Good idea for a topic @VSGAnn

My Dr. looks at her Weight loss calculator and announces that 220 is all that is expected for me (starting weight 350). This makes me quite sad, but not sad enough to throw in the towel.

To me success (long term) would put me at 180. Truly success needs to be measured in smaller increments.

Today......being just 7 weeks post op....my success comes from the physical changes I can already feel. I am going to wave my freekin flags and claim success......my "freekin flags" those loose skin flags that are forming on the underside of my ams. Quite noticeable already....SUCCESS.

Success.......that chair on the porch that pinched my outer thighs......doesn't pinch anymore

Success......shaving my legs has become a bit easier

Success.......my husbands arms encircle me more when he hugs me

I'm really glad you posted this topic. It is a great one.

My first reaction is to say success to me is about being able to wear anything I want and look awesome!! Clothes are a major love for me. I like the attention I get from the opposite sex, compliments from other women, my ex husband eating his heart out every time he sees me. Haha. That's awesome!!

But that's all really surface stuff. It feels good but it's not the real indicator of success.

I don't think I've reached what success means for me in spite of being at my goal weight. I still haven't gotten into a steady exercise routine. That's a huge goal for me.

I won't feel really successful until I'm not so scared of weight gain. I still need more time to remain at a stable weight. I'm trying to figure out a long term pattern of eating where I don't have to worry so much about very thing I ate every day.

Success to me will mean staying at this weight and also not having to obsess over food. Having a stronger fit body and being very active are really important to me. I have some malnutrition issues to correct still and I want my hair to grow back.

Success to me means real physical health and emotional stability.

@@bellabloom I think all of us will always live with the fear of regain. Our bodies are wired differently than those people with a metabolism to be born thin and always live thin. My husband couldn't gain weight if he tried. 34 years of marriage and the man weighs 5 lbs more than our wedding day. I think acceptance that we will always have to keep our eye on the scale and our hands off the pastries is success.

Success.......last night went to hubbys work xmas party (always dread being the largest woman in the room, always fear that my husband will be judged on his choice of mate)....well I was still the largest woman in the room but I'm 50 lbs lighter than I was at the summer party. I'm two sizes smaller in my pant. I felt great. At this point few people can tell I've lost the weight but I know it, hubby knows it.....I'll take success where i can find it,,,,,,oh and I have to buy new shoes. My snug flats were flopping all over the place....never considered I'd lose foot fat.....rings are real loose too.

I started working out again a few weeks ago. Last night I was running on the treadmill and was amazed at how much easier it is at this size. Also, my legs don't have that horrible heavy aching feeling with days and days of soreness afterwards. I feel tired, accomplished and refreshed when I'm done. I signed up for a 5K in March. My goal is to run it in 30 min or less. Right now I'm at 45-47 min.

At this time success is not just about weighing less. It's about being healthy and fit. ????????

Great question! I always ask myself this question before starting a project, because it's too easy for scope creep to make me unhappy with the final result, even if I achieved my original goals. Ok, here goes:

1) Be able to wear clothes from regular stores and be happy with how I look in them.

2) Be able to vacation with my fit friends and not have to worry about what activity they want to do. (You want to hike up what?)

3) Get rid of my co-morbidities. I have 3, all severe.

4) Get my functional abilities back, such as tying my shoes and getting up off the floor. I can do them, but they've gotten uncomfortable.

5) Not be so sweaty and hot All Of The Time.

6) Preferably, size 10 or under. But I'm flexible with this one.

7) Wear high heels

8) Not be invisible

9) Get my thin personality back: friendly, outgoing (well, outgoing for an introvert), brave, adventurous

EDIT: Forgot one of the most important: maintain a healthy weight! I've lost weight a million times, and it came right back with its friends.

Edited January 24, 201610 yr by careya123

Success.......was making the decision that I could use the help the sleeve surgery would provide. It took a lot to convince me that it was the correct path to take.

Everything that's occurred since........ be it a big thing or small....are reinforcements that decision was one of the best I've made in my life.

Parking in furthest spaces from store/work entrances.....when just a few months ago my orthopedic doctor completed the handicap parking documentation for me and urged me to obtain a permanent handicap sticker/license plate. I never followed through with it.

Returning to the gym, even if it's just doing cardio at the moment. It's nice to be surrounded by folks bettering themselves and feeding off the energy in the place.

Getting rid of unwanted weight....a long way to go....but not as far as I've come. This really was reinforced last week. I had a semi-formal event that I was planning on attending. I dress casually for work....and for leisure. Rarely do I wear a suit. Dug through the closet and tried on 6 different suits. Each of them looked ridiculously oversized. No way they could be altered enough to ever fit again. Even a couple of sport coats were clown sized. Laughed my arse off at the discovery. Attended anyway in khakis & a tie. Was a tad underdressed but had fun anyway. Looking forward to spending some "suit money" down the road when I get closer to goal.

Looking forward to some other "size-check" moments, too. Plane seats.......amusement park rides.....etc........

Success=

Being able to paint my toenails

Being able to have better hygiene

Not having rashes under my stomach fold

Being able to ride a roller coaster without fear that I won't fit

Being able to play outside with my teenagers

Being able to be more intimate with my hubby

Being able to shop confidently

Not having to wear these fat clothes that make me feel 20 years older than I am

Being able to eat normal portions and be satisfied

Getting rid of my joint pain

Feeling less self conscious when going to the beach

Vacationing without limits

Love this post! What a great question. For me success has become less about a number and more about freedom. Freedom from the constant obsession with food....what I'm eating, what I'm not eating, what I shouldn't be eating, what I should be eating but I'm not eating. You get the point. Still working on this one.

This! 1000xThis!

I feel freed as well!

My life is not about food food food.

When will the next great be? Will I sneak it? Will I wait for everyone to fall asleep? The constant, addictive like obsession is GONE.

I can focus on me. On what I think is fun. On my relationships.

I hit onederland last week. I thought I'd be jumping for joy but the joy has come a long time before, with this new freedom.