It's been a while since I came back last! (4months post-op+photos)

[jessybear 14]

Hey all! I had my surgery done in April by Dr. Jason Balette, just a few days after my 18th birthday, and I'm loving the results. It's gotten to the point where I'm fitting into clothes that have been untouched since early school days (middle school!) and even past that. My feet have shrunk as well, which is kind of sad because I did have some nice shoes, but oh well.

Overall, I feel so energized ever since getting my surgery. I find myself wanting to exercise, which is incredible for me considering before I never wanted to get out of bed.

I've been using cocoa butter for the stretch marks (I have a lot, and the cocoa butter definitely helps them fade) and I've completely altered my diet--who knew organic food could taste so great? I haven't had many 'struggles' per se, as my taste for certain foods have also changed. I now hate the smell of popcorn, I don't like the feeling of grease/butter/too much oil on my lips and tongue, and when I do have that craving for chocolate, I just reach for a Protein bar!

I'm loving this new healthy life I've been given!

BEFORE/AFTER--52 days out, 33lbs down

BEFORE/AFTER--3 Months out, 67lbs down

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

OMG!

You are just precious.

Well, you were before surgery, too.

But now you just look like you've got the world by the tail. So happy for you.

[skylarkx 69]

You look fabulous!!!

[Miss Mac 6,262]

You look like you are doing well. By the way, my feet shrunk, too.

[Pkdvm 175]

Wow! Good for you for taking control of your life and making such a mature decision at such a young age. Wishing you all happiness.

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

You are the first person to say that about popcorn that I have read. I love popcorn! I hope I hate it afterwards too because honestly that is what I think I will miss the most. My surgery date is August 25th.

[Teachamy 1,042]

Cutie Pie! Good for you! Enjoy your success!

[4everbeautiful 61]

Jessybear!!

Good for you! You look gorgeous!! My oldest two children are going to be sleeved sometime by Nov/Dec. 2014!! What an inspiration!

[FedUpwithBeingFat 28]

@@jessybear

You look INCREDIBLE!!! You are so smart to take control of your life and health now. I'm curious because I weigh the same as you when you started. I can not get insurance to pay b/c they say I'm not heavy enough. Did you have this same issue? Did you have any co-morbidities? I suppose I will have to self pay. Any suggestions or advice on financing this? Are you glad you did it?

I CANNOT believe the pics from the beginning until now.........Keep up the FANTASTC work!!!!!

[jessybear 14]

You are the first person to say that about popcorn that I have read. I love popcorn! I hope I hate it afterwards too because honestly that is what I think I will miss the most. My surgery date is August 25th.

haha! I hope all goes well for you! Good luck!

Edited August 8, 2014 by jessybear

[jessybear 14]

You are the first person to say that about popcorn that I have read. I love popcorn! I hope I hate it afterwards too because honestly that is what I think I will miss the most. My surgery date is August 25th.

haha! I hope all goes well for you! Good luck!

[jessybear 14]

@@jessybear You look INCREDIBLE!!! You are so smart to take control of your life and health now. I'm curious because I weigh the same as you when you started. I can not get insurance to pay b/c they say I'm not heavy enough. Did you have this same issue? Did you have any co-morbidities? I suppose I will have to self pay. Any suggestions or advice on financing this? Are you glad you did it? I CANNOT believe the pics from the beginning until now.........Keep up the FANTASTC work!!!!!

Thanks! And yes, I did have the same issue. However, after talking with my insurance, I convinced them that if I were to get this surgery, it would solve all future complications, as I have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), hypertension and whatnot.

Eventually they agreed to approve me if I completed a "3 month program", which entailed for me to see a psychologist once (to ensure that I'm ready for the changes), a nutritionist 3x (once each month) and a physical therapist 3x. Once that was all completed, and it was proven that I would be able to work at my weight, they approved me. I didn't have any co-morbidities whatsoever.

Considering the results, it was definitely worth the wait!

[kealot 136]

Hey all! I had my surgery done in April by Dr. Jason Balette, just a few days after my 18th birthday, and I'm loving the results. It's gotten to the point where I'm fitting into clothes that have been untouched since early school days (middle school!) and even past that. My feet have shrunk as well, which is kind of sad because I did have some nice shoes, but oh well. Overall, I feel so energized ever since getting my surgery. I find myself wanting to exercise, which is incredible for me considering before I never wanted to get out of bed. I've been using cocoa butter for the stretch marks (I have a lot, and the cocoa butter definitely helps them fade) and I've completely altered my diet--who knew organic food could taste so great? I haven't had many 'struggles' per se, as my taste for certain foods have also changed. I now hate the smell of popcorn, I don't like the feeling of grease/butter/too much oil on my lips and tongue, and when I do have that craving for chocolate, I just reach for a Protein bar! I'm loving this new healthy life I've been given! BEFORE/AFTER--52 days out, 33lbs down BEFORE/AFTER--3 Months out, 67lbs down

You are beautiful before and after! Congrats!!

[FedUpwithBeingFat 28]

@@jessybear

Thanks for your quick reply. What were the P.T. visits for pre-op? Did they concern proper exercise? So interesting b/c I haven't heard of this stipulation. I have the same amount of weight to lose as you and i am SO ENCOURAGED to see how quickly you lost it......I am constantly being told that I will lose very slowly b/c I don't have 100++++ pounds to lose. You are my inspiration!!!!

[jessybear 14]

@@jessybear

Thanks for your quick reply. What were the P.T. visits for pre-op? Did they concern proper exercise? So interesting b/c I haven't heard of this stipulation. I have the same amount of weight to lose as you and i am SO ENCOURAGED to see how quickly you lost it......I am constantly being told that I will lose very slowly b/c I don't have 100++++ pounds to lose. You are my inspiration!!!!

The P.T. pre-op visits were mostly to teach me about certain exercises I could and should be able to do soon after surgery that wouldn't strain my body too much, as well as just to be sure that I would follow through with exercising post-op (there was an online exercise session that I was in charge of--I had to record the exercises I was doing and the information would be sent back to my P.T.) The exercises were very simple and just for record purposes, I believe.

I think you'll do just fine! I believe I have lost as much weight as I have because I stayed very close to the instructions and guidelines my doctor and nutritionist gave me, sticking to the Clear liquids to full and so on. It's within the first two-three weeks that the weight really seems to melt off, but even then, the more you work, the faster the scale goes down! I hope all goes well for you!