osodeldesierto
My name is Eric. I am post op from the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and am doing great!
My PCP urged me to consider WLS in May, 2005, almost three years before I did it, on the grounds of medical necessity, but I was still convinced I could do it all on my own. Not gonna happen! At that time, I weighed 540 pounds on a 6'4" frame. I lost 90 pounds in a year, but gained more than 40 back after a few months because I stopped walking daily and returned to unhealthy eating. After that, I re-lost the 40 pounds plus 10 more, then regained it all, then lost 20 pre-op. On February 13, 2008, the morning of surgery, I weighed 470. At seven weeks post op, I've lost 70 pounds and am at 399.5. Dr. Chiasson's goal for me is 215.
I had years of dieting weight losses (Weight Watchers, Adkins, Scarsdale, Dr. Phil, Dr. Anrew Weil, self-hypnosis, you name it) followed by greater re-gains. I just couldn't deal with the yo-yo thing anymore. I was mostly a thin person with a "Normal" BMI until my mid-20s - people didn't recognize me at my last high school reunion because of my extreme obesity! I am working on becoming physically active again and I want to eliminate or dramatically reduce my co-morbidities: severe sleep apnea (I use a CPAP at the highest setting), hypertension, osteoartritis in hips, knees, and ankles, gout in both feet and the left hand, and venous problems in my legs and feet. I am only 42 and can have many great, healthy years of active life to enjoy!
I am a recovering alcoholic/addict who has been clean and sober for more than 12 years, and I have no doubt that my addictive/compulsive behavior shifted to eating when I got sober, so the surgery alone won't do the trick. WLS is just one tool in my "life change" toolbox. I am in counseling for my food obsession, may go back into OA, and am trying to regain healthy eating and exercise habits for the rest of my life. I am willing to do whatever it takes...
