5.5 Years Later
Hi Everyone! So it has been 5.5 years since I had my VSG. I had a starting weight of 359, probably higher since that weight was recorded 3 weeks prior to surgery. I got down to my lowest weight of 199 after I had a lower body lift, my weight always sits between 205 and 208 (today I am 207). My surgeons original goal weight was between 190 and 195, which I never hit, but I would rather maintain at a slightly higher number than struggle and yo-yo to be 15 pounds lighter - he agrees. To say this has been an easy journey would be a lie. I still see a 360 pound person in the mirror, I still want to fill up my plate, and I would be lying if I said I don't miss the McDonald's sometimes but it has all been very worth it. I do find that my stomach has settled a bit, and I can definitely eat more like a "normal" person now. I would say I can eat approx 1/3 to 1/2 of a meal at a restaurant depending on what it is and the size of it. While at home, I continue to eat off of small lunch size plates, and do the best to meal prep when possible but I should definitely be more diligent about it. I struggle every day with the water intake, something I desperately need to work on. I find myself in the gym 4-5x a week, and I am currently training for a tough mudder in the spring! Next will be a half marathon. I have had two plastic surgeries - a lower body lift on 12/22/2014 and an upper body lift on 8/4/2016 - things that I never really thought I would have to do, but with the way my skin was, it was inevitable. I am committing to coming back to check this forum more often, as it definitely helped keep me accountable for the first three years of this journey; but life happens. I am attaching some pictures here as well. Happy losing to each and every one of you. I hope your journey brings you as much success and happiness as mine has.
Pre Surgery: May 2011
November 2016
Saturday December 3
