2 Years Since My Sleeve...Single Digit Pants Size today!

[tlwebb]

I've been wanting to get on a post an update for anyone who might be thinking of having the sleeve but life is so full these days with all I can do now but today I wore a pair of size 9 pants for the first time in what seems like forever so I thought this is the day to post. What an awesome gift this surgery has been for me! I could go on and on about how much better I feel, how I have spent the better part of two years actually living life to the fullest, or even what a difference it has made in how I look but I'm sure you already know what a difference going from a size 20 to a size 9 can make in a woman's life so I'll spare you. I do want to say that I would do it again...its been a road of mostly ups but a few struggles getting myself on track but so worth the reward.

On a sad note, I had a friend who died last month that had the gastric bypass a few years before I had the sleeve. She was an emotional eater which packed on her pounds but after surgery she could no longer eat that way. While she had always been a casual drinker before she became an emotional drinker after her surgery and that is ultimately what killed her...she was 48. PLEASE prepare emotionally for your inability to eat after a sleeve...seek counseling for any underlying issues but don't self destruct in another way...we all know that eating is very self destructive and we've all felt the effects on our health, our social and family lives, and our general depression issues about being overweight, but please know that you MUST not drink heavily after surgery...it will only hurt you more.

I'm going to try to post a before and after pic...hoping I can get them to work.

April 2012.pngJune 2014.jpg

[bmiller140]

Thank you for sharing the good and the bad. We should all take time to learn why we ate and what triggered our behavior. The sleeve is a tool not a fix for all of our problems. Sorry that your friend never had the chance to really live life as you have. Glad you took the time to tell others. Most of us are addicted to food. After surgery we can easily become addicted to other things - shopping, exercise, alcohol, etc.

You should be proud of your success.

[Lee6Lee]

I've never worn a single digit anything since infancy...what would it be like? Thanks for the inspiration! And so sorry about your dear friend...

[newclear]

Congratulation on your very impressive weight loss. Like you, I can't recall ever wearing single digit pants ever until 2 weeks ago. Granted, the size 8 is pretty tight -my size 10 CK jeans are getting loose- they button, zip and there's no overpour of tissue at the waist. You spend so long being in a bad place, it's hard to imagine you'd ever be out.

I'm very sorry about your friend. I'm a casual wine drinker and I try never to drink alone. Thank you for the cautionary reminder!

[dyberrah]

Does size X count as a single digit? That's where I am now
Tammy, I am so looking forward to being where you are. I'm terribly sorry about your friend, and I can see how easy it would be to replace food with alcohol. I used to eat until I was over-stuffed. It was like I couldn't get full enough. If I were to try to replace that now with alcohol or drugs... it's scary.
But we must focus on the positive Congratulations on the size 9! And you look wonderful!
Deb

[amella50]

I've been wanting to get on a post an update for anyone who might be thinking of having the sleeve but life is so full these days with all I can do now but today I wore a pair of size 9 pants for the first time in what seems like forever so I thought this is the day to post. What an awesome gift this surgery has been for me! I could go on and on about how much better I feel, how I have spent the better part of two years actually living life to the fullest, or even what a difference it has made in how I look but I'm sure you already know what a difference going from a size 20 to a size 9 can make in a woman's life so I'll spare you. I do want to say that I would do it again...its been a road of mostly ups but a few struggles getting myself on track but so worth the reward.

On a sad note, I had a friend who died last month that had the gastric bypass a few years before I had the sleeve. She was an emotional eater which packed on her pounds but after surgery she could no longer eat that way. While she had always been a casual drinker before she became an emotional drinker after her surgery and that is ultimately what killed her...she was 48. PLEASE prepare emotionally for your inability to eat after a sleeve...seek counseling for any underlying issues but don't self destruct in another way...we all know that eating is very self destructive and we've all felt the effects on our health, our social and family lives, and our general depression issues about being overweight, but please know that you MUST not drink heavily after surgery...it will only hurt you more.

I'm going to try to post a before and after pic...hoping I can get them to work.

April 2012.pngJune 2014.jpg

Awsome!!! What an incredible transformation! Im sorry to here about your friend that is very tragic.

[klecko]

First off Sorry to hear about your friend. Yes it is an emotional roller coaster, need all the support we can get. Never be ashamed to ask for help or to give an ear to someone. Second congrats on your success so far. You look great. Question for you how long was it before you started to stable off? Or do you continue to drop weight?

[okla_ok51]

Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your success so far you look GREAT!

[toutdesuite]

I've been wanting to get on a post an update for anyone who might be thinking of having the sleeve but life is so full these days with all I can do now but today I wore a pair of size 9 pants for the first time in what seems like forever so I thought this is the day to post. What an awesome gift this surgery has been for me! I could go on and on about how much better I feel, how I have spent the better part of two years actually living life to the fullest, or even what a difference it has made in how I look but I'm sure you already know what a difference going from a size 20 to a size 9 can make in a woman's life so I'll spare you. I do want to say that I would do it again...its been a road of mostly ups but a few struggles getting myself on track but so worth the reward.

