I'm bearing my soul and body here. I couldn't be more proud of how my body has changed.

I've lost exactly 70 pounds since my surgery. Today marks exactly 24 weeks ( 6 months ) since my VSG surgery.

There's good, bad and ugly about VSG. A lot of days, I cried and wondered why in the hell I had this surgery, and what in the hell ive done to myself. Throughout this process, I haven't been able to REALLY see the changes. In my mind, I always see a 268 pound fat girl. Granted, I have seen the changes, seen the smaller clothes sizes, but still struggled with my self image in my head. But today that all changed....

I realized today as I was getting dressed that I had on the same exact underwear as the day I took my pre-surgery pictures. Then I realized that today marked 6 months since surgery. So, i decided to take pictures.

I haven't taken pictures in this process because of the absolute shame and disgust I feel towards myself. Shame and disgust are understatement words for how I feel about myself. Until today...

Today, I feel proud. For the first time, I can honestly say that I don't see "that fat girl" in the mirror anymore. It may not be pretty, it will never be perfect, but it's mine, and today I'm owning it, and FINALLY for once in my LIFE, I'm feeling proud.

It's NOT an easy decision to post these photos of me in my underwear. I feel absolutely vulnerable and exposed. Please be kind. It took all the courage I could muster to do this. The current pictures are not the best quality but the best I could take of myself at the moment.

All you new VSG-ers, stay the course and have faith. If you have body image issues as I do, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you are not alone in the dark!

Much love from me to you all! [emoji173]️[emoji173]️[emoji173]️

DOS: 12/13/16

HW: 268

SW: 256.6

CW: 186.4

Good for you! Keep up the good work!

You should be proud of yourself! Way to go for seeing things differently today. You've done awesome and are looking super! Keep up the hard work!

Always good to see a success story! Congrats!!

Haylee_d - you are my HERO!!!

Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal App

You look great! Thanks for the heartfelt and honest post!

Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal App

You are doing Great!!! By being Brave I am sure you have Inspired many more to stay the course.

Huge congratulations on your progress and for being able to see yourself through new eyes! You have every reason to be proud!!

Ah hon, in my experience with people who are in grief (no matter the circumstances) who bare all and talk about it, are those who find healing a whole lot quicker! You are AMAZING for doing this. You are not disgusting and there is no more shame. You are a beautifully created soul with a beautifully created body. Great job in taking care of it and congratulations for seeing your worth hon. You are priceless. ?

YOU LOOK GREAT!!!!!!! GOOOD JOB! Keep up the great work!!!

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal App

Your stomach looks nice and tight. How often do you work out??

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal App

Great Job! Keep it Up! Congratulations

I'm a week post-op and my stomach looks very much like your before pic. If I had the after pic you're rockin now I'd be ecstatic. Congrats on your success!

You look great.
Definitely a very noticeable difference.
Don't be too hard on yourself.

Sent from my SM-G900V using BariatricPal App

Wow congratulations!!!

Y'all seriously have me in tears! I am so appreciative of all the sweet posts! Y'all just don't even know what it means! [emoji173]️[emoji173]️[emoji173]️