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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member Bombshell2Be's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Erren
    Surgery date
    05/01/2013
    Surgeon
    John Gonzalez
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Last Activity
    05-04-2020 11:48 PM
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    294
    Said "Thanks" 29 Times
    Was Thanked 77 Times in 70 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 81 Times
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    I came across an old picture of myself which was taken at a time when I tried to avoid being photographed! I was at my highest weight ever, close to 280 pounds! (I weighed 258 pounds at the time of surgery)... Seeing the "girl" in the pic made me so sad! I had no self esteem. I was totally disconnected with myself! Totally shut off my feelings, my needs, my wants... just didn't really feel like anything about "me" was worthy of being validated. Was just existing, going through the motions, so to speak! I would make sure my children always looked perfect, so people would see them and maybe not notice me. What made me sad when I looked at the pic is the fact that I felt like less of a person because of my weight, the fact that I spent so many years feeling that way, and the scary reality that without this surgery, I might have continued to live that way for the rest of my life! I missed out on so many experiences because I chose to hide, and worry about what others thought instead of living the one life that I was blessed with! This surgery has given me my life back! My children now have a Mommy that is in the water splashing around with them, or kicking the ball at the park, and going down the slide with my little guy! I'm no longer on the sidelines watching them live life because I am too out of shape and self conscious!... Thank God that I am able to be the Mom that they deserve to have, and Thank God that I am beginning to live the life that I deserve to have! It's a indescribable feeling and experience!... For those of you reading this that are still debating about whether or not to take this leap and have the surgery... You are worth it! You deserve to be happy and healthy and live life to the fullest! You only live once! Make it count! Best Wishes! Thanks for listening! <3
    image.jpg



  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member Mich-D's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Dwayne
    Surgery date
    01/07/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Bacal
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last Activity
    02-14-2016 06:26 PM
    Location
    I live in Michigan
    Posts
    787
    Said "Thanks" 239 Times
    Was Thanked 281 Times in 239 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3,189 Times
    Blog Entries
    65

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Thanks for sharing. I too have/had self esteem issues and dreaded having my pictures taken over the years. As the weight has come off, my self esteem has started to climb. I am even looking forward to having my driver's license renewed next month.

    You are vastly different from your before photo. So, I am curious when you will be dropping the 2Be and transitioning to Bombshell?



  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member Randi605's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/19/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Vohra
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Last Activity
    11-30-2014 11:53 AM
    Location
    Long Island NY
    Posts
    77
    Said "Thanks" 20 Times
    Was Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 8 Times

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Thank you for sharing Erren. My surgery is August 19th and it's hard for me to believe that all of the things you and others share can become part of my life as well. You look fantastic and certainly sounds like you feel as good as you look!!


  5. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member acnichols's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/05/2014
    Surgeon
    Manuel Castro
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    01-16-2017 11:26 AM
    Posts
    89
    Said "Thanks" 3 Times
    Was Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 41 Times
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Thank you



  6. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member Toopie2Seater's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Last Activity
    01-20-2015 11:52 AM
    Posts
    604
    Said "Thanks" 92 Times
    Was Thanked 146 Times in 135 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 321 Times

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Amazing. Congratulations!

  7. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  8. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member Deejaycee76's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Dustin
    Surgery date
    02/10/2014
    Surgeon
    Steven A. Tersigni
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Last Activity
    12-29-2017 11:31 PM
    Location
    Bend, Oregon
    Posts
    444
    Said "Thanks" 48 Times
    Was Thanked 130 Times in 115 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 109 Times
    Blog Entries
    9

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Thanks for sharing. It's not easy putting up pics of how we used to be...hated being. In a way it's pretty cool though. Knowing we are far from those days. Still, it's sad that we waited so long to finally decide that we were sick of it. So....I agree with mich-d time to drop the 2be
    Get your mind right...Get your grind right

  9. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/28/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Frank Veninga
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Last Activity
    05-26-2016 08:35 PM
    Posts
    1,196
    Said "Thanks" 42 Times
    Was Thanked 304 Times in 287 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 74 Times

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    I think most here have shared many of those emotions and feelings in regards to our weight during those heavy times. I used to get furious when someone would take my picture. I was thin most of my life and during the entire time I was heavy i was sure it was a temporary thing and I didnt want any of this unreal period to be memorialized. At the same time I knew how absurd it was to expect people not to take photographs so I never voiced my anger over it which probably did nothing but make things worse for me health wise. I am so glad that those times are behind me and so determined to keep it that way.



