VSG Maintenance Group
2 Years Post-Op - Long w/Pics
Pre-Op
Korea 2006 - Big Legs!
Russia 2008
Two Weeks Pre-op - January 2010 - OH Luncheon
Along the Way - Summer 2011
February 2012 - Happy Girl!
Two Years Post Op November 2009, I read everything I could find on Lap Band, then when I heard about the Sleeve, I left all thoughts of the Band behind. My Kaiser wasn’t offering the Sleeve at the time, so I went into my surgeon consult armed with reasons why I had to have the Sleeve, not RNY. Mom had Celiac Sprue and I appear prone to it now. Rheumatoid Arthritis which is in remission but I might one day need drugs again. I didn’t need to state my case because my surgeon Dr. Baggs immediately said that the only surgery option for me was the Sleeve. Surgery was on February 17, 2010.
What’s changed: I started this journey at HW 249.8. SW was 229. CW 140-142 range. My goal was to shed 100 pounds from my HW and it took me 18 months. I was one of the unfortunate very slow losers and I was sure during month two when I only shed 3 pounds, that this was just going to be another failure. During month 6, I was put on Thyroid meds, which I think should have happened long before based on my numbers. Kaiser is conservative about medicating, even with the new guidelines.
Clothing: I started in size 22/24 jeans and a 2x-3x top. Bra size 42DDD. Today I wear size 6 jeans, S or PS top, 34C or D bra (thank you Dr. Sauceda). When measured for new running shoes, I’ve gone from 6.5 to 5.5 but I still enjoy the roomier 6.5. Everything is easier without 100 pounds. I walk easily, can run when necessary, feel more confident, enjoy dating for the first time, look in the mirror (full body) and don’t say hateful things to myself. I’m open to trying new things and being more adventurous. I appreciate how great my body works for me.
What I do today for success: I’ve been tracking my food for years, but a month pre-op Tiffany suggested Myfitnesspal. I love it! I can tell you what I was eating pre-op, up until today. I had some tracking lapses and they never served me well. At 1 year I was 168 pounds. I said my body was done but knew it was an excuse because it just wasn’t coming off and I wasn't hot to change my food. I tightened up the carbs and things started moving again. Low carb works best for me. My maintenance range of calories appears to be 1000-1200 with an occasional day of higher calorie. It depends my activity level for the day. My hunger came back early after surgery and has never left. It wasn't a function of acid mimicing hunger. In January I stopped taking my Protonix PPI 2x a day.
I weigh myself daily. Not to beat on myself but as an indication of whether what I’m doing works or not for me. I’m so afraid of denial slipping in, so I also go to Weigh****chers once a week for that additional support and to make sure I get on that scale.
I have tracked my lab work since pre-op so I can see if/where things are slipping and determine how to fix it. Post plastics my B1 tanked so I started a daily supplement. I take my vitamin routine seriously and my labs reflect that commitment.
I exercise daily. I have a lake in front of my house with a 3.25 mile path around it. I like walking a lot. During my second year post op I discovered Pilates which is my new drug of choice. I also started yoga and Zumba. Love it all and that I can actually feel great doing any of it still amazes me. When my arms are healed enough, I'll be downstairs in my gym with a weight routine to tighten everything up. If I've been lax in the past two years it's with the weight training portion of my exercise.
I go to support group meeting. 2x a month at my Kaiser, 1x a month at the East Bay Bariatric OH group, I try to go to the Contra Costa OH Luncheon as often as I can, and I’ve been to the Santa Rosa support group a few times.
Early out a woman asked me to be part of a small, more personal support group of Kaiser patients. We really bonded and we get together often for conversation, walks around the lake several times a week, celebrating occasions and going to exercise class together. I think this has been a cornerstone of my recovery because I count on them to keep me honest. I think we’ll be together long term on this journey. My best advice is to find a small support group in your city that you can get together with.
I meet as many OH people as I can. I love filling my friend community with new faces of people who share this experience. It’s always fun to talk over lunch or shopping. There are things that my other friends just don't understand about this journey and the hard work and dedication that it takes. I check in here at OH daily. I read what works and what doesn’t work. I spent my first year on the LW forum and a little on the VSG forum, then moved to the VSGM forum to learn more about maintenance. Most of the last 8 months were on the Plastic Surgery forum and Dr. Sauceda’s group.
Traveling Post-op: I see people ask about this all the time. At 3 months I went to NYC for a long weekend. So much fun to walk around weighing less. At 4 months I spent a week in Provence and a week on the Riviera. Easy to eat as they have the same foods we do. It’s a matter of choice. My 60th birthday at 8 months post op was in New Orleans, now that’s the place to eat, even if it was mainly with my eyes. At 15 months I spent 2 weeks in Spain. I didn’t like the food but the open air markets always had things for a picnic. Get out and travel. Have fun. Most of our limitations are in our head.
