lornasaurusleeve

This is exactly what I am experiencing at this moment in time. I can't stand some of the people I thought I could never live without. I have ended the one relationship that was the most toxic for me and after the first day I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. And i feel happy now that he is gone. This is a great thing I think. I'm standing up for myself and what I need for the first time in forever.

The other thing I wish I knew was the body image things and how quickly they would present! I am having a great time seeing the weightloss but the excess skin is hard already and I am only 16 weeks out (63 lbs down since surgery and 90 lbs if you include the presurgery loss) I am looking into counsellors now because I am struggling

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Hi guys!
I get on here every six months or so to update y'all I've never made a topic with progress pictures before, so I thought I would this time, as I've been maintaining below goal for almost a year now.
SW: 323
CW: 153
Size 24/26 to a 4/6
No skin removal
I ran my first half marathon in February and am running another in November, which is pretty cool! When not in race training mode, I run 3-6 miles, three days per week, and do HIIT style training (heavy weights and cardio) at the gym 2-3 other days per week. I tend to fluctuate between 150-153 lbs, depending on the time of month and just general day to day food/water intake.

And I think there people are very tactful. I don't comment on the weight loss of other people as well. After all, it could be unintentional weight loss. Illness? The loss of a loved one?

I have lost 125 lbs as of this morning. I have been shopping in plus size stores my whole life. Even in middle school, I was plus sized. I am now at the point where I can go into any store and buy clothes and not generally the biggest in the standard store. I don't know about you guys, but I have a really hard time accepting my new size. I always take clothes that are too big into the dressing room. I'm always waiting for the sales associates in the normal stores to look at me and tell me that I don't belong in the store or to point out that I'm a fraud and am obviously in the wrong store. I know it is completely mental because I'm in small and medium tops and size 12 pants, but it is like I can't accept it! I feel like I'm going to have a Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman moment and they are going to kick me out!
Anyone else experience this?
Heather
Banded 2010. Sleeved Dec 2016
122 lbs lost

What if I fall? Oh but my darling... what if you fly? [emoji255][emoji218]🦋[emoji218]🦋[emoji255]

Guys I've started writing all about my personal journey and how stick food has helped me eat more easily along with recipes. I've written about the emotions that go along with this experience you can find my blog at http://sticksandstones.blog I'm 6 months out from presurgery and surgery was 5 months ago. I've lost 130+ pounds. Please check it out and let me know what you think.

You look amazing! Your hair too!! [emoji7][emoji7]

I've got a new blog post up and I fit in my high school dress!!
Check it out http://sticksandstones.blog

You can read more about that feeling in my blog http://sticksandstones.blog

(Disclaimer before I begin: I am not "losing" weight, I am deflating. The word lost gives meaning that some things are found, and i don't want to find any of the lost weight, I know, so sounds weird right..lol)
My name is Tonya, and I am a 43 year old mom of one and wife. I have been clinically morbid obese all my adult life. My "normal" weight should be 155lbs, but I have carried 250lbs, up until August 2015, when as a smoker, I ended up with sever pneumonia, and diagnosed with stage 2 COPD. My treatment consist of a lot of prednisone, and I quite smoking. My weight sky rocketed to 327lbs. I have always tried to lose weight with any new type of medication on the market, fad diets, nothing worked. I am not going to sugar coat anything, I was not motivated to exercise, and I was always exhausted. Since my illness in August of 2015, I have been on oxygen therapy 24/7, my desire for anything that would move me was gone.
I found out that my work insurance would cover bariatric surgery, and after some research I decided to go for it. I talked with my pre certification department with my health insurance and they stated I would need to have 6 month of weight loss management with my PCP, for approval. With this my doctor and I decided to contact Wesley Weight Loss Center to start the process. So September 2016 those monthly visits with the PCP started. They finished in February 2017. WWL Center required a list of other things, to complete the approval process. I had a few bumps in the road with thyroid issues, but I was finally able to schedule my Gastric Sleeve Surgery for June 20, 2017.
June 6, 2017 I started the two week pre op liquid diet. It was very challenging. Not so much of the diet itself, but because I still had to fix meals for my family. they are not heavy, and they did not need to eat broth, or sugar free Jello, Protein Shakes, or sugar free popsicles. Of course with their support they ate out most of that time. Those two weeks I rid 17lbs to shrink my liver and I was so proud of myself, because prior to this decision, I hated the way I looked, felt, I hated that I could not even reach comfortably enough to clean myself after using the restroom, if I am to be honest with whoever is reading this. Surgery day came, I powered through it, It was well worth it. This journey is just beginning, but I will say well worth the struggle. I am starting to love myself. I can comfortably reach where it is important and I have a lot more energy than ever. I find it so fascinating how a few bites of something, can make me feel so full. My only draw back from this whole experience so far is an infection where they put my JP drip. Nothing antibiotics can't handle. I am one month post op and down 40lbs!!!!
HW: 327lbs
SW: 310lbs (June 20, 2017)
CW: 287lbs
GW: 190lbs
Dr. Nicholas Brown, Wichita, Ks

