Maggie71
Giving Back
Mar 22, 2013
Someone in an earlier post stated that we patients who are successful need to give back. I took a lot from this website, always reading getting information that helped me to make my own decision. It gave me a realistic picture of my future.
This is my giving back. I am almost two years out. I have gone below my doctor's recommended goal, although I think they are going to re-evaluate and give me a different goal. I had the Sleeve on July 13, 2011 weighing in at 270 lbs. I am now 172 lbs, and although that sounds like a lot, my body composition test said I should be between 185-195lbs. That's why I'm going for another one next week and that just might change. Either way, I went from a size 26 womens, to a 14. I have struggled all my adult life with weight. I was 58 when I had the surgery. Turning 60 would have been a disaster for me had I not lost the weight. My 60th birthday felt like the best birthday I have had in a long time. I know everyone has said this, but the surgery was the best thing I have done for myself ever. It has given me the life I always wanted to lead. Energy, feeling good about myself, painless, etc.
Now the work really begins, as my doctor has told me. I am working hard at losing 10 more pounds, exercising, but most importantly, not gaining. Believe me, you can gain. If you go back to doing what you did before the surgery, you will gain. It's a balance of making the changes in your life that you needed to change with a brand new tool.
I will be diligent about posting and hopefully, can be helpful to those who are on the fence trying to decide and for those who have had the surgery and need a little help.
This board is full of so many good, helpful people. Don't be afraid to tap into their journey.
