New guy here, you've GOT to read this!

[M2G 1,836]

I just wanted to drop a quick note here for those that have been following my progress. It was six months ago today (11/23/12) that I started this amazing journey. Since that day I have gone from 445 lbs to 285 lbs, for a total of 160 lbs lost! My BMI has gone down 20 points from 55 to 35 and my jean size from 54 inches to 38 inches! Life has been absolutely amazing. As a reward, something that I had planned to do once I hit 150 lbs lost but NEVER thought it would have been this fast, I went on vacation to New York City, something that I have always wanted to do. Thank goodness I was in the shape that I am in now because I walked several miles per day all over the city for four days and was still exhausted afterwards! I would have been dead or in the hospital if the old me had tried to do that! Well, once again, if you are considering the sleeve, just do it, it will save your life!

Great photo! Congrats on your new lease on life!

[FeeIsMe2 508]

Great photo~ you look truly happy!

[BigFrank 354]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. I have vowed to keep this thread going because if it helps or inspires even one person it has accomplished its mission.

[jtower97 28]

So great to read this as I am on my 4th day of pre op very strict liquid diet. I know this will be so worth it!

[mtchick 29]

This is a great thread, very motivational! I'm on day 5 of liquid only and have tripped up but now I'm "Back on the Wagon"! Thank you Frank!!!

[BigFrank 354]

Well, I did it. I have lost 200 pounds. Yes, that's right I have lost TWO HUNDRED POUNDS in only eight months and three weeks. I began by starting my liquid died on 11/23/2012 and was sleeved on 12/21/2012. My amazing journey has mostly been chronicled here, but there is still so much that occurred. I could literally write a book about all of this and I just might, I really want to get this story out there. I have discovered something I have only heard or read about. I have become one of those people that actually gets some sort of "high" from exercise and I can't wait to run when I wake up. Here are a few pics, the fat picture was taken in September 2012. In the one with the pants, those are the ones that I was wearing when that fat pic was taken. If any company needs a spokes person regarding the sleeve or weight loss, I am your man! Inquire within!

[411angela 107]

Congratulations! That's an awesome accomplishment!! You look great! Your successful weight loss journey is definitely an inspiration!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Omg, I can only say "wow" to those pics!!!! Congratulations on your success, you and your sleeve make quite a team...

I haven't lost anything like the amount u have, but I have dropped my BMI by 10 points and transformed my health, my life and my future by being sleeved.

I don't regret a day since 26 April although it was tough in the very early days :-) But, like you, I have done exactly as asked and stuck to my Dr's advice re Protein, Water and exercise - as a result, never been sick and have learned to make good food choices that have paid off.

Thanks for continuing to speak out. Attitude and state of mind play a huge part for each of us in our weight loss. Have said it on here before but whatever problems life hands us, it's for us alone to decide how to respond to them. I choose to be positive and I choose not to let others negativity impact on me. Not always easy but soooo worth it - and very liberating not to have to carry the burden of cr*p that others have tried to put on to me in the past, which didn't help previous attempts to lose weight and keep it off.

Keep up the great work :-)))))

[Tv22120 19]

I have to disagree with you. Most of the posts I read on here were positive feedback and helped me actually decide to go through with the surgery of course those scary stories made me a little nervous but I just put myself in gods hands and just thought of what was the best for me. Glad everything went well for you and you could share your story.

[mistysj 1,940]

Frank, I think I have a little crush on you. You are my hero. I can't believe your ticker. 30 pounds? You'll get to goal in no time! Please stick around when you do so that we can keep learning from you and being inspired by you!

[VSG AJH 499]

Well' date=' I did it. I have lost 200 pounds. Yes, that's right I have lost TWO HUNDRED POUNDS in only eight months and three weeks. I began by starting my liquid died on 11/23/2012 and was sleeved on 12/21/2012. My amazing journey has mostly been chronicled here, but there is still so much that occurred. I could literally write a book about all of this and I just might, I really want to get this story out there. I have discovered something I have only heard or read about. I have become one of those people that actually gets some sort of "high" from exercise and I can't wait to run when I wake up. Here are a few pics, the fat picture was taken in September 2012. In the one with the pants, those are the ones that I was wearing when that fat pic was taken. If any company needs a spokes person regarding the sleeve or weight loss, I am your man! Inquire within! [/quote']

BigFrank -- you look amazing!! Thank you for your inspiring initial post, and your continued follow-up here. 200 pounds!! Astonishing. You look fantastic, and the joy you exude -- I want some of that! Your posts here have been really inspirational to me. Thanks for being a not-so-scary voice on these threads!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Should we just call you Frank now, lol???

[BigFrank 354]

Thanks for the nice comments guys. It's kind of crazy, but I lost another 2 pounds since I posted this the other day! (scale pic below, I originally weighed 445 lbs.). Sometimes I feel like the guy in the Steven King movie Thinner! I am still big Frank but just the tall version now! (6' 2") Seriously, my life is COMPLETELY different, I have NEVER felt better!

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Thanks for the nice comments guys. It's kind of crazy' date=' but I lost another 2 pounds since I posted this the other day! (scale pic below, I originally weighed 445 lbs.). Sometimes I feel like the guy in the Steven King movie Thinner! I am still big Frank but just the tall version now! (6' 2") Seriously, my life is COMPLETELY different, I have NEVER felt better![/quote']

I like that movie thinner (book is good also). The guys eats anything and everything yet still drops weight daily. Huge amounts too!

[HoosierGirl 780]

Frank - this made my day! Thanks for taking the time to post the photos....you look fantastic! Cannot wait for the update when you hit your goal....way to go!