NKOTB

Hello all - I am new to OH but have been lurking and reading a lot of posts for information and support.  I started to research VSG surgery about 2 years ago and have tried to read everything I could find about it.  After much consideration, I've committed to having the surgery and after jumping through all the testing hoops over the past 4 months, my surgery is scheduled for 4/28/15.  

One week ago I started my pre-op liquid diet, which is not fun, but before I started I did a week of a "reunion tour" eating all of my favorite foods/restaurants for the last time (or at least in such unreasonable portions).  I am ready.  My HW was 437# (64.5 BMI), when I started the pre-op diet my weight was 429# (63.3 BMI) and after one week of the pre-op diet I am 405# (59.8).  

I have been very lucky for at 49yo I have not had to suffer from any comorbidities other than recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, but I know it is just a matter of time before I get into real trouble if I didn't do something.

For me, the weight is just a number, my doctor says he would like me at 165-185#, within 2 years of the surgery, I nearly laughed him out of the room.  My goal for the surgery, is to help me manage my hunger and food intake and to get to a healthy weight that allows me to enjoy the activities that I have not been able to do or that I have had difficulting doing with being obese.  If that means 200# or 165#, it doesn't matter.  

I want to thank everyone who has shared their stories on this forum and I look forward to participating and the support as I work through this journey towards the "new me".

When I started the weight loss process I was at 385 pounds, and a bmi of 60.  I NEVER thought I'd get down to 200.  When people posted about one-derland, I'd think "great, but never me." 

Well, I am now 2 years post op,, and  I weigh 155 pounds, with a BMI of 24, and I feel great.  I just had plastics to remove excess skin, and my belly looks like it did when I was a teen. 

Don't laugh too hard when thinking of your doctor's goal for you.  You may be surprised!

Carol

Wishing you the best on your journey, like you said the weight is just a number BUT it will be all about how you feel.  I am willing to bet you will glide right into the range your doctor is looking at. Most of all you will get to a place where your body feels good. 

 truk911 wrote: "For me, the weight is just a number, my doctor says he would like me at 165-185#..."

It does seem like an impossible goal before the surgery, and without the surgery, it probably is. But you're about to acquire a very capable "partner" in your weight loss efforts. With the sleeve helping you, the impossible becomes probable and then becomes reality.

I'm only 3 months post-op and I've already lost 1/3 of my excess weight. The pre-op me would have laughed too. 

Good luck with your surgery and with seeing your weight loss become not just a number, but a fact.

psychoticparrot

as a fellow heavy weight I will tell you that this works , I hope to reach my surgeons goal by my 2 year check up

 losing 200 pounds takes time and the older you are the longer it takes , us heavy weights also have more problems exercising the pool it your friend, swimming and water aerobics burn a lot of calories and tone your muscles and help increase your metabolism 

Best of luck to you!  My one year anniversary is April 28th!!!  It's a good date! :D   I'm sure you are going to feel so much better and look great by next year at this time.  It is nothing short of miraculous.  

As heavyweights, we can lose more weight initially than our lighter weight comrades.  That's the only good thing about SSMO 

At my worst, my BMI was over 70.  My numbers are close to yours (449 highest, 419 preop, 392 day of surgery).  I think it's a risk to set deadlines for scale numbers because you risk spiraling out of control if you don't meet your expectations within a certain time frame.  However, I've lost 175 lbs since my surgery date and hope to be at my goal by the two year mark.  It becomes more of a struggle after the first year, so do everything in your power to stay on plan for the first year.

Good luck to you and enjoy the ride 

You got this!  I started out at 376 pre sleeve...8 months out and I'm down 162lbs...I'm only 19lbs away from a normal bmi (the one upside to being tall) I never thought I'd reach where I am now.  My center and I always said 230-240lbs was probably where I'd end up, as of today I'm 214 and well on my way to 195.  Work hard and you'll get the results you want!

Thank you everyone for your encouragement.  Today was the final pre-op appointment with my Surgeon and everything is in order for the next Tuesday.  The discussion with the Surgeon helped resolve the issues I have been struggling with these past few days.  I have had many second thoughts on whether or not this is the right decision for me.  While sitting in the exam room waiting for the doctor, I thought, I could cancel this today and then, go out to dinner today and overeat.  That thought process got me to this postion I am in today.  

I am ready and in 5 days, my new life begins.