3 Years ago today....

cappy11448
on 5/1/16 8:28 am, edited 5/4/16 10:28 pm

Three years ago today I had my sleeve surgery. Like everyone, I was nervous, but I was also sure of my choice to have surgery. I was 63 years old, and morbidly obese. I knew that if I didn't have surgery, my life was going to be a downward spiral of less mobility, less energy, more and more health problems, and an early death. I knew I had to give the surgery a try.

 

I didn't think I'd succeed. I had failed at maintaining my weight for decades. I started at 385 pounds. I would have been happy just to be under 300 pounds again. I never thought I'd ever be under 200 pounds. When others would post that they were in One-derland, I'd think, that will never be me.

Well, I did make it to one-derland. In fact, I made it to 160 pounds and a normal BMI. And I've been maintaining for 2 years within a few pounds of goal. Weight loss surgery really works! It will work for you, too.

I do want to stress that it wasn't easy. Obesity is a disease, and WLS is a treatment for obesity, not a cure. We need to be diligent in maintaining our weight for the rest of our lives. But the sleeve makes it possible. Not easy, but possible.

When I decided to have the surgery, I called up a friend/acquaintance who had wls about 5 years before and had been strongly encouraging me to do the same. I thought she'd be so happy that I had decided to do it. But when I talked to her, I found that she had gained back most of the weight she had lost. I asked her why. She had been so committed and determined to lose the weight. She told me that she basically ignored the rules. She would drink water with her meals, got into grazing rather than having meals, and wouldn't eat dense protein first, etc. She was able to get away with it for the first 18 months or so, but eventually the weight gain began, and she was not able to get a handle on it again. 

Her failure scared me, and I decided right then that if I was going to do something as drastic as removing half my tummy, I was going to follow the rules. I was going to be the most compliant patient they ever had! And I was. I started the post op diet immediately after my initial consult and lost 50 pounds before surgery.  I exercised even though I hated exercising. And I exercised every day because I knew that if I gave myself a day off it would become a habit and do me in. 

And it worked.  It wasn't easy, but it was possible. So I am here in deep gratitude for my sleeve and so grateful that there is an effective treatment for obesity. 

I hope you all will share my success and share your stories.  This really works.

Carol

 

The pictures below are my high weight, one year post op and some recent pictures from my trip to New Zealand and Australia. I'm having trouble with the insert picture feature,  but there are more pics on my profile, if you are interested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

lxl_Miz_lxl
on 5/1/16 8:35 am
VSG on 01/11/16

I think that too.. that it wont work for me, but so far it is and I am amazed.  I wasn't ever given a goal weight and when asked I said, I just want to feel better, feel healthier and be able to do more physically. I assume once I get there I'll know. 

You are wonderful Cappy and such a source of inspiration .. thank you for keeping it honest and real! 

 

cappy11448
on 5/1/16 2:08 pm

Thank you for your kind words. 

I really didn't have a goal weight for most of my weight loss.  I just kept going until I was under 200, then I set a goal at 190 -(no longer obese), then 180.  When I got to 180 I still had a lot of belly, so I kept going until at 160, I decided it was enough - that put me in the normal BMI range. I still had a huge belly, but it turns out it was mostly skin.  The surgeon removed 5.5 pounds of skin when I had my tummy tuck.

I think having a flexible goal works just fine.

best wishes.

Carol

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

(deactivated member)
on 5/1/16 9:02 am

Congratulations. You have done a great job. I love your  house to. It is beautiful. The flowers are so pretty to. 

cappy11448
on 5/1/16 2:10 pm

I wi**** were my house.  Its a lovely little house in the tiny town of Akaroa, New Zealand.

best wishes,

Carol

    

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385,  Surgery Weight 333,  Current Weight 160.  At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12  8-8

                  9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3  18-3

     

seabexlose
on 5/1/16 9:06 am
VSG on 04/12/16 with

Congratulations!  You have done an amazing job and I learn so much from your experience.

Starry Eyed
on 5/1/16 9:18 am
VSG on 04/20/16

Congrats!  You are an inspiration!!

High Weight: 307 Start Weight: 297 (11/5/15) Surgery Weight: 278 (4/20/16) Pre-Op: (-19) M1: (-24) M2: (-8) M3: (-10) M4: (-9) M5: (-7) M6: (-6) M7: (-7) M8: (-5) M9: (-4) M10: (-3) M11: (-5) CW: 185

"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations."

obioxiupa
on 5/1/16 9:48 am

Thanks for the inspiration and the wisdom!  You've done an amazing job.  I'm one week post op and trying to figure it all out - and can't even imagine getting to where you are.  I look to your example - follow dr guidelines - and hope I can follow in your footsteps.

 

tara

Vsg April 25th 2016 with Benjamin Shadle.

Starting weight 351, surgery weight 331

M1 -22.2 M2 - 14.2 M3 -8.9 M4 - 12.1 M5 - 4.7

8/22/2016 Lost 60.1 since surgery.  Lost 78.2 overall.

Goals:  1)Get under 300 - done!  Yeah!  2) Get under 280 (Yeah met this on 8/10/16) 3)Get under 268 (stay tuned!)

katblue
on 5/1/16 11:19 am
VSG on 04/06/16

First, congratulations!!!  What an accomplishment!!!!  You are an inspiration to me.  I am less than a month out from surgery but it is because of you (and others) that are kind enough to share details about their journey that have given me the confidence that I CAN actually achieve my goal weight!  I'm learning what to do, what not to do, which nutrient numbers to focus on, etec.  You are particularly inspirational because I am in my mid 50's and it seems that most people that have had this procedure are much younger.  I was told that age would slow down the rate of loss and that I shouldn't even expect to be able to achieve my goal weight.  But your success says otherwise! Also, I have noticed that you are very active in posting in this forum by encouraging and supporting others on this journey.  

Thank you for sharing.  And again, congratulations!  Well deserved!

 

 

 

5'7"  Start Wt 268.5 / VSG SURGERY 4/6/16 249.5 / CW 192

 / GOAL 158

M1-24  M2-9  M3-11.9 M4 - in progress

LeapSecond
on 5/1/16 12:59 pm - AR

Congratulations.  You look great!  3 years of taking back your health.  I too was on the cusp of a downward spiral with my health.  Look forward to your posts.

HW=362(6/14) SW=314(9/14) GW=195 CW=270 (1-26-2020)

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