Before and After VSG with Debbie Down 90 Pounds!
July 23, 2024I’ve been a large-boned girl from day one! Always wide shoulders, usually the tallest girl in the class and the heaviest. I learned early on not to discuss my weight with my friends, but I was always able to wear my weight well. Most people didn't realize how much I really weighed. I remember when I was 12, my family and I took a small recreational plane ride. The cost was a penny per pound; I weighed 120. From there, I started gaining 10 pounds a year, so at 14, I was 140, 15–150, and so on. When I tell this story, I always add, “And now I’m 66 (or whatever age I am), so you do the math!” Of course, I did eventually stop tracking like that.
When I got married at age 21, I had just lost 30 pounds (Atkins Diet) and weighed around 180 pounds. My wedding dress size was 16. From there, the weight battle really began. I had 3 babies starting at age 23 and, of course, added a net of 15–25 pounds with each one. From age 31, after my last child, I usually weighed around 250 pounds or more. My knees started hurting, and I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes by age 38. I have dieted off and on all my life, trying all of the popular diet programs. I knew that I needed to stay away from carbs, sugar, bread, high fructose, and anything from a box. So I’d make healthy choices along the way and would always manage to drop 20–30 pounds, but an event, holiday, or hectic season would come along and I would slide back into old habits and gain all the weight back, and then some. Many times I was successful, but it was always short-lived. When I was in my 50's, I looked into bariatric surgery, even attending a group meeting to see what my options were. I remember finding out that it was going to be quite the process—very lengthy, time-consuming, and very costly. I was also ineligible at the time to use my health insurance, and I never did any more research, so I put bariatric surgery to rest. I was also seeing an orthopedic doctor and getting cortisone shots in my right knee due to the extreme pain. Eventually, I had a full knee replacement.
Before and After VSG with Debbie
Name: Debbie C.
Total Weight Loss: 90
Surgery Type: Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)
Surgery Date: February 8, 2023
Surgeon: Dr. Guillermo Alvarez
My New Journey Begins in Mexico
In December 2022, a long-time family friend told us that she was having gastric sleeve surgery (VSG) AND that she was going to Mexico to have it done! My thoughts were, “I can't believe she’s having it done, and why would anyone have it done in Mexico?” We had many conversations with my friend, and they had nothing but positive things to say about their entire experience, including the cleanliness and well-ordered hospital, the friendly and competent staff, and of course, the personable, compassionate, and professional Dr. Alvarez. I decided to see if I qualified to have gastric sleeve surgery by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez at the Endohospital in Piedras Negras, Mexico.
On February 8, 2023, weighing in at 274 pounds (having previously weighed 285 prior to the pre-op diet), Dr. Alvarez helped me begin a whole new journey as my lifestyle was about to change and a new adventure began! I remember thinking, “I may actually be able to lose weight and be able to keep it off,” and that was an exciting thought. My progress was slower than I had read about and hoped for. But after all, I have struggled with an insulin resistance problem for many years now. In one month, I had lost 23 pounds, and in 6 months, I had only lost 42 pounds. It was at that point that I also hit a 3-month stall. I was discouraged. But I persevered, and at 16 months post-op, I’m now down to 197 pounds, which is almost 90 pounds! This is the first time in over 44 years that I’ve weighed under 200 pounds, and for that, I am so grateful that I began this journey.
My Non-Scale Victories
I started walking every day about two months after surgery, and I now enjoy a daily aerobic exercise and strength training routine every morning and every night. I am no longer on blood pressure medications and, more importantly, insulin! All of my lab work is back in normal range. I walk so much better and maneuver curbs and stairs with ease. I have more stamina, so traveling is so much easier, like getting in and out of vehicles and riding on airplanes, especially since I no longer need that belt extender! Shopping for clothes is so enjoyable now. For the first time in over 40 years, I no longer have to shop in the plus-size sections. I previously wore sizes 24 and 3X, and I’m now in size Large (12–14). My family has watched my progress, and I’m excited to say I’ve just returned from Mexico with my husband and daughter-in-law, who had the VSG done by Dr. Alvarez! It was extremely satisfying and rewarding to return to the Endohospital, where my gastric sleeve journey began. I was excited to be interviewed by Dr. Alvarez to do a testimonial video, which will air on the Endobariatric YouTube channel.
This journey will never be over, but I am happy to be on it. I have to be sure to get enough protein each day, take my vitamins, make wise food choices, and be careful not to graze. Gastric sleeve surgery is not the easy way out. It still requires determination and work. VSG is only a tool—a great one, though! I only wish I had done it sooner!
Celebrate your own Before & After WLS or Medical Weight Loss success, your milestones, and non-scale victories like Debbie. Your journey can help to inspire others! The OH team would love to hear from you! Visit our Before & After Submission page for details.
