8th Month Update

So it's been 8 months since I had my surgery. I was doubtful...I thought I would be one of those people that wouldn't lose or would be a slow loser.

Who would have thought that I would hit goal after seven months.

I set my goal to 220 pounds. Today I weigh-in at 214 pounds. That brings my total loss to 143 pounds. 48 Pre-op and 95 post-op.

According to the BMI chart I 'm a 29 which means I'm moderately overweight. Not bad, as someone who rated in at Morbid Obese a year ago. This is for all those people that say the Sleeve doesn't have comparable weight loss to the RNY or DS. Goes to show you that it can be done.  

I have decided that a number is that..just a number. I feel great and I couldn't care if I lost another pound. I'm going to try to stabilize at this weight but my nut said my body will know when to stop.

I hope it stops soon as I'm starting to freak out. I started to buy winter clothes as it's getting cold up here in NY. I went into JC Penney to try on some winter coats. I thought that I would be pushing it by trying on a large. Guess what..It was to big. I had to go with a Medium. A medium...Last year this time I had a 4x coat. I'm starting to feel like the character in the Steven King book...Thinner.

It's all good, though....I'm happy with my progress. If I lose more I can deal with it.

Last night, I had my monthly support group meeting. I was presented with my Century Club Certificate (which indicated the date of my rebirth 3/3/2010). It came with a nice letter from Dr. Vohra congratulating me on my success. Have to say it felt great.

I'm getting many comments from Friends, Family and coworkers. 

I have to mention this one NSV as it was kind of morbid but at the same time it was awesome.

A really close co-worker's brother passed away a couple of weeks ago. I went to the Wake. At the Wake was an Executive Vice President from the company. We've had meetings before and have had one on one conversations in the past. But I haven't talked to the man in about three years. I walked up to him to say hello at the wake. He looked me straight in the eye and reached out to shake my hand and introduced him self with his first and last name, as we never met before. I felt really bad...How could he forget who I am? Am I that unnoticeable in the company? He then went to talk to another co worker. After I picked my pride up off of the floor, I went over to socialize a bit with the group he was talking with. As soon as I got there. He said to me "Mike...I didn't recognize you. It's unbelievable how you've changed. You look incredible". Then he asked me how do I feel? you must have alot of energy now.  It then occurred to me that my weight loss made me look like a different person. It's amazing how dropping a 140 pounds makes you feel and look younger.

Here's an example of a downside. I've lost my presence.

I begin by saying one of my favorite t-shirts that doesn't fit anymore was a Big Dog Shirt that said Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way". That was my motto before. I used to be able to walk in Penn or Grand Central station (during rush hour) and walk a straight line across the terminal and everyone would get out of my way. As I was the Big dog. Now it seems that I'm an ant. I'm constantly being bumped into and knocked around. I can no longer walk across the station with ease. I find my self dodging through the crowd. I no longer lead the pack. It seems that not only doesn't the shirt fit anymore...I no longer live up to that motto.  

This is the only disadvantage that I have been able to realize to this point.

I think I have adjusted well to the sleeve. I've found a balance. I don't measure my food, I eat until I'm satisfied, not until I'm full. I can eat a wide variety at this point. I'm happy and my sleeve is happy. Life is grand!!!

I find my self not checking this site as frequently as I did. But I guess that's a natural progression as the whole point of this is to live life to it's fullest and not hide behind a computer.

For those of you on the fence about surgery. I highly recommend the sleeve. It's changed my life. 

  
 

 Mikey - CONGRATULATIONS on your tremendous success!  You've worked hard and you are still a leader!  Look at the example you've set for all of us who follow this site.  

I've had similar experiences with people at meetings who I've not seen since my WLS.  At first they say a polite hi.  I even overheard one guy say to someone else as I started to walk away, "who is that?"  When he was told it was me, he came over and apologized...then there was the whole discussion about my journey.

You are still the same guy, leader, "Big Dog" on the inside...Now instead of a St Bernard, you've got the body of a Greyhound!

Keep up the great work and enjoy a long, happy, and very healthy life!

Congrats on your success!

We've all had those moments when we encounter somebody who should recognize us but don't.  Have had it happen several times.  Can make it work to your advantage too if there is somebody you don't care to be associated with from your past that you encounter - like an ex-wife or GF!

Your story is an inspiration to us all. You've done and great job!

Congrats Mike - that is awesome and inspiring. I am 1 week post-sleeving - it's exciting (and a bit scary) to think of what my life might be like 8 mos from now. I don't even have a mental picture of what I would look like under 240, since the last time I was there was in my teens.

Good to know the sleeve is working well for you, and accommodating a wide variety of foods. Mine is healing nicely and I feel ready for soft foods but still have two more weeks to go.

Thanks for sharing!

A whole new world awaits you my friend. Hope you strapped in tight. It's all downhill from here.

Congratulations.  Perhaps people were clearing a path for you before because they wanted to avoid the morbidly obese person.  Depending on how you walked, you may have appeared a bit unsteady.  You may not have been the big dog that you thought you were;  rather, you may have been the dangerously bloated dog.  Anyway, that lifestyle is gone. 

I do ask you to check here from time to time and to check forums related to your surgery.  Their are people sitting on the fence trying to decide which type of surgery to have.  You can help someone else. 

Thanks, I've been a regular on the VSG forum for a while. I only recently started checking out the Mens forum.

outstanding!

Amazing success and it's a real motivator for me.

Thanks for your post.