My experience at 2.5 years post op

I am 2.5 years post op. I remember as a pre op and in the immediate few months after my surgery I was always looking for posts with a medium to longer term perspective just to see what I might be facing down the road, so I hope this will be helpful and insightful to some. By no means does my experience predict anything about anyone else's WLS journey! 

So my highest weight was 222 lbs and the day of surgery I weighed 208. I wanted to lose down to 110 but then revised that to 120 and I made that goal close to the two year mark.

I had really good restriction right away and had no issues at all after surgery. Literally no problems with anything. Still the same now. Very lucky but its possible! 

For the first year I dilligently tracked everything, exercised regularly and was super into my post WLS life. Now I am much less strict but still very mindful of what I eat and what I do. I have had plastics so an additional motivator not to mess up my beautiful flat tummy is very helpful. 

My VSG still works well for me. I am rarely if ever hungry. I take my vitamins and calcium citrate. I am not a gym rat but I am active in life and although I still love my couch it is not my best buddy anymore. I weigh myself daily and even a half pound creep up will have me adjusting my intake. I do believe it is all about calories. I don't want to wait for a regain of 10 lbs before taking action. Half a pound is so much easier to deal with.

Now as to the consumption comparison - immediately post op a couple of bites would fill me up. Then progressively I was able to eat what I think is a normal post op portion - one egg or a 4 oz serving of greek yogurt, 2 oz of dense protein and some veggies, a half a cup of soup and so on. 

Yesterday I went out for dinner and this is what I ate:

half a small roll with butter

2 very small fried calamari rings

3 escargot

a bite (yes just one!) of tomato/mozzarella 

3 oz of a filet mignon medallion

two fork fulls of green beans and one of spinnach

two bites of lobster

glass of pinot noir (red wine)

I noted it all down because I wanted to see and compare. I did feel my restriction and vagus nerve was stimulated so I got the sneezies at the end which was always a good indicator for me that I could have gone without that last bite!

It was reasonable for a gala meal but there is definitely evolution in capacity over time so my best advice is to be mindful and always put protein forward if you want to make the best of your tool long term. Take your vites and drink your water. Keep things simple. 

I am in a size 6 and maintaining but at 2.5 years out I can see that the future will not necessarily be easy in terms of volume and in terms of choices. Surgery gives you a tool, a jump start to a healthier life. The rest is in our individual hands.

Thank you for sharing your experience.  It is an encouragement to those of us just starting our journey.  

Thanks for sharing, Julia. I love reading about the successful transformations people have made. I wish for you to have continued success in this lifetime journey!

Thanks for posting. It is very helpful! I am a 5-year lap-bander, now 2 weeks into my VSG revision.  I have had no complications or really even discomfort, at all since surgery. It's almost "too easy" and I keep wondering if I don't really have my sleeve or if I won't really lose weight. It really does help to hear from someone a few years out!

Good to see you friend! Glad to read you continue to thrive!

Thanks for the post,  it good to hear from someone over two years out!

Great post! Really helped me to see what sucess is like at 2-1/2 years out. Thank you so much!

What a great post!, So nice to see someone be so successful a couple of years down the road. Thanks for sharing. 

Thanks for your post. I am always glad to hear from sleevers several years out.

I know that this will not be an easier journey as the years pass, but it is good to know that by following the rules that I am adhering to now that success is possible.

Wish you continued success.

Hi Julia, YES, I love this type of post as I look forward to what the next couple of years old for me! Thank you so much for all the details.

~Shel