Two and a half years out from my surgery date, I find I am maintaining a stable weight with a normal BMI.  Hooray for me!  

I was not a quick loser – I did not reach my goal until 15 months out.  I attribute this to my age and the fact that I cannot exercise full out like many of you due to my acute (or chronic) fatigue syndrome. However, I reached goal and am actually maintaining below my surgeon’s and my weigh****cher’s goal.  I anticipate that I might lose a few more pounds when I finally have my plastic surgery.   I still strive to follow the rules of the surgery. Protein first. Then veggies.  Then “good” carbs if I have room.  I stray from this plan from time to time, and I don’t feel guilty about it. (This is how normal people eat.)   I have NO food intolerances. I can eat anything I want, without problems, side effects or dumping.  If I’m hungry, I eat. It’s that simple.   No more guilt, no more diets, no unrelieved hunger/starvation that was supposed to be good for me, and no more self-imposed food restrictions while chasing yet another ill-conceived diet that was destined to fail.  

For me, the VSG was a wonderful choice.  I greatly benefited from the advice of some incredibly kind and patient women who are a couple of years ahead of me in this journey.  If any of you have questions, I’d be happy to try to answer them.  

Best wishes to each of you.

WOW girl 2.5 years out!  That is such an inspiration to us that are new to this journey. 

BTW what size is your Bougie?  Since you are maintaing so easy I want to ask

Thank you!

My surgical group uses a 32 bougie.  Although I can tolerate much more food than during the first six months, I still need to split a meal with a friend when I eat out, and I rarely finish my half.
 

Thanks so much Evelyn.  This kind of message really helps those of us trying to make a decision about what surgery type to go with. 

You can research till the cows come home but it doesn't give you a sense of the reality of living with your choice. I think we all tend to be drawn towards the stories of failures and revisions which can get discouraging.

Thanks for sharing.

Milauran

You are welcome Milauran.  I encourage you to keep researching your surgical options and choose the one that is right for you.  There are advantages to each of these surgeries.

AWESOME!!!! WOW. Congrats

Thanks Leah!  And look at YOU, you are doing great yourself!

CONGRATULATIONS Evelyn on your 2.5 year surgiversary! That is amazing and you are a true source of encouragement for us newbies. I am having surgery on 21/04 and am really getting excited. The OH site has been so helpful and thanks to people like you who give us your wise words of experience.
All the best for much continued great success! JB

Hello Evelyn,

I remember reading your posts when I started my journey.  I'm so glad to hear you are still doing so well.  I am about 3 months in to my "maintenance" and it's been pretty easy so far. 

Thanks for giving us all an update!

Brooke K

Hi there Brooke!  Look how well you have done!  You will be posting an "old-timer's" report before you know it!

Thanks JB!  You have done all the prep and research and you are going to do so well with your sleeve!

You are such an inspiration!  It is good to hear how you "oldies" are getting along and how life is for you.  Thanks so much for posting.  And congratulations on your wonderful progress!    --Dorothy

Thanks Dorothy!  Life after VSG is pretty darned good!

Congratulations on your success!  Thank you for paying it forward and sharing with us.......it's one of the best things about this forum!  I look forward to doing the same in the future!

Continued success in all that you do..........especially with chronic fatigue.  That is a battle unto itself.  Has that improved at all with the weight loss?

Thanks again for sharing!

Thanks for the good wishes!  The fatigue thing has not gotten better. But, it's sure a lot better being tired and THIN than being tired and FAT! 

You are doing extremely well. Congrats on your success!

Congrats on getting below goal and maintaining.  Your post it is so encouraging for those of us early in this journey to hear from those who have been there, done it and been a success.  I especially like hearing from those who now live a "normal" life not one obsessed with food, but are still able to maintain.

Thank you  

Ceelions

Congrats to you!

It's always good to hear about people who are maintaining because it's hard to believe it's really possible sometimes.

Congrats Evelyn, you have done a great job on your journey. I remember reading all your post when I didn't have a life due to my weight and the beginning of my journey.  The V.S.G. has so changed my life, all for the better.