You look amazing! Your hair too!! [emoji7][emoji7]

Hey!
So I've left dieting behind. I no longer weigh myself. I don't count my calories or macros or Protein grams. I have no idea what I eat in a day, it's always different and I actually forget.
I exercise for fun and enjoyment but not for weight regulation. If I don't feel like working out, I don't.
Bariatric surgery helped me lose 100 lbs but it also caused a great deal of pain in my life. I struggle to this day with food getting stuck, vomiting, and dumping.
I have rejected dieting because after my weight loss I realized I was just as miserable and unhappy as prior to my weight loss. Living a life centered around food, dieting, weight and body imagine was taking all the joy out of my world. I didn't feel at ease- I felt the same amount of stress and anxiety around food as before weight loss- maybe more So now that I was thin and felt I had more to lose if I regained. Basically I was still stuck in an eating disorder and diet mindset and it was ruining my life.
I now eat by INTUITIVE EATING. It is a book I read and a way of eating that was presented to me when I went through eating disorder therapy. I eat by my hunger.. if I'm hungry I eat and if I'm not, I don't. Well.. sometimes I still do. Basically these days I just don't think about it that much. I just eat.
I can eat normal to large portion sizes now. I eat a wide variety of foods including sweets and fried food. I don't love processed Snacks but sometimes I still eat those too. I'd say I eat a fairly healthy diet nutrition wise- I eat my fair share of veggies and fruit but I definitely don't ponder about it- I just eat what appeals to me. I like salads as much as I like cake and protein.
I initially gained about 10lbs, but I was underweight at a BMI of 17. My weight has remained stable for about a year now, as far as I know.
If anyone wants to know more feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to talk about my experiences.
 

I finally see it in pictures!!! So excited!! All this because I had a surgeon who did my procedure the right way the first time. Thanks Dr Maytorena with Long Term wls and the entire team!!! 1st is Before surgery, 2nd is from 2 weeks gym pics.
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9 months ago when I took the picture on the left I was miserable, depressed and down right disgusted with myself. Yesterday July 23rd, 9 weeks post op I decided to take some new pictures. The one on the right is one of those pictures. I am so thankful I had such an amazing surgeon and team members. They made sure my surgery was done properly in order to make sure my success is achievable. Dr Maytorena, Long Term WLS, and my coordinator gave me so much more than I could ever have imagined. In 9 short weeks, yes you read that right, I am down over 50 pounds almost 70 pounds counting my preop! I feel better than I have in years! I have more self esteem, better sleep, I'm more active and I now love my life again! I wanted this more than anything in the world and my team made sure it was done the right way, to begin with in order for me to be successful. For that I am forever grateful! If you want to be successful as well I highly recommend these guys. I am not affiliated with them at all other than I had my sleev there. I am sharing my story in hopes that it inspires someone else. Don't ever give up because YOU CAN SUCCEED!!!
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About year ago, I had my gastric sleeve surgery. Its been a crazy time learning exactly how my body interacts with different foods. The truth is, everyone is different, and you just have to learn for yourself what will work for you. Im not perfect. I eat pizza from time to time. Ive blown it out a weekend or 2, or 3. But then I review everything my doctor told me, and I bounce back. From the start I told my doctor that I never wanted to be fat again, I did not want to lose hair and I didn't want loose skin. Well, I did lose some hair, quite a bit at first. It hasn't come back, but is has stopped falling out... I think. I was advised that no matter what, if I lose weight fast, I will have loose skin. So Ive been determined to lose weight as slow as possible. I take in more calories and food than is probably recommended, but I also work out. I started out close to 300 pounds. Today I'm about 206. I lost a bulk in the first month, then about 50 plus pounds over the next 10 months. A part of me wanted to lose much more per month, but I also did not have any loose skin, which was a (superficial) goal. My goal is to get down to around 170-180. Ive been trying to amp it up a bit in the Gym to accomplish that. The most satisfying part of my weight loss journey has been all the energy I have to spend on my 2 young sons and my beautiful wife. I just turned 39, and I feel better than I ever have, ( with the exception of a little knee tendonitis) I sometimes forget my Vitamins, and occasionally fall back into bad eating habits, but instead of gaining 30 pounds like before, the scale my move just a few ticks up, enough to put me into panic mode and get on track. Im off all my meds, no more high blood pressure, no high cholesterol, no acid reflux ( just finsteride for hair loss). I look forward to the next year and continuing toward my goal. I wish everyone well, and hope all those who are just beginning the process great success!

