Before & After VSG with Amanda B., losing 187 pounds!
September 18, 2018Why I Decided to Have WLS
I decided one day, I could not live the habits and life that I was living as it was slowly killing me inside. I woke up one day and decided I did not want to feel fat anymore nor did I want to continue to have to make sure I was taking these pills every day to make sure my heart and diabetes would be maintained.
So I did my research, got into bariatric support groups getting on to Obesityhelp.com to see success stories, and finding the best fit surgeon for me and I told myself inside I wanted to live that lifestyle, I needed to live that lifestyle to live a long life ahead of me.
Before & After VSG with Amanda B.
Total Weight Lost: 187 pounds
Surgery Date: 12/14/2015
Surgery Type: VSG
Surgeon Name: Dr. Brad Snyder
My Surgery and Post-Op Life
I found my amazing surgeon, and from the first consult took me 2 months to have my surgery because of insurance approval. The day of December 14, my life forever changed. I was scared, as I did not want to fail, I was scared of the unknown of what was ahead, and as you read and hear many stories, yours will never be the same as the person who had the exact same surgery. After having the surgery, I stayed a few days in the hospital and did not have any discomfort or pain.
The challenge was coming home and maintaining my fluid intake and the long haul of the diet that my doctor prescribed me to do. Few weeks after my surgery I was released to work out and I started my 5K race series here in the Central Texas Area. Yes that race about killed me as it was completely different from before, not having the same amount of carbohydrate intake as I did before but I knew my goal was to finish and it didn’t matter how I was going to do that race as long as I crossed that finished line.
After two years, I have been an idol to many friends that I have met along the way, have been a supportive coach for them as no one ever said this journey was easy. There is nothing easy about this journey; every day is challenges and decisions you have to decide what is best decision for you and your body.
Special Milestone and Non-Scale Victories
The special milestone is being able to never take my medications for blood pressure, diabetes ever again. In addition, I am beyond proud of myself at being able to run the 5K, 10K and half marathons that I do and complete them. I never thought in my lifetime that I would be able to finish a race fully.
In life, it does not matter how you do it, what all that matters is that you cross that finish line which is the biggest, proudest moment to feel. I am now pursuing Physique Competition; I have been weight training now for over 8 months and getting my muscles defined to be able to compete. Never in a millions years I thought I would ever have a chance to do that.
Thirdly, being able to walk into a store and not having to go to the plus size section and worry about if they will have your size or if it is age appropriate. Being able to take my 48 in belt and wrap it around me multiple times!! Most amazing feeling. Obesity Help.com has been a part of my journey in many ways to help me become successful through many other stories and now I feel it is my turn to draw the motivation, inspire others that they can do the same and that I am here completely to support them along the way!
Share Your Before & After Success!
Celebrate your own Before & After WLS Success, milestones, non-scale victories, and inspire others! The OH team wants to hear from you to share your weight loss surgery journey. Visit our Before & After Submission page for details.
