Let me begin with I'm 23 years old & have struggled with weight my entire life. Many times I have lost significants amounts of weight to only gain it back (& more) . This weight fluctuation was constant from age 12-23. In 2011 I weighed 180lbs. In August 2013 I weighed my highest as 318lbs. I new my last result had to be surgery. I went for the vertical sleeve on October 21 2013 . And let me tell you, BEST decision I have ever made. Today , 4/14/2014 (less then SIX months post op!) I have shed -101lbs. Day of surgery I weighed in at 304lbs Today I weigh in at 203lbs Here are some pics. Hope to inspire & give hope to anyone considering VSG! Before (week before surg) & After (april 2014)

Edited April 15, 201412 yr by amandamaybeso

Yes working out has become a HUGE part of my life nowadays. Cardio has been my greatest joy both mentally and physically. The biggest factors I can attribute to my success have been my family. All of them have been beyond supportive BUT the greatest thing was a month before my surgery, my sister had VSG done & we live together & have been each others constant support team. And , after seeing our rapid success, my two cousins, both around my age too & whom have struggled w obesity their lives too, both underwent the vsg procedure (one in December, the other in February) . So now the four of us are one giant, gym-obsessed, healthy eating, happily shrinking family lol. Which is more than I could have asked for. Though my family is amazing, my 'friends' (actually 'EX' friends seems more appropriate a term) are atrocious. I had two best friends prior to surgery. One of them is extremely morbidly obese, she always has been for the 10+ years ive known her, has not only stopped talking to me directly, but online posts incessantly how glad she is she didnt have wls and take the 'easy way out' . Meanwhile shes 5'0 and around 340lbs. She is jealous, and the only reason she didnt get the surgery is because she was too lazy to wake up & go to her pre surgical apts! My other friend was only slightly overweight, around 180lbs, and totally ditched me now that I am almost smaller then her.. Like wtf ITS NO COMPETITION! Jealousy is petty

Thanks for your reply!! That's amazing about your family!!! The friends part though.....ICK! That's horrible and I worry about that!!! I have never felt that competition part that some girls feel. I don't get their need to be that way, it's just hurtful. It's they that are missing out tho hun. Good for you for standing up and taking control of your life! I'm still pre op but I know plenty enough to know that it's NOT the easy way out. Some people have no respect for themselves or anyone else!!

Did you work out a lot? What do you think was the biggest factor in your success? Help a newbie out! Lol

Yes working out has become a HUGE part of my life nowadays. Cardio has been my greatest joy both mentally and physically.

The biggest factors I can attribute to my success have been my family. All of them have been beyond supportive BUT the greatest thing was a month before my surgery, my sister had VSG done & we live together & have been each others constant support team.

And , after seeing our rapid success, my two cousins, both around my age too & whom have struggled w obesity their lives too, both underwent the vsg procedure (one in December, the other in February) . So now the four of us are one giant, gym-obsessed, healthy eating, happily shrinking family lol.

Which is more than I could have asked for. Though my family is amazing, my 'friends' (actually 'EX' friends seems more appropriate a term) are atrocious. I had two best friends prior to surgery. One of them is extremely morbidly obese, she always has been for the 10+ years ive known her, has not only stopped talking to me directly, but online posts incessantly how glad she is she didnt have wls and take the 'easy way out' . Meanwhile shes 5'0 and around 340lbs. She is jealous, and the only reason she didnt get the surgery is because she was too lazy to wake up & go to her pre surgical apts!

My other friend was only slightly overweight, around 180lbs, and totally ditched me now that I am almost smaller then her.. Like wtf ITS NO COMPETITION! Jealousy is petty

Hey! You look great! My stats are also super similar to yours. I'm 27, 5'7" and 6 months and 1 week out. I'm down 113 lbs. highest was 313, i'm now 199 and change. Just wanted to respond to your comment about a friend of yours who blew you off. It's tough i your early 20s but you have to learn to sift out the real friends from the superficial ones. Anyone who is that self absorbed and would only be friends with you because it made her feel better about herself when you were larger is no friend at all. Surround yourself with people who are on YOUR team and root for your success. Use your 20s to realize that friends aren't about quantity but quality. You don't need their negativity. This is YOUR time! Congrats, you look great and i'm proud of you and that "friend" will spend their life jealous and envious of your fierceness.

You look great, congratulations on your weight loss so far and keep up the good work!

You've done amazingly! Congrats!

Let me begin with I'm 23 years old & have struggled with weight my entire life. Many times I have lost significants amounts of weight to only gain it back (& more) . This weight fluctuation was constant from age 12-23. In 2011 I weighed 180lbs. In August 2013 I weighed my highest as 318lbs. I new my last result had to be surgery. I went for the vertical sleeve on October 21 2013 . And let me tell you, BEST decision I have ever made. Today , 4/14/2014 (less then SIX months post op!) I have shed -101lbs. Day of surgery I weighed in at 304lbs Today I weigh in at 203lbs Here are some pics. Hope to inspire & give hope to anyone considering VSG! Before (week before surg) & After (april 2014)

Amazing. .....congratulations.

Congratulations! You are such an inspiration.

@amandamaybeso are you on low carb...?? How did you lose so much so fast??? just curious.