    8/14/13 - 279 Pre-Op
    8/28/13 - 265 Surgery
    9/28/13 - 235
    10/28/13 - 218
    11/28/13 - 209
    12/28/13 - 198
    01/16/14 - 195

    Blood Sugar 140 with metformin before surgery, 80 with no meds after surgery
    Blood Pressure 145/90 before and 110/70 after

  10. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member Bombshell2Be's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Erren
    Surgery date
    05/01/2013
    Surgeon
    John Gonzalez
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Last Activity
    05-04-2020 11:48 PM
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    294
    Said "Thanks" 29 Times
    Was Thanked 77 Times in 70 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 81 Times
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Quote Originally Posted by Deejaycee76 View Post
    So....I agree with mich-d time to drop the 2be
    Aww, Thanks! I've been hearing that more and more lately! I think I'll keep the "2Be"! Reminds me of where I came from, and that I have to keep working hard to stay/get where I wanna be, and also, I think it would be a little on the conceited/obnoxious side to declare myself as a "Bombshell"! Lol! That's just not me!



  11. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member rhill2901's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    328
    Said "Thanks" 11 Times
    Was Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 43 Times

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Quote Originally Posted by Bombshell2Be View Post
    Aww, Thanks! I've been hearing that more and more lately! I think I'll keep the "2Be"! Reminds me of where I came from, and that I have to keep working hard to stay/get where I wanna be, and also, I think it would be a little on the conceited/obnoxious side to declare myself as a "Bombshell"! Lol! That's just not me!
    NOOOO!!!! Don't change it!!! oh wait. you said you weren't going to change it Never mind me.... Um, where am I

    Don't change! I like you the way you are ! Err, I mean your name.



  12. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member FairfieldDave's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/12/2014
    Surgeon
    Almanza
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Last Activity
    10-21-2015 11:20 PM
    Location
    Wine Country California
    Posts
    58
    Said "Thanks" 5 Times
    Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 13 Times
    Blog Entries
    14

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    rhill2901...

    You had Dr. Almanza, too? How was he to work with? His staff at the hospital? Dave



  13. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member DETRATAUS's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    A L P
    Surgery date
    10/15/2012
    Surgeon
    Dr Craig Taylor
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Activity
    09-15-2014 06:06 PM
    Location
    Sydney | AUSTRALIA
    Posts
    10
    Said "Thanks" 16 Times
    Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 7 Times

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    We've all been here! Now time to move on and enjoy our new "lifes"! This is a second chance so do not screw!
    OClinic Sydney

    Dr Craig TAYLOR

    Mater Private Hospital

    Dr Eddy Dona - Plastic Surgeon

    Biggest I was: 205KG|452lbs
    Before the sleeve (optifast diet) : 186KG | 410lbs
    Today (26 July 2014): 106KG | 235lbs

  14. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member sociologist's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Margaret
    Surgery date
    11/18/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr Borland
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    03-01-2020 07:27 PM
    Location
    Metairie Louisiana
    Posts
    1,092
    Said "Thanks" 21 Times
    Was Thanked 263 Times in 255 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 170 Times

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    You look amazing:-)
    Margaret
    1 month: 25 lost (194-10 day stall)
    3 months: 9 lost (173-halfway to goal!)
    5 months: 7 lost (161-1week stall)
    7 months: 4 lost (152-4 week stall)
    9 months: 1 lost (145-1 month stall)
    10 months: 0 lost (145-2month stall
    14 months: 0 lost (145-7 month stall)

    My goal: 145...originally 129 but my body said no!


