~4 months post-op with pictures :)

[FatFreeMe 37]

Wow! Thanks so much for all the responses! Everyone is very kind <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I'll try to answer some of the questions...

What do I eat on a usual day?

I have a very hard time eating any bread' date=' rice, Pasta - I basically don't eat that (which I'm sure helps with the weight loss0 Sometimes I miss it, but then i put on a smaller pair of jeans and all is great in the world again <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

For Breakfast I usually have an egg with a piece of cheese and some kind of meat OR oatmeal and fruit

For Snacks, I go for string cheese, hummus and veggies, yogurt, fruit, anything up that alley

For lunch, I try to get my Protein in through having some kind of chicken dish - whether it be some kind of chicken stir fry or I'll get those lean cuisines or healthy choices and just not eat the rice, noodles, whatever and just eat the chicken and veggies

For dinner, I pretty much have whatever - I make normal, healthy meals - just way, way smaller amounts

Honestly, I don't feel like I'm on a diet. I track some days but not all. Basically i just try to put good, nutritious food in my body. If I eat like crap, I feel like crap. if I'm really craving something, I'll serve myself a small portion. I plate all my food and sit down to eat. Oh and when I feel hungry, I always check to make sure it's not just thirst! I can't tell you how many times my body thinks it's hungry but really I just need to drink some Water. DRINKING Water IS SOOOOOO IMPORTANT!!!! As for the Protein shakes, I had them a lot in the beginning but not so much now. I probably have like 3-4 a week. I do make sure I get in a lot of Protein through other foods though.

Do I exercise?

Oooo yeah! This is something I highly recommend. I don't have lose skin and I feel that my weight loss looks very natural. I started exercising a couple weeks before surgery and was walking on a treadmill right afterI had the surgery. I've grown to like running quite a bit (started that about 3 weeks post op) and I always do strength and core training. Nothing super fancy - I basically just get my butt to the gym and enjoy my time there. It's awful the first two weeks - I could barely run a half mile at 3.5 miles an hour and now I can pretty easily do two miles at a higher pace.

What has helped me the most?

Being honest with myself. Why did I get to the point I did? What are my triggers? You know to do some self discovery before having this. This is not something you just do to get skinny. If you don't just the fundamental problem, I feel the weight will just come back. I'm a much happier person. I went from a very anxious person to a person who just enjoys life. I feel NORMAL and it's a beautiful thing <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Also, surround yourself with people who SUPPORT you. I have been lucky to have wonderful parents, sisters, friends, boyfriend, etc to help me through this process.

What has my experience been?

I've honestly had the best experience. I'm 22 and did not have cormobidities - but I did have a BMI over 40. I loved my surgeon and the facility I had it at (Dr. Zeni at St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia, MI). The pre-op diet was so hard for me, but I stuck to it - didn't cheat once and felt so proud of myself. Anyone who is pre-op, that's my advice. DON"T CHEAT ON PRE-OP!! I did not have any complications. I followed my doctor's orders. My quote that I've posted several times on here is "Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret." It sums my feelings through this process. Every choice you make matters. Don't overwhelm yourself with huge goals. Just start by saying "Hey, I'm going to make a healthy choice for Breakfast today" or "I'm going to the gym today." Slowly these choices become habits.

Thanks so much for the responses. Feel free to message or ask any other questions. This forum has helped me a lot. Good luck everyone![/quote']

[Izuri 428]

You look like a new person! Absolutely incredible, you look amazing!

[StayMal 104]

What a difference it makes once we get rid of all those extra pounds. You look simply beautiful.

[queenp 2]

I had my surgery on August 22nd' date=' so I am a little over 4 months post op. This summer at 5'3 my consultation weight in July was 231 lbs and I am now 155 lbs - putting me down 76 pounds! YAY!

I try to post monthly and this time when I was coming up with a picture to post I was just looking at pictures of my boyfriend and I from the summer. I think about how I felt this summer in pictures (insecure and uncomfortable) and how I feel now (confident and energetic) and I'm just very grateful. I've really appreciated his support throughout this process and looking at the pictures just made me feel grateful that I've had such a great support system, not just in him but in my entire family and my friends. I feel like it has helped me immensely. This surgery has just showed me that I really am lucky to have such great people in my life!

