I backed out of surgery, and have lost nearly 140 lbs. so far!

queenoscots

This is kind of a big deal to me: I started my weight loss journey a year and a half ago at 305 lbs, severely morbidly obese for a lady only 5' tall. I wanted bariatric surgery, and went through all the pre op requirements fully intending to go through with the procedure. My surgeon told me the gastric sleeve would help me get to about 166 lbs, as long as I followed the prescribed diet and exercise program afterward. Eight days from my surgery date I backed out. I'm not judging, I just came to realize surgery wasn't for me. But when I backed out I promised not to let myself regret the decision. Well, this week I reached 166 lbs through my own program of diet and exercise, and I'm so tickled I just wanted to share. I'm not one to take selfies, especially not full body shots. But here's my face, before and after, at ages 57 and 58. My goal is to lose 20 - 25 more lbs, then have surgery to remove quite a bit of the sagging flesh that's been left behind.

I aim for no more than 1,200 high quality calories per day, focusing on lean proteins and fresh fruits and veggies, 64 oz of water each day, and moving around more and more as my body would allow. I started with some form of exercise one day a week, and have worked my way up to five days a week. I began with swimming, which was easy on my joints and supported my weight. I''m in my 50's, and have quite a bit of arthritis. I added walking when my knees didn't hurt so much, then riding a bike, and now some light strength training. I alternate these throughout the week. Although I'm strict about my calories in and out, I eat a small treat most evenings, like a bit of dark chocolate and/or pretzels or popcorn. And I allow a planned splurge on holidays, vacations, and special occasions. I also switched to decaf, and very rarely drink alcohol.

I use the myfitnesspal app to log my calories as accurately as I can, wear a Fit Bit to remind me to move, andbelong to several online weight loss support groups like this one, getting inspiration from you all!

Sew3rin

Such an inspiration!

Sew3rin

Congratulations!!!

slebmaseht

Congratulations on your success. Truly an inspiring story and an amazing journey I’m sure. I hope you reach your ultimate goals and live a long and happy life.
I started “another” journey myself. I get heavy then drop some, heavy then drop, and on and on. So this time I started at 347 but today down to 325 24 days into it. My goal is 250 which I weighed 20 years ago.
I like this app because I log my food, and I don’t want to put anything crappy in there.

FarmerCarla

You made the right decision for yourself! You've proved you have the self-discipline to make weight loss work. Even with the surgery, you would have needed the self-discipline to succeed long-term. I'm very happy for you!

vkmango4

Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

SisterSueGetsFit

Congrats on you hard work and dedication.

thisgirlislosingweight

So inspiring!!! You should be so proud of yourself!!!

Taz6o5

That's awesome !

Foodforthought125

You changed your lifestyle and changed your life, and that's so amazing. Thanks so much for sharing your success, I'll remember this when I get discouraged!

springlering62

If I could reach through this screen to hug you, I would.

Catho36

Well done, I’m so pleased for you and inspired by you, your dedication and determination is awe inspiring, so chuffed for you!

seaturtle7

Well done . Keep up the great work. You look great before and after. 💃🏻💪

treebek

Amazing! Congratulations, you look fantastic!

rosiorama

Congratulations!!

girlwithcurls2

WOW!! Have you been back to see that doctor yet?
That's a remarkable accomplishment! I agree with the above poster about reaching through the screen for a hug. You deserve it! Well done!!

queenoscots

girlwithcurls2 wrote: »

WOW!! Have you been back to see that doctor yet?
That's a remarkable accomplishment! I agree with the above poster about reaching through the screen for a hug. You deserve it! Well done!!

Hi!
I don't need to see the surgeon again because I didn't have the surgery. But he was very supportive the whole time I was planning the surgery, and also when I informed him I had chosen not to do it. When he told me how much weight I could expect to lose through surgery, he was counseling me as to reasonable outcomes for a surgical patient of my size.

I do see my GP regularly, though, and have my vitals and nutrition checked.

Thanks for your well wishes. That means so much!!!

queenoscots

springlering62 wrote: »

If I could reach through this screen to hug you, I would.

What a happy thought! Thanks for your kind words!

ultra_violets

Congratulations! You look amazing and you're an inspiration to us all. I too went through the preliminaries for bariatric surgery when I was in my thirties, 5'0 and about 200 lb. I'm still struggling with my weight but I've made good progress, and I don't regret backing out. It may be a good option for some people but in the end I just knew I could do it myself, and I didn't want to take the risk with my health. So glad to see it's worked out so beautifully for you.

Noreenmarie1234

Wow!!! Amazing job, you should be so proud of your heard work and success!

IdLikeToLoseItLoseIt

Fantastic, great work!

AmyC2288

Absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing your story- it's an inspiration for us all.

will200

Amazing transformation and story. I liked your comment of: "1,200 high quality calories per day' I makes me wonder of the body's abortion/utilization of those 1,200 calories vs "3,000 low quality calories:"

GemimaFitzTed

What a wonderful success story. Congratulations on your journey- you look amazing and your story is an inspiration!

honeybunny406

What a wonderful story and I am proud of you and your journey. Two years ago my husband had 2 heart attacks and consequent by-pass surgery. After that we totally changed our eating habits and were exercising 7 days a week with mostly walking 2 miles each day. I dropped 40 lbs and was loving it. He reached his goal sooner then I did and he was maintaining with his eating and when he stopped, I stopped. I have since put 25 lbs back on, which just makes me sad. Last year was a hard year all around and he was working out of town for the majority of the summer and I was left at home to graze, which I did and that is where most of the weight gain came from. Add that to this long cold, snowy winter we are experiencing and it has been a struggle to get back on the bandwagon again. I got on this app today to start afresh and after reading your story, I am inspired. I too have thought of surgery, but I keep telling myself that I did it once, without and I can do it again. We still walk 8-14 miles a week even with this weather, so now it is the eating I need to get back under control. Thanks for giving me hope!

Rivers2k

Amazing congrats on your hard work!

pinuplove

Love this! Well done, OP.

queenoscots

honeybunny406 wrote: »

What a wonderful story and I am proud of you and your journey. Two years ago my husband had 2 heart attacks and consequent by-pass surgery. After that we totally changed our eating habits and were exercising 7 days a week with mostly walking 2 miles each day. I dropped 40 lbs and was loving it. He reached his goal sooner then I did and he was maintaining with his eating and when he stopped, I stopped. I have since put 25 lbs back on, which just makes me sad. Last year was a hard year all around and he was working out of town for the majority of the summer and I was left at home to graze, which I did and that is where most of the weight gain came from. Add that to this long cold, snowy winter we are experiencing and it has been a struggle to get back on the bandwagon again. I got on this app today to start afresh and after reading your story, I am inspired. I too have thought of surgery, but I keep telling myself that I did it once, without and I can do it again. We still walk 8-14 miles a week even with this weather, so now it is the eating I need to get back under control. Thanks for giving me hope!

Good for you, keeping active during the winter! I live in PA, and the weather has been awful here as well. I never wanted to join a gym, but I had no choice this winter. Best of luck to you!

queenoscots

will200 wrote: »

Amazing transformation and story. I liked your comment of: "1,200 high quality calories per day' I makes me wonder of the body's abortion/utilization of those 1,200 calories vs "3,000 low quality calories:"

I'm not sure, but I believe if I'm only consuming 1,200 calories per day, they need to be doing the best possible work for my body.

babysaffy

Congratulations on doing it all yourself. So much respect is due!

kzshelbi

Good job! This is truly inspiring .