x-post 1 year journey and 8 months post op (long)
What a difference a year can make. I've lost 164 pounds. I think it is fair to say I've lost a full adult. Almost 40% of my total body weight. When I started the journey I was frustrated and hopeless. The very idea of surgery was unnatural and I was sure I couldn't live with the restrictions. I've thought about WLS over the years and all of them seemed so drastic and some just seemed flawed. I became interested in the DS surgery but after attending a seminar and doing research, I decided the sleeve addressed the vast majority of the issues I had with WLS. I just couldn't keep up the diet cycle any longer and I decided to take the leap. It was well worth it. Here are a few contrasts before and now:
Before: children would point me out to their parents in public. Now: still very overweight (no longer super morbid though) and I feel like I fit in.
Before Car seat all the way back, belly rubbed hard on steering wheel, needed extender to be comfortable, worried that the airbag could be fatal if it deployed, belly pushed legs apart and my knee would be shoved into the car door. Now: comfortable with lots of room between me and the steering wheel. I keep moving the seat further forward and it is better every trip.
Before: I actually got stuck in a pool that didn't have steps (didn't realize it until I was in the water). I couldn't get through the ladder without help. Now: I have the energy to do an hour of deep water aerobics and easily climb the ladder out of the pool.
Before: 62 tight pants, 4-5x shirts, big and tall store only, buy whatever I could find. Now: 44 pants, large shirts, shop in most stores and have huge options for what to buy.
Before: Had to ask for tables at restaurants. Many times had to ask my fellow diners to move to a table if I didn't get there first. Now: Sit where I want.
Before: Couldn't make it through grocery shopping without back problems and running out of energy. Walking was limited to a few blocks at the most. Always overheating. Now: No back problems (tailbone hurts when sitting too long but that is a good trade), walking distances are not an issue, always feel cool and enjoy the outdoors so much more.
Before: Never felt I could get close to my wife during intimate times - my belly was always in the way. Now: Oh yeah, so much better and we are so much closer all the time. Its like a rediscovery. Both parties are much happier.
I can't wait until I reach goal. I have so much more I want to do and I feel it is within my grasp. The people here gave me so much confidence that I could succeed and I thank you all for your support.
Before: children would point me out to their parents in public. Now: still very overweight (no longer super morbid though) and I feel like I fit in.
Before Car seat all the way back, belly rubbed hard on steering wheel, needed extender to be comfortable, worried that the airbag could be fatal if it deployed, belly pushed legs apart and my knee would be shoved into the car door. Now: comfortable with lots of room between me and the steering wheel. I keep moving the seat further forward and it is better every trip.
Before: I actually got stuck in a pool that didn't have steps (didn't realize it until I was in the water). I couldn't get through the ladder without help. Now: I have the energy to do an hour of deep water aerobics and easily climb the ladder out of the pool.
Before: 62 tight pants, 4-5x shirts, big and tall store only, buy whatever I could find. Now: 44 pants, large shirts, shop in most stores and have huge options for what to buy.
Before: Had to ask for tables at restaurants. Many times had to ask my fellow diners to move to a table if I didn't get there first. Now: Sit where I want.
Before: Couldn't make it through grocery shopping without back problems and running out of energy. Walking was limited to a few blocks at the most. Always overheating. Now: No back problems (tailbone hurts when sitting too long but that is a good trade), walking distances are not an issue, always feel cool and enjoy the outdoors so much more.
Before: Never felt I could get close to my wife during intimate times - my belly was always in the way. Now: Oh yeah, so much better and we are so much closer all the time. Its like a rediscovery. Both parties are much happier.
I can't wait until I reach goal. I have so much more I want to do and I feel it is within my grasp. The people here gave me so much confidence that I could succeed and I thank you all for your support.
HW 420 SW 369 Pre-Op -51 lbs; M1-19;M2-15;M3-14;M4 -14;M5-13; M6- 14;M7-14;M8-10;M9-11;M10-11;M11-9;M12-7;M13-7;M14-5; M15-7; M16-8. M17-3. M18-6; M19-5. Goal of 200 (220 Lost) Reached Month 15. Goal of 180 (240 lost) reached at 18 months 10 days on 4/.20/13. 57% body weight lost@180. Now on maintenance. Low weight 169.
Beyond Goal
Amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing. I can completely connect to the driving fears (re: airbag and proximity to steering wheel) and the restaurant horribleness. I'm still working on those. Congratulations and again THANK YOU for sharing! It means so much to us who are early on in the journey.
Jeanne 
Height 5'7" HW: 314 SW: 293
Height 5'7" HW: 314 SW: 293
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