Plastic Surgery: I didn’t expect to have plastics. They were way out of my reach. Last year I refinanced my condo to do some remodeling in the kitchen and bathroom. Then I had the brilliant idea to remodel my body instead. I picked Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico because it was one recovery, it was 1/3 the price of Kaiser and it included two weeks of clinic/hotel, daily surgeon visits, daily nurse to the hotel to bathe me and change dressings etc. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I still have a 61 year old body that spent years of wear and tear with yo yo dieting, but it’s so much better than it was before December 9, 2012! I would recommend Dr. Sauceda to everyone. He loves his work, is a real body artist and is an incredibly kind man.
Me and Dr. Sauceda 12/19/2012
He promised to make me a sexy 61 year old! I have no complaints!
Year Three: On to year three and all that it holds. My weight has been my negative magnet since I was 7 years old. I woke up every morning thinking about food. What I’d eat, how much I’d weigh. I got chubby as a child and graduated HS at 176 pounds. So weight/food has been my struggle. Bad stuff happens, I stuffed my face to keep the feelings down. Today the weight is off, the plastics are over and what keeps going through my head is “what now?" I think maintenance is going to be a challenge. I’m visualizing a fun challenge. While in Mexico I was terminated from an 18 year career. (office closure - blindsided). My fridge has turned into a walking/talking double wide. Like I said, bad stuff happens, but no more stuffing my face. It’s all about being creative now and finding new ways to deal with the challenges that life offers. I’m hoping for more adventurous exercise and good times with friends, maybe even a man in my life. Now it’s about learning to live life on life’s terms. I don’t get to make all the rules, but I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything! Thanks to everyone who made my first two years so special!
Korea 2006 - Big Legs!
Russia 2008
Two Weeks Pre-op - January 2010 - OH Luncheon
Along the Way - Summer 2011
February 2012 - Happy Girl!
Two Years Post Op November 2009, I read everything I could find on Lap Band, then when I heard about the Sleeve, I left all thoughts of the Band behind. My Kaiser wasn’t offering the Sleeve at the time, so I went into my surgeon consult armed with reasons why I had to have the Sleeve, not RNY. Mom had Celiac Sprue and I appear prone to it now. Rheumatoid Arthritis which is in remission but I might one day need drugs again. I didn’t need to state my case because my surgeon Dr. Baggs immediately said that the only surgery option for me was the Sleeve. Surgery was on February 17, 2010.
What’s changed: I started this journey at HW 249.8. SW was 229. CW 140-142 range. My goal was to shed 100 pounds from my HW and it took me 18 months. I was one of the unfortunate very slow losers and I was sure during month two when I only shed 3 pounds, that this was just going to be another failure. During month 6, I was put on Thyroid meds, which I think should have happened long before based on my numbers. Kaiser is conservative about medicating, even with the new guidelines.
Clothing: I started in size 22/24 jeans and a 2x-3x top. Bra size 42DDD. Today I wear size 6 jeans, S or PS top, 34C or D bra (thank you Dr. Sauceda). When measured for new running shoes, I’ve gone from 6.5 to 5.5 but I still enjoy the roomier 6.5. Everything is easier without 100 pounds. I walk easily, can run when necessary, feel more confident, enjoy dating for the first time, look in the mirror (full body) and don’t say hateful things to myself. I’m open to trying new things and being more adventurous. I appreciate how great my body works for me.
What I do today for success: I’ve been tracking my food for years, but a month pre-op Tiffany suggested Myfitnesspal. I love it! I can tell you what I was eating pre-op, up until today. I had some tracking lapses and they never served me well. At 1 year I was 168 pounds. I said my body was done but knew it was an excuse because it just wasn’t coming off and I wasn't hot to change my food. I tightened up the carbs and things started moving again. Low carb works best for me. My maintenance range of calories appears to be 1000-1200 with an occasional day of higher calorie. It depends my activity level for the day. My hunger came back early after surgery and has never left. It wasn't a function of acid mimicing hunger. In January I stopped taking my Protonix PPI 2x a day.
I weigh myself daily. Not to beat on myself but as an indication of whether what I’m doing works or not for me. I’m so afraid of denial slipping in, so I also go to Weigh****chers once a week for that additional support and to make sure I get on that scale.
I have tracked my lab work since pre-op so I can see if/where things are slipping and determine how to fix it. Post plastics my B1 tanked so I started a daily supplement. I take my vitamin routine seriously and my labs reflect that commitment.