  15. #13
    Gastric Sleeve Member llburbach's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Laura
    Surgery date
    07/08/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr Almanza
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Last Activity
    01-16-2016 06:13 AM
    Location
    Show Low, Arizona, United States
    Posts
    528
    Said "Thanks" 159 Times
    Was Thanked 118 Times in 112 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 187 Times
    Blog Entries
    15

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Quote Originally Posted by Bombshell2Be View Post
    I came across an old picture of myself which was taken at a time when I tried to avoid being photographed! I was at my highest weight ever, close to 280 pounds! (I weighed 258 pounds at the time of surgery)... Seeing the "girl" in the pic made me so sad! I had no self esteem. I was totally disconnected with myself! Totally shut off my feelings, my needs, my wants... just didn't really feel like anything about "me" was worthy of being validated. Was just existing, going through the motions, so to speak! I would make sure my children always looked perfect, so people would see them and maybe not notice me. What made me sad when I looked at the pic is the fact that I felt like less of a person because of my weight, the fact that I spent so many years feeling that way, and the scary reality that without this surgery, I might have continued to live that way for the rest of my life! I missed out on so many experiences because I chose to hide, and worry about what others thought instead of living the one life that I was blessed with! This surgery has given me my life back! My children now have a Mommy that is in the water splashing around with them, or kicking the ball at the park, and going down the slide with my little guy! I'm no longer on the sidelines watching them live life because I am too out of shape and self conscious!... Thank God that I am able to be the Mom that they deserve to have, and Thank God that I am beginning to live the life that I deserve to have! It's a indescribable feeling and experience!... For those of you reading this that are still debating about whether or not to take this leap and have the surgery... You are worth it! You deserve to be happy and healthy and live life to the fullest! You only live once! Make it count! Best Wishes! Thanks for listening! <3
    image.jpg
    You look so different. Your journey is so incredible. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy reading your posts.

    Laura



  16. Said thanks:


  17. #14
    Gastric Sleeve Member Ann2's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Ann2
    Surgery date
    08/18/2014
    Surgeon
    n.a.
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,630
    Said "Thanks" 5,839 Times
    Was Thanked 5,052 Times in 2,720 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3,616 Times
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    I've already typed the words "parallel universe" twice this morning. That's what being normal sized vs. being obese feels like to me: two different lives, with my mind and soul in different bodies in different worlds where I'm treated differently, where I behave differently, where my options are different. I've visited both universes multiple times. The distance between them sometimes seems like light years.

    Somehow, I think reconciling those two worlds -- owning them both -- is part of my journey. It would be so easy to think, "I'll just live in the nice world now and never ever have to go back to that other world." For me, I think I have to learn more about the unpleasant one I don't want, but that I nevertheless kept choosing before I can immigrate fully.

    The above could just be nice metaphors. But something also tells me it's where my journey has to go.



    Consult: 235 lbs
    My and doc's preop diet: 216 -19 lbs
    M1 postop 205 -30
    M2 193 -42
    M3 184 -51
    M4 174 -61
    M5 167 -68
    M6 162 -73
    M7 156 -79
    M8 151 -84
    M9 148 -87
    M10 146 -89
    M11 144 -91
    M12 143 -92
    M13 142 -93
    M14 140 -95
    M15 139 -96
    M16 137 -98
    M17 135 -100

    First Surgiversary post

    Second Surgiversary post

    Third Surgiversary post

  18. #15
    Gastric Sleeve Member rhill2901's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    328
    Said "Thanks" 11 Times
    Was Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 43 Times

    Default Re: The Camera Doesn't Lie!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ann2 View Post
    I've already typed the words "parallel universe" twice this morning. That's what being normal sized vs. being obese feels like to me: two different lives, with my mind and soul in different bodies in different worlds where I'm treated differently, where I behave differently, where my options are different. I've visited both universes multiple times. The distance between them sometimes seems like light years.

    Somehow, I think reconciling those two worlds -- owning them both -- is part of my journey. It would be so easy to think, "I'll just live in the nice world now and never ever have to go back to that other world." For me, I think I have to learn more about the unpleasant one I don't want, but that I nevertheless kept choosing before I can immigrate fully.

    The above could just be nice metaphors. But something also tells me it's where my journey has to go.
    Wow... I thought this some time ago. I'm glad we're in this side of the universe



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