At this time last year I was two pounds shy of 250 pounds. I had spent 10+ years trying countless diets and dedicated myself to these little spurts of "exercise dedication". The diets never lasted and I never remained dedicated. Healthy foods were not a problem, I love all healthy foods; exercise wasn't a problem, I used to be certified as an aerobic instructor and weight trainer. The problem was that I loved ALL foods and I loved them in COPIOUS quantities. Another problem was time. Between a full time job as a high school English teacher, grading papers (115 students multiplied by x amount of assignments/ essays...yikes!); sponsoring the dance team (taking up 3 evenings of my week, including Friday football travels and arriving home after midnight); and being a mother of 4 kids (ranging from 2 to 10)...my life was pretty stressful. I struggled to manage my time to take the time to make healthy meals and exercise. Fast food was the quickest and easiest. No cooking time required and--even better--no clean up! Every year the weight crept up, reaching 200, 210, 220, 235. I couldn't stop it.

In April, after I found out my aunt was getting the surgery, I decided I wanted to get it too. I thought, "Why wait until this gets even more out of control?" I did the research. At first I was adamant that I was going to get the lap band, but after extensive research and discovering so many horror stories, I decided to go for the sleeve--especially seeing that the bypass required supplementation for life (I have 4 kids for a reason folks!). My doctor agreed and on June 18th of 2013 I had the sleeve.

I made changes at home. I spent my weekends preparing food for the week (like dicing fresh fruits and freezing them for homemade smoothies the whole family enjoyed for breakfast). I bought the kids bikes, baseball gear, volleyballs, and everything in between and my husband and I decided to make our weekends active ones at the park. I stopped buying junk food. Period. Including chips, sodas, juices, and any starchy and heavily carbed foods with no nutritional value. My whole family has benefited. Exercising has become a part of our weekly tradition, like going to church or going to work. It is a must and a priority.

This surgery has not only changed my life, but the lives of my family as a whole. And I feel good that my kids will have a better foundation of healthier living because of it. It was worth every penny. Now, I have 15 to 20 pounds to go! I want to keep some of my curves, so I haven't decided how low I want to go in weight until I see how I look!

Edited January 20, 201412 yr by Curvy

starting weight, 221+ Weight date of surgery: 209 Current weight: 149 as of this morning. (1-15-14) I hope these pics show up. I exercise about 3-4 days a week and I've started trading for my first fun run. Is been a journey and I don't regret a moment of it!! I'm almost to goal.... 10lbs to go!!

WOW, WOW, WOW girl!!!!! You look absolutely FABULOUS!!!!!!!! Talk about an A-MAZING TRANSFORMATION!!!!!!!! What an accomplishment! I bet you feel absolutely great! Congrats to you girl, you deserve every inch of the fabulousness you've got going on

You are so very very welcome. We are all veterans of obesity. The battle scars we share are just a badge of honor of what sacrefice we have made in order to make ourselves healthier to prolong our lives for ourselves and our loved ones. You don't even look like the same person. Others have told me the same thing. Of course I am a 60 year old man not a beautiful flower that emerged like yourself. Never the less, we both have a great deal to be thankful for and your deserve all the credit due for your accomplishment. I hope that you are able to achieve every goal you have towards your weight loss journey. I was just lucky to get to she you share it with all of us. Sincerly, Mark Thomas Edmond Oklahoma

If I could teach through this screen, I'd kiss you! You are 60 years young and you look absolutely fantastic! You've lost a lot and have come so far and you know get to enjoy a better quality of life because of it. And let me tell you something else...you hit the nail on the head...my skin, our skin, all of us with the extra skin should wear it like a badge if honor. It tells our story of defeat, struggle, overcoming and victory. I love how you worded that. Beautiful. Just like your compliments and no doubt your character. Thank you again Mark! Muah!!!

starting weight, 221+ Weight date of surgery: 209 Current weight: 149 as of this morning. (1-15-14) I hope these pics show up. I exercise about 3-4 days a week and I've started trading for my first fun run. Is been a journey and I don't regret a moment of it!! I'm almost to goal.... 10lbs to go!!

