Hi Everyone,

My name is Eli and I am 21 years old. I just wanted to share my amazing journey with everyone and hopefully help anyone that needs it. Since I was a young boy I struggled with weight loss. I put weight on and I took weight off and it didn't seem like I could ever get it right. Growing up, all of my friends were thin so they never understood what it was really like to be overweight, nobody actually understands unless they actually walk a mile in your shoes. I was miserable, depressed, and felt like there was nothing in the world that could help me. As a lineman for my high school football team I justified my extreme weight gain with the fact that I needed to be bigger to play my position and this mindset caused my weight to spiral out of control.

When I graduated high school in 2011 I weighed the most I ever did and it took a huge toll on me as I was about to go away to college and had literally no self-esteem. Jumping ahead to my sophomore year of college I had now put on even more weight and it was affecting me more then ever. My grades were slipping, it didn't seem like any girl would ever want to talk to me, and most of all it was hard to look at myself in the mirror. When I came home from school after my sophomore year I weighed about 320 pounds, which was by far the most I ever weighed. When I came home in May that year I just came to the realization of what I did to myself and I asked myself, "How did I let this happen?" Before I continue I want everyone to know that this is not a sob story and that there is a huge gleaming light at the end of that tunnel. When the conversation of weight loss surgery was brought up for the first time I honestly felt offended because I never thought that it would possibly come to that and after countless talks with family members and friends I finally agreed to schedule an appointment and the Center for Bariatric Surgery and Weight Loss in Ridgewood, New Jersey in June of 2013.

Fast forward to September of that year I had completed all of my pre-surgery requirements and a date for surgery was scheduled. My surgery happened on November 4th at New York-Presbyterian in New York City. Let me tell you that November 4th, 2013 was the first day of the rest of my life. I'll save the details of pre-surgery, hospital stay, and post-surgery for another post. On the day of surgery I weighed 316 pounds having lost a little in the months prior to my surgery date. Now, in October of 2014 I am proud to say that I weigh 196 pounds putting my total weight loss at 120 pounds. My life has changed in the most extreme way, not just with how I physically look and feel, but mentally, I am a different person. I am the happiest I've been in my entire life.

I understand that there are countless reservations people have before making probably the hardest decision of your entire life, because for me it was, but I can also proudly say that it was the best decision I have made in my entire life. I understand that you might feel that there is no way out of being overweight, but I'm here to tell you that there is. I am willing to talk to anyone who has questions and I am always available because I understand how hard it is to make this decision. PLEASE don't hesitate to ask me anything. Thank you for listening to my journey and my story and I hope this might help anyone who is on the fence or anyone who is scared or nervous. Lastly, I'd like to say how amazing the last year of my life has been and I hope everyone can share the same happiness I do.

-Eli

Thank you for your story and for inspiring people! I am old enough to be your mother and 2 of my kids are your age but I wished I could do this sooner. I don't have a date yet but it's getting there. I can't wait to live life again!

@@elivaynstein Eli...thank you so much for this inspiring story! I am 4 weeks post op this Friday and recovery has been well! But sometimes I get to that negative thinking and ask myself if I've done the right choice! Tonight was one of those nights, and then I found your story... This are the stories that help me keep at this journey! Thank you so much

Great story and I totally understand.

that's great, congrats.

You look wonderful Eli????

Great job!

Eli, you've inspired me today. You are so smart to have taken control in your twenties. My twenties, thirties and forties were wasted in obesity. I'm happier and healthier now at 53 than I was at your age. Keep on keeping it real. You're helping countless people you will never even meet.

@@elivaynstein Congrats and thanks for sharing!!! That is where I plan on having my surgery too! Who was your surgeon?

Well done Eli, what a lovely uplifting story.You look wonderful and sound a lovely young man,.you are going to be fighting off the girls from now on.All the very best to you in your new life i feel excited for you !! PippinLeicester.

