VSG Maintenance Group
Repost: 1 year surgversary, NSV and pictures
My one year surgversary. I look in the mirror and see pictures of myself and I am in awe. It doesn’t look like me…..but it is. The new, improved, happier, healthier me.
Losing the weight was relatively easy. I had stalls, but never let them get me down. It happens. A year ago, I couldn’t imagine ever being able to eat 1,200 calories a day again. Now, I can’t imagine eating just 500 calories a day. It was hard just taking sips of water in the beginning, but it got easier. Now, I drink water just like I did pre-surgery.
So many wonderful things happened when the weight came off.
• I no longer have to take NSAIDS, because my knee pain is gone.
• I can walk a mile or more without shortness of breath.
• Food doesn’t seem as important to me now. When I’m hungry, ANY food will do. 99% of the time, I choose healthy.
• I can fly and not ask for a seatbelt extender.
• My 2 year old granddaughter can sit on my lap (THIS is the best!).
• I rode on the rides at Disney World and had the time of my life with my children/grandchildren.
• I am having fun buying stylish clothes – in normal sizes.
• I am no longer invisible to other people – strangers speak to me, are polite to me and smile at me.
• Chewing my food to a mush has become habit. Didn’t think that would happen, but it did.
• Not drinking before, during or after meals is still hard, but I continue to follow the rule.
• I listen for my “soft sound" so I’ll know it’s time to quit eating before I get full.
• My eyes are still (literally and figuratively) bigger than my stomach. Wonder when I’ll get that right.
• I can roll over in bed without sitting up first, or grabbing the edge of the mattress to hoist myself over.
• My house is cleaner and neater than ever before.
• I no longer do an exhausting tri-athalon in the bathroom: wiping, putting on a bra, shaving my legs. Now, it’s a breeze, but I’m sure I don’t burn the calories doing those things like I used to.
• I can spend HOURS around the house cleaning, cooking, etc. and not have to sit to rest every 10 minutes.
• I can climb stairs like a normal person. No more taking one step at a time with the right leg only. The left leg can go up steps normally now too.
• I have the energy to play with my grandkids instead of jus****ching them play.
• I’m actually enjoying exercise. NEVER thought I would say that.
I LOVE my sleeve. I have never set a true “goal". I had my 1 year post-op visit today and he agrees that I should just keep doing what I’m doing and my body will decide when it’s time to quit losing. He doesn’t believe in setting goals for his patients and he also says that weight charts are unrealistic. He said that a year out, most people start to stabilize and quit losing. If I don’t lose another pound, I’ll be happy.
I did tell him that I would like to get into a size 14 pants and that since I am exercising and weight training, I expect that toning will help that happen. He agreed.
On the way home, we stopped at Kohls so I decided to try on a pair of 14 pants. They FIT!!!!!!!!!!! Happy surgversary to me!
Did I mention that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my sleeve?
Losing the weight was relatively easy. I had stalls, but never let them get me down. It happens. A year ago, I couldn’t imagine ever being able to eat 1,200 calories a day again. Now, I can’t imagine eating just 500 calories a day. It was hard just taking sips of water in the beginning, but it got easier. Now, I drink water just like I did pre-surgery.
So many wonderful things happened when the weight came off.
• I no longer have to take NSAIDS, because my knee pain is gone.
• I can walk a mile or more without shortness of breath.
• Food doesn’t seem as important to me now. When I’m hungry, ANY food will do. 99% of the time, I choose healthy.
• I can fly and not ask for a seatbelt extender.
• My 2 year old granddaughter can sit on my lap (THIS is the best!).
• I rode on the rides at Disney World and had the time of my life with my children/grandchildren.
• I am having fun buying stylish clothes – in normal sizes.
• I am no longer invisible to other people – strangers speak to me, are polite to me and smile at me.
• Chewing my food to a mush has become habit. Didn’t think that would happen, but it did.
• Not drinking before, during or after meals is still hard, but I continue to follow the rule.
• I listen for my “soft sound" so I’ll know it’s time to quit eating before I get full.
• My eyes are still (literally and figuratively) bigger than my stomach. Wonder when I’ll get that right.
• I can roll over in bed without sitting up first, or grabbing the edge of the mattress to hoist myself over.
• My house is cleaner and neater than ever before.
• I no longer do an exhausting tri-athalon in the bathroom: wiping, putting on a bra, shaving my legs. Now, it’s a breeze, but I’m sure I don’t burn the calories doing those things like I used to.
• I can spend HOURS around the house cleaning, cooking, etc. and not have to sit to rest every 10 minutes.
• I can climb stairs like a normal person. No more taking one step at a time with the right leg only. The left leg can go up steps normally now too.
• I have the energy to play with my grandkids instead of jus****ching them play.
• I’m actually enjoying exercise. NEVER thought I would say that.
I LOVE my sleeve. I have never set a true “goal". I had my 1 year post-op visit today and he agrees that I should just keep doing what I’m doing and my body will decide when it’s time to quit losing. He doesn’t believe in setting goals for his patients and he also says that weight charts are unrealistic. He said that a year out, most people start to stabilize and quit losing. If I don’t lose another pound, I’ll be happy.
I did tell him that I would like to get into a size 14 pants and that since I am exercising and weight training, I expect that toning will help that happen. He agreed.
On the way home, we stopped at Kohls so I decided to try on a pair of 14 pants. They FIT!!!!!!!!!!! Happy surgversary to me!
Did I mention that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my sleeve?
Wanda
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Thanks Lee. I see people getting into 10s., 8s, and less, but I am so happy with my 14! I'm not sure that I would look very good if I get much lower. At my age, things are sagging and dragging enough. My legs look like a shar pei dog or melting candles. And the bat wings! UGH! But I'll take that over 306 pounds any old day!
Wanda
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
oh my gosh look at you, you look fantastic... congrats on your success, i can relate to so many things in your post...
Linda 5".4
6lbs under goal weight
Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
6lbs under goal weight
Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
Thanks Linda. Isn't it weird how we all have the same thoughts and joys of NSVs. I never thought about other obese people feeling the way I felt. I thought I was all alone in those feelings. Now I know I'm in good company with all the NSVs. Life is good!
Wanda
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Wanda you look fabulous! You actually look like a person of normal weight. And I loved the list of all the things you can do now which adds up to LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST! And thats what this is really about, not pants sizes. But so glad you got those 14's. You will never have to go to the "large Lady " store again. whoo hoo! YOu are a valuable member of this group and the forum and i am so happy for your sucess. You deserve it and it couldn't happen to a nicer person. Diane
p.s. i have melted candle legs too. oh well. better than the weight by a long shot.
p.s. i have melted candle legs too. oh well. better than the weight by a long shot.
Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
You have always been an inspiration to me Diane! We now have matching legs. UGH! Maybe I should now shoot for a size 12. I just don't want to set myself up for disappointment, so I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and if more weight comes off, so be it. If not, I'm good.
Wanda
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Thank you infodiva! I forgot to mention not worrying about what chair will hold me when I walk into a room.......normal!
Wanda
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
I had tears in my eyes reading your post - I can so relate to many of the items you listed.
You look terrific, but more importantly, you've found the healthier you. Go for the 12's if you want, but those 14's look perfecftly wonderful on you. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
You look terrific, but more importantly, you've found the healthier you. Go for the 12's if you want, but those 14's look perfecftly wonderful on you. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Revision from Sleeve to DS (with re-Sleeve) on 10/10/17. Slow and steady ...
