VSG Maintenance Group
Xpost - Two Year Surgiversery
I don’t have an opportunity to post as much as I used too…But I thought it was important to share my two year post. I still do blog. So feel free to look at mine as I have blogged on OH since the start of my journey.
Let’s start with the facts. I started my WLS journey at 357 pounds 12/10/2009 when I went for my initial consultation with Dr. Nishimura. My highest recorded weight was 380; but I was definitely heavier than that…lost interest, didn’t want to know what the actual number was, but I’m sure I was pushing well over 400 Pounds. 27 months ago I was wearing a 22" Neck Dress Shirt, 3 or 4 XL Polo Shirt and 54" waist pants my BMI was 49.8. I lost 48 pounds on my pre-op diet and weighed 309 on the day of my surgery (3/3/2010). Today I’m 196 pounds wearing 15" Dress shirt, Medium Polo Shirt and 34" waist pants my BMI is 27 I’ve lost about 85% of my excess weight (160 pounds). I lost 22 points on the BMI scale. I’ve lost 59 inches from various parts of my body (ie neck, chest, arms, waist, thighs, etc). I lost an entire person.
| Weight Loss by Month | |||||||
| Dec-09 | Jan-10 | Feb-10 | Mar-10 | Apr-10 | May-10 | Jun-10 | Jul-10 |
| 23 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 21 | 13 | 10 | 11 |
| Aug-10 | Sep-10 | Oct-10 | Nov-10 | Dec-10 | Jan-11 | Feb-11 | Mar-11 |
| 5 | 11 | 2 | -3 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| Apr-11 | May-11 | Jun-11 | Jul-11 | Aug-11 | Sep-11 | Oct-11 | Nov-11 |
| 0.2 | -6.2 | 7.6 | 0.1 | -3.9 | 7.2 | 0.3 | 4.5 |
| Dec-11 | Jan-12 | Feb-12 | Mar-12 | Apr-12 | May-12 | Jun-12 | Jul-12 |
| -3.6 | 2.6 | -3.3 | 1.3 | ||||
| Total Pounds Loss | 160.8 | ||||||
Overall life has been great. You never realize how having an extra person on your back represses you. So far I have gone: Skiing, Snowboarding, Roller Skating, Zip Lining, Roller Coasters. These are things that I wasn’t able to do at 357 pounds. I look back and think how I denied my kids the opportunity of being exposed to these activities. I am truly ashamed that I let myself get to that point. The thing that I have come to realize is that it’s not the losing the weight that is the best thing. It’s the life you can now live and enjoy that is truly fabulous.
I can’t say that everything has been wonderful. I guess you take the bad with the good. So what are my challenges?
My biggest issue has been body Dysmorphia when I look in the mirror I still see a fat person. In talking with members of my support group that are several years out this seems to be a common problem. I’ve posted about my struggles with my goal weight. I have been struggling with losing more weight, staying where I am or putting on more weight. I’ve followed the advice of my doctor “You’re body will know when to stop". My original goal was 220. I’m 196 as I write this. I went as low as 190 pounds but decided I didn’t like the way I looked. So I put on more weight. Still not happy with the way I look. I feel that I’m too thin. I get many comments from CoWorkers, Friends and family that I’m too thin. Need to put more weight on. For the most part I ignore them but it does have its toll. Sometimes I think they are right. I have my annual checkup with my bariatric doctor in two weeks. This is on my list to talk with him about.
I had plastics this past November. A Circumferential Lower Body Lift (LBL). The procedure was very successful and removed all the excess skin around my stomach, waist, lower back, butt and outer thighs. This has improved my self-esteem and I love the way I look now. I just have one more round of plastics to satisfy myself image. I need to do my chest. I have deflated man boobs. These have been the plague of my existence since I was 13 years old. I think once I have that procedure done. I’ll finally be able to determine my ideal weight. I’m scheduling that for May.
Fear of Failure. I’m terrified that I will go back to my former self. Part of the reason I still weigh my self every day. I don’t beat my self up if I’m up or down on the scale. When I fall out of range I adjust my eating plan accordingly. I feel as if I have a second chance in life…I’m determined not to “F" it up.
At two years I can definitely eat more than I did at 6 months and even more than I did at one year. I’ve never been one to measure my food or count calories. As an example at 6 months I could eat ½ of a small wendy’s Chilli. At a year I could eat about ¾. Today I could fini**** I think we all need to find what works for us. I think the practice of eating till I am satiated and not until I’m full prepared me for this. I’ve learned not to finish my plate. I eat protein first I usually try to get in at least 90 grams a day. I start off each morning with a premier protein shake (30 Grams of protein). I drink at least 80 ounces of water / Ice Tea (diet) a day. I eat as little carbs as possible. Carbs are not my friend. Once I start I can’t stop. Therefore I limit them as much as I can. My doctor said from the start you have to build good eating and exercise habits early on so that they become second nature. This is what will set you up for long term success when you go into maintenance.
Again overall the good out outweighs the bad.
I still can’t believe how successful this has been for me. I thought I was going to be a slow looser or that this surgery wouldn’t work for me. After a year I realize that this was the best thing that I have done for myself. After two years I see that long term success is a definite. I can’t tell you how many diets I have been on where I loss a significant amount of weight to gain it back and then some. With a little effort and diligence the excess weight is gone for good. I definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s definitely getting brighter.
I love my sleeve.
Me At My Heaviest:
One Year Post Op:
Two Weeks Ago:
Highest Weight: 380 Consult Weight: 357 Surgery Weight: 309
Goal Weight: 220 (9/29/10) Revised Goal Range 215-220 Current Weight: 224
Plastics: Circumferential Lower Body Lift - 11/18/2011
Gynecomastia - 6/14/2012
"The thing that I have come to realize is that it’s not the losing the weight that is the best thing. It’s the life you can now live and enjoy that is truly fabulous."
Says it all for me. It's all about living life now. You have always been open about your journey and struggles that it has helped us all along the way. I'm so happy you are doing so well and you look amazing!!!! Happy Surgiversary to you my friend!!!
Living until I die!
SW - 234.5 GW - 140.5 Met Goal on 5/7/12
Highest Weight: 380 Consult Weight: 357 Surgery Weight: 309
Goal Weight: 220 (9/29/10) Revised Goal Range 215-220 Current Weight: 224
Plastics: Circumferential Lower Body Lift - 11/18/2011
Gynecomastia - 6/14/2012
Seriously Mikey. I've followed you from the start and knew that your commitment to your sleeve would give you outrageous results. You have done terrific. I'm proud to be part of this sleeve club with you!
Lets see what year three holds in store for us!
HW: 249 SW: 229 GW: 149 Age: 63 - Body by Sauceda - 12/2011
Highest Weight: 380 Consult Weight: 357 Surgery Weight: 309
Goal Weight: 220 (9/29/10) Revised Goal Range 215-220 Current Weight: 224
Plastics: Circumferential Lower Body Lift - 11/18/2011
Gynecomastia - 6/14/2012