Hw : 300
Sw: 274
Cw: 251
My month will be officially Aug 3rd, I had my surgery on a July 3rd on a Monday. For me the sleeve was the best decision I made. I know a lot has changed for me in the last month. Before the surgery I was diabetic not now... and enlarged heart... my Dr. said it's back down to a normal size. Started having signs that the diabetes was messing with my kidneys but not now. Everyday I wake up feeling good but not like before I felt bad all the time and basically ignored or pushed through it cuz l wasn't going to let life rule me!  

Hey there! I'm new to this forum. I have been a member at another board, but their anti-carb philosophy made me angry and eventually the black sheep. Anyway, I had the sleeve done in February and since then I've lost nearly 75 lbs. I lost 100 pounds before surgery which I'm glad I was able to do. I'm about 45 pounds away from my goal now.
I'm 31 years old, live in Minnesota with my cats and dog. I'm an avid reader and writer which is good since I work in a library. My job requires that I move a lot during the day, so not only has that helped with my loss, my loss has made my job easier.
Since surgery, I've been able to take up running again, I've been on an airplane for the first time in 18 years and I was able to ride a bike without the tires flattening because of my weight. I have had no regrets and I'm so grateful to have my life back.

Just sharing my progress with you guys! Hope everyone is doing great!

I'm so happy and grateful to have done this amazing thing for my self so happy I got the sleeve    
From 295 pounds to 234 I'm so happy can't wait to get to my goal 3 months out of surgery 61 pounds down

Thought I would share my progress with you guys to hopefully inspire others. The pic of me in the yellow shirt is day before surgery. The other is now. I had the best surgeon in the world! My tool has made me a new healthier person! Thank you Dr Maytorena and the Long Term wls team!
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Picture on the left was a couple of hours before surgery. Pic on the right is the day of my 13 week check up. 75 pounds down. Come on everyone !!! We can do this. We have a community supporting and cheering us on [emoji4].

I can't believe it guys! I really can't! I am seriously crying tears of joy.

When I started this process I was 540 pounds (I'm 5'10) and I wore a size 36/38.

As a lot of you know I had my panniculectomy on June 5th and they removed 15 pounds of skin.

Before my panniculectomy I wore a size 22 bottom and 14/16-18/20 top. I had bought smaller sized pants before my surgery because most of my pants were held up by my extra skin flap.

Guys...I fit into a size EIGHTEEN!!! And I look super good!! I'm attaching some before and after pictures for you guys to enjoy!

I can't believe this is real life!

My stomach is flat!!

(Please excuse my one drain in my one picture!)

~stay off the scale the first month
~all Protein is not created equal. Eat real food over shakes and bars when possible
~don't compare yourself to anyone
~if you haven't dealt with your food issues before surgery you'll be faced with them after whether you want to deal with it or not.
~move your body
~I am no different than I was the day before surgery in most ways (which is ok cuz I like me).
~no magic or cure-this is for life and without making the changes I need to nothing will change long term.
~I have no regretted this surgery once, I haven't always enjoyed how I felt, but zero regrets (and zero complications)
~this is a wonderful opportunity that I feel grateful for.
This is just my list in two short months. I'm sure I'm missing lots of things. What have others learned?