Let's Be Friends - Introduce yourself!
Beth
59
Northern NJ
5'7"
315 lbs
160 lbs
I am 2 1/2 months out and I have lost 65 pounds
The best thing about losing weight so far is getting out of bed feeling great every morning. Not having to take insulin, metformin, Lipitor or blood pressure pills. Having friends and neighbor so happy for me that some even cried. Walking up hills, playing with the dogs, wearing something besides black knits and slip on shoes.....
Worst part of weight loss is the skin issue.
I just like to walk for hours!
Before I realized that I could have this surgery, I honestly thought I wouldn't live more that a few more years. My health was declining and I was being prescribe more medications every visit to the doctor. Now everything is reversing. The only pills I take are vitamins and I feel younger every day. My goal is to keep focused and stay healthy.
Name: Shannon
Age: 30
Location: Texas
Height: 5'4"
Starting Weight: 252
Goal Weight: 140
Where I am in the Surgery Process: 153 pounds @ 1 year 10 months post-op
Best thing about weight loss- Doing things! Running races, lifting weights, buying clothes!
Worst thing about weight loss: Tail bone pain like others said and flappy skin. I have to wear compression/tight clothes when working out or else you can hear it slapping around. It almost sounds like clapping, like I'm cheering myself on.
Favorite Type of Exercise: Weight Lifting
Current Goal: To reach my goal weight of 140. I have been at 150-155 for a long time now. I have been told I have 8-10 pounds of excess skin and I don't need to lose more or no more than another 5-10 pounds, but dang it I just want to see that 140 on the scale.
Other Information: I still struggle on a daily basis. I am a binge eater and emotional eater. The struggle is still very real, but so much easier to manage. Now if I fall into a binge at least I can't eat anywhere near as much as I could before. Now that I am happier the binge eating is less often. If you have seen Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged me, "I can't stop eating. I eat because I'm unhappy, and I'm unhappy because I eat. It's a vicious cycle. " It's interesting how a line from a comedy can ring so true to me.
Hello Gwen and everyone else !!!
Name. Kelly
Age. 47 years young
Location . Long Island, NY
Height . 5ft 6
Starting weight 242
Goal weight . 145
Current weight 137
Had surgery April 8th 2014 (8 months ago )
Best thing about surgery... my health!!! My happiness. My clothes !!! Being able to keep up with my family!!! Everything!!!
Worst thing ???? Not being able to eat everything my mind wants to... ( but I'd also put that in the category above as one of the best things :-) )
Favorite type of exercise ... by far definitely hiking love it!!!
Best move I've ever made !!! My only wish would be that I took control of my life easier and did it years ago!!! :-)
♡ Kelly
Name: Susan
Age: 51
Location: Northbrook, IL
Height: 5'9"
Starting Weight: 235
Goal Weight: 145
Where I am in surgery process: 4 months tomorrow
Best thing about weight loss:
Where do I start? No morning foot and hip pain. Low blood pressure instead of high. No fretting about what to wear because nothing fits. Increased self-esteem. No more avoiding pictures. Getting down on floor with ease to play with kids and cats and water the Christmas tree. My kids can give me a "proper hug" and can get their arms all around me. 
Worst things about weight loss: Not being able to drink with meals. Stalls. Explaining to people that I really am ok... that I am eating enough... that I am ok with cooking and not eating... and that I am ok watching someone eat a dessert.
Getting new bras!
Favorite Type of Exercise: gardening, walking (especially on a beach) and golf.
Current Goal: Normal BMI range (165) by my New Year' 15th wedding anniversary. I plan on evaluating my final goal once I get to normal range. I plan on using clothes as a guide. I will be thrilled in a size 8. I'm 10/12 now.
Other info: Im married and live with my 2 youngest boys ages 10 & 11. My older 23 year old son is in college and my 29 year old step son lives in MI. My husband commutes to a new job in the St. Louis area where we will be relocating this summer. I am so thankful and grateful that I had this surgery before we knew about the new job. With the stress of all of our life changes I would have gained 25 pounds instead of losing 60. I have the energy to paint and plan the renovations to sell our house.
I was introduced to VSG by many of my clients. I am a bra fitter and I was so impressed at the successful results of many of my clients over the last several years. I am so excited to be able to personally relate to their weight loss issues. I have changed bra sizes 3 times in 4 months. Basically every 20 pounds results in a new bra (which is what I have told my customers all along but never validated).
Name: Linda
Age: 49
Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Height: 5 feet, 3 and a half inches (those half inch counts!)
Starting Weight: 243 lbs
Goal Weight: 143 lbs, My surgeon has suggested 150 - 160 lbs
Where I am in the Surgery Process: Had roux en Y six weeks ago tomorrow.
Best thing about weight loss: I eat a lot less and never leave the table feeling hungry.
Worst thing about weight loss: Having a bout of vomiting while I figure out what I can and can not eat. Scared to try new things!
Favorite Type of Exercise: dancing
Current Goal: to see my collarbone and get my waist under 35 inches, which I heard is a healthy measurement.
Other Information: Plan on getting married to my fiance when I am at my lowest weight. Hope the size is in the single digits, if not, oh well.
I also wish I could use the tracker to show my weight loss journey, but I can only input the highest and goal weight. There is no option to show how much I have lost so far. So I never include my signature.
Name Anna
Age-42
Location- Currently in Northeastern Connecticut. I was born and raised in New York and have lived all over the world.
Height 5'8" Starting Weight Highest weight 360lbs+, 278lbs at informational seminar, 272lbs at first appointment and currently.
Goal Weight- My goal is 175lbs or a size 10. I was 184lbs at my lowest and I was a size 12 then, so I thought 175lbs would most likely put me at a size 10. Plus, it's exact half my highest weight. I'll see how I look and feel as I get close to that weight and reevaluate if necessary.
Where I am in the Surgery Process- I'm pre-op, just starting the approval process.
Best thing about weight loss- My memories of being at a healthy weight include not worrying about my weight, shopping wherever I liked, being physically active with my kids and in general, and feeling confident about my appearance.
Worst thing about weight loss- Feeling cold all the time. Receiving much more male attention and not knowing how to handle it. Also, not knowing how to successfully maintain a healthy weight.
Favorite Type of Exercise -Walk Away the Pounds- in home walking DVDs and Zumba.
Current Goal- Getting approved for surgery!
Other Information- I am deaf. I am happily married to a great guy that has loved me no matter what I weighed. We have two wonderful sons, my 15 year old is starting his 2nd year in college and my 7 year old is in 3rd grade. We have had the amazing opportunity to live and travel all over the world. The only black cloud hanging over my life has been struggling with my excess weight. I am really looking forward to having the VGS in the next 6 months!
