LyndseyD

Hello!
My name is Lyndsey and I was sleeved May 8th, 2013. My pre-op weight was 255, and today just over 6 months later I am down 95 pounds to 160. I had my surgery with Dr. Fitzer in Reston, VA. So far, my experience has been good. I did get Pancreatits right after the surgery and had to be hospitalized again for a few days, but they are unsure that was related to the surgery. I do NOT count calories, carbs, protein, or anything for that matter. I focus on making what I do eat fuel for my body. I try to make healthy choices at meal times, but to be honest I'm a mom and we do occasionally eat McDonalds! (gasp!). Before the surgery I had no medical issues other than a slight thyroid problem. I am still on medication for that. My goal weight is to be in the 130's and I hope to reach that by my one year mark, so I've got just under 6 months to loose the last bit of weight.
I had the surgery with my big sister. She had her surgery two weeks before I did, with all the same medical professionals. Sadly, there was some complications after her surgery and her stomach healed closed and she couldn't eat at all. She was in and out of the hospital several times, but sadly on October 30th, 2013 she lost her battle and we had to say goodbye. Its devistating to our famiy, and especially for me because I have done so well, and she died. I wanted to put her story out there too, because reality is people DO DIE from this procedure. It is a BIG risk, and you need to do you research and know what your getting into before you have this done. You need to be 100% honest with your doctors about everything in your past, no matter how insignificant you think it might be. You need to make sure your family is in order and your final wishes are known just in case something happens. I know a lot of people see this as their only option, but the truth is, even with the success I have had, I wish I hadn't done it. I rushed into the decision, and while I am doing just fine, and living a healthy normal life, I feel on edge all the time. Because this surgery killed my sister, I will live the rest of my life in fear that something could happen to me as well, and on top of having a family of my own, I also have her children that I need to be there for.
So, thats my story!