Hi Y'all! It's been a while... (pics)

Thank you so much!!! It took a long time for me to actually SEE myself.  It took someone else to make me actually see myself for the first time.  That was about 5 weeks ago.  I had an epiphany moment that I saw a picture of myself and said Wow, I really am tiny.  Even though people had been telling me that for a while, I didn't believe them.  I always thought when i told them what size I was, they were thinking "Yeah right, she's delusional".  It takes a long time to get rid of that bad self image.  Your epiphany moment will come.  Have faith.

 thank you so much candy - i needed that. my mom sent me a package for my birthday - it was filled with clothes. just two weeks ago i managed enough nerve to try on a pair of 16's and was shocked they fit. she sent me a box full of 14's and mediums. as i was holding them up i was telling my daughter - oh i may not be able to fit these for a few more weeks.  i have no idea why i even tried them on - but almost passed out when they fit! but then - even after taking pictures and sending them to my closest friends, i started wondering, was this a fluke? could these 10 different pieces of clothing be irregularly sized? that has to be it - so i spent over 30 minutes researching the manufacturers size chart. lol i know, i have major issues. i'm glad to know it's not just me. i'm hoping the more i share my changing image with others and get their feedback i can come to accept it too. 

 Well you do look delicious .. but I'm not in my 20's darn it!  Congrats to you for doing such an amazing job!  

LOL!!!  Thanks Kevin!  You do not have to be in your 20's for me to appreciate that kind of description...

You look beautiful!! I love the outfits you have on. Thank you for sharing. Be blessed.

Hi Candy, Your post inspired me to join the blog.  (and we share a first name) I have never been a member of a blog or facebook or any social media site.  I am reaching out to accept  your offer of help.  I am just about to start my journey to where you are.  I am in my final weeks of medically supervised weight loss, 6 months was required by my insurance company.  I have had the blood tests and filled out tons of paperwork.  I will have a surgical consult some time after I complete the MWL program (last day is 7/9/12)  I have attended three educational seminars on surgery over the past 10 months and have read countless prochures and webpages on the subject.  I am still torn about which procedure to choose RNY or VSG.  I like the RNY for the results but the complications scare me.  I like the sleeve for the fact it leaves the lower valve in place to have more normal digestion.  My insurance only allows one procedure per LIFETIME and I dont want to make a bad choice.  Please tell me what helped you make the sleeve be your procedure of choice?

Hi Candy! (great name )

I was convinced when I went in to talk to my surgeon that I was having RNY.  He convinced me to do the VSG.  I am sooooo glad that I took that route.  I decided that I did not want my insides re-routed and if I could achieve the same results with just a smaller stomach without all of the dumping and malabsorption issues, I was all for it.  I know it's permanent but I wanted it to be permanent.  I NEVER want to go back to the world I was in before.  I can only speak for myself but I have had friends that have had the RNY and they are very happy with it but one thing I have noticed is that they don't look as healthy? maybe?  I see other pictures on here of people and it just seems to me personally that VSG people look healthier.  It could just be a dilusional thought in my own mind. If any RNY people read this, I mean no offense whatsoever.  People that never knew me before, would never believe that I was ever over 250 lbs.  They are shocked when they see a before pic.  I take that as a compliment.  Only you can decide what you want to do but for me, after talking to my surgeon, it didn't take long for me to change my mind.  Take advantage of the first 5-6 months when you are losing the most because it slows down after that.  You still lose but it slows down.  Which ever you decide, make the decision with the determination to acheive your goal.  Let me know what you decide.  You can friend me and I will be there for you through it if you want.  Good Luck!!

Thanks for the words of wisdom, I keep going back and fourth between the two.  I am nervous about my insides being rerouted also.   I found an interesting article comparing the 2 and it looks good for the sleeve.  3 yr weight loss was at 86.8% for VSG and 93.1% for RNY  Complication rates were also lower for the VSG.  I will friend you if i can figure out how LOL  I am not real great with this site  (yet)  Thanks for the support.  My husband said "do what you think is best, you are smart and i trust your research"  but sometimes you just need to discuss things to get them straight in your head.

Wow you did that in a year!  Amazing!  That's really a great job...hope I can do it too.  I"m 5'3" as well so it's nice to see what 130 looks like.  You look good at 130!  

Thanks!  If you set your mind to it, you can do it!  Good Luck!