Weight Loss Surgery: My Story
In early January 2010 my weight skyrocketed to 295 pounds, the highest it had ever been. After years of dieting and failing, I had come to a point in my life where I knew something had to be done. It was about this time that I started considering weight loss surgery. I had considered the surgery option in the past, but insurance wouldn’t cover it and I felt like I was cheating the process and myself by not losing weight the “natural” way.
During my yearly gynecological appointment I spoke to my doctor about my weight and expressed to her my desire in obtaining information about my surgery options. We discussed the unhealthiness of my current state and she assured me that the surgery would not affect my chances of getting pregnant in the future. In fact, she said that my chances of getting pregnant would increase with the surgery and subsequent weight loss. She knew how long I’d struggled with my weight and said she thought the surgery might be a great path for me and recommended a doctor to do the surgery.
Prior to seeing the doctor for a consult, they require all prospective patients to attend a weight loss surgery seminar, where all surgery options are discussed and questions are answered by one of the clinic’s doctors. I went to the seminar in late January and then scheduled an appointment with the doctor. The earliest they could see me was a few weeks, which put me in the middle of February. While I waited for my first appointment I continued to research my surgery options. I asked a nurse friend if she knew anything about my doctor and she confirmed that he is one of the best and highly recommended him as well, which was very reassuring.
My surgery process officially began at my consult appointment in February 2010. I met my doctor and we discussed my options a little more. He confirmed that I was definitely a surgery candidate and we decided that, if approved by insurance, I would undergo gastric bypass surgery. During this appointment I met with the office’s insurance specialist and was advised that my insurance would cover the surgery and that they required all surgery candidates partake in a 3-month nutritional course and a psychiatric evaluation. I was registered for my first class, for the middle of March 2010, and sent on my way with a packet of information to look over.
The 3-month nutritional classes are in place to prepare future patients for life after surgery, and discussed topics like what foods to eat and which foods to avoid after surgery, what to expect before, during and after surgery, what a post-op patients food portions would look like after surgery and vitamin consumption. The classes were really informative and prepared me for what was ahead.
I scheduled my psychiatric evaluation at the end of April, because it needed to be completed prior to my final nutritional class. The psych evaluation is put in place to evaluate the patient’s state of mind and to be sure that he/she is not going the surgery route for the wrong reasons. The doctor asked a lot of questions about my past dieting, my eating habits, my job and about my family support system.
I attended my final nutritional class in mid-May 2010. Once my final class was on the books, the insurance specialist submitted my file to the insurance company for approval and the waiting game began. I received an official notice from my insurance company about a week later informing me that I had been approved. I scheduled my surgery for July 20th.
Two weeks prior to surgery, on July 6, I went in for my pre-op appointment. I was given my official liquid-diet instructions for the following two weeks, I purchased my vitamins and protein powders and I discussed any concerns with my doctor. I then headed over to the hospital for pre-surgery testing. My official 2-week pre-surgery weight was 306 pounds, my highest weight ever. All tests came back fine and the hospital officially cleared me for surgery as well.
I began my 2-week doctor required liquid diet, this diet is supposed to shrink your liver and prepare it for surgery, on July 7. I was allowed anything liquid (low fat milk, decaf coffee, jell-o, pudding, broth, etc) and was instructed to be sure that 4 to 5 protein shakes were consumed a day. The day before surgery, July 19, I was only allowed to drink clear liquids. I consumed lots of water, tea and sugar free Jell-O, of the not red or orange variety. Around 4:00 p.m. I was instructed to drink an entire bottle (about 10 ounces) of Magnesium Citrate. This is a bowel cleansing tool. It is supposed to clear out your system for a cleaner surgery. The magnesium citrate took a lot longer to start working, but once it started I was in the bathroom a lot.
My surgery was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and I was to arrive at the hospital by 8:30 a.m. When it was finally time my anesthesiologist gave me a pretty amazing IV cocktail and I was rolled to the operating room. The next thing I remember is being awake and getting rolled out to the post-op area. I was told everything went well.
