March 11th marked my 1 yr anniversary. I haven't been active on these boards For awhile but wanted to come back and share my story and success because I know when I was preparing for my surgery reading about other peoples experience was a comfort. I had my surgery with dr. Garcia through ready4achange at mi doctor. (I believe if you look through my old posts you can find a. More detailed posting of my experience) I have lost 75lbs, which is ALL the weight I wanted to lose ( yes I was a "lightweight"). at about 8 months out I had reached my weight loss goal and have been easily maintaining my weight since. Never once have I regretted this surgery, in fact I have made many, many positive changes in my life since (from career changes to relationships) and feel that my weight loss was a positive catalyst to me living a better life! I actually have fond memories of my trip to Mexico, albeit there was some difficulties while there (some last minute confusion. With the coordinators and mi doctor was pretty bad, but heard dr Garcia has since moved hospitals. Aside from that the marriot was awesome and so was dr Garcia and his team). but overall it was actually a fun experience, yes I said fun I truly enjoyed being there, everyone was so nice and accommodating (plus I went with my mom so it was nice to have a mini vacation with her). I honestly wish i was having my surgery again so I could go back for another trip! Lol I hope to some day go back for an actual vacation. I am attaching a picture of my before (which was taken in the hospital immediately after surgery) and after. To anyone having the surgery I say take a lot of before pics, I unfortunately didn't take many pics of myself at my highest weight and wish I had because when I look at the few before pics I have I can't believe I was the size I was. Always nice to have those visual reminders. Here's to living a better life!

Edited March 22, 201412 yr by fletcherette

Those 2 pictures look like mother and daughter! Congratulations on your loss and especially on maintaining.

Thanks for sharing this encouraging post!

oh my gosh, what a beautiful transformation! You look not just slimmer in your after pic (obviously) but so much younger and happier. Congrats!

You look fantastic! Congratulations on you transformation.

Holy crap! Those really do look like a mother and daughter. You should be so proud of yourself. What an awesome job you have done! 20 years younger is what you look honey!! Congrats!!!

Congrats on your anniversary and your success. You look incredible.

Love this post. Thanks for the inspiration. I plan on losing 80 lbs. My surgery is May 26th I'm so excited.

Love your post as well; so inspiring! Congratulations; you look amazing! I'm so happy for you and comforted by your success, ability to maintain and experience in Mexico!

All the best to you!

Congrats on your anniversary and your success. You look incredible.

BrantS1976, I just saw you had a gastric plication done. I googled it because I had never heard of it.

I'm curious why you chose plication over sleeve if you care to share

March 11th marked my 1 yr anniversary. I haven't been active on these boards For awhile but wanted to come back and share my story and success because I know when I was preparing for my surgery reading about other peoples experience was a comfort. I had my surgery with dr. Garcia through ready4achange at mi doctor. (I believe if you look through my old posts you can find a. More detailed posting of my experience) I have lost 75lbs, which is ALL the weight I wanted to lose ( yes I was a "lightweight"). at about 8 months out I had reached my weight loss goal and have been easily maintaining my weight since. Never once have I regretted this surgery, in fact I have made many, many positive changes in my life since (from career changes to relationships) and feel that my weight loss was a positive catalyst to me living a better life! I actually have fond memories of my trip to Mexico, albeit there was some difficulties while there (some last minute confusion. With the coordinators and mi doctor was pretty bad, but heard dr Garcia has since moved hospitals. Aside from that the marriot was awesome and so was dr Garcia and his team). but overall it was actually a fun experience, yes I said fun I truly enjoyed being there, everyone was so nice and accommodating (plus I went with my mom so it was nice to have a mini vacation with her). I honestly wish i was having my surgery again so I could go back for another trip! Lol I hope to some day go back for an actual vacation. I am attaching a picture of my before (which was taken in the hospital immediately after surgery) and after. To anyone having the surgery I say take a lot of before pics, I unfortunately didn't take many pics of myself at my highest weight and wish I had because when I look at the few before pics I have I can't believe I was the size I was. Always nice to have those visual reminders. Here's to living a better life!

Congratulations! I'm a lightweight as well lol. From my heaviest to my goal is just under 100 lbs. I'm only 3 wks post up and I need to lose 50 more. I can't wait! Thanks for being inspirational. I didn't got to Mexico but had an amazing hospital experience with a great roommate

Congrats! I read many of your posts when I was deciding on surgery in Oct. So glad to see you have done so well.

March 11th marked my 1 yr anniversary. I haven't been active on these boards For awhile but wanted to come back and share my story and success because I know when I was preparing for my surgery reading about other peoples experience was a comfort. I had my surgery with dr. Garcia through Ready4Achange at mi doctor. (I believe if you look through my old posts you can find a. More detailed posting of my experience) I have lost 75lbs, which is ALL the weight I wanted to lose ( yes I was a "lightweight"). at about 8 months out I had reached my weight loss goal and have been easily maintaining my weight since. Never once have I regretted this surgery, in fact I have made many, many positive changes in my life since (from career changes to relationships) and feel that my weight loss was a positive catalyst to me living a better life! I actually have fond memories of my trip to Mexico, albeit there was some difficulties while there (some last minute confusion. With the coordinators and mi doctor was pretty bad, but heard dr Garcia has since moved hospitals. Aside from that the marriot was awesome and so was dr Garcia and his team). but overall it was actually a fun experience, yes I said fun I truly enjoyed being there, everyone was so nice and accommodating (plus I went with my mom so it was nice to have a mini vacation with her). I honestly wish i was having my surgery again so I could go back for another trip! Lol I hope to some day go back for an actual vacation. I am attaching a picture of my before (which was taken in the hospital immediately after surgery) and after. To anyone having the surgery I say take a lot of before pics, I unfortunately didn't take many pics of myself at my highest weight and wish I had because when I look at the few before pics I have I can't believe I was the size I was. Always nice to have those visual reminders. Here's to living a better life!