Losing with VSG, Winning with #OH2015
October 29, 2015My name is Darrel Anderson, and my wife’s name is Amy, and we’ve struggled with obesity most of our lives. In 2013, tragedy struck and we watched my best friend since first grade, Ben, pass away from diabetic complications. In the same year, both of our biological dads passed away, both from heart attacks. The combination of losing Ben, and our biological dads, was our wake-up call. We didn’t want to die young.
Shortly after, during a visit to our family doctor, we were both told that if we didn't lose weight, we wouldn't have many years to live. This sobering fact was the final wake-up call that prompted us to look into weight loss surgery. Unfortunately, we were dealt another blow when we found out that our insurance wouldn’t cover the operations.
After careful consideration, Amy and I decided to take a risk, and I withdrew funds from my 401k retirement plan to pay for our surgeries. We had come to the realization that without our health, we wouldn’t live to retirement.
Through our decision to cash-pay, Amy and I both had Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) in Mexico on September 16, 2014, with Dr. Ortiz of A Lighter Me. When we returned home, our recuperation and weight loss kicked into high gear!
In the first year…
- My diabetes went into remission and I no longer have to take diabetic medications.
- Amy’s diabetes also is in remission, and she no longer requires a CPAP for sleep apnea.
- I went from a size 6x to an XL, and Amy went from a size 38 to proudly wearing an 18-20.
- I lost 192 pounds, Amy lost 190 pounds, for a total combined loss of 382 pounds!
The Reality of Being a WLS Couple
Being a post-op couple has its benefits: We are each other’s greatest cheerleaders, and it is comforting knowing that we’re doing this together. We also serve as each other’s workout buddies, walking and exercising together at the gym. Since we had the same surgery type, meal planning and grocery shopping are really easy. Even eating out is better, as we can go to a restaurant and order one entree to share, and even have leftovers to bring home.
Being a post-op couple also has its challenges: We have to be constantly aware not to enable each other. Our most difficult challenge since surgery has been getting through major life changes. Since we are married, when a significant life change occurs, we both are directly impacted.
We lost weight together, but we also got off track together: In May of 2015, close to Mother’s Day, my mom passed away. This was crushing to both of us, and we were deeply grief-stricken. The next several months were low points in our lives as we grieved the loss of my mother. During that time we also had another major life change. We moved across the country. Moving and settling into a new area was very stressful. Those life challenges had a direct impact on our post-op progress.
During that time, we started snacking and stopped tracking our meals. We both got off track and our weight loss completely stopped! We had hit a wall, and didn’t know what to do or where to turn.
Some of life’s best lessons are learned at the worst times in life
When we hit that wall, Amy and I decided to attend the ObesityHelp National Conference on October 16 and October 17, 2015, in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was the best decision we could have made at that low-point in our journey!
Attending the #OH2015 Conference helped us so much! We met inspiring and motivating people that supported us. We learned that we are not alone in this journey. Many others have had similar issues, but overcame them and started losing again. We heard from helpful speakers and exhibitors. We also LOVED the swag bags! We had no idea there were so many bariatric-friendly products.
The entire weekend gave us many opportunities to celebrate how far we’ve come and our commitment to health. There was a costume party, and our costumes were the Mario Brothers. I was Mario and Amy was Luigi, we had a blast dancing all night in our costumes! There was also a Fashion Show on Saturday night. We were nervous at first, but decided to strut down the catwalk without letting our nervousness get the best of us.
We went home feeling supported and motivated to get back on track. We were reminded that surgery isn’t a quick fix, and things will occur in life that we need to navigate. We’re now super focused on making the right decisions for our health. If we don’t, having our VSG weight loss surgeries will have meant nothing.
Not Only Are We Losing with VSG, We’re Also Winning at #OH2015
We had never won anything before until the ObesityHelp National Conference! We were thrilled when Amy won a $100 gift card. Feeling motivated by the Conference, we decided to stop by a local store later that day to buy two Fitbit Zips to help keep us motivated after the Conference.
We had no idea what was coming next!
Amy and I were sitting at our table and the winner was announced for the A Lighter Me Cruise. The next giveaway drawing, sponsored by Premier Protein, was for an all expenses paid trip to the #OH2016 National Conference in Anaheim, California. As the numbers were read, we noticed that the numbers were matching mine one by one. I was excited, but thought for sure that the winning ticket would be off by one. When they called that last number, which was a 9, I was shocked and had an explosion of elation like I've never experienced before.
When I knew I'd won, I jumped up and started yelling "YEA, YEA AMY, IT’S ME, I WON" at the top of my lungs! When I was called up to the stage, I practically bounded up there in one step! When my picture was taken, I threw up my arms out as wide as they could go, soaking it all in.
I was in disbelief, until ObesityHelp staff came up to me to explain that we would be contacted with the details of our flight, conference tickets, and hotel accommodations. As my "trophy", I received Mickey Mouse ears, which I happily wore the rest of the evening.
I was astonished that Darrel won! When Darrel jumped out of his seat, I was in shock and couldn't believe it. I told him that he'd better take me with him! ~Amy Anderson (wife of the #OH2016 winner!)
California, Here We Come
I'm really excited! I’ve never been to California so this will be my first time! I'm a Disney nerd. With Disneyland only 1-1/4 miles from the #OH2016 National Conference location, we will definitely be going there. Now that I've lost 192 pounds, I feel excited knowing that I will be able to ride any rides that I want to. I'm most excited about riding the It's A Small World ride! I can hardly wait!
Flying on a plane to California will be the first time that I won't have to wear a seat belt extender. I am also excited to stick my feet in the Pacific Ocean.
We’re so thrilled to attend #OH2016! By that time, we will be two years post-op and hope to have lost even more weight. Amy and I appreciate all of the support from everyone at #OH2015 National Conference and are already counting down the days to #OH2016. We can’t wait to reunite with our new friends and the ObesityHelp.com support system.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Darrel Anderson had VSG surgery in 2014 and has lost 192 pounds so far. He is a devoted fan of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. Darrel enjoys pro wrestling since he was a semi-pro wrestler (known as Shifty the Drunken Clown). Darrel has been married to his wife, Amy, for almost 10 years, and is daddy to their two furbaby cats, Weasley and Ciara. |
