I started this process on May 4, and I had my surgery on September 12. In between, I lost 56 pounds. Since the surgery, I'm down another 39. I went from 5'5" and 285 to 5'5" and 190. I've lost 10 inches off my waist and went from a XXXL to a large. I stepped back through my old wardrobe so quickly that things I thought would fit for a while no longer fit at all, and I have to start from scratch on my wardrobe. My glucose is 92, I'm off the CPAP, I'm off the cholesterol drug on a trial basis. I look better than I have since high school. I go hiking multiple times a week, I swim multiple times a week, I just bought a kayak. And I'm still losing weight. The 100-pounds-lost mark is right around the corner.

This is successful, but not success. Success is many years away, when I'm on my deathbed having never become obese again. And I expect that to be many, many times more difficult than the last few months have been.

Congratulations. Your hard work has paid off! Keep it up!

Congratulations on all of your hard work!!

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Great job!! We can only take it one day at a time, tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Celebrate today, leave yesterday where it is, and plan for tomorrow.

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Congratulations on your success. It is such a fun journey! I found the weight loss phase to be a bit like a drug or something - it really was such a natural high! Every day was thrilling and exciting, with so much hope for the future.

I thought your definition of "success" was interesting. On many levels, I agree. I also knew it early on (that it would be work) but I don't think I appreciated the full impact of the work. I'm 4 years out, and I find that it's like I never had the surgery. My metabolism is slower than ever, I can eat like a normal person, I get hungry now, and I don't have any of that "magic" I had the first 18 months. I absolutely have to watch every bite I put in my mouth, all day, everyday. The slightest indiscretion causes a gain, and getting it off is so very hard.

So, I don't mean to be negative, just to offer some perspective based on your statement. Having said all that, I'd still do it again. Even though it's hard, I still think that it's worth it. I have a fighting chance. Getting off 5-10 pounds of regain is way more manageable than 100 pounds or more. One word of caution - for lack of a better way of saying it - this truly is a journey. It's life, and life gets in the way sometimes. It's likely going to be periods of up and downs (in terms of weight) and that's OK. Even if you are up some on your death bed, you'd still be a success. Enjoy your ride!

Edited November 21, 20169 yr by MichiganChic

Congrats on your weight loss success.

Ryan, you are a very wise man. The surgery is a tool it isn't magic. Some people never seem to figure this out. Enjoy your journey.