Question:
1 month away from 1 year aniversary for VGS

I am almost at my 1 year milestone for VGS!! I am feeling great and have lost - I can finally see it - however I am a little worried that I have not met my goal weight yet. I was 230 the day of surgery and am now at 160. Is this on course or should I have been able to reach my goal by now?    — ashley315 (posted on June 30, 2010)

June 30, 2010
Congratulations on this victory. I too am one month shy of my anniversary as well. I had the RNY, which I wish I had the VGS, but my insurance at that time didn't pay for it. I was 245 and now I am 127, I am actually underweight. From what I read, I think folks that have the VGS operation, it just takes longer to lose the weight, but kudos to you girl.
   — FSUMom

July 1, 2010
Hi there. I had VSG 2 years ago this month. I am still 15 pounds away from my goal but I must admit that I settled into maintaining what I have lost and so thankful that I have. I am healthier than I have been in years. It took me right at 9 months to a year to lose 80 pounds. And I have maintained since then. I keep up with exercise everyday and I eat healthy. If I cut back a little more I'm quite sure I could lose the other 15 pounds to reach my goal. It is true that you lose a little slower with the VSG so you are right on track. Way to go!!! Keep up the good work. You are doing great and just continue to eat healthy. You will see the weight continue to come off. It just goes a little slower the further you are out. With the VSG most of our weight is lost within the first 9 months to a year. Then it slows down. But that doesn't mean you are finished losing. That first 9 months is our prime opportunity to change our eating habits and the way we think and feel about food. Just keep up the good work!!! Realize that it's a life time of healthy eating habits not just a diet to get to our goal weight! God Bless, Jodi
   — Jodi L.

July 1, 2010
Congrats on all of your progress. I don't know how tall you are, but here is what my office told me when I asked what a target rate of loss was: they told me that with the VSG, a good rate of loss is 10 pounds/month (realizing that it's certainly quicker in the beginning). But, they also told me that since I was 5'8" and started out at 238 (decision date, my surgery date was 223), my rate of loss might be slower, just simply because I didn't have 150+ to lose. Personally, I feel that logic makes a lot of sense. I have been on a good pace so far (38 pounds in 2.5 months since surgery date), but it has slowed already. My recommendation if you feel that you're slowing down more than you should is that you shuffle up the exercise routine - try different types of exercise and also throw in short bursts of high intensity. Those tactics have been my friend when I hit a slowdown. Not trying to sound like the newbie giving advice to someone who has been there and had great progress - just sharing what has worked for me so far when I get frustrated!
   — HLB