For those of you that don’t know, I had Lap Band surgery in April 2009. I was 374 pounds on the morning of surgery. I set goals along the way but all along my working goal was to get down to 200 pounds. My ultimate goal was to get down to 174 pounds. Some of you have been emailing me asking how things are going and I thought it was time for an update. Before I tell you where I’m at today, take a moment to look at where I started.
I feel it’s important that I tell you almost none of the before pictures are mine. Most were taken by my Mom. I got to a point where I hated the sight of myself in pictures so much that I just wouldn’t be in them. So, when I told her I was planning this post I had to ask her to find pictures of me at my fattest.
Here we go.
BEFORE SURGERY PICTURES
1986
I was an hour late for my own wedding. Why? Because the dress I had didn’t fit and my parents had to buy me a new one on the morning of my wedding. I did not see the writing on the wall. That reminds me. My Mom was showing my husband pictures once after we were married, late 80s-ish. He saw a picture of a slender young teenager and said “Val never told me she had a sister.” My Mom told him “No, that’s your wife”.
UNKNOWN DATE – 2004-2005-ISH
With LB2 before a prom he attended. When I looked at this picture last week I felt sick and started to cry.
At a Special Olympics function.
On Christmas morning.
2006
Lancaster, Spring 2006
With my favorite drummer, Lancaster, Spring 2006
Our first cruise, December 2006.
Me and my brothers.
Pirate themed dinner.
Another dinner.
Renewing our vows in the Bahamas, December 2006.
2008
June 2006, Wildwood NJ.
Fall 2008.
MAY 2009 – 1 MONTH AFTER LAP BAND SURGERY
One month after surgery I weigh 331.
In July 2009, 3 months after surgery, I have lost 50 pounds.
DECEMBER 2009 – 7 MONTHS AFTER LAP BAND SURGERY
APRIL 2010 – 1 YEAR AFTER LAP BAND SURGERY
I finally need new clothes. My stretchy pants that used to be tight no longer fit. Everything was so big it was falling off. I still felt huge.
JULY 2010 – 15 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY
I am still considered obese but a shape is starting to form.
17 months after surgery I weigh 219.
OCTOBER 2010 – 18 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY
I am no longer considered morbidly obese. This is one of the first pictures showing my face since I was a teenager where I didn’t feel completely hideous and that didn’t make me want to vomit.
TODAY – JANUARY 2011 – 21 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY
I now weigh 173 pounds. I have lost more than I weigh, having lost just over 200 pounds. Before surgery I wore nothing but size 3x and 4x stretchy pants. I am in size 11 jeans.
For the most part I feel good. We don’t think I have sleep apnea anymore but I need a test to confirm that. I don’t get winded after walking a few feet and I’m starting to exercise and work at getting fit. I don’t have as many aches and pains as I used to have. I do still have leg pain but they’ve found out that I have vascular insufficiency in my legs and I need to have some procedures done. My butt is a bit bony now – RB says I don’t really have one anymore. I actually had to put a pillow on my computer chair at home because I was hurting when I sat. I do get chilly a lot more often than before (I used to be always warm) – I’ll be talking to the doctor about that next time I see him.
I haven’t had a fill since September and am thinking I’ll get one at the end of March, which will have been six months between fills. Most days I eat under 1,000 calories. I can eat most foods. Some things are naturally a little harder to digest so I choose to avoid them for the most part. I’m not hungry very often, not like I was before. I know now that most of my hunger before surgery was a mental response to something going on and not real hunger. I still encounter those demons once in a while and now just beat them back instead of stuffing my face. Something interesting, I now enjoy cooking more then ever. And, I can actually taste the food because I’m not rushing to stuff myself and I enjoy the food.
Having the Lap Band surgery was the best decision I have ever made. I did it for me and I did it for my boys. I believe it has improved my life, my mental state of mind and my health. I feel so much better about myself, it’s given me some of my confidence back. Lap Band isn’t the easy out some people think it is. It’s a big decision and a lifestyle change. This journey has been a challenge and I have been fortunate to have had lots of support, from family and my doctor. I am proud that I have reached and surpassed my ultimate goal.
Being so tremendously obese was really lonely. For a long time I told myself that I was a happy fat person. I managed to kid myself for a while, but it simply wasn’t true. My weight had a big impact on my health and state of mind. If you would like to talk, have questions about weight, obesity, Lap Band, the decision to have Lap Band or anything else please feel free to leave them in a comment here. Or if you prefer to keep it private feel free to email me at valmg2 AT gmail DOT com.
If you don’t qualify for surgery, are looking to lose a considerably smaller amount of weight, or are looking for less invasive options then surgery, check out these Sensa reviews to learn if it might help you.
