanted this time to be different. I wanted to make changes that I knew I could sustain for a lifetime. Now I have been happily sitting at my goal for the last 18 months and couldn't be happier. I would do it over in a heartbeat!! I have attached a few pictures, The First picture is me at my heaviest on my wedding day. The second was the day of surgery, I was about 40 lbs lighter than when I got married. The third picture is from shortly after I reached goal in my biggest pair of jeans (which I kept for reference and I highly recommend!). And the last picture is just take this past summer with my kids in the mountains (where I carried my daughter piggy back style part way up the side of the mountain...never would have done that before!).

So excited for you! Welcome to year three! I'm there too and think I finally have maintenance somewhat figured out. Lol. Congrats!

Awesome! You look great. The wedding photo .. I was heavy when I got married too, and I loved my wedding but the photos also make me sad. I have thought of renewing our vows maybe for our 20th anniversary (still 7 years away) so I can be thin in wedding photos. Is that weird?

That's actually a excellent idea! Why not have wedding photos you'll enjoy looking at?

Congratulations! I am so glad you're here still posting at VST. So many people quit posting after awhile.

Your pictures are adorable! That picture of you in the big jeans is so freakin cute!

Hey you! Three years? OMG that's awesome!

You and our other long term vets are a inspiration. I can only hope to have the same success as you have had three years out.

Thank you for sticking around and showing us "newbies" how it's done

I'm coming right up on three years too...time flies!! You look really great and happy...and your arms make me envious like mad.

Congrats on year three! I joined VST right around the time you had your surgery. I still remember the fear I had that I wouldn't qualify for the surgery, that I would have complications, that it wouldn't lose the weight, that I would regain the weight.

Thank you so much for being here through the years.

Lynda

Wow! You really do look totally different! Thank you for sticking around and congratulations on your great success!!

Awesome! You look great. The wedding photo .. I was heavy when I got married too, and I loved my wedding but the photos also make me sad. I have thought of renewing our vows maybe for our 20th anniversary (still 7 years away) so I can be thin in wedding photos. Is that weird?

Nope, I actually thought about going and trying on wedding dresses just for the fun of it! When you have to wear a size 22 wedding dress, the pickings are slim! I loved my wedding and even some of my photos I don't mind, but it is not were I wanted to be weight wise when I got married and didn't get my dream dress.

Nope, I actually thought about going and trying on wedding dresses just for the fun of it! When you have to wear a size 22 wedding dress, the pickings are slim! I loved my wedding and even some of my photos I don't mind, but it is not were I wanted to be weight wise when I got married and didn't get my dream dress.

I think that is one of the hard things. We grow up as girls dreaming about going to the prom, going dancing, the wedding. And always those beautiful dresses that look perfect on slim figures. Then if you are overweight or obese when the time comes, it just takes a little bit of the shine off. I feel like there was so much I had to "settle" for when I was obese. It is too bad. It that's just the way society is, I guess. I'm thankful that I can make new memories now though, and I feel like I have picked up some wisdom along the way that not everyone else would have.

You look really amazing! Congrats on hitting your goal and maintaining it! I am nearing my 3 years surgiversary date too, and boy howdy have I had my ups and downs (but I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat, no question). Time has a way of flying by! In some ways it feels like it just happened, and in other ways like it happened to another person in another life.

Sweetums....congratulations. 3 years and still doing great. No one ever said it was going to be easy but you are still hanging around here and setting a great example of success. Your before and afters tell a great story.

Congrats on making your 3 year...AND for being at goal and hanging out there. You look fab and it's great to see you around! Hope life is treating you well and hopefully your hubby hasn't had to travel much lately with the holidays being here.

CONGRATS to you and thanks for hanging out with all of us for so long!