How long has it been since you were sleeved?

I recently had WLS, the VSG specifically.  I was wondering how long it has been since you had the VSG done yourself and how you feel about the life changing decision you made to do this.  Are you happy with your sleeve?

I had my VSG 10/31/07, one year 4 days later I have done great. I love my SLEEVE! I am bouncing the last 3,2,1 lb. I am learning to eat a little more and not count on all the protein that I have been drinking. The weight is off, I am in a size 8 jeans, medium blouse and looking good. The life changing decision was very easy for me. I wanted the surgery for me. I was tired, slept all the time, stayed inside my home, could not walk very long at all and by all means could not play with my grandbabies. Oh yea, very shy person too. Now with all the weight gone (90lbs) everything has changed. I can walk, climb stairs, bend over to tie my shoes, sit away from the steering of the car, plant flowers in the garden and the list just goes on. OH yea, it has been 30+ years and I have met a wonderful man. He thinks I am beautiful................now that is taking time to understand.......

If you are not happy YET, you will BE! You will love your sleeve.

Thanks so much for your response.  We actually went to the same clinic to have our VSG's done, I seen Dr. Hargroder. 

In the past I've experienced alot of the same things that you have - I was just curious as to how those that had their VSG performed a year or more out or doing now.  I hope that I can be as successful as you have been and that I can keep the weight off this time.  I actually have 10 more pounds to loose than you did. 

It will be two weeks tomorrow that I had my VSG and I think I'm down about 12-13 pounds.  I guess this is a good start!!!

Thanks for your response.

Ann

 Ann,
I had my sleeve 1 year ago, August 16, 2007 to be exact. It has been a wonderful thing for me. I am down 103 pounds and about 70 more to go. I have had no problems and I feel great. I have started riding my horse again and that means the world to me. Weight is coming off slower now and I really have to watch the carbs. It will probably take me another year to hit my goal, but that's ok I am up for the challenge!

I am glad I made this decision and I am very happy with my sleeve.

Karen

Thanks alot for responding - that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for.

Ann

Hi Ann,
 I am 18 months out and doing great. I started out at 270 and 9 months later weighted 144. I have been maintaining that weight for the last 9 months with very little effort. I went from a size 24 jean to a size 6 and a size 3x shirt to a size small and med. shirt. I can still see my body changing right now. Everything is sagging more and more. I love my vsg and it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. The best advice I can give you is: take the opportunity to lose all you can in the first 6-9 months. That is when you will lose the most the fastest. If you need anything just let me know. Best of luck to you on your new journey!!!!! It will be a ride of a life time!!!!!!
Susan

Your success is awesome!!!  I hope that I am that successfull.  I have about 111 pounds to loose, right now I'm down 12 - 13 pounds, I go to the dr today for my 2 week check up.  Thanks for your response, this is exactly what I've been looking for.

Thanks,
Ann

Hello Ann,

I got my VSG 16 months ago and I love it like I knew I would.  I started at 227 pounds and lost to my goal weight of 150 pounds in 6 months and 1 week.  After that I continued down and have settled in at 133 for months now...if I get lower I just try to add more food.  I went from size 20/22's to size 4/6's, so you bet I am happy.  

My opinion is that the key to any sucessful wls is to exercise in combination with your new eating habits.  I have NEVER looked at this a a diet...I never counted calories, carbs or fats.  I counted my proteins to make sure I was having enough and I just started making better choices around my proteins.  I think I would have lost the same amount of weight or somewhere near without exercise but I don't think I would be as strong or look as firm.  Healthy was my major goal!

My husband had his VSG a little over 2  1/2 years ago.  He started at 305 and lost 120 pounds in 8 months.  He goes between 180 and 200 pounds, depending on whether he is training for races (he likes to run) or whether he is bulking up some with weights.  All his MANY co-morbidities were cured within a month or so of surgery and all his labs remain excellent.  He is a Firefigter/emt, so he has to be strong and he has had no trouble maintaining his strengh and stamina with less food intake.

Our ins. would have covered the RNY or LapBand for my husband but he chose to self-pay for the surgery he thought would fit his lifestyle the best...the VSG.  We self-paid for mine also.  2 VSG's in our family and it was worth every cent!!

Thanks so much for the info.  I started at 245 (two week prior to surgery), I'm not sure what my weight was the day of surgery.  I also quit smoking two weeks prior to surgery so I'm sure I put some weight on before surgery.  I went to the doctor today for my 2 week check-up, I lost 16 pounds, at least.  I would like to get down to 134, around the same as you.

My insurance wouldn't pay for any WLS.  My husbands insurance would have paid for me to have the lap band or RNY and I too didn't want either so I opted to pay!!!

I appreciate your the time you gave in your response.

Thanks again,
Ann

Ann,

You can find me on the VSG forum way too much.  If you need anything else, that's where to find me.

Michelle