170 pounds down...10 more to go with pics
kikkipoo
Posts: 292 Member
I was going to wait until I hit my goal to post on here, but by George, I'm a success right now! My story is pretty typical in so many ways. A lifetime of struggling with obesity, until it eventually became a struggle with morbid obesity. It's been a long time, but I can still remember the feeling of being winded just bending over to tie my shoes, or the fear of holding my baby on my hip for fear of stretching her little legs out too far. I remember a lot of tears and depression and general feeling of worthlessness, but most of all, I remember being invisible. You know that feeling you get when you see something so disturbing that you look away at fear of being the one busted for looking? I was that disturbance. If I ever bothered to look up, I would see nothing but heads turning away. And mentally, I could hear their thoughts saying "WOW". I was that big.
In December of 2003 after years of trying to get insurance approval, I had gastric bypass surgery. Tell me I took the easy way out. I didn't care...that's what I was hoping for at the time. But it wasn't easy. I got very sick. 17 days post op I was rushed off to the ER in an ambulance after having my suture line on my newly resized stomach rupture and cause a toxic leak internally. I was gutted open, repaired and remained hospitalized for 2 weeks, in which I ended up developing a serious infection and eventually got sent home with a feeding tube and IV antibiotics. I received home health care and ate through a hole in my stomach for a couple of months, while wearing drainage tubes over my body where the infection was being released out of. It was an absolute nightmare, but I did get better. And I vowed it would one day all be worth it, and that nothing was going to stop me.
It has been worth it, and nothing has stopped me!
Don't get me wrong. I don't give credit to the surgery for all my success. I went from 320 to probably 190 effortlessly. I puked when I overate. I got hyperglycemic when I ate sugar. I never exercised. I didn't have to. It worked all on its own. Then, I got pregnant with my second child. I began grazing all day just to get in my nutrients. I found foods I could tolerate, and got a large chunk of calories from soda. I was literally doing everything my surgeon taught me not to do. After the baby was born, I had a rough patch in life for several years. And depression took over again and my self worth diminished and I also learned my surgery was done doing it's job. What I had left was all up to me.
2 years ago I began the process of divorce and getting my life back on track. A short stint of happiness and being health conscious got me down to 160....Yay, I felt like a success! But falling in love, dating again, getting remarried, and getting comfortable, I got back up to 170 quick. :Insert brakes screeching here!:
No way did I go through all this just to get heavy again. No way was I going to become something different from what my husband fell in love with. No way was I going to start self loathing and being too tired and lazy to enjoy my family. And no way did I want that for my husband, who could probably attribute his own 5-10 pound regain to the same things.
A lot of people lose weight to fit into a wedding dress or for wedding pictures. I said my vows to my husband first, and then made the committment to let the next phase of my life be the healthiest and happiest. He waited 30 years to find me, I owe him that!
I started out 320 pounds and a size 32 in women's plus size clothing. I joined MFP on October 3rd weighing 170 pounds and a size 14-16. To date I am now 150 pounds and a size 8. I am no longer obese, I am no longer even considered overweight. I for the first time in my life fall into a NORMAL BMI. My goal is to lose about 10 more pounds and start doing some weight training. I hate feeling weak. I want to be strong and powerful. I want my body to match my spirit. And, I will get there! I can promise you that.
So, without further ado...here are the pics
DECEMBER 2003....Checking in at the hospital for gastric bypass
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/before and after/pre-op.jpg[/img]
DECEMBER 2003...ABOUT TO BE WHEELED AWAY FOR SURGERY. I WAS SO HAPPY TO BEGIN THE REST OF MY LIFE
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/before and after/pre-ophospitalbed.jpg[/img]
NOVEMBER 2010...PRETTY HAPPY WITH MYSELF AT THIS POINT
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/JoeandI.jpg[/img]
SUMMER 2011...IN LOVE AGAIN...HAPPY AND HEALTHY
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/happyandhealthy.jpg[/img]
WEDDING DAY
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/wedding.jpg[/img]
AND THEN IT STARTED CREEPING BACK ON AND I REALIZED i WAS OUT OF CONTROL
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/Camping.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/meandJoe.jpg[/img]
A MONTH IN ON MFP 10 POUNDS DOWN...HALLOWEEN 2011
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/HalloweenGypsy.jpg[/img]
Hopefully I'll have a newer one to post soon. These last few pounds make big changes fast. I love that.
In December of 2003 after years of trying to get insurance approval, I had gastric bypass surgery. Tell me I took the easy way out. I didn't care...that's what I was hoping for at the time. But it wasn't easy. I got very sick. 17 days post op I was rushed off to the ER in an ambulance after having my suture line on my newly resized stomach rupture and cause a toxic leak internally. I was gutted open, repaired and remained hospitalized for 2 weeks, in which I ended up developing a serious infection and eventually got sent home with a feeding tube and IV antibiotics. I received home health care and ate through a hole in my stomach for a couple of months, while wearing drainage tubes over my body where the infection was being released out of. It was an absolute nightmare, but I did get better. And I vowed it would one day all be worth it, and that nothing was going to stop me.
