My name is Stephanie, 25 years old. Been in the food industry since I was 16. I grew up with food and the idea that you had to clean your plate before you got up from table. It was insane how much I ate in general. I got to 280 lbs before I made changes. I went to UTMB bariatric program and was blown away by how ready I was. They really prepared me for it with their 3 month program (that turned into 5 months because I had to wait to save up the money for surgery). I lost 58 lbs before surgery. With a one pre-surgery diet day of inconvenient bathroom breaks, I felt it gave me less time to rethink/reconsider the surgery. I went into surgery at 222lbs. I joined a gym that allowed for my hours of working out at midnight. I went from couch potato to 6 days a week at the gym for an hour even after a crazy dinner service. See first photo, I was one of most active members of the gym for its first month! Today I'm a close to 4 months out, and I weigh 168lbs. I cried today when I bought jeans, and was able to buy a 13, in JUNIORS! I used to wear a 24/26. I cried. I can't tell you how much I love the surgery for giving me the opportunity to be a better me!

@@steph_anie

Beautiful!

You must be so proud of all the things you have achieved. Have a good cry over your size 13 Junior jeans. They are super cute. .......You are a certified GYM RAT.

Great job Chef...

You should be well pleased with yourself...

Congrats!!

You are rocking it.

Awesome. Simply awesome.

Who'd have ever thought that shopping for clothes could be so damn fun......even for an old geezer like me.

Stephanie,

You're making ME cry!

What a great story. You are a driven, dedicated person who can achieve anything you want. What a great life you're going to have.

Congratulations!!! Your dedication is inspiring!