3 Years Post Op ~ It's Been A long Time! All Good!

Feb 22, 2012

Hello strangers!  I've neglected this page for a long time!  Not that I've been doing poorly but because I've been so busy living my life and loving every minute of it.  I'm almost 3 years post op and am so happy!  My weight has come up about 6 lbs. give or take.  Considering I'm not the best exerciser and do a desk job I'm thankful for that.  All is good and I'm so very thankful I did this surgery 3 years ago! 

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13 Months Out, Weight STILL Slowly Coming Off!

Apr 12, 2010

Here I am at 13 months post op and feeling awesome!  Just when I think my weight loss has stopped, this morning I get on the scale and it reads 134!  My goal was 140 so I'm super excited.  Not a lot coming off in the weight department but everyone is telling me that I need to maintain and not lose any more.  I'm totally content where I'm at, but if I lose another 10lbs. I wouldn't cry about it!  All the easier to maintain if I'm a little lower than originally planned. 

I am still overwhelmed daily with how normal I feel, how awesome I look (not to toot my own horn) and how excited I am to be starting the summer looking great in a bathing suit and shorts.  Looking forward to a lot of fun this summer!

Going forward, I'm thinking maybe something will need to be done with some skin, I have droopy breasts, and belly skin that I would LOVE to see removed, but if I can't afford to have it done I am the happiest I have been with myself in a very long time!

For those of you considering this surgery, I have no reservations in telling you to go for it!  One of the best decisions I've ever made and I think my family would second that!

Starting weight was 225, today's weight 134!
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One Year Ago Today!

Mar 12, 2010

Well, here I sit on my one year surgiversary!  What a journey it has been.  I honestly can't think of any negatives!  I came into this process with a program at the hospital I work at (bless them) called a New Leaf Program.  I qualified for WLS because of my BMI and co-morbidities of high blood pressure and borderline sleep apnea. 

Surgery was uneventful and I recovered quickly.  I've made steady progress all along the way and am now about 5 lbs. below my goal around 135 (I was 136 this morning).  That fluctuates some. 

Regrets? Not one.  I wish I would do a better job at getting my fluids in and more protein but I'm feeling so great!  These are areas I think I will always struggle with.  I do so much more than I did a year ago.  I'm truly happy with myself and enjoy shopping! 

Below are my stats for the year!
3/12/09  222
4/12/09 196 -26
5/12/09 189 -7
6/12/09 181 -8
7/12/09 171 -10
8/12/09 166 -5
9/12/09 156 -10
10/12/09 152 -4
11/12/09 148 -4
12/12/09 144 -5
1/12/10 144 0 (Holidays!)
2/12/10 138 -6 woo!
3/12/10 136 -2 (I'll take it)

So you'll see, things have slowed down but I'm happy where I'm at and loving life!  My goal weight was 140 and I've dipped to 135 several times.  Would maybe like to be down one more size into a steady size 6 but I'm okay being a 6-8.

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11 Months Out!

Feb 15, 2010

Well, here I sit a few days past my 11 month surgiversary.  It's been a rough month.  Not physically, emotionally.  I lost my dad to a heart attack this past month.  I'm doing fine and know he's in paradise and my mom is doing very well.  We are very similar so it's nice to be there for her.  Anyway, last month I had a 0 lb. loss (thanks to the holidays) so I was pleasantly surprised that I went from 144 to 138.  I did weigh 135 on a couple days this past month but I'm true to my weight on the anniversary so I'll claim the 6 pound loss at 11 months, that is just amazing to me!  Here's the breakdown...

Month 1 -26 lbs. (222 lbs.)
Month 2 -7
Month 3 -8
Month 4 -10
Month 5 -5
Month 6 -10
Month 7 -4
Month 8 -4
Month 9 -5
Month 10 -0 (holidays!)
Month 11 -6 Woo! (138 lbs. today)

My first goal was 140 lbs.  That put me in a comfortable BMI, a nice Size 8, however, the pounds are still coming off and I would like to be a Size 5-6 so if I get to that I'll be more than happy.  What am I saying?  I'm happy now!  I was happy many lbs.!  Getting to 140 was amazing and seeing my scale in the 130's still amazes me.  I was 19 the last time I hit that number. 

I need to get my butt in gear in a couple of areas.  Vitamins (not good at taking those) and getting in more water.  I don't like to drink water so I would like to kick that up a bit more.  It's for my own good!  My diet could be better.  I eat what I want (just smaller portions).  I still love my carbs and to avoid regain of any sort I think once I find that sweet spot in my weight I will need to curb this addiction.  I know I can do it though, I quit the Diet Coke habit I had for many years and am doing just fine without it.  I've stopped ordering in restaurants.  I just get an extra plate.  This took some time to realize that a nibble off every one elses plate is all I need!  I take a bread plate and I just get a little of this or that.  Saving some money there for sure!