It has been worth it, and nothing has stopped me!
Don't get me wrong. I don't give credit to the surgery for all my success. I went from 320 to probably 190 effortlessly. I puked when I overate. I got hyperglycemic when I ate sugar. I never exercised. I didn't have to. It worked all on its own. Then, I got pregnant with my second child. I began grazing all day just to get in my nutrients. I found foods I could tolerate, and got a large chunk of calories from soda. I was literally doing everything my surgeon taught me not to do. After the baby was born, I had a rough patch in life for several years. And depression took over again and my self worth diminished and I also learned my surgery was done doing it's job. What I had left was all up to me.
2 years ago I began the process of divorce and getting my life back on track. A short stint of happiness and being health conscious got me down to 160....Yay, I felt like a success! But falling in love, dating again, getting remarried, and getting comfortable, I got back up to 170 quick. :Insert brakes screeching here!:
No way did I go through all this just to get heavy again. No way was I going to become something different from what my husband fell in love with. No way was I going to start self loathing and being too tired and lazy to enjoy my family. And no way did I want that for my husband, who could probably attribute his own 5-10 pound regain to the same things.
A lot of people lose weight to fit into a wedding dress or for wedding pictures. I said my vows to my husband first, and then made the committment to let the next phase of my life be the healthiest and happiest. He waited 30 years to find me, I owe him that!
I started out 320 pounds and a size 32 in women's plus size clothing. I joined MFP on October 3rd weighing 170 pounds and a size 14-16. To date I am now 150 pounds and a size 8. I am no longer obese, I am no longer even considered overweight. I for the first time in my life fall into a NORMAL BMI. My goal is to lose about 10 more pounds and start doing some weight training. I hate feeling weak. I want to be strong and powerful. I want my body to match my spirit. And, I will get there! I can promise you that.
So, without further ado...here are the pics
DECEMBER 2003....Checking in at the hospital for gastric bypass
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/before and after/pre-op.jpg[/img]
DECEMBER 2003...ABOUT TO BE WHEELED AWAY FOR SURGERY. I WAS SO HAPPY TO BEGIN THE REST OF MY LIFE
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/before and after/pre-ophospitalbed.jpg[/img]
NOVEMBER 2010...PRETTY HAPPY WITH MYSELF AT THIS POINT
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/JoeandI.jpg[/img]
SUMMER 2011...IN LOVE AGAIN...HAPPY AND HEALTHY
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/happyandhealthy.jpg[/img]
WEDDING DAY
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/wedding.jpg[/img]
AND THEN IT STARTED CREEPING BACK ON AND I REALIZED i WAS OUT OF CONTROL
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/Camping.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/meandJoe.jpg[/img]
A MONTH IN ON MFP 10 POUNDS DOWN...HALLOWEEN 2011
[img]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb41/Thin1day/Wedding Day 8_20_2011/HalloweenGypsy.jpg[/img]
Hopefully I'll have a newer one to post soon. These last few pounds make big changes fast. I love that.
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Replies
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That is AMAZING...! Love the pictures. You look like a new person.0
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Fixed it for you.I was going to wait until I hit my goal to post on here, but by George, I'm a success right now! My story is pretty typical in so many ways. A lifetime of struggling with obesity, until it eventually became a struggle with morbid obesity. It's been a long time, but I can still remember the feeling of being winded just bending over to tie my shoes, or the fear of holding my baby on my hip for fear of stretching her little legs out too far. I remember a lot of tears and depression and general feeling of worthlessness, but most of all, I remember being invisible. You know that feeling you get when you see something so disturbing that you look away at fear of being the one busted for looking? I was that disturbance. If I ever bothered to look up, I would see nothing but heads turning away. And mentally, I could hear their thoughts saying "WOW". I was that big.
In December of 2003 after years of trying to get insurance approval, I had gastric bypass surgery. Tell me I took the easy way out. I didn't care...that's what I was hoping for at the time. But it wasn't easy. I got very sick. 17 days post op I was rushed off to the ER in an ambulance after having my suture line on my newly resized stomach rupture and cause a toxic leak internally. I was gutted open, repaired and remained hospitalized for 2 weeks, in which I ended up developing a serious infection and eventually got sent home with a feeding tube and IV antibiotics. I received home health care and ate through a hole in my stomach for a couple of months, while wearing drainage tubes over my body where the infection was being released out of. It was an absolute nightmare, but I did get better. And I vowed it would one day all be worth it, and that nothing was going to stop me.
It has been worth it, and nothing has stopped me!
Don't get me wrong. I don't give credit to the surgery for all my success. I went from 320 to probably 190 effortlessly. I puked when I overate. I got hyperglycemic when I ate sugar. I never exercised. I didn't have to. It worked all on its own. Then, I got pregnant with my second child. I began grazing all day just to get in my nutrients. I found foods I could tolerate, and got a large chunk of calories from soda. I was literally doing everything my surgeon taught me not to do. After the baby was born, I had a rough patch in life for several years. And depression took over again and my self worth diminished and I also learned my surgery was done doing it's job. What I had left was all up to me.
