Neoteric Verve

It's hard not being a little vain. I'm still 294lb (down from 441lb). My waist went from a 58" to 42" and shrinking. I wear 2xl instead of 4xl & 5xl. That's good and all. But I never fully prepared for the freedom. To walk into a restaurant and sit comfortably in a booth. To get on rides at a theme park. Walk into a store and buy off the rack. The self confidence rose. I settled before. Now I realize I don't have to for the sake of being with someone. To live life on your own terms. To not always be the biggest man in the room. To actually have a woman turn her head and give me a double take. To be wanted and not just needed. My God this is beyond awesome! It's truly a blessing. My surgery was well over a year ago (Sept 2011). I'm loving this!

Y'all are so awesome. Thank each and every last one of you for the support. It really warms me to know that there are truly great people out in the world... and they all seem to be here at VST!

Friday. Weigh in day. When I started this Quest I was 441lb, BMI was 56, waist was also a 56. Bodyfat? High at 52%. Work scrubs size 5XL I climbed on the scale an looked down. After a few seconds it stopped and landed on 299lb. I yelled so loud my neighbor from downstairs knocked on my door. She asked if anything was wrong. "Everything was right" I told her. For the first time since I was 20 years old, I was under 300lb. I know I'm not at my goal but hot damn I can sure see it from here!! 299lb 36% BF 38 BMI 42" Waist 2XL Work scrubs About 20lb lost was LBM. I never thought that 10.5 months from the date of surgery I'd be here. At just under 3.5lb/wk weight loss average, I feel pretty good. I still can't believe that I'm 299lb and still losing! There are weeks (sometimes 2-3 in a row) where I don't lose a single ounce. Sometimes I actually gained. One week I gained six pounds and thought I screwed something up. I'm now thinking about skin surgery. I look at myself and guesstimate that I have about 5-9lb of hanging skin. When I roll down past 20% BF then I'll get more serious about that. You all here are so very wonderful. I don't post much now with work and school going on but I read about all the people here. Each of you inspired me, motivated me and gave me hope. I was assured that I didn't mess up my body with this surgery. Y'all are terrific!! Bless every last one of you!

6'3"

Well I am down 135lb and dropping slowly now. Looking into possible skin surgery. About 30-50lb from goal. I eat WAAAY less but I always have tons of leftovers after going out. If I want to avoid food shopping for a few days I can now just go to Claim Jumper's and order off the menu. Leftovers there last me 3 days, lol!

I am about 11mos out from surgery. I know I can eat more but not when I eat protein first. I am about 30-50lb from goal and still lose 1-2lb weekly eating "normally". For a reference, I can now eat 75% of a Sonic Single w/ cheese but I find that when I do I unknowingly eat LESS calories daily (around 1000-1200). When I try to eat more sensible I eat around 1500-1800 calories daily. On those days I eat the "hospital-portioned" cereal for breakfast with 2% milk, lunch comprises of a chicken breast with whatever vegetable is in the cafe at work, dinner is random as it can be nothing or up to one chicken satay (for example). Interspersed throughout my day I drink water and Honest Tea and eat a Smuckers Uncrustable and maybe a light & fit yogurt. As a Nurse Aide I move around quite a bit on a twelve hour shift so getting to a meal isn't always easy or possible. In those instances I go with the cereal, yogurt and uncrustable at work and have a form of protein at home. Is there any way that I could get my doctor or anyone to measure my stomach capacity?

It has been a while since my Sleeve (which I've named Steve). Sept 23, 2011 will always be remembered by me, long after I forget my own birthday! What I want to know is this: How long after surgery should I begin to look seriously into skin surgery? To date I am down 135lb but I am still at 306lb. Now, in talking with my doctor, having hydrostatic bodyfat testing and looking visually at myself my goal is 255-270lb. That's merely 36-51lb away. By my guesstimation I have around 15-20lb of loose skin on me. I am in no danger of rash or infection, but the skin is not appealing. I could really use the advice of VST as y'all have first-hand knowledge of what I mean. Some of you have gone through it. My areas of "looseness" are probably typical: arms (bat wings), inner-thighs, pannus and chest.

I've been up and down. Not my weight (it's still going down) but It's been 38 weeks since my Sleeve surgery. I went in at 441lb and as of this morning I am 313lb. I have a little ways to go and now I think it's time to amp up my workouts. I haven't posted in a while (sorry) but will at least try to log on 1-2x's/wk.

The Sleeve can definitely get you to where you want and need to be! While there are plenty of Sleeve success stories here on VST (myself included) the decision is ultimately yours. I wish that you make a very well informed decision and that you do what is the absolute best for you.

LoL! Yes, Lissa Im a guy.

I eat normal foods. Just in lesser quantities. I don't limit what I eat just how much. So I can eat anywhere from 600-1900 calories daily.

And I'm not complaining. I had at one point a goal weight of around 220lb and now.... Well my first "real" goal is to get under 300lb and go from there. Coming from 440lb I think hitting that would be incredible. As of today I am but 28lb away from 299. If I play it right I could be there by the end of next month. Six weeks to drop 28lb shouldn't be too hard (I hope). One thing's for sure, I am getting tired of buying new work clothes (ok not really). It amazes me that at the times where I feel I eat too much I actually lose the most. And will someone explain to me why/how it's easier to eat carbs as opposed to Proteins? At this point I am 29 weeks removed from surgery. I am up to eating 1,400-1,900 calories daily. Once I think I went over that but that was months ago. I feel normal. And really, that's pretty much all I wanted. One day my body will catch up to my new eating habits and I'll be golden.

Not to worry, the hard part's over. You can handle the rest with ease. Congratulations on the first day of your new life!

The surgery is incredible. I started at 440lb and now I'm 335lb. Starting now I'll be going back to my kettlebells. They really help blast the pounds off! VSG truly is the most liberating thing I've done. I feel so accomplished.

The surgery is incredible. I started at 440lb and now I'm 335lb. Starting now I'll be going back to my kettlebells. They really help blast the pounds off! VSG truly is the most liberating thing I've done. I feel so accomplished.