>1 year post-op at GOAL with pictures!

[jbgirl5856 245]

Hey everyone!

I had my surgery August 22nd, 2012 so I'm about 15 months post op. I've lost a total of 101 pounds and I feel great I started at 231 lbs. and now weigh 130 lbs.

At 23 years old, I feel like life can't get any better I've been maintaining for about 7-8 months. I feel so much healthier and more confident. I continue to exercise and make healthy choices to motivate myself to be the healthiest me that I can be. This journey has been one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life. I've surrounded myself with positive people who have supported me throughout this whole process.

I'm now participating in the "Bari-Buddy" system at the hospital I had my surgery at - getting paired with people who just had the surgery to be a support to them. It's been a great experience - both rewarding and inspiring to help support other people who are in the same position I was in 15 months ago.

Since the summer, I've graduated college and started a new job. I'm now an occupational therapist working in a pediatric setting. This is something I always wanted to do but I was always too intimidated to work with kids - because let's be honest...kids are a little too honest!! I am so grateful that I now have the confidence (and the energy!!) to help these kids achieve all of their goals.

I hope everyone is having lots of success and happiness Here are some before and after pictures!

[tami j 277]

Congrats! It sounds like your journey has been truly amazing!

[Lioness813 52]

Wow you look amazing!! I'm still Pre-op so I love reading all these very inspiring stories! Would love to hear more about your day to day food/diet and exercise regimens.

[tigerbelle 328]

you are beautiful...congrats on your success

[cherbear33 288]

You look fantastic!!!!! Congratulations on your success on a healthier you!!!! Keep up the great work!!!

[soonerorlater 139]

I had my surgery on Mon and when I see people like you who are doing well a year out it reminds me that the tough things Im going through right now will fade away and soon i will feel better, and better yet look great also! Thanks!

[Astaze75 16]

You look awesome!!

[nikki88mitch@yahoo.com 1]

Hey everyone! I had my surgery August 22nd' date=' 2012 so I'm about 15 months post op. I've lost a total of 101 pounds and I feel great I started at 231 lbs. and now weigh 130 lbs. At 23 years old, I feel like life can't get any better I've been maintaining for about 7-8 months. I feel so much healthier and more confident. I continue to exercise and make healthy choices to motivate myself to be the healthiest me that I can be. This journey has been one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life. I've surrounded myself with positive people who have supported me throughout this whole process. I'm now participating in the "Bari-Buddy" system at the hospital I had my surgery at - getting paired with people who just had the surgery to be a support to them. It's been a great experience - both rewarding and inspiring to help support other people who are in the same position I was in 15 months ago. Since the summer, I've graduated college and started a new job. I'm now an occupational therapist working in a pediatric setting. This is something I always wanted to do but I was always too intimidated to work with kids - because let's be honest...kids are a little too honest!! I am so grateful that I now have the confidence (and the energy!!) to help these kids achieve all of their goals. I hope everyone is having lots of success and happiness Here are some before and after pictures![/quote']

You look good it is really motivating!

[lswelk 22]

I had my surgery on Mon and when I see people like you who are doing well a year out it reminds me that the tough things Im going through right now will fade away and soon i will feel better' date=' and better yet look great also! Thanks![/quote']

I read this with interest because I will be sleeved in January and I want to hear about the "tough things" you and others have gone through.

OR put anither way, what specifically did you experience the first post-op days?

Would like to hear from some folks or be pointed to good discussions of this that already exist. Thanks in advance.

[lswelk 22]

Hey everyone!

I had my surgery August 22nd' date=' 2012 so I'm about 15 months post op. I've lost a total of 101 pounds and I feel great I started at 231 lbs. and now weigh 130 lbs.

At 23 years old, I feel like life can't get any better I've been maintaining for about 7-8 months. I feel so much healthier and more confident. I continue to exercise and make healthy choices to motivate myself to be the healthiest me that I can be. This journey has been one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life. I've surrounded myself with positive people who have supported me throughout this whole process.

I'm now participating in the "Bari-Buddy" system at the hospital I had my surgery at - getting paired with people who just had the surgery to be a support to them. It's been a great experience - both rewarding and inspiring to help support other people who are in the same position I was in 15 months ago.

Since the summer, I've graduated college and started a new job. I'm now an occupational therapist working in a pediatric setting. This is something I always wanted to do but I was always too intimidated to work with kids - because let's be honest...kids are a little too honest!! I am so grateful that I now have the confidence (and the energy!!) to help these kids achieve all of their goals.

I hope everyone is having lots of success and happiness Here are some before and after pictures![/quote']

You look MARVELOUS! Excellent work!!

[J.Diesel 220]

You look fantastic and you're still rocking that amazing smile!! Great job!!

[jamill527 118]

Hey everyone! I had my surgery August 22nd, 2012 so I'm about 15 months post op. I've lost a total of 101 pounds and I feel great I started at 231 lbs. and now weigh 130 lbs. At 23 years old, I feel like life can't get any better I've been maintaining for about 7-8 months. I feel so much healthier and more confident. I continue to exercise and make healthy choices to motivate myself to be the healthiest me that I can be. This journey has been one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life. I've surrounded myself with positive people who have supported me throughout this whole process. I'm now participating in the "Bari-Buddy" system at the hospital I had my surgery at - getting paired with people who just had the surgery to be a support to them. It's been a great experience - both rewarding and inspiring to help support other people who are in the same position I was in 15 months ago. Since the summer, I've graduated college and started a new job. I'm now an occupational therapist working in a pediatric setting. This is something I always wanted to do but I was always too intimidated to work with kids - because let's be honest...kids are a little too honest!! I am so grateful that I now have the confidence (and the energy!!) to help these kids achieve all of their goals. I hope everyone is having lots of success and happiness Here are some before and after pictures!

You look great....congratulation!!!! ????????????????????

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Great transformation. You look terrific.

[Beach Lover 1,084]

You look fabulous!!!

[woo woo 872]

Beautiful! Congratulations on ALL of your accomplishments this past year!