WOW, WOW, WOW girl!!!!! You look absolutely FABULOUS!!!!!!!! Talk about an A-MAZING TRANSFORMATION!!!!!!!! What an accomplishment! I bet you feel absolutely great! Congrats to you girl, you deserve every inch of the fabulousness you've got going on

Thank you.☺️ I feel like my outsides match my insides. I've always been the fun bubbly fat girl! Now I'm the fun bubbly HEALTHY girl!!

Thank you.☺️ I feel like my outsides match my insides. I've always been the fun bubbly fat girl! Now I'm the fun bubbly HEALTHY girl!!

Lol!!! I know what you mean! Love it!!!

You are so very very welcome. We are all veterans of obesity. The battle scars we share are just a badge of honor of what sacrefice we have made in order to make ourselves healthier to prolong our lives for ourselves and our loved ones. You don't even look like the same person. Others have told me the same thing. Of course I am a 60 year old man not a beautiful flower that emerged like yourself. Never the less, we both have a great deal to be thankful for and your deserve all the credit due for your accomplishment. I hope that you are able to achieve every goal you have towards your weight loss journey. I was just lucky to get to she you share it with all of us. Sincerly, Mark Thomas Edmond Oklahoma

If I could teach through this screen, I'd kiss you! You are 60 years young and you look absolutely fantastic! You've lost a lot and have come so far and you know get to enjoy a better quality of life because of it. And let me tell you something else...you hit the nail on the head...my skin, our skin, all of us with the extra skin should wear it like a badge if honor. It tells our story of defeat, struggle, overcoming and victory. I love how you worded that. Beautiful. Just like your compliments and no doubt your character. Thank you again Mark! Muah!!!

Right back atcha kiddo

SO AWESOME!!!!!!!

Thank you for sharing, it is so inspiring. You look terrific and I bet feel even better!

I am 3 wekks out and still have the thoughts of "is it real, is it possible?''

Seeing stories like yours is so wonderful.

Congrats on all your life changes and hard work. So great for you and your family

Wow! What a beautiful transformation. I'm 7 weeks out and down 37 pounds. It amazing how much better I feel already. I cannot imagine how much better I will feel when I get to goal, like you. Congratulations!

SO AWESOME!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing, it is so inspiring. You look terrific and I bet feel even better! I am 3 wekks out and still have the thoughts of "is it real, is it possible?'' Seeing stories like yours is so wonderful. Congrats on all your life changes and hard work. So great for you and your family

I remember looking at all the before and after pics less than a year ago and wondering the same thing. I couldn't fathom looking like some of the vet posters. But I'm near goal now, and even though I always felt fabulous and beautiful, I feel even better...like my insides match the outer part. Most of all I love the mobility and the ability to be active with my kids on a much greater scale. Thank you so much for the compliments and good luck on your journey!

Wow! What a beautiful transformation. I'm 7 weeks out and down 37 pounds. It amazing how much better I feel already. I cannot imagine how much better I will feel when I get to goal, like you. Congratulations!

Your doing great Caroline!!! It's only going to get better!!!

Look so young!

You flawless

Amazing!!! You look like a different person. Congratulations!

Thank you ladies!!!

I remember looking at all the before and after pics less than a year ago and wondering the same thing. I couldn't fathom looking like some of the vet posters. But I'm near goal now, and even though I always felt fabulous and beautiful, I feel even better...like my insides match the outer part. Most of all I love the mobility and the ability to be active with my kids on a much greater scale. Thank you so much for the compliments and good luck on your journey!

Everything you said is exactly why I went forward with the surgery.

To feel the same on the outside as I do on the inside.

Number one priority, to enjoy life to the fullest with my munchkins & hubby.

To remain healthy physically and emotionally!

You keep rockin' it out !!!

Thank you for being a inspiration & positive voice!

Wow! You look awesome and are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing!!!