Skin issues:  Yep, I have them!  If I had unlimited funds, I would probably do my tummy (although it's a minor baby pooch), and my breasts.  Those puppies are sad looking.  I have a few saggy spots on my thighs, very minor and my tricep area is lose, although doesn't seem to be as bad as previous months so maybe the skin does still have some elasticity there and will pull back some over time.  I'm watching and waiting for my weight to steady out where my body wants it to be and then once I've maintained for a year I will consult about any plastics I may want done.  I think hubby would like to see a boob job but he's not complaining about much any more!  Happy wife = happy life!  We are having fun and he just purchased me a new Harley all my own!  I'm so spoiled by him and am happy he's proud to have me by his side and that I'm a happier wife and mother.

Speaking of motherhood.  I have two daughters 20, and 13.  We all love the beach so I'm so looking forward to this Michigan weather ending and my girls and I hitting the beach at Lake Michigan.  I need to get a new swimsuit so I think I best get looking!  Maybe a tankini?  Never thought I'd be thinking that!  Will have to go in and try a few on, I haven't had a new suit in YEARS!  I think this could be a fun thing!

I'm still shopping at Salvation Army for clothes.  It's a tedious task to shop there, you have to be prepared to go in knowing you'll need time and patience to sort through a lot of crap to find those great name brand steals hiding in the racks.  They are there!  I recommend it highly.  I have purchased some jeans (as Salvation Army doesn't care many current styles).  Other than that and some new underwear I'm doing okay with clothes and not spending a fortune on much NEW stuff.

If any of you are doubting whether you should have this surgery, do it!  No regrets except not investigating this sooner!  Until next months one year post, I'll see less of you next time!
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10 Months, Things Are Slowing Down!

Jan 12, 2010

Today marks my 10 month surgiversary.  I'm at 142 lbs. so things have definitely slowed down in the loss department.  Being the holidays however, I cannot complain that I didn't gain I sure did cave in to all my carb cravings.  Over the last week I've jumped back on the treadmill and am kickstarting my sleeve once again! 

This is the first new year I have not had a resolution to LOSE WEIGHT!  Wow, how refreshing that is!  No regrets still!
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9 Months!

Dec 13, 2009

Over the weekend I passed my 9 Month Surgiversary!  How time flies!  Here's the breakdown on my loss.

I am 5'5"
3/12 222
4/12 196
5/12 189
6/12 181
7/12 171
8/12 166
9/12 156
10/12 152
11/12 148
12/12 144

Yep, things are slowing down but my goal is 140 and I think I'll be there by Christmas.  My surgeon said not to purchase clothes to any extent as he believes I'll probably end up in the 130's which would be awesome! 

Truly, if I never lose another pound I'd be content right where I'm at.  I look and feel amazing and life is not passing me by any longer!  REALLY looking forward to next summer and buying a new bathing suit.

I'm beginning to think about plastics but don't expect to do anything about them until after I've been maintaining for a year.  I have a tiny baby pooch tummy and the sisters have deflated and gone south in a big way!  Thank goodness for great support wear.  I'm hoping the skin issues in my upper arms and thighs kinda goes away over time, but if not, I just wont' be going sleeveless so who cares.

Really happy!  If you have any questions, feel free to PM me!  Would love to hear from you all!
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8 Months Out! Still Losing!

Nov 16, 2009

I'm a bit past my 8 month surgiversary.  The weight loss has slowed, but so has my exercise plan and eating properly.  I've been slipping so it's only to be expected.  Here are my stats.

I am 5'5"
3/12 222
4/12 196
5/12 189
6/12 181
7/12 171
8/12 166
9/12 156
10/12 152
11/12 148

My goal was to be at 140 by Christmas and I think that's possible if I get on that darn treadmill.  Overall I'm thrilled and healthy and just couldn't be happier with my decision to have this surgery and be as hopeful for my future as I am today!

I hope everyone on this site finds what they are looking for and that I can help you in some way!  Feel free to leave me a message anytime!  I'm not on this site every day like I used to be but I do get on about once a week!

Until next months blob, we'll see less of you next time!

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7 Months Today!

Oct 12, 2009

Today marks 7 months since my VSG.  I am AMAZED at the benefits of this procedure.  I've had my slowest weight loss to date this past month (4 lbs.) but I'm okay with that.  I was expecting after 6 months to slow down and I'm so near goal that slow and steady is the way I want to go.  Just in the last two days I've dropped the two pounds so maybe this months stall is OVA!  I STILL struggle with water and protein.  I'm beginning to think I always will struggle in this area.  I was never a water drinker before so why would I think it would come easily now?  The one thing that I have begun on a regular basis is exercise!  I'm doing a P90X dvd series with three neighborhood friends and we are all having fun.  These girls are fit and I can keep up, sometimes even easier than they can!  That is exciting to me!  I can even borrow there clothes, although I'm getting smaller than they are! 