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You look amazing! What an awesome accomplishment, you should be proud of yourself.
You look fantastic and you can tell you are so much happier now.
This is a beautiful and moving post. You look amazing and think your motives behind your surgery are honorable. What an inspiration you are to all those that suffer from extreme obesity.
You look beautiful, and you took years off with those pounds. You should be very proud. I bet your family is!
you did an awesome job!!!
Wow, you look incredible. What an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of yourself!
Congratulations! You are beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
First of all, you are beautiful at any size or shape, you just are, it is who you are. Second of all I can see why you are so proud. Look at you lose the weight! I am so happy for you.
Lee 🙂
Great job from the lady who knows how much you have been through and how much you truly accomplished. Congrats..
What a great story – you look much happier too!
absolutely positively fantastic Val!
You look amazing!
You look AMAZING!! Great job on your success!
This is awesome! I am SO glad you are happier & healthier now, that is all that matters! 🙂
What an amazing accomplishment! Congrats on your weight loss!
Thank you for sharing such a personal journey. I am so happy for you!
you look amazing! Congrats on all your hard work!
Congratulations on your fantastic achievement! You look lovely, healthy, and happy!
Congrats Val. Even on the wanting to tone up now. Way to go girl.
loved that you showed your self over the years. It has to be a difficult thing to share. BUT I must say you stuck with eating healthy and properly for the last few years and made a wonderful lifestyle change for yourself. Congratulations. You look Marvelous!!
Congratulations on the weight loss. That is awesome how you showed pictures over the years with your weight loss journey. I am proud of you!
Wow, what a transformation! You look absolutely glowing in your latest picture. I wish you continued success.
what an amazing journey!! You have a very pretty face and look amazing!! It was so powerful to read about your journey and to see the pics along the way… thank you for sharing and inspiring.
You look wonderful! How many children do you have? All boys? You should be so proud. A friend had this surgery and I know how hard it is. You rock!
You look amazing. And it must feel good to be able to share with everyone as well. Anyone who sees this may finally get that push to do it as well.
All I can say is “WOW!” You look great. I am desperate to lose all this weight. I tried for surgery but my insurance denied me. Now I feel lost and hopeless. I’m so glad it worked for you!
What an amazing an inspirational post. You just look SO happy now. It’s been a long journey, I’m sure, but I am so happy you feel better – inside and out 🙂 Congrats to you!
AMAZING!!!! Congrats Val! Oh Wow, you deserve a huge standing ovation – you look great!
Thank you!
Wow, you look awesome. Gaining weight sucks. I never had a problem with weight. I could whatever I want and never gain a pound. Women used to make rude comments when I was shopping because I had kids, but still had to try to find the XS or size 1/2 jeans.
Then all of a sudden, I started gaining weight and it’s been really tough. So, I made a lifestyle change. Changed my eating habits and hit the gym 5 times a week. I hope to hit my target weight before my birthday in June. Can’t wait to take victory pictures!
Congrats on the success! You really look great, but I’m sure you hear that all the time… 😉
Thanks SuperMom! Good luck meeting your goals.
Wow Val I had no idea… unbelievable… Good for you! All of us here at Jantek are inspired!
Thank you Frank! It’s been quite a journey!
You look fantastic.
I want to have this procedure done so badly,
but my insurance company is fighting me all the way.
You are an inspiration!
Whoa! thats inspiring! congratulations!
I’m happy with you Val! There’s such a difference in your smile as well as your body. You’ve come a long way baby 🙂
You look absolutely beautiful…and you are the sweetest person ever. I loved meeting you in Chicago and can’t wait to see you again (soon I hope)!!!
Thanks Barbara! I look forward to meeting up with you again as well!
wow !!! the change is truly amazing!!! Congrats on all your hard work!!!
Wow, what a difference! When we set our wedding date last year I decided I wanted to get back to my preferred weight for my wedding. Even though it was only 30 lbs. I cannot believe how much happier I am with myself. Sounds like you are feeling the same way – and when you are happier you make others around you happier as well. So yes, I believe 100% that your choice to have surgery improved not only your life, but also the life of your family. Congrats on such a terrific achievement!
What an amazing journey! Thank you be being brave and sharing it to inspire others!
Wow! What an amazing transformation! You look great!
Congratulations, you look terrific 🙂
You look SO amazing! I am really pleased for you. I am also overweight and need to lose a good 100 pounds. I am not sure if that is enough to have this kind of surgery. I miss the smaller me too and am really glad that you found your smaller you!
– lavendersbluegreen(at)yahoo(dot)com