bariatricbutterfly

Let me add my point of view. Surgery is not the solution it’s a tool. Those same issues you lacked self control over pre surgery will be there post surgery. You must be willing to put in the work to optimize your tool. I’m close to 11 years post op. I went from 384 to 210 with my surgery. 6 years in I stalled and put in the work myself and went from 210 to 164. How did I do it? I spent time in counseling. Learning how to love me. Resolving issues that caused a negative relationship with food. Every once in awhile they will pop up. But investing in healing has saved me. I didn’t need a cheerleader in the process. I needed someone to hold me accountable. I didn’t want sympathy for making the decision to eat crap. Call me out on my sh*t. I got rid of those who wanted me to fail and created a healthier circle of people who wanted me to succeed. I recently put on 20 lbs. I didn’t get depressed. I earned every pound gained. I knew where I slacked. I let Coronavirus get me. I owned it and set a plan that didn’t include starving. Currently down 10. Clothes fitting again. Plan to be back at goal by Thanksgiving. The decision to have surgery is extreme. And it’s going to take extreme responses to give you a reality check. The reality is you’re going to have to put in the work to lose the weight post op. And that requires being called out on behaviors that may have need brushed under previously. It’s hard but it’s needed. Hit me up anytime on IG: @bariatricbutterfly. I work with women atleast 3 years post op experiencing weight gain and want to gain control on working their tool.

Three things: 1. I committed to identifying why I had such a crappy relationship with food. 2. I found someone (later in the journey) to hold me accountable. 3. I put in the work. No fad diet. I move my body. Pay attention what I feed it. All three of these have been instrumental. When one falls off, I see a shift. Before I adopted this philosophy I may have gained maybe 20 lbs.. Now, because life happens, I may shift by 5lbs and can quickly adjust but following all 3. Enjoy your journey. Commit the next two years to adopting good food behaviors and working on your relationship with food. You may have to ditch some folks who don’t understand and that’s okay. Move your body more as you heal. Trust me, you’ll be just fine. Erica DS2019

Hi All!!! Glad to see this thread resurrected. I’ll be 10 years in December. Let me say I LLOOOVVVEEEE my DS. 384 day of, body clinging to 172 and holding.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on this app. I just want to say to everyone post wls, you are successful. Take this journey and make it your own. Be selfish. Put yourself and your health first. Hold yourself accountable and trust the process. Surgery doesn’t make the emotional eating goes away. It doesn’t make it bad to eat those things that aren’t healthy. I fell into that trap of thinking I was exempt and could slide by. But I got myself together and I began to focus on healthy living. I hope this picture inspires you to go forth and become a more healthier you. Take advantage of this new lease on life. Envision how you want your journey to be and make it happen. HW: 399 SW: 385 CW: 168

Hello Everyone. My name is Erica but in the social media world I go by the name Bariatric Butterfly. I’m a WLS Sister who had the Duodenal Switch in 2009. At my highest I weighed 399 lbs. On the day of surgery I weighed 384 lbs. Surgery got me down to roughly 210 lbs or so, but I managed to get myself back up to 230 lbs before getting real with myself. As of today, I’m weighing in at 164 lbs and have been able to maintain for a while all without starving and drinking shakes all day every day. Throughout my journey I’ve been asked many times how I’ve managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to be successful so many years out. I would say perseverance, dedication and commitment to myself regardless of the circumstances. So many have asked about working with me. I didn't want to do it unless the time was right and I had something of value, substance and structure to bring to offer. Well, I am excited to announce that I am working on a 30 day online program that offers fitness, nutritional, and lifestyle coaching to post weight-loss surgery (WLS) women who are at-least 18 months post op.. Since this is a new program and I have some kinks to work out, I’m looking to work with 8 women for 30 days beginning 04/01 in exchange for both a written and recorded testimony. I want to ensure that the 8 women I select are serious and committed to PERMANENT lifestyle changes. Here’s what you can expect: - Daily check-ins for accountability - Weekly shopping list - Weekly workouts with videos (gym or home) - Weekly diet - Weekly skype or zoom q&a - Lifestyle modification tips - Direct access to me via WhatsApp - Private group community I don’t subscribe or promote quick weight-loss or any reset diets. If this is what you’re looking for then this is not the program for you. I’m for changing the mind to achieve weight loss success. If you’re ready to make the commitment and get off the yo-yo wagon for good, let’s chat to see if this is the right program for you. Please complete the form via the following link: http://bit.ly/beautimorphisis-intake If you know someone that would be a good fit for, please share.

