It's been three years now

I'm sorry to say that I haven't been active on this board in quite a while.  My excuse is that I do a lot of traveling (just returned from Japan) and am active or several other boards. For whatever the reason I decided to post today following my third re-birthday. Yesterday I celebrated the third birthday of my sleeve.  I thought of these years that have gone by and felt so lucky that I had chosen the sleeve.  Up to 3 years ago I had never experienced a stable weight.  Either I was dieting, with all the deprivations that entails, or I was eating without limits and sooner or later my weight returned and then some.  I'm under 5' in height so each pound makes a real difference.   There were times that I said to myself that perhaps I needed to accept that I would be a fat person.  But my weight never stabilized!

Almost five years ago my brother underwent a DS, lost 180 pounds, and felt that he had renewed his life.  Less than two years later my husband decided that he too was going to have a DS and I said to myself "I want it too."  Because the extra weight I was carrying was "only" about 55 pounds my surgeon in Spain suggested the Sleeve, something new both to me and to the general public. I worried that I would lose the weight and then regain it, or that I would be hungry all the time but I decided "Yes, I have to do something."

Today I am three years after my surgery and I am delighted with my decision.  My weight  stays between 121 and 125 (a BMI of 25-26).  When I feel  full, I am able to immediately stop eating, even in mid-bite!  I make sure to get in the necessary fluids and protein each day and I feel great.

My only regret is that this fantastic solution only exists 5 years and that I discovered it only 3 years ago.  Thanks so much, Dr. Baltasar.

Thank you for sharing and congrats on your wonderful success, Wendy! It's wonderful to read about people who are as far out as you are continuing to do well!! Stacey

Hi Wendy! Wow...you have done well for yourself, congrats! Thanks for updating on here...we always love to hear from people who are years out of surgery and still doing fantastic! It gives motivation and inspiration to us all (pre-op'ers and post-op'ers)!

Again Wendy, thanks for taking the time to write an update.  We love to hear from long-term sleeved patients.  By the way, how is your husband and brother doing with their DS?  I hope, as well as you.   Check in again, and continued good health and happiness to you.  Barb

Barb, My brother is doing great with his DS and is extremely pleased with it.  He is coordinator of the local WLS group in his hometown of Stockton, California. My husband would have been much happier with a sleeve but who knew that in 2005?  (They'd only been doing the sleeve as a stand-alone operation for just over two years when I had mine.)  My husband underwent a revision a year ago because he was having  difficulty holding onto his weight and also had lots of intestinal complaints.  He is now like a sleever but with the need to consume large amounts of calcium and Vitamin D.  His weight is now stable, though, at 125 pounds down from his high.

Thanks for the update!  It's so nice to see someone out as far as you and still in love with their sleeve.  We would love for you to fill out the VSG polls with your 3 year results. It helps us newbies see some long term results. I have a link to the site in my signature line.  Thanks!

Thank you so much for checking in Wendy! It is so important for those of us who are still new to hear from the veterans. It is wonderful to see that this dream come true can last a lifetime. And you are so right, I wish I could have done this 30 years ago. Congrats and thanks. Susan

Thanks so much for checking in. Your story is just like mine. I have spent years either dieting or gaining. You give me hope.

I will also add my thanks Wendy, for letting us hear from the "horses mouth" life with the VSG for 3 years!!  Also thank you for sharing your information on your family members as well. Keep traveling and enjoying your life...pop that head in once in awhile =) Ms Shell

Congratulations Wendy on your successful loss and stable weight. It is amazing, is it not, how much more we can do in life when we aren't having to always think about our weight! I know you (and I, and sleevers in general) will have continued health and feel victorious about the control we have taken of our lives for years to come! Mary Claire