25, Chef, 280lbs

[steph_anie 49]

My name is Stephanie, 25 years old. Been in the food industry since I was 16. I grew up with food and the idea that you had to clean your plate before you got up from table. It was insane how much I ate in general. I got to 280 lbs before I made changes. I went to UTMB bariatric program and was blown away by how ready I was. They really prepared me for it with their 3 month program (that turned into 5 months because I had to wait to save up the money for surgery). I lost 58 lbs before surgery. With a one pre-surgery diet day of inconvenient bathroom breaks, I felt it gave me less time to rethink/reconsider the surgery. I went into surgery at 222lbs. I joined a gym that allowed for my hours of working out at midnight. I went from couch potato to 6 days a week at the gym for an hour even after a crazy dinner service. See first photo, I was one of most active members of the gym for its first month! Today I'm a close to 4 months out, and I weigh 168lbs. I cried today when I bought jeans, and was able to buy a 13, in JUNIORS! I used to wear a 24/26. I cried. I can't tell you how much I love the surgery for giving me the opportunity to be a better me!

[Healthy_life2 8,327]

@@steph_anie

Beautiful!

You must be so proud of all the things you have achieved. Have a good cry over your size 13 Junior jeans. They are super cute. .......You are a certified GYM RAT.

[KindaFamiliar 3,867]

Great job Chef...

You should be well pleased with yourself...

Congrats!!

[Dub 9,938]

You are rocking it.

Awesome. Simply awesome.

Who'd have ever thought that shopping for clothes could be so damn fun......even for an old geezer like me.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Stephanie,

You're making ME cry!

What a great story. You are a driven, dedicated person who can achieve anything you want. What a great life you're going to have.

[fernandfj 469]

Congratulations!!! Your dedication is inspiring!