Hello Everyone. My name is Erica but in the social media world I go by the name Bariatric Butterfly. I’m a WLS Sister who had the Duodenal Switch in 2009. At my highest I weighed 399 lbs. On the day of surgery I weighed 384 lbs. Surgery got me down to roughly 210 lbs or so, but I managed to get myself back up to 230 lbs before getting real with myself. As of today, I’m weighing in at 164 lbs and have been able to maintain for a while all without starving and drinking shakes all day every day. Throughout my journey I’ve been asked many times how I’ve managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to be successful so many years out. I would say perseverance, dedication and commitment to myself regardless of the circumstances. So many have asked about working with me. I didn't want to do it unless the time was right and I had something of value, substance and structure to bring to offer. Well, I am excited to announce that I am working on a 30 day online program that offers fitness, nutritional, and lifestyle coaching to post weight-loss surgery (WLS) women who are at-least 18 months post op.. Since this is a new program and I have some kinks to work out, I’m looking to work with 8 women for 30 days beginning 04/01 in exchange for both a written and recorded testimony. I want to ensure that the 8 women I select are serious and committed to PERMANENT lifestyle changes. Here’s what you can expect: - Daily check-ins for accountability - Weekly shopping list - Weekly workouts with videos (gym or home) - Weekly diet - Weekly skype or zoom q&a - Lifestyle modification tips - Direct access to me via WhatsApp - Private group community I don’t subscribe or promote quick weight-loss or any reset diets. If this is what you’re looking for then this is not the program for you. I’m for changing the mind to achieve weight loss success. If you’re ready to make the commitment and get off the yo-yo wagon for good, let’s chat to see if this is the right program for you. Please complete the form via the following link: http://bit.ly/beautimorphisis-intake If you know someone that would be a good fit for, please share.

Hello Everyone. My name is Erica but in the social media world I go by the name Bariatric Butterfly. I’m a WLS Sister who had the Duodenal Switch in 2009. At my highest I weighed 399 lbs. On the day of surgery I weighed 384 lbs. Surgery got me down to roughly 210 lbs or so, but I managed to get myself back up to 230 lbs before getting real with myself. As of today, I’m weighing in at 164 lbs and have been able to maintain for a while all without starving and drinking shakes all day every day. Throughout my journey I’ve been asked many times how I’ve managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to be successful so many years out. I would say perseverance, dedication and commitment to myself regardless of the circumstances. So many have asked about working with me. I didn't want to do it unless the time was right and I had something of value, substance and structure to bring to offer. Well, I am excited to announce that I am working on a 30 day online program that offers fitness, nutritional, and lifestyle coaching to post weight-loss surgery (WLS) women who are at-least 18 months post op.. Since this is a new program and I have some kinks to work out, I’m looking to work with 8 women for 30 days beginning 04/01 in exchange for both a written and recorded testimony. I want to ensure that the 8 women I select are serious and committed to PERMANENT lifestyle changes. Here’s what you can expect: - Daily check-ins for accountability - Weekly shopping list - Weekly workouts with videos (gym or home) - Weekly diet - Weekly skype or zoom q&a - Lifestyle modification tips - Direct access to me via WhatsApp - Private group community I don’t subscribe or promote quick weight-loss or any reset diets. If this is what you’re looking for then this is not the program for you. I’m for changing the mind to achieve weight loss success. If you’re ready to make the commitment and get off the yo-yo wagon for good, let’s chat to see if this is the right program for you. Please complete the form via the following link: http://bit.ly/beautimorphisis-intake If you know someone that would be a good fit for, please share.

Hey pretty butterfly!!! First off hugs from Atlanta,GA. You look beautiful in all three pictures. I’ll be 9 years out this December and I will tell you WLS is a tool that does it’s job during your honeymoon phase and then after the honeymoon it’s all on you. I’ve learned that with the post WLS life, our struggles to maintain a healthy lifestyle is no different from our non WLS peers. It took me years of gaining and losing to understand this. There is no magic pill. I never subscribed to that whole pouch reset methodology. That’s mental games that we’ve continued from before surgery. Quick fixes in weightloss. In my option it’s just another diet like paleo, keto, atkins etc. What has helped me has been focusing on what caused me to overeat. Changing my thought process on food. Eating for nourishment not taste. Do I indulge, every now and then non-obsessively without guilt. It took some counseling to be truthful with myself to get to this point. But when I came full circle with that truth the light bulb went off. I’m not going to hijack your thread into my story. But the power is in you. You’re more than a number on a scale. Find someone you can be accountable to. Find one thing that you know will keep you focused on your goal other than a number on the scale. If your SO isn’t onboard that’s okay. This is your life. Accept that changing your perspective on food is hard as hell. But when you accept that the journey is easier. Accept you can live life without restriction. You have to learn control and balance. I’ve surrounded myself with people who are about healthy living and enjoying life. I’ve learned so much from them. They have the same issues as us postop. What I’ve learned since surrounding myself with them is that they don’t let one mess up derail them. They set fitness goals and commit to them. They have showed me that we’re responsible for self. A tool doesn’t hold that responsibility. To put my money where my mouth is. I was 399 before surgery. 384 the day of. Surgery got me to 210/15. I got myself up to 230. Got real with myself and now I’m down to 164. I speak from experience. DM me on IG anytime you want to chat. It’s important that you have someone in your corner who understands. Keep goal setting and grinding. Each day gets you closer. IG->@bariatricbutterfly

I’ll be 9 years this year and just finally realized that I don’t consider myself a WLS patient. I eat like a normal person. I live like a normal person. I’m only reminded when I see my annual labs.

