3 years ago this week...

It was January, 2013 when I attended my information meeting on weight loss surgery.  I had just returned from a cruise where I had been severely limited in what I could do by my weight.  I weighed 385 pounds, and had a BMI of 60. 

It is now January of 2016 and I weigh 160 pounds and have a BMI of 24.  I am a normal weight, and I've been maintaining for over 1.5 years.  I have been traveling a lot and I can join the strenuous tours and keep up with the best of them.  No more pain in my knees or back.  No more sleep apnea.  My energy is so much better.  I am so happy with my sleeve.

I want new people considering weight loss surgery to know this really works.  It doesn't make it easy - you will have to commit and do the work of changing your eating, and following the rules.  But the surgery makes it possible.

When I started, I would have been happy just to be under 300 pounds.  I never thought I'd get below 200 pounds.  When people would post about reaching one-derland,  I'd think, "that'll never happen for me."  But here I am, not only under 200 pound, but at a normal weight.  It is possible.

I've also seen a lot of people on this forum fail, never reaching goal, or reaching goal only to regain weight.  I want to emphasize that it takes commitment and discipline.  If you don't make the changes in your diet and eating habits, it is all too easy to defeat yourself.  The sleeve only works if you follow the rules - don't graze,  eat dense protein first to limit capacity,  then fill up on low-carb veggies avoid liquids with meals,etc.  All those rules are there for a reason.

When I started the process, I had a friend/acquaintance who had done WLS about 5 years before me and was so enthusiastic and encouraging me to do the same.  I gave her a call to tell her of my decision, and she informed me that she had gained most of her weight back.  She didn't follow the rules.  She grazed, she ate junk food.  She drank liquids with her meals.  She defeated her surgery.

This put the fear of God in me.  I decided if I was going to do something as radical as removing most of my tummy,  I darn well was going to be compliant.  I can tell you,  if you follow the rules, this really works.

When I went into maintenance, I was so afraid of regaining.  I tried several approaches, and finally realized that maintenance is just a new plan with a few more calories.  We never get done with the process.  The Sleeve is just a tool.  It doesn't cure the obesity.  We need to manage the obesity the rest of our lives.  But the surgery makes it possible.

So I want to encourage you all to make the most of your sleeve.  It can work, but only if you make it happen.

I love my sleeve.

best wishes,

Carol

Thank you for this post.  I am very close to my goal weight.  I had my 12 month post-op appt on Wednesday.  I expressed my concern about regaining weight.  Dr. Kane who is very hardcore in our opinion (and that's fine with us) said that I was spazzing out -  just to be calm, keep on the plan and I will be fine. So I'm trying not to spazz out, keep calm and stay on the plan. 

I sure can relate.  After all the times I've regained weight after a diet,  there was good reason to fear.  But I think your doctor is right.  As long as we view maintenance as a plan, we will be fine.  And we know how to follow a plan!

congratulations on getting close to goal.  You've done a great job working that sleeve!

Carol

Yes we do and thank you, Carol.

You are such an inspiration!!! Congrats to you!!!

thanks,  I wish you every success on your weight loss journey.

Carol

Such a wonderful story of encouragement. In a few days my journey begins, hopefully this time next year I'll have a success story of my own. Thank you for sharing. I love hearing these stories.  

thanks,

Best of luck with your surgery and weight loss journey.  I can't wait to hear your success stories!

Carol

Carol, you have done so well - congratulations! thank you also for sharing your experiences with all of us! Your dedication to following the plan and giving back to the WLS community is admirable!

Thanks Paula,  And thank you for all your support and dedication to the OH community.

Carol