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I was 18 and 356 lbs.

linseeka

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linseeka    170

linseeka
Posted

I really don't remember a point in my life where I started gaining weight. I was always bigger with the sentence "she'll grow out of this chubby phase soon" whispered above my head.

Getting into high school I remember having to look for a desk that I could fit into easily, problem was, some classrooms only had older desks and I was left with my gut taking up most of my table.

You would think I would do something, recognize that this wasn't okay. But I was confident, and very social, I had earned a fantastic network of friends. But just friends. I made it to 18 before I had anything close to a real boyfriend. I didn't feel like I deserved more then just one night of a guys attention, I didn't how wrong I was.

The only people that ever really bullied me were my own grandparents, with traditional my figure was the butt of the rude and hurtful joke, and constant scrutiny. Even to go as far as me telling them I was going intertubbing with friends only to have my grandfather literally grab my stomach fat and say "good thing you have your own tube"

I didn't speak to them for over a year after that.

My mom and father were both over weight, my father was fairly active and my mother worked a lot.

Fast food and quick diner dinners and take out was the daily norm for us. Causing food to be what brought us together. The best way I can put it is where other peoples family's went on walks or hikes, or maybe they snowboarded. The could have liked to go hunting! But my family would literally drive for an hour just to go get f*+king doughnuts.

(That I miss dearly)

My mom decided to have Bariatric sleeve surgery and had amazing success, one night about 6 months post op he tried her hardest to ask me if I wanted to have the surgery too without hurting my feeling.

I immediately said yes and we filled out an application that night

June 25th 2015. Surgery day.

I felt more prepaid then most others in the room looked. I had a first hand play by play that I had my mom tell me everything was going to be fine.

I don't remember much after changing into the hospital robe, I remember waking up my mom was there, drinking her Protein Shake, like always. I was in pain, it felt like someone had drug me around by my hands and had dislocated my shoulders from my arms.

Every time I swallowed I felt a sharp pain. But soon the pain meds started to help and within three hours I was up and walking, I crunched happily on ice and eventually some apple juice that I swear was made from what ever kind of apple eve ate cause damn.

By the 4th day I wanted food, SOMETHING TO CHEW I had been put on a 14day liquid diet pre op.

And we all know how post op goes so I was stuck with the soft stuff, best thing I've found is a no flavor Protein powder, I have one that has 30mg protein per table spoon, I'd mix a table spoon with some baby food and have it for dinner around week 3. Week 4 I had some sliced turkey brest and part of a piece of orange (not a good plan)

Slowly I re introduced foods and started becoming more active and seeing the lbs fall off.

Today I am 176lbs. I feel happy and beautiful and healthy and I can't wait to see how much farther I'll go!

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PorkChopExpress    830

PorkChopExpress
Posted

Great story. I was picked on by kids my age growing up and teased for being bigger, and it can all really add up to demolish your self-esteem...and then weirdly, we end up becoming what they say we are. It just starts a vicious cycle that it is tremendously hard to get out of. We're doing it, though! You've achieved a lot, congratulations. I can't wait to join the ranks of those who've reached their goals, after suffering for so long.

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Guest   

Guest
Posted

You look radiant in all three, truth be told. You seem like a happy person, you've enhanced yourself now. :) looking gorgeous. At 56 I can hear it like yesterday, when I was a kid my grandmother always saying how beautiful and cute my bff was (she was tiny). Everything I'd try and eat she'd say don't you want to be like Rachel? Thanks for sharing your story, because many have been through things like that. My friend's dad would call him Lardass when wearing his Jordache jeans he said, back in the day. He has many self esteem issues. Congratulations!

Sent from my SM-G900H using the BariatricPal App

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RoachBug    233

RoachBug
Posted

Definately agree with Ginsin007, you looked great in all 3 pics. There is a huge transformation though and you look a lot younger! Congradulations on the journey. Now if I can only figure out the "look younger" part for myself..

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Guest
Posted

@ RoachBug I think you after pic makes you look years younger! You are lucky to be in Ohio, I miss the great parks and season changes there. Lived in Mentor and Lakewood in another life.

Sent from my SM-G900H using the BariatricPal App

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teedsg    253

teedsg
Posted

Thanks for sharing linseeka, you look awesome !

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Kelleylu    34

Kelleylu
Posted

I really don't remember a point in my life where I started gaining weight. I was always bigger with the sentence "she'll grow out of this chubby phase soon" whispered above my head.

Getting into high school I remember having to look for a desk that I could fit into easily, problem was, some classrooms only had older desks and I was left with my gut taking up most of my table.

You would think I would do something, recognize that this wasn't okay. But I was confident, and very social, I had earned a fantastic network of friends. But just friends. I made it to 18 before I had anything close to a real boyfriend. I didn't feel like I deserved more then just one night of a guys attention, I didn't how wrong I was.

The only people that ever really bullied me were my own grandparents, with traditional my figure was the butt of the rude and hurtful joke, and constant scrutiny. Even to go as far as me telling them I was going intertubbing with friends only to have my grandfather literally grab my stomach fat and say "good thing you have your own tube"

I didn't speak to them for over a year after that.

My mom and father were both over weight, my father was fairly active and my mother worked a lot.

Fast food and quick diner dinners and take out was the daily norm for us. Causing food to be what brought us together. The best way I can put it is where other peoples family's went on walks or hikes, or maybe they snowboarded. The could have liked to go hunting! But my family would literally drive for an hour just to go get f*+king doughnuts.

(That I miss dearly)

My mom decided to have Bariatric sleeve surgery and had amazing success, one night about 6 months post op he tried her hardest to ask me if I wanted to have the surgery too without hurting my feeling.

I immediately said yes and we filled out an application that night

June 25th 2015. Surgery day.

I felt more prepaid then most others in the room looked. I had a first hand play by play that I had my mom tell me everything was going to be fine.

I don't remember much after changing into the hospital robe, I remember waking up my mom was there, drinking her Protein shake, like always. I was in pain, it felt like someone had drug me around by my hands and had dislocated my shoulders from my arms.

Every time I swallowed I felt a sharp pain. But soon the pain meds started to help and within three hours I was up and walking, I crunched happily on ice and eventually some apple juice that I swear was made from what ever kind of apple eve ate cause damn.

By the 4th day I wanted food, SOMETHING TO CHEW I had been put on a 14day liquid diet pre op.

And we all know how post op goes so I was stuck with the soft stuff, best thing I've found is a no flavor Protein powder, I have one that has 30mg Protein per table spoon, I'd mix a table spoon with some baby food and have it for dinner around week 3. Week 4 I had some sliced turkey brest and part of a piece of orange (not a good plan)

Slowly I re introduced foods and started becoming more active and seeing the lbs fall off.

Today I am 176lbs. I feel happy and beautiful and healthy and I can't wait to see how much farther I'll go!

What a wonderful inspiring story! Can you tell me what type of unflavored protein you use? I hope to be as successful as you!

Sent from my SPH-L720T using the BariatricPal App

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Go To Topic Listing Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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