VSG Maintenance Group
1 Year Surgiversary and Pregnancy Update
I truly can't believe that last Thursday marked one year since my surgery! I know everyone always comments on how fast it goes, but WOW! I have spent a lot of time this week looking back at this past year and the lessons I've learned along the way. Overall, I had a pretty easy recovery! However, this week was the first time I've really taken a moment to remember the initial pain of recovery, the hardships of sipping gatorade from a shot glass and wondering if I could ever eat enough popsicles to get in my fluids for the day. It is amazing how quickly these things became a distant memory as I quickly adjusted to my new way of life. In the beginning I was losing weight really well and I was able to progress through foods without any issues. By about 5 weeks out I was able to eat pretty normal foods, just in tiny amounts. I remember being able to fudge my way through a labor day cook out with people who didn't know about my surgery and I felt "normal" again for the first time since my surgery. After 2 or 3 months my new way of life was my new norm and food no longer ruled my day. I of course still had to think about protein and such, but I had reached the point where I could go out without having to preplan every bite. By 6 months I could eat absolutely anything and felt like a regular person who just eats small portions. I've never had problems with getting in my fluids and I've had no food intoleraces along the way. By my 6 month appointment with my surgeon I was almost at my goal weight, my labs were great, and I could easily eat more by eating more frequently. With this in mind, my husband and I decided to stop birth control and let nature "do its thing"... about a minute later I was pregnant. My pregnancy has been very uneventful and I feel amazing. Even at my heaviest, I'm one of those annoying people who has a really easy time with pregnancy and loves being pregnant. However, I will say that this pregnancy has been even easier than my first, which I attribute to being so much healthier when I began than the first time around. Neither my OB nor my surgeon have any sleeve related concerns with my pregnancy. I'm just about to begin my third trimester (I'm currently 26.5 weeks) and I've gained about 10 pounds which puts me right in the middle of the expected range for weight gain since I was slightly overweight still when I got pregnant. Overall, life is amazing! I'm so thankful to have had this opportunity and to have changed my life in such a positive way. I love my body (the baby bump certainly helps with this feeling) in ways I never thought possible. I know that all of this makes me a much better mom for my daughter! I no longer shy away from photos (although I still cringe when I look at old ones) and I truly believe that I can now teach my daughter about positive body image by being a good role model for her! I have more energy, I'm in a better place emotionally, and I'm a better mom and wife... amazing that such a "simple" procedure can change so much. I've never regretted my decision and I wish that everyone in my former shoes could have this opportunity. I look forward to declaring goal after the baby arrives and continuing on with my new life!
Thanks for updating us. Congrats on your pregnancy and weight loss. I too, loved being pregnant. Even when I was heavy it was the first time I was somewhat okay with my body.
Hugs and belly rubs!
Hugs and belly rubs!
5'6" Start-276 Goal-150 Weight loss Preop=5 Month 1=25 Month 2=10 Month 3=14 Month 4=3 Month 5=7 Month 6=9 Month 7=7 Month 8=7 Month 9=9 Month 10=7 Month 11=5 Month 12=5 Month 13=3 Month 14=4 
