VSG and BMI 50+

I just wanted to share my success that I have had with my VSG.  I was about 378 lbs about 14 months ago.  I have had a wonderful response with my VSG.  I am feeling so great.  I work out alot (because I love it and love what it does for me), I feel so free and so happy.  I don't have alot of long term concerns.  I feel like I will be able to keep the weight off...and health wise I feel like I will be able to continue good health.  I don't have any issues like reflux or troubles with foods.  And I don't have any troubles or concerns with long term effects of malabsorption.  All my co-morbs are gone.

I am not trying to lose more weight at this time, but I still am.  I don't want to get into a diet cycle again.  Some people say VSGers diet.  I don't.  I follow about 6 rules.  That's it.  

Protein first
schedule meals (every 3 hours)
Don't drink with meals
avoid junk carbs
measure or portion foods
move every single day (for a long time I didn't exercise)

I just really wanted to put it out there for people who might be in the same boat I was a bit over a year ago.  I was so locked in myself...it was a very hard time.  I want to also share some thoughts I have about obesity.

Obesity is a disease.  Obesity is a disease that breeds on shame.  We obese are told, and believe that it is our fault.  That we have a personality flaw....that we are weak minded...that we are lazy.  And so we feel like if we can just figure out how to change, we can lose weight.  And so we don't ask for help...not fully...not submit ourselves to the instructions of others.  It isn't until we can break through the shame that we can really ask for (and take) help.  We can argue all day about addiction, blame, personal responsibility, genetics, corn syrup...but I can tell you, as soon as I let go of the shame and asked people for help, I got it.  There are people who want to help.  Doctors, nutritionists, therapists, trainers, friends, family...you just have to take the step and ask and then take it to heart with out the defensiveness that shame brings.

I have no idea why I felt like I had to write that, but I really did.

OK, for the stats
378 to 193 lbs
Size 30/32 4x to 12/14 L or XL 
Bra size 52DD to 38DD
Shoe size 10WW to 9M
Ring size 10 to 6.5

Barely able to walk a block to being easily able to walk 4+ miles in an hour.  I can also run a 10 minute mile.  Work out with a trainer doing all sorts of crazy things.  I can go to the gym 6 days a week

Reflux, PCOS, joint pain, back pain, high BP, heart irregularities, sleep apnea - all gone

I am not a special case.  I am a normal gal who has been obese since childhood.  I know my journey isn't over...not even close!  I have to always take care of myself so that I don't gain the weight back...which is an absolute nightmare of mine. 

So I just wanted to share :)

The jury is still out if VSG people can keep it off long term, so please let keep coming back and sharing your experience and congrats to you!

I knew mean DSers wouldnt allow me to post a VSG positive post without saying something.  I will come back, healthy and well.

I didnt even want ot post because I knew crazy DSers would make snide or even awful comments like they did when I chose VSG over DS.  I just wanted others to know there are good options.

I just posted this on the VSG board but wil cut and paste it here as well
 Many DS'ers are for sure a vocal bunch. They have been predicting my failure since before I chose the sleeve almost 2 year ago.
One of my favorite responses is
You can argue with me but you cannot argue with my resultsBTW my  results include
VSG done in June 2008
BMI over 51 when I started
263 before surgery
5 ft tall before and after surgery (I was hoping to be taller but no such luck)
53 year old at time of surgery
135 lbs lost in the first 10 mos
Easily maintained that loss since
Jan 09 completed a half marathon (13.1 miles) averaging 15 minutes a mile
Hiking almost on a daily basis on trails rated moderate to difficult (i.e. thousand foot elevation gain in the first mile of the trail)
Went from size 26/28 to size 6 (some size 4)
Off high blood pressure meds within 3 mos of surgery (probably could have gone off sooner if I had seen my PCP sooner)
Will be doing overnight hike down and up the Grand Canyon in Oct 2010
As far as difference between "eating" DS way and sleeve way
I can and do eat about anything I want (albeit in smaller amounts)
I do eat full fat mayo and butter
I do eat pork and well marbled steaks
I do eat dark meat chicken and even eat the skin
I do NOT diet per say and do have a diet mentatlity
I AM mindful of unhealthy carbs not because the give me smelly gas or poops but because they are unhealthy
I go on the DS sight because I sometimes find good recipes and food tips that work great for my VSG stomach.
While I do take a multivitamin and calcium I do not need to by hypervigilant about taking them or be fearful of NOT taking them
Besides I apparently would not be a good DS person anyway cause I do not like bacon and that seems to be one of their selling features.

OK the bacon part is meant to be funny

LOL! I have to laugh at the bacon! I know some DSers *****ally, really high fat diets because of the malabsorption, but I guess I can't wrap my mind around that being healthy.

I also know DSers who have never made goal, or bounced back quite a bit (all it takes to be a surgery success is losing 50% of your extra body fat).

I think all the surgeries are a tool, not an answer. I needed a tool that would help me eat in a healthy manner without malabsorbing too much. That's what *I* needed. We all have different paths and we should all wish each other success and good health!

Since you are still PRE OP Larissa I think the jury is still out on you.  Why don't you try some positive comments for a change.

Don't let anyone get you down- I really appreciate hearing your story and wanted to give you a  ! Way to go making a lifestyle choice that you can live with for LIFE! I hope to echo your sentiments when I'm that far out as well!

Thanks so much.  And a huge congrats on your sucess!  You are doing great!!

Thanks