What a Difference a Year Makes ! (Long)
A year ago this week, I had had enough ! After being morbidly obese most of my life and losing 100+ pounds and regaining it and more three times, the man I love went into cardiac arrest. At close to 300 pounds, I could barely drag him off the bed and do CPR until EMS arrived. (I did, and he is alive and well with an implanted defibrillator/pacemaker.)
I began to investigate bariatric surgery and found this site. I was able to get an appointment with my PCP for early January to officially weigh in at 271. I got an early February appointment with my Bariatric team. I had done individual and group counseling regarding disordered eating during the previous two years, and I was primed and ready.
I started my pre-surgery lean and green diet January first and never looked back. I lost 53 pounds before my 5/27/15 VSG, and have lost 67 pounds since, for a total of 120 pounds gone. I am under my surgeon's goal of 155, and am now two pounds from a HEALTHY BMI. I'd like to get to 145.
Has it been easy ? No. However, this site has been my foundation. There is so much wisdom and experience here. I am grateful for all of you who generously share. What are some of my key insights ?
- My sleeve is a tool. To take the best possible care of it and help it function to its true potential, I also have to respect the power of my pyloric valve. Protein first.
- Drink 64+ oz. of water daily.... makes a big difference !
- Spend as much time and effort planning for success in maintenance as I did planning for success in weigh loss.
- Find a physical activity I can love. (I now swim a mile 3x per week.)
- Embrace a healthy lifestyle as forever commitment. Going back to old habits and choices means going back to morbid obesity.
If I could do this, you can too.
Age: 64; 5' 5"; High weight: 345; Start weight: 271 (01/05/15); Surgery weight: 218 (05/27/15); Pre-Op (-53); M 1 (-18); M 2 (-1.5); M 3 (-13.5 ); M 4 (-13); M 5 (- 8); M 6 (-12) M 7 (-5, Xmas); M 8 (- 9) Under surgeon's goal and REACHED HEALTHY BMI 12/07/15!! (Six months and one week.) AT GOAL month 8. Maintaining at goal range (139- 144) ~ four (4) years !!
Congratulations! You've accomplished a wonderful thing.
Surgery Date: 12/9/14 - Highest Weight: 349 - Surgery Weight: 305 - Current Weight: 137
Goal reached in 13 months - 212 total pounds lost including pre-op
(M1: -20) (M2: -18) (M3: -11) (M4: -11) (M5: -14) (M6: -1) (M7: -18) (M8: -7) (M9: -15)
(M10: -13) (M11: -7) (M12: -10) (M13: -10) (M14 -6) (M15: -7) - 168 lbs lost post-op
What a great story. Fantastic story. You are a great example for others. You should be really proud of yourself.
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.
Great job! I have no doubt that you will get to your target!!!! 2015 has been a great year.
![](https://images.obesityhelp.com/uploads/profile/1330391/tickers/shel25ba98d40757f7175394add992e90327d8.png?_=8295736193)
HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32 Mo 2:-13.5 Mo 3: -13.5 Mo 4 -9.5 Mo 5: -15 Mo 6: -15 Mo 7: -13.5 Mo 8: -17 Mo 9: -13 Mo 10: -12.5 11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached! Mo 11: -9 Mo 12: -8 12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!
What a wonderful post! Your story is inspirational. Congratulations on your success. Your insights are right on with my experience. Great job working that sleeve!
I started my weight loss process three years ago this month after a trip to Europe where I couldn't keep up with the group due to my weight. I came home, made an appointment for the informational meeting for WLS, and the rest is history.
Congratulations on your success.
Carol
![](https://images.obesityhelp.com/uploads/profile/1049236/tickers/cappy11448a969d95478867dfea6e821b42fb3433d.png?_=8778392426)
Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385, Surgery Weight 333, Current Weight 160. At GOAL!
Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12 8-8
9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3 18-3