Celebrating 3.5 years post op. Life is good.
I am now 3.5 years post op from my sleeve surgery and I am so grateful for the health and mobility it has given me.
I want to tell all the beginners that this surgery really works. It makes it possible to lose weight and manage your obesity. It does not make it easy, but it makes it possible.
In my experience, you have to make a life-long commitment to healthy eating, and watching your calories, carbs, and life-style. Its easy to gain the weight back if you think that you are done when you reach goal.
Maintenance is just a small shift in your program that allows a few more calories and a little more flexibility to 'cheat'. But if you go back to old habits of grazing or eating poor quality foods, you will be amazed how quickly you can regain the weight.
But the good news is that we have the tools to succeed if we can keep our focus.
I started at 385 pounds. I was afraid of surgery, and I did not do it until I was over 60, and I could see my life as a downward spiral of less and less mobility, more and more isolation and dependency. When I had the surgery, I thought I'd be happy just to be under 300 pounds again. I didn't even imagine I'd get under 200 pounds, much less a normal weight. But here I am at 167 pounds, and just a little north of a normal BMI. Its possible.
I am so grateful for my weight loss surgery, and the great improvements in my health and mobility. The biggest change in my life is that I can travel now. I did not travel for almost 20 years when I was obese, and now I am making up for lost time. My hubby and I have been taking two trips per year, and I can keep up with the best of them on the strenuous tours, climbing those stairs to the parthenon, or the ruins of Pompeii, or the rainforest in Australia. Next fall, we will be traveling to Machu Pichu and the Galapagos Islands, and the following year, Africa. Life is good.
Best of luck on your weight loss journey.
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
Congrats on your success! I am so happy for you, and loving the fact you not only travel, but you travel world-wide! That's my dream.
You are 100% correct, that maintenance is just a SMALL shift. Learning from experience and a regain of about 42lbs. I am ashamed but, came out of hiding and am trying / doing my best to get back to my 'new normal stomach life'. The first time I traveled after VSG I was down about 50lbs. I cried. I cried because I didn't need a seat belt extender on the airplane. That was one of my most proud moments - and the fact that I went skydiving.
Nothing comes easy but, we all deserve to treat ourselves to a healthy happy life.
Congratulations!!
International travel is a HUGE gift after reaching goal. And it is so much more enjoyable.
What you said about maintenance - AMEN! I went back to bad foods and bad habits. Now I have 20/20 hindsight. I'm grateful this tool can be kick started again!
Thank you for your good example, and your support.
"...This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away, to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. What he was doing..."
Rachel, PMHNP-BC
HW-271 SW-260 LW(2009)-144 ~ Retread: HW-241 CW-190 GW-150
Carol,
I do not post on here often but do follow a lot on the site. You have been such an inspiration to me. I love the sage advice you give out. I have tried so many of your recipes and they really help me stay on track. Congratulations on your success and your hard work. You are a role model for all
Blessings
Judy
Judy 5'5" HW 298 SW 270
Carol,
I do not post on here often but do follow a lot on the site. You have been such an inspiration to me. I love the sage advice you give out. I have tried so many of your recipes and they really help me stay on track. Congratulations on your success and your hard work. You are a role model for all
Blessings
Judy
Judy 5'5" HW 298 SW 270
