One year...

[Cross posting to VSG Forum and VSG Maintenance Group]

It's already April 24th in India - and one year ago today I started my 2 month pre-diet in preparation for surgery on June 25th.

To say things have gone well is a gross understatement.  I've been very very lucky and have had no real issues from the start.  It took me almost exactly 7 months to go from start (2 months pre-diet) to surgery to goal (5 months post-surgery).  I have now been in maintenance for 5 months - the same amount of time that it took me to lose the post-surgery weight.  So far it's gone pretty well, I've really maintained in a 5 pound band with more dips below the band than above.  I may have to re-evaluate slightly as I'm gaining muscle through increased work outs, but I'm OK with that as long as I also monitor body fat percentage and maintain a lower BF.  Addition of weight through lean muscle should not be a cause for fear :)

I am VERY thankful that I found the VSG forum and the VSG maintenance group - the amount of support, knowledge and great examples has helped me immensely on my personal journey.  I love reading the stories of long-term success and I've learned valuable lessons from people who have struggled.  I especially find it helpful to have a place where I can share my victories and problems with people who instantly know what I'm talking about.

So thank you all!

Here's my starting picture:

And here i am at a birthday party in Paris last week :

Awesome job, jub.

You look fantastic!

You look great!!! Congrats!

Nice!

Congratulations!

Congrats Tom.  You've been totally inspiring from the start. 

I'm really looking forward to hearing all about your race this weekend!  I'd love to know how long it took you, how you felt during the race (endurance-wise), what you ate before and during the race to keep your energy up...alll of that.  I'd wish you luck, but I don't think you need it :-)

Again, congrats on your progress!

Fiona

I will definitely report back.  I use a Garmin to track Heart Rate, Cadence, Speed and Power output, so I'll have LOTS of statistics.  I'm really looking forward to it.  We have a small group of 6 riding as a team (all of us have the same coach), and many will be working up to a 300km event in August.  Our coach is an "ultracyclist" who does things like ride events where he goes 400-500 miles without sleeping...

The nutrition will be interesting with the sleeve.  I believe I'll be sticking mostly to liquid / gel products so I can get enough calories through my system.  Digestion seems to be a bit difficult for some while riding, and with the VSG, i don't want to cause any issues.

-Tom 

Looking forward to it!  Oh, and in case I forget to ask you later, I'd really be interested to know what kind of elevation gain you'll be dealing with. 

Fiona

Not huge - 2000 feet - this is Minnesota after all.

Next month in New York it's over 7000.

200k in July is 7200 feet. (Wisconsin)

300k in August is 20,000 feet of gain. (also Wisconsin) Ouch - that's gonna hurt :).

Well, I hope you enjoy this Minnesota one because NY and WI sound TOUGH!

Congratulations!  You look terrific!