The next 48 hours were a whirlwind. After an hour in the post-op area I was finally rolled to my room. I felt really groggy but wasn’t in too much pain. My parents spent most of the afternoon keeping me company while I was in and out of sleep. I remember being really thirsty but wasn’t allowed to drink anything until after my leak test the next morning. I didn’t get much sleep that first night because of IV drips beeping, nurses needing my vitals at all hours of the night and some internal discomfort, mostly gas.
The next morning, on July 21, I was wheeled down to the x-ray lab for my leak test. An x-ray of my internals was taken and then I was given a small bottle of a contrast liquid to drink. I drank the liquid and then waited about 10 minutes and was x-rayed again. This test is done to make sure that everything was connected correctly and that there were no leaks internally. Once finished I was wheeled back to my room. I was finally allowed water and ice chips. About an hour later I started walking.
The next morning, on July 22, I passed the “pee test” and my doctor cleared me for release. I was beyond excited. By 11:oo a.m. I was a free woman and on my way home. When I arrived home I was in some pain, mostly gas, and went straight to lay down and get a little sleep. I was uncomfortable for a few days. The gas pains are very uncomfortable but bearable. It hurt to walk some of the time and turning while laying down was hard. The few days after surgery were a lot easier than I had expected.
As the weeks progressed I transitioned from different food levels. The first week after surgery I continued a liquid diet. I then graduated to a pureed food diet for two weeks, a soft food diet for a week and then I was cleared to eat any and all foods. Lucky for me I’ve had no issues with any foods that I have eaten.
I am currently one year post-op and have had no regrets with my decision to have surgery. It has been a life changing procedure that I would highly recommend to anyone that is considering it. I know how hard it is to lose weight. I know how hard it is to diet. Surgery is not for everyone and even with surgery, work must be done to succeed. Yes, I do indulge in some of my favorite foods sometimes, but not as often as I would like. It is a tool that can help. I know that I can and will gain the weight back if I revert back to all of my old eating and non-exercising habits. I can’t guarantee that that won’t happen, but I will fight it every day for the rest of my life.
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Greis (pronounced Grace) is a single, 30 something, Texas girl with an iPhone addiction. She loves her hometown Houston sports teams, Astros Baseball & Texans Football! When she's not working as an inside sales analyst for a local manufacturing company, you can usually find her on the internet, watching trashy reality television or snuggling her niece, Audrey. In her spare time she enjoys a good chick flick, reading teenage vampire books (the sparkly kind) and dreaming about what life will be like when she finally wins the lottery. 
I am so happy for you and proud of you.
You look AMAZING!! So thrilled for you!
Good for you, lady! Congratulations!!
This is an amazing story. Your success is an inspiration to so many others.
Your transformation is absolutely amazing! So inspiring! Thank you for sharing with us :)
WOW That’s amazing!!
Congratulations!! You look fantastic!
I too had weight loss surgery, Im almost 10 years out, and have managed to keep most of it off. (and I’ve had 2 babies since!) If I learned anything from the surgery, it’s all about portion control! If you want cake, have cake! (just only a small piece not the whole thing!) Surgery isnt for everybody, but for me it was the right thing and I would do it all over again in a second!
SO proud of you and happy for you!
Goosbumps! Congratulations, you look awesome!
Ahh Greis this is fantastic! I sat here reading it with a phantom pain in my side remembering the gas pains and the incision pain. I think I had a little more pain than i usual, because it lasted a good six weeks in one little spot on my left side. But like you, I felt it was the best option for me, and I am so happy I did it. I am proud of you! It’s hard work and you have done awesome! Congrats!!
Just endless amounts of happiness for you and what you have done. What YOU have done. Every ounce of work, I am amazed by you, you are awe inspiring.
Just wanted to let you know how proud I am of all your hard work. You look amazing.
You look great, Greis! How much weight have you lost to date? Just curious :)
I’ve lost 132.8 pounds.
You look so beautiful, and I am inspired by your success and your positive attitude! Congratulations to you, what an amazing journey!
you look great! you’ve worked extremely hard and should be proud of your success. people who say that surgery is the “easy way out”, are ignorant and have never looked into the realities of the surgery. proud of YOU! you go girl! :)
I’m crazy, stupid proud of you.
