What a Difference a Year Makes ! (Long)
A year ago this week, I had had enough ! After being morbidly obese most of my life and losing 100+ pounds and regaining it and more three times, the man I love went into cardiac arrest. At close to 300 pounds, I could barely drag him off the bed and do CPR until EMS arrived. (I did, and he is alive and well with an implanted defibrillator/pacemaker.)
I began to investigate bariatric surgery and found this site. I was able to get an appointment with my PCP for early January to officially weigh in at 271. I got an early February appointment with my Bariatric team. I had done individual and group counseling regarding disordered eating during the previous two years, and I was primed and ready.
I started my pre-surgery lean and green diet January first and never looked back. I lost 53 pounds before my 5/27/15 VSG, and have lost 67 pounds since, for a total of 120 pounds gone. I am under my surgeon's goal of 155, and am now two pounds from a HEALTHY BMI. I'd like to get to 145.
Has it been easy ? No. However, this site has been my foundation. There is so much wisdom and experience here. I am grateful for all of you who generously share. What are some of my key insights ?
- My sleeve is a tool. To take the best possible care of it and help it function to its true potential, I also have to respect the power of my pyloric valve. Protein first.
- Drink 64+ oz. of water daily.... makes a big difference !
- Spend as much time and effort planning for success in maintenance as I did planning for success in weigh loss.
- Find a physical activity I can love. (I now swim a mile 3x per week.)
- Embrace a healthy lifestyle as forever commitment. Going back to old habits and choices means going back to morbid obesity.
If I could do this, you can too.
Age: 64; 5' 5"; High weight: 345; Start weight: 271 (01/05/15); Surgery weight: 218 (05/27/15); Pre-Op (-53); M 1 (-18); M 2 (-1.5); M 3 (-13.5 ); M 4 (-13); M 5 (- 8); M 6 (-12) M 7 (-5, Xmas); M 8 (- 9) Under surgeon's goal and REACHED HEALTHY BMI 12/07/15!! (Six months and one week.) AT GOAL month 8. Maintaining at goal range (139- 144) ~ four (4) years !!
Congratulations! You've accomplished a wonderful thing.
Surgery Date: 12/9/14 - Highest Weight: 349 - Surgery Weight: 305 - Current Weight: 137
Goal reached in 13 months - 212 total pounds lost including pre-op
(M1: -20) (M2: -18) (M3: -11) (M4: -11) (M5: -14) (M6: -1) (M7: -18) (M8: -7) (M9: -15)
(M10: -13) (M11: -7) (M12: -10) (M13: -10) (M14 -6) (M15: -7) - 168 lbs lost post-op
Great job! I have no doubt that you will get to your target!!!! 2015 has been a great year.
HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32 Mo 2:-13.5 Mo 3: -13.5 Mo 4 -9.5 Mo 5: -15 Mo 6: -15 Mo 7: -13.5 Mo 8: -17 Mo 9: -13 Mo 10: -12.5 11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached! Mo 11: -9 Mo 12: -8 12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!
What a wonderful post! Your story is inspirational. Congratulations on your success. Your insights are right on with my experience. Great job working that sleeve!
I started my weight loss process three years ago this month after a trip to Europe where I couldn't keep up with the group due to my weight. I came home, made an appointment for the informational meeting for WLS, and the rest is history.
Congratulations on your success.
Carol
Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385, Surgery Weight 333, Current Weight 160. At GOAL!
Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12 8-8
9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3 18-3