Hi Everyone,

My name is Eli and I am 21 years old. I just wanted to share my amazing journey with everyone and hopefully help anyone that needs it. Since I was a young boy I struggled with weight loss. I put weight on and I took weight off and it didn't seem like I could ever get it right. Growing up, all of my friends were thin so they never understood what it was really like to be overweight, nobody actually understands unless they actually walk a mile in your shoes. I was miserable, depressed, and felt like there was nothing in the world that could help me. As a lineman for my high school football team I justified my extreme weight gain with the fact that I needed to be bigger to play my position and this mindset caused my weight to spiral out of control.

When I graduated high school in 2011 I weighed the most I ever did and it took a huge toll on me as I was about to go away to college and had literally no self-esteem. Jumping ahead to my sophomore year of college I had now put on even more weight and it was affecting me more then ever. My grades were slipping, it didn't seem like any girl would ever want to talk to me, and most of all it was hard to look at myself in the mirror. When I came home from school after my sophomore year I weighed about 320 pounds, which was by far the most I ever weighed. When I came home in May that year I just came to the realization of what I did to myself and I asked myself, "How did I let this happen?" Before I continue I want everyone to know that this is not a sob story and that there is a huge gleaming light at the end of that tunnel. When the conversation of weight loss surgery was brought up for the first time I honestly felt offended because I never thought that it would possibly come to that and after countless talks with family members and friends I finally agreed to schedule an appointment and the Center for Bariatric Surgery and Weight Loss in Ridgewood, New Jersey in June of 2013.

Fast forward to September of that year I had completed all of my pre-surgery requirements and a date for surgery was scheduled. My surgery happened on November 4th at New York-Presbyterian in New York City. Let me tell you that November 4th, 2013 was the first day of the rest of my life. I'll save the details of pre-surgery, hospital stay, and post-surgery for another post. On the day of surgery I weighed 316 pounds having lost a little in the months prior to my surgery date. Now, in October of 2014 I am proud to say that I weigh 196 pounds putting my total weight loss at 120 pounds. My life has changed in the most extreme way, not just with how I physically look and feel, but mentally, I am a different person. I am the happiest I've been in my entire life.

I understand that there are countless reservations people have before making probably the hardest decision of your entire life, because for me it was, but I can also proudly say that it was the best decision I have made in my entire life. I understand that you might feel that there is no way out of being overweight, but I'm here to tell you that there is. I am willing to talk to anyone who has questions and I am always available because I understand how hard it is to make this decision. PLEASE don't hesitate to ask me anything. Thank you for listening to my journey and my story and I hope this might help anyone who is on the fence or anyone who is scared or nervous. Lastly, I'd like to say how amazing the last year of my life has been and I hope everyone can share the same happiness I do.

-Eli

Wow Eli! I finally found some one who's my age and did the sleeve while being in college! I would really love to contact with you because I really have a lot of questions to make you since we are basically in the same page going through the same things! I am in my 5th month post-up. I was 215 the day of my surgery and now I am 158/160. I feel i could be less though, but alcohol on weekend has been a huge challenge for me! Also being in college is very hard to follow a specific meal plan but i always try to eat as healthier as possible. I started drinking alcohol my third month post-op since I read i could start drinking after the 3rd month but i know i shouldnt do it and every one here keeps telling me not to do it but its very hard (you understand me because you are in college as well) i have a verg active social life, always had always did and always will.. I know alcohol is not needed to be social and have fun.. But lets not bullshit here but a party with out having alcohol is just not the same fun! Anyway .. I am scared about every thing that awaits because i dont know if i'll keep loosing weight or im staying stuck in this weight like the past month.

Hope we can really get in contact! Here are pictures of me before and now so you have an idea of my change!

@@OhSoNique my surgeon was Dr. Marc Bessler and my surgery was at New York Presbyterian.

@@OhSoNique my surgeon was Dr. Marc Bessler and my surgery was at New York Presbyterian.

Oh ok nice!! I heard he is very nice, I have Dr. Melissa Bagloo. I just had my endoscopy on Friday n my finally meeting with the dr Baguio *fingers crossed * on 11/11