My success story so far...263 to 128 pounds

kamakazeekim
kamakazeekim Posts: 1,183 Member
edited November 18 in Social Groups
I originally posted this on the success form but it was suggested to me that a lot of people on the weight loss surgery forum would love to see this so I'm reposting it here with a few additions:

I thought I would share my success story up to this point. While I was young I was very athletic and had a muscular build. I always felt much bigger than other people. I started gaining weight like crazy when I was about 19 years old. At 20 years old I got married and become pregnant with our daughter. I was on bed rest for most of the pregnancy and my weight continued to balloon. After she was born I was working out 6 days a week and literally living on steamed broccoli...I continued to gain more and more weight.

In 2011, we got pregnant again with our son. This too was a really hard pregnancy and I spend most of it confined to my bed. After he was born I wanted to get serious about my health. I was running 5 Ks, weightlifting, eating about 900 calories a day but my weight continued to rise until I hit 263 pounds. I had a hard time nursing because I was scared of suffocating the baby! I went to doctor after doctor but no one could give me any answers. I saw several dietitians and personal trainers. Nothing helped. I tried all the over counter shakes and weight loss products. I was desperate. My husband is a wrestling coach who is a big advocate of wrestlers losing weight in a healthy way...even he didn't know how to help me.

In 2013 I made the decision to have weight loss surgery. The problem was they wanted me to lose 40 pounds before I could have the surgery. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't do it and I became extremely depressed and anxious. I finally saw an endocrinologist who diagnosed me with PCOS and put me on medication (Metformin and birth control.) The weight started flying off! I was warned that after a while the medication would no longer work so I made the decision to go a head with the surgery. In May 2014 I had a gastric sleeve. The surgery initially didn't work and no one knew why. My endocrinologist upped the dose of my medication and that did the trick. I am one year out from my surgery and I now weigh 128 pounds which is the lowest I've weighed since about 7th grade. I exercise 6 to 7 days a week and I eat between 900 and 1200 calories most days. I would like to lose another 10 pounds but I am starting to focus more on weightlifting and building my muscles back.

At one point I was having panic attacks when I thought about leave the house because I felt so bad about myself. The doctors and nutritionists didn't believe me when I told them what I ate and how much I worked out. I would almost always cry after my appointments.

Today, I just bought my first ever bikini!

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Replies

  • 2BeHappy2
    2BeHappy2 Posts: 811 Member
    So glad you came and posted on here :smile:
    I know so many people will get inspiration from reading this, congrats!
  • grim_traveller
    grim_traveller Posts: 625 Member
    Fantastic job. Good for you.
  • MacMadame
    MacMadame Posts: 1,893 Member
    Welcome! I have a sleeve too and am 6.5 years out. I love hearing people's success stories!
  • Laura8603
    Laura8603 Posts: 590 Member
    Awesome. You go, girl!!

    Always remember how hard you have fought to get here and continue with that same determination. Maintenance is so much harder than losing!!
  • TN_Tinker
    TN_Tinker Posts: 143 Member
    I just got done doing a month of liquids and about to do a month of pureed foods and you are saying maintenance is going to be harder than that? I am officially disheartened.
  • MacMadame
    MacMadame Posts: 1,893 Member
    Just because it's harder for her, doesn't mean it will be harder for you. We're all different.

    Personally I find maintenance to be pretty easy but I was working on my relationship with food for three years before I decided to have surgery and I'm pretty sure that helped.

    OTOH, a month of liquids and a month of pureed isn't typical. Did you have complications?
  • pawoodhull
    pawoodhull Posts: 1,759 Member
    Awesome results! Congratulations!
  • IsMollyReallyHungry
    IsMollyReallyHungry Posts: 15,385 Member
    Thanks for sharing! Congrats to you and keep up the good work! You look amazing and beautiful!
  • Trayjay33
    Trayjay33 Posts: 122 Member
    Thanks for posting, you didn't give up and were determined to take control of your health. You look great, congratulations on the success.
  • ssbeadlady
    ssbeadlady Posts: 126 Member
    Wow what a wonderful transformation. Am so glad the Dr finally figured out what was wrong and upped your meds. Wear that suit proudly this summer, you earned it.
  • vic12655
    vic12655 Posts: 2 Member
    edited July 2015
    Congratulations on the hard work, pre and post surgery. I am 3 months out from a laporascopic Roux En Y bypass. The weight is coming off quickly but I'm finding it hard to get motivated for exercise. My appetite is almost non-existant so I have to force myself to get in 60 Gms of Protein a day. But I know I'll get stronger if I work at it, so I just have to do the best I can. 57 pounds off,and 30 to go. It's doable. You look fantastic!
  • Mummsy
    Mummsy Posts: 347 Member
    Love your story. Glad you are feeling so good and healthy.
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