Straight into the DS. I was 399lbs and my surgeon was like this would give me the best short and long-term results. And I will say it has.

I had the DS and have lost over 230lbs. Surgery was 12/23/09.

I’m serving up inspiration via insta. You can follow me @bariatricbutterfly

I would like to add I eat carbs every day. I consume fruits, rice, potatoes and oatmeal. I carb cycle frequently and has not stopped my body from changing. Any diet that eliminates food groups, in my opinion, is not realistic. I will add, my carbs are all consumed prior to 2 PM and it’s between 90g - 180g per day. I’ve attached before and after pics and I’m 8 years out with no intention of returning to before. It’s all in moderation.

The answers are in the quoted part above.

Follow up surgery was a breeze. Unfortunately insurance did not cover. It was all out of pocket. As far as thighs go, I have no desire for the scar that comes along with it. Plus I have a tendency to keloid and don’t want to take that risk.

Any answers you need ping me anytime [emoji847]

I’m 8 years out from surgery. Highest weight was 399 and today I’m 168. Throughout those years I’ve lost and gained. Emotional eating was paramount during stressful times. However, surgery is a tool as expressed earlier. It’s making the decision to accept what’s important to you by any means necessary. If getting your eating under control is a struggle, then take a week or so to reflect on what the core cause is. Are you eating trigger foods? Is the stress of being a new mom taking over (congrats and welcome to motherhood). Put yourself first and really get down to the root cause. Even if that means booking an appointment with a therapist. It takes time so be patient with yourself. When I feel like back peddling I call my accountability partner and food vent or I go to IG and just read the profiles of those who inspire me. Go back to the basics. As you’ve stated plan your meals ahead of time. It’s a pain to do but once done, it makes it easier to stay on track. Work to move your body every day. Be very mindful of why and what you’re eating. And make changes slowly. The tool works if you work it right. Sending positive vibes your way. [emoji177]

Reality: you cannot tighten lose skin. Once the elasticity is gone, it's gone. I'm almost 8 years out lost over 215lbs. I know a thing or two about lose skin. I worked my tail off in the gym. Built the muscle but the skin was still hanging. Had surgery on my arms, tummy and boobs and life is grand. I refuse to touch my thighs.

I was able to obtain a life insurance policy. I was about 5 years out from surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I can go into ANY store and BUY what I want and not feel self-concioius or look like a stuffed sausage!!!! Shocking people who haven't seen me in years. Many don't believe I am who I am until I show them a picture.

Are you all accepting speakers for this conference?

Everyone's experience is unique. I can't compare my experience to someone else's and expect the same result. Also, the importance of a support system. You need someone in your corner who understands your "why" for having surgery and will hold your feet to the fire when you have your questionable days. And the most important one, which I feel has helped me to be successful on this journey, understand your demons before surgery. Because afterwards they magnify. What I mean by this is there's a reason why we turn to food for comfort. After surgery, that food outlet is no longer there. You can no longer find solace in a bag of oreo Cookies. You will have to face that demon head on and find a healthy alternative to deal with it. I started preparations prior to surgery and I still check in (seven years later) once a year with my therapist.

You're early out. Drink your Water. Drink your Protein. Sip and Stop. Sip and Stop. All day. Every day. As always, follow-up with your surgeon first and foremost. If you're not feeling right, call him.

Girl I so get what you're saying. First off, you look AAAAMMMAAAZZIIIINGG!! I agree that it does take time for your mind to catch up with your body. I'm seven years out. Went from 384 to 170 and I still have my days where I feel big as a house!!! Then I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and don't recognize the woman staring back at me. Before and after pictures are a good tool for keeping yourself grounded. I workout 4 to 5 times a week too. Eat Protein like a mad woman. It has taken me 5 months just to go from 177 to 170. I would like to get to 160 but feel it will take way too much effort too maintain. My surgeon told me at my annual visit this year to be proud of what's been accomplished. Many people don't get to where we are with the surgery. Keep doing what you're doing. Take the time to love yourself even more and take in where you started to where you are now. Although I don't know you, I want to say that I'm proud of you. Great Work!!! xoxo Bariatric Butterfly

I'm seven years out. Day of surgery I weight 384lbs. Earlier this week I logged 170lbs. I LOVE MY DS. As long as I'm good to it, it's good to me. The first couple of years I was feeling it out. Had a couple of mishaps. You do have daily visits with the porcelain throne. That's to be expected with this surgery. But I found that frequency and consistency is all diet controlled, at least for me. As long as my diet is high in good quality edible Protein and low glycemic carbs, all is normal and well. Hopefully this image shares properly. This is a small collage of my before and after pics.