I have gone from a 53 BMI to a 38.9 !!!!!!
Days like this, when life seems like it's crumbling down on me, I decided to look back at where I started this weight loss journey. I weighed 300 pounds, was 54 years old, my arthritis was crippleing me. I needed knee replacements, but the orthopedist wouldn't even consider it at my weight. I was eating narcotic pain meds for the arthritis, and anti-inflamatorys like candy.
My PCP suggested weight loss surgery, and a VSG so I could continue to take anti inflamatorys. It took me and my HMO (Kaiser) 10 months to get to surgery. I took their 3 month class, signed up in August, 2010 weighing 293. Finally got my Sleeve January 24, 2011.
I have lost 83 pounds since I started my journey. I am no longer severely morbidly obese. I even left morbidly obese behind and am now proud to be just plain obese !!!
I don't lose weight quickly, but I lose weight consistanty over time, and I have gone from a woman's plus size 28 to a regular ladies size 18.
I take the anti inflamatorys, but no more narcotics. I sleep at night, and sleep well. I walk without a cane most of the time now; and am getting more range of motion as I lose more weight.
Recently lost my job, so I'm job hunting, looking for something with a great benefit package, so I can get my knees done !
Weight loss surgery was the best thing that has ever happened to me, for my health and well being.
High Wt 300 lbs. Pre-op Wt loss 34 lbs. 
I also have problems with mobility. I have peripheral neuropathy in my hands, feet, and legs. It can be very painful some days. The meds I am on is one of the reasons I am leaning towards the sleeve. I know losing weight won't fix the neuropathy, but I am hoping it makes the mobility issues that comes along with lesson.
I am happy to see someone I can identify with who has been on this journey for a while and can share their success with us.
Thank you!
visit me at learn.love.live.The 3 C's of life: choices, chances and changes ~
You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.
For me, I knew that the sleeve was the only alternative -- but that was primarily because of the anti-inflamatories, and the steroids... I cannot begin to tell you how much this sleeve has helped me to stick to my nutritional plan, and how much better I feel on a daily basis. I have only just begun to look in the mirror and actually see the physical changes -- how my clothes look, my new body shape....because for me, it was how much less pain I am in, and how great I feel physically ! I know for many, it is the dress size, and how the jeans fit. For me, it's how fit I feel !!!
High Wt 300 lbs. Pre-op Wt loss 34 lbs. 
