AnaBanana

excuse my room, lol. i got my daughter to take a full body shot of me 3 weeks after my anniversary of 3 years post surgery. i completely forgot about my surgiversary!!! that's what life is like now. i don't really come around the forums as much anymore (god knows i spent 2 years pre surgery researching like a crazy person). my life is not defined by my weight anymore. i deleted all that with a vsg. i had complications, i had rough times.. but... it was all worth it and i can't stop saying it. imagine a life where you feel 'normal' size again (or even 'normal' for the first time in your life!) it can be done. good luck to all who are in their journey, starting their journey (at either point whether it's researching, dipping your toe in or full out being at home 2 days after having your vsg). work it like there is no tomorrow!!! ana

its been 3 years and a month since i had my surgery in mexico (with dr. aceves (rip)). have maintained my weight at around 145 since i lost 110lbs from august 2013 till april 2014. even though i had sooo many complications, i do not regret this surgery... it changed my life and how i feel about myself. i look back at the old pix of me from 3 years ago and i want to cry. i am not the same person at all! no more stomach problems, no more embarrassment to go into a boutique clothing store (i actually get service now), and boys notice me!! a great self discovery journey and i recommend this procedure to anyone who wants to take a chance and change their life. don't let complications scare you. a few months of worry, misery, great misery! and doctors upon doctors, well it all sucked, but nothing comes easy does it? (and if it does for you, consider yourself lucky and work your gift!!) ana.

this was a flouroscopy of my leak taken in december 2013. it was contained and dr. aceves told me i should get a tube feed and let it heal. the doctors where i live tried to glue it up instead and caused it to tear and get infected. i was dx with sepsis a week after their procedure and stayed in the hospital for 2 months. i finally was healed with claw clippers (after a stent that i couldn't stand) and a jejunum tube for 4 months. the leak is right at the first bend coming down from the esophagus.

no more tube feeds, leak is healed! feeling good and healthy. one of my NSVs was to be able to touch my toes, lol.

size 8 jeans small tops though. better than the size 24 pants and 3x tops i used to wear! undies size small bra 36 B (used to be a 42 DDD) i can wear my old bra like a hat! i have excess skin on my neck, it's not bad you can only see it from the side if i'm looking sideways (i like to think) not bad arms. i have no muscle whatsoever in biceps or triceps. a little bit of loose skin. stomach is tight and flat because i had a previous tummy tuck after my daughter was born. my ass is flat as a board. there is no indentation at the top, butt turns into back. i'm kinda like a fishstick on toothpicks lots of excess thigh skin and still a bit of inner thigh fat. i guess i'll never get that elusive thigh gap look. not interested in any more surgeries to fix extra skin. i've had enough surgery to last a lifetime or five!

age 43 weight 152 height 5'4 pants size 8 top size small bra 36B whew~!

age 42 weight 252 height 5'4 pants 24 top 3x (sometimes i squeezed into an xtra large which was truly stupid) bra 42DDD why i decided to have surgery. i gained fifty pounds within the six months before the picture was taken. i had been 200lbs since the late nineties when i had my daughter. i had dieted a few times on atkins and my lowest weight got to 177lbs but i gained it back. it seemed like my body just didn't want to give up the fat. of course i had a shitty diet and never exercised (i still dont exercise). i didn't want to get bigger yet, and i was so paranoid of wrecking my heart, getting diabetes. i already had high blood pressure (which i dont have anymore). my resting pulse was 110bpm. i think the final straw was when i could barely reach to wipe my butt when i went to the bathroom, and couldn't shave my shins cuz i couldn't reach that either. nevermind being able to touch my toes! i went to mexicali and on august 16 2013 dr. aceves gave me back my life.