I don’t really get why everyone is saying she worked hard.. getting surgery isn’t working hard. It’s surgery, it’s a quick fix, and quite frankly I’m disappointed to see this kind of article on Curvy girl Guide.
Mary- many of us are choosing to recognize the 3 months of classes prior to surgery as well as the significant time Greis now gives to both nutrition AND working out (to keep up the results & ensure her health) as hard work worthy of congratulations. The Curvy Girl Guide is about being a safe and inclusive place for everyone and surgery is one of the many tools out there for people seeking to lose weight. We’d be remiss to ignore it completely. Hopefully you come back and visit again and can see how many topics we cover from all points of view!
As you should be.
What an insult this woman is, sharing such a shameful experience with us. From her invasive surgery to year long lifestyle change.
I mean, whats so hard about being cut open then spending a year completely revamping your nutrition and fitness choices, only to now share her experience a year later, and show off what all her hard work and choices has resulted in?
Oh wait. Absolutely everything.
I am proud this article is here, and I’d run 100 more like it if it meant a woman was proud of her body and herself.
Just published today: “Two long-term follow-up studies of type 2 diabetes patients who underwent bariatric surgery have found that significant metabolic benefits generally persist for up to 5 years or longer. “To be in complete remission for 5 years had never been thought to be possible,” said the senior author of one of the studies, ….“It’s as close to a cure as you can get.”
I’m not saying that Greis was diabetic but weight loss surgery is being shown to be a POWERFUL tool in helping to fight or reverse several diseases. But it’s also a last resort as there is nothing “easy” or “quick-fix” about it.
This story is that of Greis’ actual surgery. It’s not of the 12+ months of work outs, lifestyle changes and emotional struggles that followed.
The bottom line is that Greis has worked very hard to become proud of her body. And no one should try to take that away from her.
Oh my god.. losing weight helps reverse some diseases? SHOCKING.
Again “Katie”, let’s see some credentials. Do you have a weight loss website, clinic or even class (And by class I don’t mean Jazzercise. I mean like one you’d go to with accreditation with real life professors and books that aren’t written by Dr. Seuss and labs that are actually scientifically supported by the medical community?)? “Katie” (errr, “Mary”), you’ve repeated several times on here that you’re knowledgeable about natural weight loss that works on all women. Let’s see it! I have no problem reading and taking advice from an actual licensed medical professional. However, your sarcastic remark makes me think you are nothing more than a troll who is seeking the spotlight on an issue they have no knowledge of. The truth is, you will only get support on the comments you have made from women you make up in your mind and with your keyboard. Most of the internet is supportive, especially on this site. I enjoy reading the articles posted here, and while I might not agree with every post made, I am sure to remain respectful. It’s called decorum. All I ask in regards to your comments/judgments you back up your statements with actual facts or scientific findings. Otherwise, take your uneducated cheap shots and rude comments elsewhere. Greis is an amazing person and has taken the time to share her story of weight loss surgery. I am grateful for her decision to do so. Please do not belittle what she has done, unless you have gone through it yourself. While you are entitled to not agree with her method, do not claim that you KNOW that natural weight loss is the “for-all” cure unless you are licensed to do so. Making such claims without proper authority can get you in very, very hot water.
Mary, I am 5’10″ and I weigh 135 lbs. I am not a “curvy girl,” I’m a stick girl. Yet, I love this site. I love it because regardless of the sizes of our bodies, all woman have insecurities, things they struggle with, and The Curvy Girl Guide provides a forum for us to discuss these things. I love that they cover so many different topics from a myriad of perspectives.
And quite frankly, I am disappointed that you would so harshly judge someone you don’t know. Greis has chosen to share a very personal part of her life with strangers, in the hope that her story may help someone else who is struggling with their weight.
I’d also like to point out, that I feel it’s very clear from Greis’s article that gastric bypass is not the easy way out. As someone with a background in psychology, as I was reading it, all I could think about was the emotional and psychological discipline, the will power, it would take for someone to make the kind of lifestyle changes required by the surgery. As Greis pointed out, the surgery is a TOOL to help people who have been unsuccessful with weight loss through diet and exercise. She still has to do the work. If she failed to maintain her diet or her exercise regimen, she would gain the weight back. She IS working hard, both physically and mentally.
Mary, I can’t understand your last sentence. This site is about real women, real bodies, real stories. Greis just shared her real life stories, and showed you pictures of her body and you’re saying that it doesn’t belong here? I respectfully disagree. This is exactly where it belongs.
This was hardly a quick fix for Greis. It has been a year of hard work on her part. I’m proud of my friend and I’m glad she had this opportunity to share her story with readers everywhere.
I kind of agree with Mary. I’m sure surgery has lots of hard recovery time, but she didn’t work hard. She worked hard recovering from an unecessary surgery, that’s about it. No doubt that she looks great, but this kind of story isn’t inspiring. It’s sad.
Unnecessary? Let’s see your doctorate ;)
I have to disagree with you. I talk to Greis everyday and she works out everyday. She HAS worked hard. I am glad she was able to have the surgery. Where you may see it as an unnecessary surgery, it was the push she needed to get her on the right path to feeling worthy and able to live healthy.
Who is anyone to judge how hard someone else’s journey is? I certainly am not.
Again, I have to disagree. People have gastric bypass and don’t lose weight, hell there have been Biggest Loser contestants who have previously had gastric bypass. The surgery is not a miracle. It requires hard work, requires discipline and time. Recovering from the surgery was probably the least of the work Greis has done.
This is amazing! My doctor recently suggested that I get the “band” because I’ve not been able to lose weight dieting and exercising. I’ll be honest, I was really scared of any kind of surgery, but after hearing your story (which you were so brave in sharing) maybe I can do it too. I’m so proud of you taking this step to make a healthier you. Good job, and much love!
Thanks Katie! If my story inspires even just ONE person to get healthier, whether it be by looking at surgery options or dieting options, then I’ve done my job.
I’m definitely more open to it now, where I walked out of his office before! Thanks again lady! You look amazing!!
You can’t lose weight from diet and exercise because why? you are a mutant? You clearly aren’t trying hard enough. Surgery for weight isn’t necessary, especailly at 295lbs. If it’s necessary to lose weight, then do it the old fashioned way.
Well, since you’re the expert in genetics, nutrition AND weight loss, why don’t you point me to your clinic where you practice internal medicine? Or how about posting a link to your dissertation on the subject? Your argument has no weight (no pun intended) without proof of education or experience. I’m more inclined to believe my doctor and licensed nutritionist who knows my medical and familial history than some random troll on the internet claiming to KNOW that “the old fashioned way” works for everyone. Sorry sweetheart, not buying it. What Greis did was in her best interest with the support of several medical professionals. Unless you are a medical professional with knowledge of her case, I’d suggest you not make assumptions about her health or mine.
Have a blessed day!
Congrats to you on your success! I had gastric bypass in 2004 and it’s been quite a journey. For those of you who say it’s the easy way out, please trust that it’s not. It requires just as much diet discipline and exercise commitment as anyone else making a lifestyle change would have. The weight can just fall off, sure, but not all of it – and it certainly wouldn’t stay off. I no longer exercise and have put weight back on (of course, I plan to get back on the exercise wagon – this is a lifelong commitment). The only difference, really, is that someone who has this surgery needs physical assistance to lose weight. Beyond the assistance of being forced to eat less in the beginning (you can eat more later and need to rely on your own self-control), it’s just like any other diet and exercise regiment.
And, honestly, the surgery recovery was the easiest part. The rest is much harder – again, just like it is for anyone else who commits to diet and exercise. There is no easy way out to sustained weight loss.
Way to go lady! While I understand Mary’s position when she claims that surgery is “easier” than the “traditional method” of weight loss (if you dont count recovery time, the trauma to your body, and the months of pre op preparations, the work AFTER surgery to stay healthy and get back on your feet), I do not agree with it. Surgery doesnt mean Greis didnt work hard. Classes, evaluations, heck the liquid diet before surgery ALONE must have been difficult! Plus, unless you have been in the position where you have done all you could and just CANNOT lose the weight, you have no right to say she did the wrong thing.
I do wish we got a bit more info as to what she does NOW to keep the weight off and how she is maintaining the healthy lifestyle. To me, that is the insanely difficult part, and the part that inspires me the most.
Greis, you are very very courageous for telling your story! Congrats on making a very hard decision and living a healthy lifestyle. You should be very proud of yourself. I would love to hear more about this surgery and the post-surgery regiment you keep!
Thank you Lex. I may have to do a follow up post now.
I know I’m late to the party but I’d also love to read about what you have done and continue to do post-op to achieve healthy weight loss. You look absolutely fantastic and are definitely inspirational!
I’ve written and edited a response to the criticisms here, but in the end decided not to pile on. I’ll leave it at this- Greis, I can see from your story that you have worked hard and that you are dedicated and deserving of support. Your story is inspiring!
xoxo
You are amazing for sharing your story, Greis! Seriously, amazing! Way to go, girl!!
Wow! You look great! What an amazing transformation! I can’t imagine having to go through all that you did… those endless weeks on a liquid diet, how did you do it?! Kudos to you! Looking beautiful and still curvy in all the right ways!
Just thought I’d pop up to say that I also had gastric bypass surgery in 2002, and I’ve maintained my 100-pound weight loss for the past 9 years. I think it must be really nice for those of you who think surgery is “easy” or “unnecessary.” May you never know what it’s like on the other side of that weight struggle.
I’m super-proud of Greis. She’s worked her ass off (quite literally) and she looks fantastic. I’m really proud to call her my friend.
Amen. And congrats to you on your continued success. I hate when people make assumptions and judgments on issues they know nothing about and have absolutely no experience in. I have always struggled with my weight, and like you said, would not wish that battle on anyone.
For all the commenters who Are confused as to why someone couldn’t lose weight with diet and exercise, well I am afraid I don’t have an answer as to why it sometimes doesn’t happen but I am a living example. I weigh 230 and in general, eat very well. Of course I splurge occasionally… Who doesn’t? But I am vigilant about what my children eat and that had led to not having junk in my house. It’s actually been so hot here I have eaten only fruit for all my meals the last few weeks. And I haven’t lost weight. I do have a thyroid issue which could be part of it. But guess what? I don’t care. My doctor says I am extremely healthy. My cholesterol is low and my Blood pressure is fabulous. I am able to live a normal life. However, If I was unhealthy due to the weight, I would certainly look at surgery as an option, because for some reason, despite a healthy and active lifestyle, I just don’t drop weight. It happens.
What a wonderful story and a beautiful transformation you went through! congratulations! Best of luck to you on future success!
Ack..I tried so hard to just give Greis my support and love, but I cannot stand the people who say this is an easy way out. I had surgery done by the same clinic (father and son run the clinic that Greis and I went to) and mine was about 6 months before Greis. I feel like you could all be saying the same negative things about ME and I just can’t stand by. Weight loss sugery is a tool designed to help people lose weight in order to improve their health. I had no other health problems and chose the weight loss surgery in order to LOSE WEIGHT. I knew I could not continue to be so lucky with my health had I not made the decision to lose the weight now. I was not always going to have low blood pressure or skirt around a diabetes diagnosis if I continued on the path I was on.
Obesity is a disease recognized by the medical community. If someone had cardiac issues, and required surgery to improve their health, would you tell them they are taking the easy way out? Why not tell them that they just need to diet and exercise? Do you frown upon people with diabetes who use insulin and other medications as a tool to help control their disease and improve their health? Why do people who have never been on this side of the disease think it is ok to judge us? We work HARD to get where we are at, using the TOOL of gastric bypass to help us towards better health. If you think this is easy, I’d invite you over to my house to watch as I plan my meals to ensure I get enough protein, take my vitamins to ensure I don’t have deficiencies, and exercise to make sure I don’t stall on my weight loss.
Greis, you have done an amazing job! I am proud to call you a friend and I think you deserve all the praise in the world!
It makes me wonder if we’re not speaking to something altogether different that we’ve not considered: issues of wealth. If you’re in poverty and eating mac and cheese and high fat/high calorie food that is affordable, then seeing surgery as an option is a luxury and that equals “ease”. We do that with all things “easy” and we (okay, mostly me) link things like this to being wealthy enough to afford it. Thoughts of “If only I had the MONEY, then weight loss would be EASIER for me”.
Was it easy for her to come up with the money to do this? Probably not. I don’t know your finances, Greis, but neither do any commenters here. I am one of those who is torn on this issue and that’s not at all to say that you have had it easy. But if I were to think about the variable that got you here and witnessed only the after effects (i.e. the post-surgery photos) then I would be inclined to think “Huh. Musta been much easier for her to lose the weight.”
What people are NOT seeing is the working out you had to do and the counting of calories and watching of carbs and fat and all the bullshit that comes with losing weight in the first place. You DID all those things. But they see it as a luxury of having been afforded the option to have that little extra surgery to help you get there.
This is a bigger issue than just the losing of weight and the how of it. I, for one, will cut her some slack because she’s already put herself out there to bring up this controversial discussion.
Kelly, I adore you. Thank you for putting into words what was circling in my brain but couldn’t type out on my phone.
Greis, I love and adore you and I’ve seen the tremendous change in you over the past couple of years of knowing you and I know how hard you work every single day.
I am SO proud of you. You are a strong, beautiful amazing woman.
this! love you greis…so proud!!
Greis, you’ve done a great job and I’m proud of you. I’m sorry that you’re being attacked for sharing something that has made you so happy and healthy.
You already know this but for all the haters who don’t know you and your whole story…. I AM PROUD OF YOU! You look amazing! Every time I see you check into the gym I smile. Keep working hard mama! Love you!
You? You are fucking Amazing. Congratulations to you on the first year of such a difficult change.
This is one of the reasons I love this site!!
WAY TO GO, GREIS! I am so proud of you!
XOXOXOXOXO
Can I go a bit off the GBP topic? For the people who are worried and concerned and feel the need to defend her and her decision – take note there are only a couple of nasty people replying and FAR more supportive. Why does it become so easy to focus only on the negatives and forget the positives? If you look at it in percentages those who disagree and minimal and wasting too much energy on them isn’t worth it as they won’t do anything but say the same crap anyway. Ignore them and you will feel a lot better.
Congratulations to you! I know surgery is a hard road. My SIL had a gastric bypass 5 years ago and it is a daily struggle to keep on top of your nutrition and exercise. It has changed her life for the better, and I can see that it has done the same for you! Kudos to you for sharing!
Way to go, Greis! Congratulations!
You look AMAZING!
AMAZING! Just all around Amazing inspiring and BRAVE!!!!!
I have to admit, I was one who thought that surgery was the easy way out, UNTIL this year. I can guarantee to any of you who think this is the easy way out, you are wrong. One of my best friends had this surgery done in December. She was afraid to tell even her closest friends because she feared the reaction that she was taking the easy way out. First off, to even get approved for the surgery, she tried everything from a personal trainer to any and all diets. The insurance company monitored her and went down the path with her. As you know, insurance companies are stingy with covering claims, yet they covered hers. Without this surgery, she may have died from a stroke.
So as I have walked this journey with her, I have found many things have changed. She has changed her life completely, what she eats, what she does and her attitude. If she eats something with sugar in it or a cracker that has been fried by accident- she vomits. If she doesn’t chew her food correctly and the right amount of times, she vomits. The pain and the effort have been worth it for her and her health has turned around. This is NOT the easy way out. It is a lifestyle change 24×7, no cheats and no changing her mind.
Greis- I am so proud and happy for you! Congrats on a hard fought fight for health, for life and for happiness.
YAY GREIS!!! Thank you for having the courage to write your story, for having the courage to change your lifestyle. The EASY thing to do would have been to say “I can’t lose weight altering my diet and exercising” and to give up. I am so proud of you for taking control and doing what was best for YOU. Love ya girl!!
Many congratulations – you look amazing, and I’m sure you FEEL even better!
Greis, I think you are inspiring and I am SO proud of all the hard work you’ve put in the last year – and I know you will continue to work hard for the rest of your life!
xoxo
Greis
What a transformation, you look absolutely fabulous. I am in awe of your courage and strength, to put your story out there and be “judged” by others is something I don’t think many of us could ever do. You have worked damn hard to get where you are and don’t let any ass tell you otherwise. Be proud girl, you deserve it and that applause you hear is coming all the way from California. Love you
132.8 pounds?? AMAZING!! I’m 4’11 and 195, my doctor sent me to our hospital’s weight loss center, but I didn’t qualify for surgery because I “only” have 50 pounds to lose. I’m glad to hear you aren’t having any food issues because the stories I heard at that center about food getting “stuck” and about “dumping” were scary. Thanks for sharing your story!
Gorgeous. Outside and in. xo.
You are inspiring and amazing! I wish you continued success on this life long journey.
Fuck the haters. Hard, with something blunt and splintered.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey! Count me as at least one of the people you have inspired. I have been considering a lap band, got the go-ahead from my personal doctor, got the initial paperwork from a highly recommended surgeon,…and have stalled there. I need to get the process in gear and you have convinced me to keep going!
I, like others, would love to hear more follow up from you! Best wishes on your continued journey!
Congrats! You look fabulous, and I bet you feel even better!
And I had to come back and say that I love that you are smiling in your post-surgery pictures. Did you even realize? Man, you’re the bomb.
So proud of you, Greis!
Rock on!
Wow. Just wow. Very proud of you! :)
Liscensed health professional here! Way to go Greis! I was trained at a gastric bypass center, actually where the procedure was invented. Anyone who thinks this is easy is crazy! This is major surgery with a long preparation and long recovery. Maintaining the weight loss requires constant discipline. The best thing Greis did was educate herself about her options and make an informed choice!
I liked the comment talking about how regardless of size we all face a struggle. People in general seem way to quick to judge, so while I think this post explains a lot, I am certain there are wide swaths of experience that didn’t make it in here.
I appreciate this space for how varied the stories are, just like women’s shapes and scenarios.
Greis, you are an amazing inspiration! I have struggled with my weight and body image my whole life and I have also watched countless family members struggle with their weight and body image. I applaud you for doing something about it. Too many people would just give up. You didn’t, you have fought hard to get this way. So what if you had surgery to help you out. It is amazing that we live in a country where this is possible. Bravo to you dear! Also thank you to the Curvy Girl Guide for publishing your story!
ah! so cool. i just had a gastric bypass less than 2 weeks ago :)
Good luck to you!!
Thank you for sharing your story Greis!! I have struggled with weight constantly, and am so frustrated with myself, and the cycles I put myself through. I lose weight, something throws me into depression, I eat emotionally, i get more upset since i’m gaining the weight back, and then get motivated again. Weight is such a struggle for so many people, and I thank you for making your stuggle so public- you truly have inspired me! Your photos are amazing, and it was so neat to see that. Thank you again for sharing your story, and being so inspiring!
I have a friend who also did this and I asked him flat out why he went through the surgery in the first place, especially since if you are seriously over weight you *DO* need to drop some poundage on your own.
He was honest about it and said no matter what I did, I couldn’t maintain a healthy weight, some people can’t. He’s a third of the size he used to be and looks great, but like he said it’s a permanent lifestyle change that you have to commit to for the rest of your life.
I’m a Chef IRL so diets and surgery are a career killer for me personally but I commend anyone who does this for the right reasons and sticks it out! I seen an episode on this very topic on Dr. OZ and it was very informative and educational.
For the hater(s) I feel that they’re just jealous. They’re likely wishing that they could do the same but don’t have the means or the insurance to do so. Just my opinion mind you. In any case, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and sometimes they stink more then others!
You look fabulous lady! Congratulations and best of luck!
Congrats Greis! You look great. My sister had the surgery 4 years ago and is now pregnant getting ready to give birth to her first child. :) We are so excited for her. Her pregnancy has gone very smoothly and her surgery was a non issue. :)
I do think it’s wonderful that you have found peace with yourself and lost weight, way to go! But I do have a question. I am always reading that to successfully lose weight and keep it off, you need to deal with the emotional reasons why you became overweight to begin with. If you lose weight this way (not meaning a quick fix, as I’m aware it isn’t, but a one day event that leads to weight loss), how do you figure this out in order to keep your weight off long term? Does it just end up becoming part of your journey, something you figure out along the way as you begin losing weight after the surgery? Did you discover anything new about yourself after that has helped you keep the weight off? Just curious!
Again, congratulations on your success!
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