A Look at my 36-Pound Pre-Op Weight Loss | Take Progress Photos Now

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Updated 6/13/2019 to provide you with a consistently awesome experience here at Stop Weighting, Start Doing!

In just two months, I’ve lost 36 pounds. It hasn’t been easy, especially over the holidays. However, I consistently remind myself of my goals, my motivation behind losing weight and why I’m pursuing weight loss surgery. These factors motivate me to keep going, especially when I want to give up. I’m almost at my pre-op weight loss goal, so it’s super exciting to feel like I’m making progress and taking the steps I need to be healthier. The differences in my comparison photos is astounding, and I am so glad that I decided to take these pictures. If you are just starting on your weight loss journey, don’t give up! Even when times are hard, and you just want to give in. Don’t give up hope. We all lose weight at different rates. I believe in you!

A scale with an apple, tape measure, and hand weights on it. A look at my 36 pound weight loss.

Pre-Op Weight Loss Goal

When I met my surgeon for my first pre-op appointment, he told me I needed to lose 50 pounds prior to surgery. Well as of writing this post on February 12, 2018, I have lost 36 pounds! I only have to lose another 14 pounds before my surgeon gives me the OK to proceed with surgery. I still have to finish a lot of my clearances and pre-op classes, but I can see the finish line! It’s so motivating not only to see the scale drop but also my clothes fitting better, having more energy and sleeping better. This journey is not easy, not by a long shot, but keeping my reasons for losing weight forefront in my mind helps keep me motivated.

My reasons for losing weight are numerous. My biggest reasons are my nieces and nephews, both the ones related to me by blood and those related by love. I want to be able to see them grow up and do amazing things. I want to dance at their weddings and hold their babies. To be able to be a part of their lives, to run, to play, to take them on rides at amusement parks, it’s what keeps me going. They are my motivating factor for doing this hard work. I’m also trying to improve my life. I was so unhappy at my heaviest, and I’m slowly starting to make my life my own. I know that losing weight is going to help me get where I want to be.

Weight Loss Photo Progress

I started taking progress photos every few weeks in the same outfit to get a fair comparison of my body size and shape. I am so glad I decided to do these photos! Sometimes, it’s hard to see the pre-op weight loss when I look in the mirror. Even though I know the scale has gone down, and I’ve lost weight, it’s hard for me to see the differences in myself. Doing these comparison pictures helps me see the difference. I’ll continue doing these pictures, and may change to just taking them every 25 pounds I lose. I can’t wait to see a timeline progression at the end of my journey.

Without further ado, below are my comparison pictures. My stomach definitely looks smaller, and even my legs appear to be a little smaller.

A comparison of my front from losing 36 pounds. A look at my 36-pound weight loss.

On the side view, I can see less rolls and a thinner stomach.

A comparison of my side from losing 36 pounds. A look at my 36-pound weight loss.

I see the biggest difference in the back view, which looks less like an ogre than I originally did.

A comparison of my back from losing 36 pounds. A look at my 36-pound weight loss.

Reflections on My Journey

Nothing about this weight loss surgery journey comes easy. I have to work each and every day to make my dreams a reality. I talk myself down from the brownies just like you do. Exercise is sometimes forced. I adopt a “Fake it ’till you make it” attitude. Even when I don’t want to do something, I fake it until I either enjoy it or get it over with. Either way, the job gets done.

It’s not that I have an insane amount of will power to complete these tasks. I just consistently remind myself of my goals and why I am so determined to lose this time. I revisit my goals each day. It keeps things in perspective. I also know that I didn’t put on this weight overnight, so it’s not going to come off overnight.

So here I am, laying it all out for you. Showing you the good, bad and ugly of weight loss surgery. I’m encouraging you to make healthier life choices, showing you my progress, and hoping I can somehow give you the confidence to take the first step. As my favorite blogger and mentor Ruth Soukup says, I’m doing it scared! Weight loss surgery is life changing, and even though it’s only been two months, I can see the wheels in motion for the changes coming in my life. You can make the changes too. I believe in you so much. You are capable of far more than you realize.

Excited for the Future

Two months isn’t a long time, but I have come so far and learned so much already. I am so close to my pre-op goal, I can taste it! I’m going to keep pushing for that first 50 pounds to prove to my doctor that I am committed and able to stick with the lifestyle changes. The photo comparison keeps me motivated and excited for the future and what’s to come. I can’t wait to see myself in another year! Keeping my goals and motivation forefront in my mind is what helps me succeed and stay on track. You can succeed too. I believe in you! Take this journey with me, it’s one that’s never ending. We’re always going to need motivation, hard work and dedication to the bariatric lifestyle. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it!

If this article gave you some great ideas to incorporate into your life, just imagine what other amazing strategies I have for you! Share this post on social media by clicking one of the sharing buttons, and don’t forget to join my email list! You’ll be the first to get updates, access to my new products and lots of tips, inspiration and motivation to help in your bariatric surgery journey. Just for joining, I’ll send you a free weight loss coloring chart, as well as some other pretty awesome goodies to keep you motivated. Join today!

How much weight do you need to lose before weight loss surgery?

There isn’t one answer to this question, as it’s dependent on a lot of factors, such as starting weight, co-morbidities, insurance requirements and doctor requirements. Typically 5 to 10 percent of your heaviest weight is what is recommended to lose. Remember, the less you weigh, the less risky weight-loss surgery is.

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