Third Year Surgiversay

I'm one of the 'old timers' here.  I drop by to let you know that 3 years out life is good; my VSG continues to restrict my intake; I encourage you to choose this surgery as I feel it has the least risks and complications; and if you are willing to take responsibility for your life and view the surgery as the tool that it is, you will find success!

My short (for a change) surgiversary post.....

Three years ago today my world changed....

Three years ago today I began my journey to normalcy....

And, I have no regrets!

I feel normal, I look normal, and for 61 years old, my health is 'normal'.

I walk painfree...

I take no diabetes meds....

I do not have sleep apnea 

I am no longer invisible....people see me, acknowledge me, know me.  The smaller I got, the more I was noticed.

I cannot imagine where I would be medically, physically, emotionally, and mentally, if not for this surgery.

My world has changed and I'm thankful for every sunrise....

All the best!

Linda, what a wonderful post to read first thing in the morning!  Congratulations on your successes. It's great knowing that 3 years into your journey life is good. I wish you many, many more healthy surgiversaries! Please don't be a stranger.

Linda..thanks so much for sharing!  It's great to hear there is still restriction 3 years post op!
You are so right about being noticed more the smaller we get!


So happy for you and your success!!


DW

Linda I'm confused... your profile says you had a vsg but your blog says you had a DS. Which surgery did you have?

I was scheduled for the DS but due to scar tissue and a huge hernia the surgeon felt he would be putting me at risk to do the whole DS.  So, he chose to do just the VSG and do the switch 6 months later.  When I saw the success I was achieving without having to go through a DS and the possible risks that come with the DS, I chose to stick with just the VSG. It was a very wise decision! I have no issues related to the surgery....don't know that I could have said the same after the DS.

Sorry for the confusion ;o)

Hi Linda, It was good to see your story. I also am 61 yrs old but 17 days out of surgery. When did you start to feel better after surgery? When did you start to get out of the house and walk? I usually feel like a wrung out dish rag and cant do much. I did also have 4 hernias that were repaired during surgery so I am thinking maybe since there is so much healing going on, that is why I feel this way. The last 2 days I have felt better in the morning but hit a wall of no energy in the aftn. I am glad I got the sleeve. No real worries of any intestional problems and that was a big concern. I want to travel with my husband after I loose some more weight and the sleeve seems like a dream. Thanks for being there....Jane.

Hi Jane,
I am Mary and I'm 62 and one month out of surgery.  I think you have a whole lot going on with that much repair while you underwent the VSG.  I am surprised you even feel like being at the computer.  From my own experience it really hasn't started to feel like my "normal" self until just recently, around a month.  I'm still far from being a ball of fire, but I've got some "issues" that are holding me back.  It's going to get way better, but not as quickly as you'd like.  The younger folks here recover so much quicker, but I think our age affects that.  Try to keep going, walk as much as you can, and get in as much liquids as possible.  Blessings to you!!!

Hi Jane!

I snapped back quickly.  At 6 weeks out dh and I drove 400 miles to Canada for a vacation.  Then again, I didn't have hernia surgery with the VSG. 

On the other hand, last year I had hernia repair and a tummy tuck, and it took me about a month before I even wanted anyone to come visit!  I was hurting and dealing with drains and miserable!  (I also developed blood clots in my lungs during the surgery....so that too knocked me on my butt!)

So each surgery is different, each recovery is too.  You will feel better and stronger each day.  I think the coolest thing was the first vacation we took and I could walk without pain and without huffing and puffing and looking for a chair.  This surgery will impact your life in so many delicious ways!!!!!!

 

 

Happy 3 years  !!!   congratulations !!!

What an absolutely wonderful post.  I'm so glad you feel as you do.  That's the incredible reward of the surgery.  You have inspired me.  I am anxious to celebrate victories with the sleeve.  But, I wish you many more celebrations such as this.  Blessings to you.