I exercise daily. I have a lake in front of my house with a 3.25 mile path around it. I like walking a lot. During my second year post op I discovered Pilates which is my new drug of choice. I also started yoga and Zumba. Love it all and that I can actually feel great doing any of it still amazes me. When my arms are healed enough, I'll be downstairs in my gym with a weight routine to tighten everything up. If I've been lax in the past two years it's with the weight training portion of my exercise.
I go to support group meeting. 2x a month at my Kaiser, 1x a month at the East Bay Bariatric OH group, I try to go to the Contra Costa OH Luncheon as often as I can, and I’ve been to the Santa Rosa support group a few times.
Early out a woman asked me to be part of a small, more personal support group of Kaiser patients. We really bonded and we get together often for conversation, walks around the lake several times a week, celebrating occasions and going to exercise class together. I think this has been a cornerstone of my recovery because I count on them to keep me honest. I think we’ll be together long term on this journey. My best advice is to find a small support group in your city that you can get together with.
I meet as many OH people as I can. I love filling my friend community with new faces of people who share this experience. It’s always fun to talk over lunch or shopping. There are things that my other friends just don't understand about this journey and the hard work and dedication that it takes. I check in here at OH daily. I read what works and what doesn’t work. I spent my first year on the LW forum and a little on the VSG forum, then moved to the VSGM forum to learn more about maintenance. Most of the last 8 months were on the Plastic Surgery forum and Dr. Sauceda’s group.
Traveling Post-op: I see people ask about this all the time. At 3 months I went to NYC for a long weekend. So much fun to walk around weighing less. At 4 months I spent a week in Provence and a week on the Riviera. Easy to eat as they have the same foods we do. It’s a matter of choice. My 60th birthday at 8 months post op was in New Orleans, now that’s the place to eat, even if it was mainly with my eyes. At 15 months I spent 2 weeks in Spain. I didn’t like the food but the open air markets always had things for a picnic. Get out and travel. Have fun. Most of our limitations are in our head.
Plastic Surgery: I didn’t expect to have plastics. They were way out of my reach. Last year I refinanced my condo to do some remodeling in the kitchen and bathroom. Then I had the brilliant idea to remodel my body instead. I picked Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico because it was one recovery, it was 1/3 the price of Kaiser and it included two weeks of clinic/hotel, daily surgeon visits, daily nurse to the hotel to bathe me and change dressings etc. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I still have a 61 year old body that spent years of wear and tear with yo yo dieting, but it’s so much better than it was before December 9, 2012! I would recommend Dr. Sauceda to everyone. He loves his work, is a real body artist and is an incredibly kind man.
Me and Dr. Sauceda 12/19/2012
He promised to make me a sexy 61 year old! I have no complaints!
Year Three: On to year three and all that it holds. My weight has been my negative magnet since I was 7 years old. I woke up every morning thinking about food. What I’d eat, how much I’d weigh. I got chubby as a child and graduated HS at 176 pounds. So weight/food has been my struggle. Bad stuff happens, I stuffed my face to keep the feelings down. Today the weight is off, the plastics are over and what keeps going through my head is “what now?" I think maintenance is going to be a challenge. I’m visualizing a fun challenge. While in Mexico I was terminated from an 18 year career. (office closure - blindsided). My fridge has turned into a walking/talking double wide. Like I said, bad stuff happens, but no more stuffing my face. It’s all about being creative now and finding new ways to deal with the challenges that life offers. I’m hoping for more adventurous exercise and good times with friends, maybe even a man in my life. Now it’s about learning to live life on life’s terms. I don’t get to make all the rules, but I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything! Thanks to everyone who made my first two years so special!
HW: 249 SW: 229 GW: 149 Age: 63 - Body by Sauceda - 12/2011
Absolutely fantastic! What an amazing journey you've been through! A very inspirational post! I understand your fear of slipping - it's one I share as well. I suppose I'd rather keep going to some support group just so I don't have to re-live another weight gain in my life again.... I don't know if I could handle that again!
Congratulations on your success!
Congratulations on your success!
Heaviest weight: 310 pounds (Male, 5'10")
Thanks Ruggie, . If going to support groups means that I don't have to live through the self hatred and low self esteem again, bring them on! I hope I never complain about the things that help me stay the course for long term success. We all come into this surgery with different life experiences and have a lot to share. Hopefully we can all keep teaching each other new tricks and keep finding things to laugh about!
HW: 249 SW: 229 GW: 149 Age: 63 - Body by Sauceda - 12/2011
Happy Surgiversary!!!!!!! I have watched you the whole journey and I'm glad you are doing so well!!!!!! You look amazing!!!!
Can I be you when I get to be 61? Fantastic! Who is that hunk in your first 2 pix? Are you playing cougar? 
Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift
Wow, you sure did pop-up out a good looking boy. Must be the great genes. 
You must be so proud!
You must be so proud! Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift
