Before & After Gastric Sleeve with Dirk and Debbie
October 25, 2016Celebrating Dirk and Debbie's Before & After Gastric Sleeve Journeys!
Dirk's Journey
I was taking a shower at a motel and when I pulled back the shower curtain, I was standing sideways to the mirror. I looked over and saw a man in trouble. I had no idea that I was so large. It was scary looking.
While shaving, combing my hair and looking straight into the mirror, I knew that I was heavy but didn’t want to acknowledge that I was so fat. I realized that something had to change.
My wife had been talking about having RNY Gastric Bypass surgery because she knew several people that had the procedure and looked much healthier. After viewing the profile in the mirror, I told her I would be willing to check into having the procedure with her.
We started the pre-surgery diet to lose fat internally in the area of the surgical procedure so the surgeon would have enough room to perform the surgery. I lost 16 pounds and was very proud of myself.
Before & After Gastric Sleeve - Dirk
Total Weight Loss: 100 pounds
Surgical Procedure: VSG
Surgery Date: 2/9/2015
Surgeon's Name: Dr. Christopher Finnell
The day of surgery came and we were ready. We came out of surgery and experienced absolutely no pain. The incisions were so small that there was no discomfort at all.
The weight began to fall off almost immediately. I lost weight for about three months steadily and then I plateaued for about 15 days. I started to get discouraged and on the 16th day, the weight loss began again. At that point, I had lost a total of 64 pounds from the time we started the pre-surgery diet.
My weight loss continued steadily until I reached a weight loss of 94 pounds. Then I hovered at 198 to 202 for about a month. Next, I reached my goal of losing 100 pounds! I have gone from wearing 44 jeans to 36 jeans, 3X shirts to size 1X. When I walk past a picture window, I always try to catch a glimpse of myself and think how proud I am of that healthy man. I turned 63 and we are raising two of our grandchildren, and I plan on being around for them for many years. Life is so much better at a good natural weight.
Debbie's Journey
I’m 60 years old and have spent most of my adult life being overweight and having low self-esteem. I have always struggled with my weight. Even when I weighed 120 pounds, I always thought I was overweight. Since I was in my 30’s, I have done ever diet you could possibly think of. I have tried fad diets, taken pills (both prescription and over the counter), starvation, exercised, acupuncture, HCG, but have always thought that the only way I would truly be a healthy size was weight loss surgery, but the cost was prohibitive.
I finally gave up after numerous diets when I would reach my weight goal, but after each diet ended, I would put my weight back on plus another 10-20 lbs. I tried to tell myself that God didn’t intend for everyone to be the same size and I was just supposed to be overweight. After all, I looked younger than other people my age, because the fat plumped out my wrinkles, and I really let myself go. You tell yourself all kind of lies to justify your size.
After talking to my husband, and how much it cost, I didn’t think we could afford it. My husband told me that I was having the surgery. I replied to him that I wouldn’t do it if he didn’t do it too. So, the decision was made that we would do it together on the same day and with the same surgeon. We researched surgeons and found one that we were comfortable with. We decided on the Gastric Sleeve because it was recommended by our surgeon.
Before & After Gastric Sleeve - Debbie
Total Weight Loss: 80 pounds
Surgical Procedure: VSG
Surgery Date: 2/9/2015
Surgeon's Name: Dr. Christopher Finnell
Having weight loss surgery has been the best decision of our lives. We were there for each other and made each other accountable. We are raising two of our grandchildren, one has special needs and we have adopted him. Our greatest concern was to be healthy to take care and raise our two grandchildren. We want to be healthy for our other grandchildren and enjoy life to the fullest. I have lost between 85-90 pounds and see people everywhere that I wish would take the first step towards a healthier life. I wish I could help them in some way to see how unhealthy they are and that I could donate a surgery to someone. That is on my bucket list. Life is great, and we love looking better and feeling better.
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