Growing up I have always struggled with my weight. I was one out of 4 children and of course I took after my dad's side of the family so I was the biggest out of three siblings. When I say I was the biggest I wasn't overweight but at that time my siblings were very thin. As I grew up and became a adult I struggled continuously with various diets. I tried probably everything out on the market. I did loose weight but gained it back and then some occasionally. In 2000 I made the decision to get healthy for me. While my husband sat and ate ice cream and my kids enjoyed their goodies I stuck to my diet plan. Eventually shedding my weight to 169 lbs. Which I was fortunate enough to keep off for over 7 years.

Then my husband passed away from cancer. My life had always been my children and my husband and now my kids were older (one in college and the other a junior in high school) and so I didn't know what to do. My friend recommended I do something off my bucket list but honestly...what was a bucket list. I didn't know what I wanted to do.

Eventually I took a high stressed job and my weight slowly started coming back and there was no stopping it. I received a promotion and my new supervisor had had the procedure so it was easy to talk to her and ask questions. I then went and discussed having the sleeve with my doctor and she was very agreeable to it. The rest is history. I started my journey with a size 16 pants, 2xl shirt weighing 254 lbs. My surgery was July 19, 2016. I weighed myself this morning and weighed 167.2 and currently wear a size 8 pants, and xl shirt (my son did give me a large shirt and it fit as well).

I have seen people have the surgery and at first they are so excited and determine but then slip back into their old habits but to me it is a lifestyle change. I want to watch my kids raise their kids and I want to watch my grandkids graduate college. There are many things I want to do and so it will now be a forever change in my life. I still have 17lbs to go but if I didn't loose another pound today I'd be happy because I'm wear I want to be.

You are an inspiration and I'm so sorry to hear about your husband

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Thank you.

I have two other siblings one brother and one sister and I have always been the biggest one by far compared to them so I know your struggle and it is so hard to see them be at a healthy weight and you constantly having to work at just maintaining a semi healthy weight.

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You know the funny thing now...I'm the smallest! Yeah me...finally one time in my life and I'm the smallest!!! My little sister is two size bigger, my oldest sister is very large now, and my brother not so skinny anymore!

I remember not being able to get the cute clothes and now I'm getting the cute clothes. I'm not having to shop in the Women's section so I don't feel like I have to wear clothes my mother and grandmother do and did. No I don't wear the mini dresses and all but at least it is nice to have choices now!

You know the funny thing now...I'm the smallest! Yeah me...finally one time in my life and I'm the smallest!!! My little sister is two size bigger, my oldest sister is very large now, and my brother not so skinny anymore!
I remember not being able to get the cute clothes and now I'm getting the cute clothes. I'm not having to shop in the Women's section so I don't feel like I have to wear clothes my mother and grandmother do and did. No I don't wear the mini dresses and all but at least it is nice to have choices now!

I completely understand what you mean by old grandma clothes I always feel like I dress like I'm 40 lol I am only a month out but I can't wait to get to a size where I feel comfortable in my own skin my sister is 135 pounds and my little brother is 165.

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