3 year update with Photo

jubjub
on 6/22/15 2:30 pm - Palm Desert, CA

VSG on 06/25/12

It makes sense... you find a level of pain you can tolerate. You train and practice, you get faster/better - two things happen... 1) you can go faster/longer at that given level of pain, so you improve, and 2) you also learn to increase pain tolerance so you up the bar overall...

Or as Greg LeMond said "it never gets easier, you just go faster."

Heaviest: 313/VSG Pre: 295/Surgery: 260/Maintenance target:190 - Recent: 195 (08/15/19)

1st 2015&2016 12-Hour Time Trial UMCA 50-59 Age Group
1st 2017 Race Across the West 4-Person 50-59 Age Group
4th 2019 Race Across America 8 Person Team

T Hagalicious Rebel
Brown
on 6/22/15 3:33 pm - Brooklyn

VSG on 04/25/14

Wow, I guess there is something to the phrase no pain no gain. I haven't really practiced on hills, avoiding getting hit by cars is my aim right now. I did have a pesky knee pain on my left side, it wasn't much, eventually I didn't notice it anymore & was able to continue riding. I always figured pain meant stop, not put up with it, nice to know you can still grow from pain.

No one surgery is better than the other, what works for one may not work for another. T-Rebel

https://fivedaymeattest.com/

Chilipepper
on 6/22/15 3:29 pm

Amazing!! You are an inspiration and a true success story!! Congratulations!

"The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue." --- Dorothy Parker

"You may not like what I say or how I say it, but it may be just exactly what you need to hear." ---Kathryn White

Grim_Traveller
on 6/22/15 6:39 pm

RNY on 08/21/12

You are the WLS Poster Child Tom. Thanks for sticking around and helping others.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

jubjub
on 6/22/15 7:00 pm - Palm Desert, CA

VSG on 06/25/12

I don't do near enough helping to repay my debt, but I'll get after it... :)

Heaviest: 313/VSG Pre: 295/Surgery: 260/Maintenance target:190 - Recent: 195 (08/15/19)

1st 2015&2016 12-Hour Time Trial UMCA 50-59 Age Group
1st 2017 Race Across the West 4-Person 50-59 Age Group
4th 2019 Race Across America 8 Person Team

akindofmagick
on 6/22/15 8:17 pm - MD

VSG

Thanks so much for coming back and writing such a positive post, Tom. My family is still very negative about the whole thing, even five days post surgery, and is so wearying trying to keep my faith alive in the face of all their negativity. I've so much wish I had never looked to anybody but the people here for support!

Sheri

I've been fat, and I've been thin - and thin is better.

There is a better way. --Alaine of Lyndar
--------------------------
HW: 234. SW: 228 (18 June 2015). GW: 137. Specs: 50ish, 5'4"

jubjub
on 6/23/15 8:33 am - Palm Desert, CA

VSG on 06/25/12

Keep the faith! Have a plan. Stick to your plan. It works. Do everything you can to stay on track for the first 6 months. Find a physical activity you can get passionate about...

Tom

Heaviest: 313/VSG Pre: 295/Surgery: 260/Maintenance target:190 - Recent: 195 (08/15/19)

1st 2015&2016 12-Hour Time Trial UMCA 50-59 Age Group
1st 2017 Race Across the West 4-Person 50-59 Age Group
4th 2019 Race Across America 8 Person Team