2 years ago I began the process of divorce and getting my life back on track. A short stint of happiness and being health conscious got me down to 160....Yay, I felt like a success! But falling in love, dating again, getting remarried, and getting comfortable, I got back up to 170 quick. :Insert brakes screeching here!:
No way did I go through all this just to get heavy again. No way was I going to become something different from what my husband fell in love with. No way was I going to start self loathing and being too tired and lazy to enjoy my family. And no way did I want that for my husband, who could probably attribute his own 5-10 pound regain to the same things.
A lot of people lose weight to fit into a wedding dress or for wedding pictures. I said my vows to my husband first, and then made the committment to let the next phase of my life be the healthiest and happiest. He waited 30 years to find me, I owe him that!
I started out 320 pounds and a size 32 in women's plus size clothing. I joined MFP on October 3rd weighing 170 pounds and a size 14-16. To date I am now 150 pounds and a size 8. I am no longer obese, I am no longer even considered overweight. I for the first time in my life fall into a NORMAL BMI. My goal is to lose about 10 more pounds and start doing some weight training. I hate feeling weak. I want to be strong and powerful. I want my body to match my spirit. And, I will get there! I can promise you that.
So, without further ado...here are the pics
DECEMBER 2003....Checking in at the hospital for gastric bypass
DECEMBER 2003...ABOUT TO BE WHEELED AWAY FOR SURGERY. I WAS SO HAPPY TO BEGIN THE REST OF MY LIFE
NOVEMBER 2010...PRETTY HAPPY WITH MYSELF AT THIS POINT
SUMMER 2011...IN LOVE AGAIN...HAPPY AND HEALTHY
AND THEN IT STARTED CREEPING BACK ON AND I REALIZED i WAS OUT OF CONTROL
A MONTH IN ON MFP 10 POUNDS DOWN...HALLOWEEN 2011
Hopefully I'll have a newer one to post soon. These last few pounds make big changes fast. I love that.
EDIT: Well at least I thought I did.:huh:
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Can't see the pics but what an amazing story!0
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Sorry guys, temporary problem with pics but looks like all is well now. Apparently I can't use spaces or they get replaced with %20 and you can't capitalize IMG. Talk about picky. LOL0
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I'm so happy for you!! Congrats!! You look amazing!0
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you are very beautful i am 356 and working my hardest to lose it with out have a labbound surgary i hope i can do it and look as great as u0
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You and your family are just beautiful. The determination you have comes right off the page... I believe in you girl! I know you will have more pics and more success coming... and I know the tools on MFP are all we need to do this! Nice to have that confidence huh!
Deedee0 -
what a beautiful story0
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So happy for you!!0
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Amazing! Rock on, girl! :drinker:0
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Awesome! Inspiring! It's like a different person. You have great determination. I'm so glad you posted. I'm on my last 5 or so lbs and sooo struggling. You made me think that I am just getting comfortable here and I want to be comfortable there.
Beautiful! You were before too but you look so healthy now and the gleam in your eye is brighter.0 -
Amazing, you look great!0
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You are breathtaking! 170lb is such an accomplishment. . .congratulations!0
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Congratulations - you look GREAT! :flowerforyou:0
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Awesome job!!!! very inspirational!!!0
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Congrats!!! You earned it!!!0
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Thank you! I needed this today! Very inspirational!!!!
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You look completely different. Congrats0
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You look gorgeous! And I hope you dont mind me saying ... but where'd all the skin go?? Congratulations! Xx0
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You look gorgeous! And I hope you dont mind me saying ... but where'd all the skin go?? Congratulations! Xx
The skin is my demon. I did have a tummy tuck in 2006. The belly hang was unbearable. I still battle the loose arm hang and thighs. You can't lose that much and expect to bounce back. As you can see in my pics my arms are not pretty. And my thighs are bad enough I can only wear board shorts and long dresses. I would get the surgery but I really can't afford it and I'd rather see what adding some muscle definition will do before adding more scars that can't be hidden.0 -
Added to brag on my hubby...he's quite the inspiration as well. He's down 80 pounds himself, and can be found on mfp under Moonhowler15.0
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An amazing story. Good luck, you look beautiful and happy. K0
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You look so amazing, and congrats on the results of your hard work. You earned it!0
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Thank you everyone. Your support and encouragement is overwhelming.0
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Thank you everyone. Your support and encouragement is overwhelming.0
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You look absolutely amazing! Congrats on your success and finally being happy with yourself/life!!!0
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CONGRAGULATIONS!! You look amazing!!!!0
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You look FABULOUS!!! I did a double take...you look like a different person! 0
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What a fantastic job you did!!0
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WOW you are such an inspiration0
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