MichiganChic

Jane, that is a crap load of weight - exactly the amount I want to lose. You are my inspiration that it can be done! Thanks for your grounded posts and for sharing your story. Have a great day! Also - need to say Great Job! We all know it's not easy, making your success that much more sweet

So happy for you that you have ARRIVED! Take that victory lap and enjoy it, sister, because you deserve it. I am also looking forward to my one year appointment, and I also want him to be pleased, though I'm not sure why. Our success is their success, so I suppose we have a common goal. Anyway, your selfie is proof that the number is just a number. You look great!

Oh yes. I can remember drinking about a teaspoon at a time. Just keep drinking

I am a year out, and I would definitely do it again. I wish I had known that hunger will return, and that it's still a lot of work. I have to track everything I eat, and I have to keep really low calories to lose. I'm still so happy with my success so far, and I have made lifestyle changes that I think are permanent.

Good for you! This is what separates us from gaining and losing/maintaining! We all know what to do, it's just harder some days than others (at least for me), and some days I do better at it than others. My weight loss has really slowed down, and just about ground to a halt. I needed to hear that - I need a little more resolve. I'm with you! Teri

You look wonderful and happy - so happy for you! Enjoy your success!

Yes, I was. At first I signed a consent for the RNY, then changed my mind. At the hospital on the day of surgery, they were confused. I made a really big deal about clarifying it with them and the surgeon before I went in. They actually had two different consents on the chart - I made them give the wrong one back to me!

I lost 51% in 5 months, and now I'm at 82% (nearly 1 year out).

I felt the same way. I was willing (and have succeeded) to change my eating habits, what I ate, activity level, and every other requirement that came with this surgery. Giving up coffee was not a compromise I was willing to make. I did stop before surgery and I got clearance at about 6 weeks to resume. I avoid coffee with Vitamins so I don't get absorption issues. I try to limit to no more than 3 cups a day, and most days is 1-2.

Absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on being "overweight", though I have to say, you don't look it! You look thin

This is more about her and less about you. You shared a common bond and problem, and before you found a way to succeed, she probably took comfort in a close friend who really understood how it felt to try, fail, and live with obesity. Now, your success is sort of in her face that there is a way to succeed, and maybe she feels alone. Many of know the self loathing that comes with obesity that's always with us, and can be triggered by external factors. Your first obligation is to yourself, but if she's been a good friend, maybe this is something you can discuss openly with her. It's tough spot for both of you.

So sorry to hear of all your troubles! Please hang on to that determination and hope you've mentioned throughout your post - you will get to the other side of this. This isn't your fault, it's an unfortunate series of events and complications that could have happened to any of us. I'm sure your husband is upset and scared, rather than hating you. One thing to consider is getting another opinion. The best physicians can benefit from consulting with others, and in no way implies he doesn't know what he's doing. I'm sending prayers and good thoughts your way for a speedy recovery.Please keep us posted as to your progress!

Congratulations on your success, and being at goal at three years. What an accomplishment. You sure look great, and your story helps people like me who feel like we are never going to get "all the way" there think that maybe, just maybe, I can do it, too. Thanks for sharing!

So great to hear your update! What a wonderful success story you are.

Phenomenal! So happy for you! You must feel so great

My daughter has dysautonomia. She also had sudden onset syncope and dizzyness one day a few years ago. She failed the tilt table test, too. She saw several cardiologists with little help. Eventually we found an electophysiologist who made a big difference. We were lucky, he is a world renowned physician and people come from all over the world to see him and he is near us. If you want you can PM for information. I do wish you well!

Congrats to you on your huge success! I was also morbidly obese with a BMI of 52 and now I'm only overweight! Never thought I'd see this day.

Congratulations! You look so happy! What a difference 7 months can make

Congratulations, you've done it! You look great, and I'm so happy for you

So now, the question is, What's the plan for the leftovers? I have to get this stuff out of my house!! I have a piece of chocolate pie left that is my all time favorite (has cream cheese and pecans in it). I sent almost everything else out of here, but I have that left. Uggh. I should just throw it away....but that seems so wrong, lol! Eating it is a bad idea, too. For me, this is the hard work. I just can't have some things in the house. I've had too many calories the last three days....and this is the slippery slope for me....where my resolve gradually weakens. I just thought I'd "say" it out loud here to mentally bitchslap myself into a reality check. Thanks I might start a thread asking if I can just eat the pie

I did not cheat. My diet was 800 calories of shakes for two weeks. It was hard and I didn't feel great. It was during the holidays, and there was an abundance of my favorite foods everywhere. I baked Christmas Cookies. I never had one bite of anything. I only say this because I had never been able to be so disciplined before, and for the first time, I was! It gave me a new found confidence that I still remember and draw on a year later. I needed to prove to myself that I could lose weight, that I had the determination to make a change, and that I have what it takes to be successful. This surgery doesn't do anything other than restrict the amount you can eat at one time. You still absorb every calorie you eat, and you can eat an awful lot of calories by grazing. In the immediate post op phase, you will likely have a very restrictive diet. There are people on here asking the same questions all the time - what will happen if I cheat? My advice to you now, and to also to that question, is to just do yourself a favor and prove to yourself that you have what it takes to succeed. You CAN do this, but it is all up to YOU! That's actually a great thought - you are in control. You are not a victim of a bad metabolism, bad genes, etc (that's what I always told myself ). This is a chance at a new life. For me, it's so much better than I could have even imagined. Dig your heels in and do it - I know you can!

Add me, too! tboosrn

Linda, I noticed the same thing. I am having to consciously walk differently. I find myself hunched over, and also walking like a man with my legs apart! The building I work in has floor to ceiling windows, and I can always see my reflection, so I get lots of practice walking more ladylike. It's shocking the way obesity alters our brains and bodies. I'm also surprised at the small places I can fit in, like behind chairs, in occupied aisles, small spaces in restaurants, in the chair with dog sitting NEXT to me instead of ON me. I recognize it and enjoy every time it happens, but it just seems like a dream

Lipstick, I could have written that. At my heaviest, there were days I saw myself as looking pretty good, and deluded myself into thinking others would see that I looked good with makeup/hair/clothes rather than my huge obese body. When I looked in the mirror, I saw myself 20 years younger and about 80 pounds lighter. I wore a 26 pants and 2X top. Now, I'm in a size 12 pants and M top, and while I don't see myself as big as I was before, I do see myself as fat.I think I still see myself as about 50 pounds heavier than I am....but not 20 years younger anymore, lol. I guess the truth is, I am still fat! My BMI puts me just barely in the overweight category. Others tell me I look like a "normal mom" and logically I know that's true, but I still don't have a good sense of my size. My clothes all look too small on the hanger, yet they fit. Sometimes when I put on those small clothes, I feel thin. Strange phenomenon, like I'm talking out both sides of my mouth!

I used to say the same thing. It was a chore, and often not worth the effort. That does pass, and at some point, you will enjoy eating again. Sometimes I wish I still had little of that "it's a chore" feeling.