I'm currently a size 8 in almost all my pants and jeans.  Quickly heading to a six it feels like and I'm good with that!  Only 12 lbs. to goal weight of 140 and by Christmas I feel that is doable, just need to have better than a 4 lb. loss next month.  The workouts should help, I'm only in week three of that program.  Okay, I'm going to drink some water to celebrate my 7 months, and I'll post some pictures soon!

3/12/09 = 222 (Date of surgery)
4/12/09 = 196 -26
5/12/09 = 189 -7
6/12/09 = 181 -8
7/12/09 = 171 -10 (yay!)
8/12/09 = 166 -5 (boo)
9/12/09 = 156 -10 (yes!)
10/12/09 = 152 -4 (sigh)
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6 Month Surgiversary

Sep 14, 2009

Well here I am a few days past my 6 month anniversary of the day that I now consider one of the best days of my life!  I am so close to goal and it seems to have just fallen off me!  Time has flown by and I'm so much happier than I ever thought possible a year ago.  I was a miserable person a year ago but once I learned that VSG was a possibility for me, hope sprang and here I am.  Successful in my journey.

Here are my stats each month as I know a lot of people want to know how much each month is lost etc.  Since I'm 5'5" and started at 225, I am considered a "lightweight" by many and my loss has been slower but I also have not been an "extreme" rule follower.  I'm a bit lazy in water intake and exercise, although I live a much more active lifestyle than ever before!

3/12/09 = 222 (Date of surgery)
4/12/09 = 196 -26
5/12/09 = 189 -7
6/12/09 = 181 -8
7/12/09 = 171 -10 (yay!)
8/12/09 = 166 -5 (boo)
9/12/09 = 156 -10 (yes!)

Total loss to date is 66 lbs., although I really am closer to 70 preop.  I have an original goal of 140 lbs. so that's only 16 pounds from now and I'll guess I'll reassess with my primary care physician as that goal nears.  The exciting thing is that I know it will be here before I know it (hope that'll be my Christmas present)!

Best decision I ever made, no regrets.  If you're considering it (even if you are only 90-100 lbs. oveweight) DO IT!  No more blood pressure or sleep apnea issues for me and the list of pros goes on and on!

I'm wearing a size 8/10 jeans and medium top.  Ride my motorcycle and am no longer hybernating from life!  Life is good! 
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Five Month Surgiversary!

Aug 09, 2009

I'm posting this a few days early because I have the time today.  8/12 marks month 5 post op from my VSG.  This month I've had a 6 lb. loss (maybe one more before 8/12 hits).  It's been my slowest month of loss to date but I've done more snacking, parties, and I will own it.  I am falling out of my size 14 jeans and need to purchase some 12's and 10's soon!  I did purchase some new bras (cheaper ones).  Gotta keep those girls from going south!

This new way of life is really agreeing with me.  I love filling up on only a few bites and I love how I feel about myself these days.  I would like to hit goal and then some by Christmas and feel it's definitely possible.   Could still improve on my protein and my water but my blood work came back excellent so I'm happy with that.  

Hairloss...began last month and has seemed to slow down a bit.  I'm using John Freida's Root Awakening Shampoo and Conditioner for Breakage Prone Hair.  My hair seems to be improving in strength and look.  My hairdress has said she hasn't noticed any significance in this area so not to worry, and I won't! 

Exercise....there's an activity that I have yet to get with a program.  Every month I say I need to do it and I haven't.  Well, I just made an appointment for this week with a personal trainer, so no more excuses, getting into a program to get the remaining 25 lbs. off and maybe more. 

Skin...yes the boobs are sagging and I have some "bat wings", just need to tone.  I don't think I have enough skin issues that any plastic surgery will be required.  We'll see once I hit goal and maintain for a while if the skin follows suit.  One of the benefits of having this surgery while I'm younger and more of a light weight is I think it will definitely help in the skin elasticity area.  No complaints from my husband about the breasts so it's all good!

Total loss since surgery is 57 lbs. but for as good as I look and feel, it could be 100! 

I've been enjoying the beach and wearing a bathing suit whenever I can get some sun.  Not hiding under my cover up anymore either!

The VSG is still the best thing I have ever done for myself and my family. 

New pictures coming soon!

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About Me
Kalamazoo, MI
Location
22.3
BMI
VSG
Surgery
03/12/2009
Surgery Date
Nov 14, 2008
Member Since

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