On a sad note, I had a friend who died last month that had the gastric bypass a few years before I had the sleeve. She was an emotional eater which packed on her pounds but after surgery she could no longer eat that way. While she had always been a casual drinker before she became an emotional drinker after her surgery and that is ultimately what killed her...she was 48. PLEASE prepare emotionally for your inability to eat after a sleeve...seek counseling for any underlying issues but don't self destruct in another way...we all know that eating is very self destructive and we've all felt the effects on our health, our social and family lives, and our general depression issues about being overweight, but please know that you MUST not drink heavily after surgery...it will only hurt you more.

I'm going to try to post a before and after pic...hoping I can get them to work.

April 2012.pngJune 2014.jpg

Unfortunately, replacement addiction is very real. Educate yourself and be on guard -- knowing is half the battle.

[Mich-D]

Thank you for sharing your remarkable transformation. I too had a friend die from being an emotional drinker. Although she did not have WLS surgery she exhibited many of the same traits and tried to find solace in alcohol. I am sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. I agree, WLS is not going to cure emotional issues which is why so many WLS programs and insurance companies require psych evals. Surgery can only do so much, anyone who is an emotional eater needs to identify the triggers and learn healthier ways of dealing with those emotions. I am myself used to be an emotional eater on top of being someone who loved extra large portions of less than healthy foods. I can remember years ago, at the company where I worked, there were rumors about layoffs. I remember planning out what I would be bingeing on if I was one of the ones being laid off. Since my WLS journey I have learned food is not a solution and to diffuse or address my emotions in other ways.

For those of you lerkers who are on the fence, I urge you to work on addressing any emotional issues prior to surgery.

[amella50]

Thank you for sharing your remarkable transformation. I too had a friend die from being an emotional drinker. Although she did not have WLS surgery she exhibited many of the same traits and tried to find solace in alcohol. I am sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. I agree, WLS is not going to cure emotional issues which is why so many WLS programs and insurance companies require psych evals. Surgery can only do so much, anyone who is an emotional eater needs to identify the triggers and learn healthier ways of dealing with those emotions. I am myself used to be an emotional eater on top of being someone who loved extra large portions of less than healthy foods. I can remember years ago, at the company where I worked, there were rumors about layoffs. I remember planning out what I would be bingeing on if I was one of the ones being laid off. Since my WLS journey I have learned food is not a solution and to diffuse or address my emotions in other ways.

For those of you lerkers who are on the fence, I urge you to work on addressing any emotional issues prior to surgery.

OMG Mitch, I just have to give you big time kudo's, I noticed your weight loss and you are awesome!

[rhill2901]

Hi! What an awesome transformation!!! I'm perplexed about the hair color change though Ok, I'm single, what can I say but... You don't live so far away

Sorry to hear about your friend. Its a relief it wasn't the sleeve that caused her death. Emotions can kill.. We each need someone in our life to support us so we can look out for each other and to help us through our journey. These forums can provide us the reassurances we need to be successful and endless support from others who need our support as much as we need theirs...

[lvman]

You look outstanding and great job taking care of yourself. Sorry to hear about your friend, we all needed to have the information you passed on. Mind and body has to to be tended.

[azladyrider]

That's sad sorry. Some people just do everything to excess; food, drinking etc. I also know of 5 people that had the bypass and while all of them are not unhealthy they also ALL gained their weight back and more.

I am also nearly 2 years out. I went from a tight 18 to a 0 in a short time, like 6 months. Now I am at a 1 - 2 depending on the cut of the jeans. I wouldn't mind being at a 3 or a 5 but I refuse top let myself get larger than that. Just paranoid that 5 pounds turns into 10 and 10 into 20 and bam I am right back where I was and needing a second sleeve. I saw someone here having a 2nd sleeve done and for me i can't imagine how I would ever eat enough to gain all of the weight back. Seems as such a waste of money and energy to have the sleeve and not work it the right way and learn from our obesity.

I've been wanting to get on a post an update for anyone who might be thinking of having the sleeve but life is so full these days with all I can do now but today I wore a pair of size 9 pants for the first time in what seems like forever so I thought this is the day to post. What an awesome gift this surgery has been for me! I could go on and on about how much better I feel, how I have spent the better part of two years actually living life to the fullest, or even what a difference it has made in how I look but I'm sure you already know what a difference going from a size 20 to a size 9 can make in a woman's life so I'll spare you. I do want to say that I would do it again...its been a road of mostly ups but a few struggles getting myself on track but so worth the reward.

On a sad note, I had a friend who died last month that had the gastric bypass a few years before I had the sleeve. She was an emotional eater which packed on her pounds but after surgery she could no longer eat that way. While she had always been a casual drinker before she became an emotional drinker after her surgery and that is ultimately what killed her...she was 48. PLEASE prepare emotionally for your inability to eat after a sleeve...seek counseling for any underlying issues but don't self destruct in another way...we all know that eating is very self destructive and we've all felt the effects on our health, our social and family lives, and our general depression issues about being overweight, but please know that you MUST not drink heavily after surgery...it will only hurt you more.

I'm going to try to post a before and after pic...hoping I can get them to work.

April 2012.pngJune 2014.jpg

[Kodi's Mom]

I am so sorry for your loss. We were told at our presurgery seminar, "If you want to drink, DO NOT have the surgery."

Congratulations on your success!