I'm going to try and keep this from being too long, but there's so much to say!!! First I'll start with my newest NSVs.

I'm officially in a size 18 clothes (from my original size 30), size 10 shoes (from my original size 11), size 6 1/2 ring (from my original size 10), 18" chain on a necklace (from my original 24" chain), and 2x jacket (from my original 4-5x). I can now comfortably fit on a massage table without fear of it creaking or breaking. I can now ride a bike because I'm within the weight limit. I now am able to hit my favorite thrift stores and walk out with seriously cute clothes that look nice, sit well on me, and actually fit comfortably!! My asthma is almost completely gone (I only have it when I get super sick now instead of all the time). My blood work came back and my hormone levels are almost in the normal range (I have PCOS) and my cysts that completely COVERED both ovaries are totally gone (without having taken any meds or done any hormone therapies!!) I did a 6 mile hike this past weekend with my son. I am completely pain free and am able to go full on beast mode with my workouts again. I can go up 5 flights of stairs before I need to stop and rest.

Now for my new chapter in life and old dreams becoming new again.

So years ago, I wanted to become a nurse. I completed all of the academics with a 4.0, aced all the labs, but couldn't do any of the clinicals because I couldn't do all the walking, I was 400 pounds, and my health/joints/back were way too bad. So I gave up on it. Then about 2 years later, I thought "well, maybe I can be a medical assistant. Surely THAT'S not as hard" and once again, I couldn't do the externship because I couldn't do the physical stuff. So I went into other areas for work, ballooned up to 421 pounds, worked remotely, and made good money. I loved what i did, but there was always a part of me that regretted not being able to go into the medical field. That was my heart's desire. So fast forward to now. I'm between jobs and miserable. I had to stop working because of all my complications from my first surgery. Now that I've been cleared, I can't get hired anywhere. So I decided that now is a great time to go back to my dream of working in the medical field. So on Sept 5th, I start school to become a certified pediatric oncology medical assistant. Most of my previous credits transfer over, so I only have about 6 months of academics to do and then the externship. Then I sit for my certification exam and then I get to finally FINALLY do what I've always wanted to do. By my 46th birthday next June, I should be right where I want to be, doing what I want to do, and hopefully at my goal weight.

I'm sitting here in tears as I type this, because I thought this was something I would never see happen. I resigned myself to being morbidly obese, extremely unhealthy, and needing a cane to get around. I may not be at my goal weight (the weight comes off a lot slower with a revision, and also as your bmi gets smaller and you get closer to your goal) but I believe eventually I'll get there. But the things this surgery is giving to me, the dreams I can live out, the health and wellness and years of my life I'm getting back..... it was all worth it. The complications, the uncertainty, the pain and healing and stalls.... all completely worth it. We all start this journey wanting the numbers on the scale to go down. But there's SO MUCH MORE this surgery gives you. I will never, ever regret my decision. Never.

Edited August 29, 20232 yr by SleeveToBypass2023

1 hour ago, learn2cook said:

I love that you kept working at health even though it was hard! That determination is amazing! Please keep us informed on your progress, even if you don’t think it’s progress. I’m cheering here in MA!

I definitely will. You know what they say... nothing worth having comes easy!!

I love this!! Studies that talk about WLS adding years to your life really miss talking about how it adds LIFE to your YEARS! I am so happy for you! It really is never too late to follow your dreams! How inspiring!

I swear ---- you are a walking miracle ! You are UNSTOPPABLE !!!!

35 minutes ago, KathyLev said:

I swear ---- you are a walking miracle ! You are UNSTOPPABLE !!!!

I don't know about that, but thank you

1 hour ago, ChunkCat said:

I love this!! Studies that talk about WLS adding years to your life really miss talking about how it adds LIFE to your YEARS! I am so happy for you! It really is never too late to follow your dreams! How inspiring!

Exactly this!!! We all want to see the scale move, and we all want to wear smaller clothes, be healthier, be able to do things with our friends and family. But I'll be the first to admit it never crossed my mind that I would be able to do all that AND get back a few dreams I let go. Never in my life have I been more happy to be like "regular people" like I am now lol I can do so many "normal" things now that others take for granted. I'm still fighting to get these last 56 pounds off. They're really fighting me. But you know what? It'll happen when it's supposed to. I'm not going to obsess about it. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing, and I'm going to actually LIVE MY LIFE. And LOVE the life I'm living. I never ever thought I'd say that...and actually mean it

Just Awesome! (as a little tear in my eye forms...). Really nice to hear and thanks for sharing that

So very well done SleveToBypass2023 Amazing that you are have persisted in this journey and achieved so much. You must be feeling so much better in your body and mind.

You reached for the stars and you caught them. ??

@SleeveToBypass2023 Looking good Chicky, so happy for you

What an amazing story. Thanks so much for sharing. You are truly a force to be reckoned with ❤️

Thank you

@SleeveToBypass2023 Thank You for sharing your heart. A lot of times we focus so much on the scale and not on the quality of life we have gained by making one of the biggest decisions of our lives. I am just 10 days out but I’m looking forward to complete healing and having the ability to expand my life to do things I’ve put off doing.
I believe you will continue to move forward and change many lives along the way. Your humbleness, courage, and faith in yourself & life is evident. Continue to live your life out loud while not missing the scent of flowers along your life’s journey.
Success, Peace, & Joy

23 hours ago, Chel1 said:

@SleeveToBypass2023 Thank You for sharing your heart. A lot of times we focus so much on the scale and not on the quality of life we have gained by making one of the biggest decisions of our lives. I am just 10 days out but I’m looking forward to complete healing and having the ability to expand my life to do things I’ve put off doing.
I believe you will continue to move forward and change many lives along the way. Your humbleness, courage, and faith in yourself & life is evident. Continue to live your life out loud while not missing the scent of flowers along your life’s journey.
Success, Peace, & Joy

Exactly!!! Our whole lives have been dictated by the scale. Either hating what we see on it or avoiding it altogether. SO of course the first thing we all think about is watching the numbers go down. And there's nothing wrong with that. But it's so important to remember that there's a lot more to this journey than just losing weight. Yes, that's a big part of it, but there's so many other benefits and blessings that come with this surgery. Things I know I certainly never thought of. And I wanted to put something out here that reminded all of us to look for everything this surgery, and our hard work, will bless us with.

Hello! excellent result. You motivate people! thanks for your story?

I love stories like this. For all the weight we lose, we gain so much we never thought possible. My big deferred dream was getting to ride a motorcycle, and last spring I started!!!

Congratulations and keeping kicking butt at whatever you do in your life. You've earned that celebration.