Any women over 500lbs who have had this surgery?

Hi Marla, and congratulations. It sounds like you are doing great. Although I am not as large as you were, I understand the issue of not seeing a change. I have just lost 40 lbs and not only don't see it, I am just beginning to feel it. Other people have seen it for a while though. I know I have body dymorphia, since I can see pics of myself 200lbs thinner and not see much of a difference. This time around I am working toward changing my attitude toward "I am taking care of myself right no matter what the number/size is" instead of what I look like. Although I know this is the classic denial statement of many super morbid obese folks who continue to eat poorly and not exercise, I am being honest with myself this time. I also took pics and measurements and will use others to help re-train my eyes. Good luck to you. -Julie

At my fattest (and in failing health), I weighed close to 600 lbs.  When I started my WLS pre-op journey, I weighed 530 lbs.  I needed to lose 10% pre-op, so my bariatric doctor put me on a modified Optifast plan and I lost my 10% so quickly that I asked to stay on it until surgery day.  I ended up losing 123 lbs prior to surgery, weighing 407 on surgery day.  Today, one day shy of my one year anniversary, I weigh 227 lbs. I didn't see the loss for a long time, either.  Everyone else did, but I didn't.  But then, I didn't notice I was circus fat, either.  I figured I was just plump.  For me, the changes manifested in tangible ways such as being able to fit in the shower, being able to fit in the car, being able to fit behind the steering wheel, being able to fit in a regular size chair at a restaurant, or at the doctor's office. Walking became easier.  People didn't seem to stare at me the way they used to.  Even now, I still don't see a thinner person when I look in the mirror.  Kix

My top weight was 550, and I was 528 when I went into surgery in December of 2005.  Because I was so high risk my surgeon did a vertical sleeve gastrectomy - basically, he made my stomach smaller but did not bypass any of my intestines.  I didn't notice much change at 100 pounds either, it took till about 150 pounds till I thought I looked thinner.  Feeling thinner, breathing better  and getting around easier came earlier.  Right now I am holding at about 375, and will likely go back to have the intestinal portion of the sugery done this winter.  I think I look pretty good right now - things hang straight instead of sticking to my lumps and bumps - but I am just starting to buy smaller clothes.  (I hate the pannis, though!) My life has improved so much I am tempted to stop now - I can hardly imagine it getting better!  We condition ourselves  for so long to settling to so much less life, it is hard to accept these new, wonderful changes.

I was 500 pounds when I began my journey.  I lost 37-38 pounds before surgery, and have had no complications whatsoever.  This is the best thing I have done for myself!  I didn't notice a change in myself until about 150 pounds gone.  I still look at my clothes as I'm hanging them up and think "there's no way that will fit".  My head still hasn't fully accepted where my body is now, 6 1/2 months after surgery and down a little over 200 pounds.  I do see a difference in myself now, the people around me are so very encouraging, and look forward to the many changes to come. Best of luck to you in your journey and may God bless! Stephanie

My bmi wasn't as high as yours, but I noticed the weight loss by things I could do, like washing my butt, getting off my couch without it being an ordeal or rolling over in bed without lifting my body off the bed.  You will have your own wow moments that we smo or formally smo can relate to.  Congrats on your outstanding progress!!  Loris