4 Years Later
I'm 4 years out this month. I remember reading helpful posts here before my surgery and hope that this message helps anyone who may be on the fence about the surgery.
I started at 415 lbs and got down to about 386 prior to surgery. I lost 100 lbs in the first year after my sleeve and then plateaued for two years.
I decided that I didn't want to stop at 280 and in January 2015 I started running and tracking my food on My Fitness Pal. I ran my first 5k in March 2015 and just finished my first Half Marathon last Saturday.
I'm down to 209.6 lbs and will be below 200 by the end of June. It does and will always take work, but the sleeve was the best decision I ever made for my health and my quality of life.
For those of you who are pre-surgery, know that you are making the right decision. For those of you post, keep up the hard work.
Wow. Great story. I'm so glad to hear your sleeve is still serving you years after surgery. Congratulations on your commitment and hard work.
Carol
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
I LOVE your post! So many people feel trapped by that honeymoon period, when really the only difference between the first 6 months and much later out is waning motivation to stay on plan. Tremendous job to refocus and make so much progress!
Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!
1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost
Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!
Thank you so much for this post. I really needed this boost! Tomorrow, 4/20 is my surgery date and yes, very nervous and suddenly filled with doubts. My surgeon had given me a speech about how many sleevers sleevers gain the weight back after 3 years and it concerned me. I know it comes down to our heads and the work we put onto it but I guess the fear is- if I couldn't do it before, why will I be able to now?? This weight is so crushing to ones self esteem but I'm a fighter and BOY are you one. Congratulations and thank you for sharing this amazing journey of yours.
Perfectly normal to be nervous and to have doubts.
The sleeve gives your brain time to adjust. I still struggle with head hunger and thinking I should eat more than I really need to. Luckily my sleeve usually restrains me on those days.
You've undoubtedly fought to get to this point, whether through fears, surgeon approval, insurance approval, family acceptance, personal acceptance. Just don't stop fighting once you get the sleeve.
You'll do fine.
