I woke up this morning and concluded that the VSG has saved and changed my life. I am 52 years old and I had the procedure last May at 235 (after a loss of 15 before the procedure) and weighed in this morning at 159. That is 76 lbs since the surgery and 91 total.  At 5'9, that is a very healthy BMI. I wear a size 6 pants (used to be a 20 or 22). My blood work three weeks ago was completely normal for the first time since I started keeping track (over 9 years ago). Glucose had been prediabetic, triglicerides off the chart, CReactive Protein very high, etc etc. All normal!  I can work out easily now, my knees do not hurt, my skin has shrunk so does not look loose at all, my plantar fasciitis is gone, and I can tolerate all foods - even milk again finally. 

I am still losing at a rate of .5 pounds a week, but I still log everything I eat. Even though I can't eat much it is very easy for calories to sneak in.  And is it still crucial to get in that protein.

So for all those out there considering this procedure, please know that I feel completely normal (at 8 mos out) with the exception of the number of doggy bags/take home boxes I have in my fridge because I never finish a meal.  Hunger is there, but it is easily satisfied with something small or is actually thirst in disguise. 

Best of luck to all those about to have the procedure. You will not regret it!

Susan, I completely agree with everything you said. At 51 yo VSG has totally changed my life. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!

Congrats to you!

Hi-jack....Corky!  Thats a one a cute avatar!!!

You go Corkey...

Well done!

Aloha Susan- I agree with you- I feel as though I have my life back now! I eat normal stuff every day, just tiny amounts. Food no longer occupies ny thoughts 24/7, that in itself is a n exhilarating feeling! The lack of hunger is astoundingly liberating. My monthly food bill is less, my entire family eats better, I do not miss the caffeine or my Diet Pepsis---- in fact I'll be able to pay for plastics in a few years with the lack of Diet Pepsi/fast food expenditures! I giggle every morning that I get on the scale- XOXOLori

YES, we agree..

Amen 
i'm 56 yrs old, and only 2 months /2 wks out, and i'm feeling so blessed every morning that i wake-up. 

i throught i was blessed before surgery, to wake every morning, when i had to struggle to get out the bed and drag myself through life.  i always thanked God for life and another chance to get it right, everyday. 

but God said, mydear, i'm going to show you what having the gift of life is really like.... because i have a great plan for your life, mydear

Amen

Absolutely!

I think we must be twin sisters of different mothers.
I am 53, was 52 at time of surgery
I started out weighing 236 and was 251 the morning of surgery
I  now weigh 157 and went from size 26/28 to 12/14.
I am only 5 ft tall but otherwise our stats are almost identical.
I guess that answers my question about others having results similar to mine.

I could not agree more.   I am 51 years young and blessed !!

I am almost 7 months out and can eat anything thing in small portions.   I  feel absolute normalcy  !!


The VSG  rocks :)

I am not sure I am normal, but I sure eat healthy portions these days. Normal for me is a bit of a stretch

WHOO HOO!!! WTG!!!

Susan what a great post. I am so happy for you and your success. Getting healthy is a wonderful thing. And a new better looking wardrobe is so fun.
I feel the same way about this sleeve being a miracle. Although I am only half way to goal I already feel liberated from the hunger beast. I am satisfied with small amounts now. Before I never felt satisfied. I would always worry if there was enough food when going to a dinner party or event. I would pack way too much food just for a long road trip, even though there are fast food place's in abundance everywhere on the highways. I am no longer hiding inside the house, I go out for walks and ride a bike with my daughter!
I stand straighter and feel confident that I am not a failure or worthless because of my weight struggles. The sleeve is a tool and has helped me gain control of what seemed to me a never ending problem. I was overwhelmed with despair. The weight the depression the injuries the low self esteem...it all compounded on top of each other. It was like a vicious cycle I couldn't break, I felt like I was drowning. This surgery has broken the cycle and allowed me to come up for air. I can't wait to take my daughter to the pool this summer and actually enjoy it. Instead of being so consumed with self loathing that I could not even enjoy life's everyday pleasures. I am finding myself and discovering I can love the person who has been hiding under the layers of protective fat. This surgery has given me another chance at life and it is truly a miracle.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words, shared stories, and for the discovery of my long lost sister!  Weight battles are awful; you want to stop eating, but you are still hungry - you want to exercise, but your body hurts too much - you want to take normal vacations at resorts that involve swimsuits and shorts, but you are too embarrassed - you want to share in activities with your kids, but can often see the embarrassment (real or imagined) in their eyes.  This procedure has freed me from all these internal wars and I will be forever grateful!

Good luck to all; and my only warning is to keep to the objective of 'mindful' eating. Even with tiny portions, calories really do creep up. I stalled at 168 and started logging and was shocked to see I was eating over 2000 calories a day. I am now at 1200 a day and should reach goal in the next  few weeks.  In the old days I would be starving at 1200 calories a day; not any more!

On a side note, a wonderful FREE iPhone application for tracking calories, nutrients, and exercise is called 'Lose It."  I highly recommend it; very easy to use and eye opening!