Molly23

Hope your recovery is going well and you're healing up! Thank you for sharing! I'm starting to research if I may need plastics but I know I need to give my skin some time to catch up. If you're comfortable, do you have pictures after weight loss before plastics?

Thank you for bringing up this topic. Dating has been a challenge before and after surgery but there is definitely something unique about dating post op. I'm 7 months post op and started dating a little and I have to force myself to accept compliments without making some disparaging comment or cringing. I'm also working on my 'fat girl inside' mentality. I'm really starting to feel like I may never get rid of that feeling. I think the primary factor that causes it is confidence. Your size is certainly not the problem here. I think that dating is hard no matter what. You look incredible and it'll take some time to develop more confidence. Ultimately I hope to have enough confidence that if someone doesn't like my body, personality or anything else that it really doesn't matter. At the end of the day it really doesn't. If a man is so hung up on weight/size I'm not sure I want to be with him anyway. If they make a negative comment about your body that's a reflection on them not you. They aren't worth your time and at least you know that up front. Try to look at it as a positive that you didn't get caught up with someone who doesn't deserve you. <3 Best wishes in your search!

I love hearing stories like yours! It's not only the weight it's all of the other little things that come along with it. All of the excess weight really took its toll on my body and I know it does for a lot of other people. I realize that more every single day as I keep losing weight. The more I lose the more I notice that every pound improves another aspect of my life. I need to remind myself of all the benefits other than weight/size when I get down but it can be hard in those moments. I'm sticking it out and trying to have open conversations with friends about it but I think I'll also be moving forward with seeing a counselor to wrap my head around everything I'm feeling.

Thank you so much! I'm just trying to stay on the plan. It looks like you've been very successful too since your surgery! Congrats! I think I'm going to go ahead with seeing a counselor. I've had a few rough days in the past week and I figure that it can't hurt. Thank you for sharing that you've had some of the same feelings about your own weight loss. I certainly don't wish this feeling on anyone but somehow it helps to know that I'm not the only one. I know that I'll need to work at this for the rest of my life I just hope that I can have that reminder without the anxiety. It's all part of the process!

Thank you so much! I'm trying!

Thank you!

Thank you! It really surprises me every time I look back and think about how many improvements this whole process has made in my life. I'm just beyond thankful to be where I am.

Thank you! I'm definitely not quitting any time soon!

Thank you so much!!!

Thank you so much!! Usually I start to self sabotage when I get close to a big goal like getting under 200 so I'm relieved my head is still in the game. Definitely gotta keep it going!

Aw thank you! Just following the plan and trying my best! It really pays off!

Thank you! Recreating the picture was just too tempting when I realized how far I've come. I'm super happy so far and excited about the chance to actually meet my weight loss goals!

Thank you! Hope your recovery is going well!

Thank you! Feeling great so far. Looks like you're doing great from your stats! Congrats!

Thank you so much!! I'm feeling great! Looks like you're a few weeks into recovery. Hope all has been going well for you! Week 3 was tough but it got better every day since. Best wishes for your post op!

I hit a huge milestone last week and finally hit 100 pounds lost total! I'm about 5 months post op and I lost about 30 pounds of that during the pre-op diet. A year ago I don't think I would have believed that I would be 100 pounds lighter. I was a size 24/3X at my highest and now I'm wearing size 14/L! I'm so excited about how successful this surgery has been. I've been working hard to follow the plan during this time and I'm just thankful that I've been able to keep up with it. I have about 50lbs left to get into goal range. The nutritionist thinks somewhere between 150-170 will be good for me. It's really unbelievable to be so close to that weight. I'm about 2/3 of the way there and I'm just hopeful that I can reach goal.

Latest before and after pic! I’m officially down 109lbs from my highest weight. 6 months since surgery. I’m feeling better everyday! went to Disney and took in a shirt I wore here in December. I got the chance to recreate the pic and I feel so damn good seeing the transformation! Before: Size 24 and 3X Current: Size 14 and L

I have PCOS and I had the sleeve surgery on 4/20/17. I’ve lost 101lbs since my highest weight. This is the most successful I’ve been with weight loss since puberty. Weight has been one of my biggest struggles with PCOS. My nutritionist actually said that little to no starches in my diet is important not only for weight loss but also for PCOS. I’ve only had a few bites of any starches since surgery and it’s made a big difference. I feel much healthier and have had less of those intense mood swings related to my cycle. Like another woman said though, I haven’t had any reduction in my hirsutism which I was really hoping may be improved. I know that the high protein diet post op helps to prevent general hair loss so I wonder if it’s just helping to prolong my hirsutism. Unfortunately I have light hair so I’ve been told laser isn’t a great option but I may look into other permanent hair removal methods in the future. I’ve been on the pill since I was diagnosed about 12 years ago so I’ve had a monthly cycle for that entire time. The first couple of months after surgery my period was 2 weeks on 2 weeks off but after three months it has stabilized and I’ve only been getting it for a few days once a month. One thing that my PCP said is that hormones are stored in fat cells. So while I’m losing weight the hormones essentially get forced out when a fat cell shrinks enough. She said that was the most likely reason for my erratic cycle after surgery especially since the weight was coming off really fast. I have absolutely no regrets about surgery at all. I don’t think that it will resolve all of the symptoms that go along with PCOS but I do feel like I’m better equipped to handle my PCOS. I’m also hopeful that as I get closer to goal it will improve even further. Best of luck!!

Thank you! I love setting small goals for myself! It's helped a lot during the process. If I only think about my final goal it can seem like too much sometimes. Reaching all the mini goals along the way have given me a lot more confidence. I usually just went with celebrating 10lbs at a time. Right now excited to reach 100lbs lost since I'm 4 lbs away! Next mini goal is getting under 200! I've got my eyes on the prize! Congrats on your success so far and best of luck!

I've been trying not to focus on the end goal and keep the small goals in my mind. Mostly getting excited each time I go down 10lbs. Seeing the numbers change has been really exciting the whole time. I just realized though that I'm closer to my goal weight than my highest weight! Definitely exciting to think about! My highest weight was 311. When I saw that number at my PCP appointment I was in such disbelief that I weighed myself again when the nurse left the room. That was the same appointment that my PCP asked if I had ever considered surgery. I had of course thought about it for years but I was too chicken to even mention it never mind make an appointment with a surgeon. After a few weeks of realizing my health was declining and I had made countless failed attempts to lose weight I called to get a referral for WLS. When I met the surgeon the original goal, which was solely based on BMI, was 150. I'm around 5'6-5'7. The last time I met with the nutritionist she thought that 170lbs might actually be a better goal for me. I think that may factor in the possibility that I may have extra skin. Either of those goals still mean that currently at 227 I'm closer to the finish line then the start. This entire process has been different from what I expected but every single moment was worth it. There are still those days where it's difficult but reminding myself how far I've come is a huge help.

It feels incredible! Somedays I forget just how run down I felt from my body carrying all that extra weight. It's so much easier to move during exercises too. Congrats on your success! It's so exciting that you're so close to goal!

Anytime, I don't mind questions at all. It's just my experience and I know everyone has a different path. I'm so thankful that my doctor recommended surgery, I'm not sure I would have ever gotten the courage to bring it up myself. I would do it again in a second if I had to make the decision all over again.

I had surgery on April 20, 2017 and I've lost 93 lbs. I find that looking in the mirror it can be hard to really see how much progress I've made. I went shopping today and got to take a pic in a full length mirror. I was so excited when I put it side by side with my before picture! I still have 50-60 to lose but I just love where this journey has brought me so far. I'm so happy I have this safe space to share different experiences.