xpost: (Long) Post LBL and 3 Years Post VSG

October 10 2014 marks the 3 year anniversary of my VSG surgery.  I’ve been at goal for quite a while now (since April of 2013) and I’m doing a pretty good job of maintaining my weight loss.  It’s hard to nail exactly how close due to fluctuations of swelling due to my lower body lift (more on that below).  That said, my weight has fluctuated within about a six to seven pound range with 180 (my goal weight) at the bottom of the range.  The tool still works well as long as I work with it.  It is both easy to stay and to stray from the food plan though, so diligence is necessary to maintain and that will be a lifelong issue for me. 

What a rewarding journey this has been.  I’ve made so many friends that have had a tremendous influence on my life since I began the journey to lose weight in June of 2011.  This is a real key to my ongoing plan as they are real friends that will hold me accountable for my actions.  My wife has also been sleeved (Dec 2013) and is doing great as well.  We look like a whole different couple.

I’ve written about my hobbies before, but the priority that activities take on now cannot be overemphasized.  I live for my wife and my life and don’t waste time complaining about what I can’t do. 

My advice to anyone thinking about this or any other surgical option (or non-surgical for that matter): Get on with it.  Your life will get so much better that all the fears you have will seem silly from the other side.  Find someone that was successful and do what they did.  Find someone that is behind you in their journey and give back to the community.

I had plastic surgery at the end of April.  What a difference it makes not to have the excess skin of 240 lost pounds of belly fat swinging around my body.  I won’t kid you, it was hard for me.  Probably the worst I’ve felt in my life for a couple of weeks.  Now I am very happy that I had it done.  I will also be having a revision in December to improve the results further.  I had about 15 lbs of skin removed but the scale didn’t show it.  The mirror does though and my new waist and butt looks pretty darn good.  I continue to have swelling (hence the weight fluctuations) but that is starting to get better and my waist is probably as low as it can go.  I’m wearing 32 pants now (down from very tight 62s) and I even bought a pair of size 30s in anticipation of the minor change I expect when my revision surgery matures.  The plastics are not for everyone but they were a good choice for me.

All in all, I am very happy.  My wife and I spend way too much on clothes and activities but what a happier way to spend it compared to just food to pass the days away.  To all of my friends and support group, I thank you for a very rewarding three years.

Looking great!!!

Thanks Ms. Shell.

Dude you Rock! Looking forward to my journey. Glad you had success and thanks for sharing!

Thanks Sammy.  Best of luck to you as well!

You two look terrific! Great job to you both.

Thanks Dawn.  Hannah is doing great!  I think she is doing better than I did to be honest.  What a gal.

Nothing but praise from me !!!!

I followed your whole story and you were/are rock solid !!!

Some (including myself) try and re-invent the wheel at times, but you are steady !!!

Congrats on everything !

frisco

I keep the same basic wheel but change the rims from time to time.  You know how it goes brother, you just have to return to what works.  That and keeping food interesting and you are the master on that front.

You and your wife look FANTASTIC!!

congratulations on all your success,

my husband and I were sleeved together also

and I have to say it has changed our lives and relationship 

for the better in countless ways!