Two years today I had the VSG... 223 pounds lost.

I just want to say Thanks for posting your journey, I don't do the Twitter thing but if I did I would definately be a "follower".  Your success has been Amazing.  I know you've mentioned neck and back issues, but wondering if you exercised at all? Just wanted to say your story definately inspires me.

I LOVED the gym for the first 9 months. Then the neck thing happened, then I went through a bout of depression. I was just starting to work my way back into the gym when my back started up.

So, yes, I DID exercise, I should be doing it again. I'm still suffering a little with depression. I force myself to take a little walk now and then. It's something I'm working on. Work in progress. I know if I did my exercise, I'd drop another five pounds. I just have to WANT to do it enough and so far... yeah.

Candy - you are a beautiful lady!  Thanks so much for sharing your story and the before-and-after pictures.  I'm really glad that you mentioned therapy and how it's helped.  I've always said that if I only ate because I was physically hungry then I would have never been fat!  For many of us food has been our comfort, a way to push down uncomfortable feelings and a way to isolate ourselves from the pain of the real world.  Navigating our way through that nightmare often takes a little professional help. 

Congratulations on all your accomplishments!

Tracy

BTW, I really appreciate you stressing therapy.  I was in therapy during the year before the surgery.   Two weeks after surgery, I got back into therapy and went every two weeks for 6 months. When I went back to the therapist after the VSG, I informed her of the surgery because she didn't know that I was going to have it.  Then I simply told her that I didn't get that big for nothing and I didn't want to gain it back.  It had a profound effect on me.  I'm a believer.  

This is my reboot time.  You may not recall, but I was a steady loser for a year. Then I moved out of my house to a friend's house, then moved across the country into an apartment, and finally into my current home.  Three moves and three surgeries later (gallbladder, arms, and breast), I'm ready to get going again. I wasn't really stalled. I was maintaining. You see- I'd never moved without gaining at least 50 pounds before.  The sleeve has been great. I still have restriction.

So after a month long vacation- mostly in Europe, I'm ready to get going again. I suspect that it won't be the same.  I was a machine during that first year.  So seeing someone who started around the time and weight that I did gets me excited. It may not be as fast as it used to be, but I know that I still have a pretty good tool.

I know. I sometimes feel like all I do is say the word "therapy" on here, but seriously... it's SO overlooked in our community that it makes me sad :(

You've had a rough year, but you know what? You maintained. That's something. No. That's HUGE.

Hang in there... xoxoxo

Candy, you are amazing, awe inspiring, beautiful, funny, insightful, blessed and such a REAL person. I am so happy for you. You work so hard and deserve every bit of success. Thanks for all your words of real wisdom and experience. Congrats on your 2 year anniversary. Looking forward to the day when back surgery is over and your pain is relieved. Hugs

 

You already know what I think.....

frisco

... that we should have my husband bumped off so you can move to Austin and cook delicious food for me?

....... What?

Hehehehe, I love you, Frisco. You're a grouchy old fart sometimes, but you keep it real and make me think (which I love and hate). As much as I hate to admit it, you and Elina are part of my success, you've yanked my head out of the sand more than once.

And it's not over yet.  We will keep yanking each other's head out of the sand from here on forward.  You know what I think of you and your success.  You make me smile, tear up and and say a quiet thank you to the powers that be.  You are a walking miracle and a tremendous inspiration to me and countless others.