I hope everyone had a great holiday! I always enjoy seeing people's pictures, so I will post some below!

Picture 1: Sister's graduation party in July

Picture 2: Friend's wedding in July

Picture 3: Christmas Eve Party

Picture 4: Christmas Morning! (No way would I have ever let him pick me up like that over the summer lol!)

Picture 5: Christmas Day[/quote']

Boy you have done a fantastic job,you just inspired me.congraulation

[bethxxx 304]

Omg what a transformation! You look fabulous!!! I am only 3 days post op but you have me really excited about the future now. You really look incredible. I can't wait until I can jump on my boyfriends back like that!!

[moviemom05 25]

what a beautiful girl you are! my nut had me make a list of all the things i could think of that i want to do after i lose the weight- one of them was to have my hubby be able to give me a piggy back ride with out killing him! lol! our numbers are very similar. i am 5'3" and my initial weigh in was 224. only 11 DPO. so far i am totally regretting this. having trouble finding things to eat. still on my full liquid stage for another 4 days. i have developed a bad case of lactose intolerance. hoping to one day in the next few months be able to smile like you are! i am down to 199 today which is a great thing!!!!! just wish it wasn't due to basically starving myself!

When was your surgery? I had mine 12-12-12. I too am regretting it right now. I just got out of hospital for 6 days because I wasnt eating or drinking. Im having very hard time finding.foods also and also have become lactose tolerant. It is not fun yet.....

[mizzzliza 113]

Wow! You look stunning! Like the smaller thinner younger sister of your former self. Just fantastic! You're beautiful!

[jbgirl5856 245]

Hey Jordyn, Thanks for all the information so far... hope you don't mind a couple more questions (I am now on the other side 2 weeks out and we have similar starting point/height/age so forgive me but I just want to do everything I can to do things right).

How often did you start exercising and what were you doing to start? vs. What are you up to now 4 months out?

Also, do you by chance have a history perhaps by month as to how the weight came off... is it a slow thing meaning couple lbs a week or did you find peaks and valleys?

Warmest wishes!

Hi there! Sorry it took me a bit to respond - haven't been on the site in a couple weeks.

I started exercising a lot in the beginning, trying to get in the habit of it. About 5 days a week. I started my internship full time and I am currently exercising about 3 days a week, but I am on my feet all day at my internship (I'm a little over 5 months out now).

As far as my weight history...this is kinda a rough estimate.

Starting: 231

1 month: 190-200 (I can't exactly remember)

2 months: 176

3 months: 166

4 months: 155

Currently: 148

It varied as to how it came off. Obviously you lose the most in the first couple months. My weight loss has slowed down, but I am still losing and see changes in my measurements and how my body looks and feels. I also got stuck at like 200, 190, 180, etc haha it was weird but I swear it happened. Don't stress about the scale though - just keep doing the right things and the results come! Taking measurements helped a lot to motivate me. Hope that helps. Good luck to you

[kphat808 16]

Wow you look amazing!!!! And very happy!

[Gemini618 34]

Beautiful

[Pinkputter 7]

Thanks so helpful! Good luck with the internship! I started exercising, cardio only, hoping docs say I can start my personal training again soon. I also am only weighing myself once a month, at least I am really going to try to stick to that. I think reading on here all the time about 'stalls' and people getting so stuck on the ups and downs of weight I figured not weighing myself forces me to focus on just doing everything right and the weight should follow. Hope it works.

[Diamondeyed 399]

Congrats

[gigmoran 0]

Congrats!! Just started the process very nervous! But excited I hope everything goes well

[jbgirl5856 245]

Thanks for the supportive comments everyone

Here is an updated post for 5 months if anyone was interested

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/67697-beforeafter-pictures-5-months-out/

[txtech01 7]

You look AWESOME!!!! Congrats!