Ignatius

Hi, I'm new to the forums and in the starting stages of obtaining a VSG. Just looking to see if there are any other men who were above 400 (or even close to 500) pounds before starting this journey and how life after surgery has been. Did you suffer any complications from surgery due to your size? Did your doctor make you do anything extra or warn you of any possible issues? Did you lose more rapidly than average patients? Did you lose any motivation when you had lost enough weight to lead a fairly "normal" life, even though you might still have a good amount of excess weight? A little background...I'm 31, 5'10", and honestly can't bear how difficult my weight has made my life. Just this weekend my wife went alone to her sister's engagement dinner at a restaurant due to my fear the chairs wouldn't be supportive enough. (I typically avoid restaurant situations unless there's a booth with a table I can adjust, ideally half booth/half chairs.) I've avoided flying for a couple years, will only attend theatre or sporting events where I can be guaranteed an aisle seat, etc. It seems like in the last 60 or so pounds many social situations involving sitting have escalated from very uncomfortable to more or less unbearable. Healthwise, I have hypertension and am very likely will be diagnosed with sleep apnea once the results of my sleep study last week come in. Look forward to hearing from any of you have started in similar situations.

As part of my surgeon's process, the NP ordered a sleep study after mentioning snoring and daytime somnolence. Sure enough, I have added sleep apnea to my list of co-morbidities (also hypertension). Received my AutoPAP machine yesterday and gave it a whirl last evening. It's...going to take some getting used to. For those with apnea, have you learned to adjust to sleeping with the mask? Have the benefits of the machine outweighed the mask? Were you able to follow the guidelines of sleeping with the machine 30 days prior to surgery and during your hospital stay? I want to make it work. My sleep study test results showed an AHI of 26 and SpO2 of 71%, and I know proper treatment can aid in weight loss, lowering hypertension, etc.

I'm about 10 months out and have hit a self-induced stall. Unfortunately, I've learned I can eat virtually anything without real repercussion. Fairly active on the weekends, but I lost steam during the workweek. Considering a personal trainer for a couple weeknight appointments. Really focusing on weighing my food (why do I need 7 oz. when 4 or 5 will keep me satisfied?) and packing snacks I enjoy for long workdays.

@sgc I know you've worked out consistently before and after surgery. How do you split your exercise between cardio and strength training?

@sgc It's interesting how differently all of us live post-op. I'm 8 1/2 months past surgery and probably consume 1,200-1,400 calories daily. My loss is slower than yours, but I have lost over 150 pounds in this time. At 600-800 calories, I'd feel deprived. Though I'd like to keep it closer to 1,000-1,200 daily, I struggle with snacking. And I'm just now starting to focus on regular exercise. Best of luck as you explore plastics.

Is this the thinnest you've been in adult life? I once hit 240 and that's my current goal, which is a bit over 100 pounds away at the moment.

I echo @sgc. I graduated college at 450 pounds, lost two hundred pounds over the next two years, and then gained it all back, and then some. Ten years later (six months ago), I had the VSG. I'm now around 353 and continuing to lose. Wish I would have done this at your age.

How's everyone doing? I've lost about 120 pounds since my pre-op diet began Oct. 14. I've noticed I can "get away" with higher calories and more carbs/sugar than I would have anticipated. It's becoming quite clear that this truly is hard work. That said, I'm still losing at a good clip and have many, many more good days than bad. Will start personal training and boxing classes soon to supplement walking (currently my sole form of exercise). On a high note, when I attend my sister-in-law's wedding next weekend I won't be worried about the seating, the dancing, and, most of all, uncomfortable dress clothes. I'll wear a suit that fits better than when I bought it in July 2011. Onward and downward, gents.

The last time I used a personal trainer, I wasn't ready. I signed up because I felt compelled to, not because I wanted to. As a result, I kept gaining weight despite the intense workouts. @sgc, this almost certainly doesn't apply to you, but just wanted to add it to the thread. Fast forward to today, I'm checking out a local boxing studio this evening to see about personal training and their classes (boxing, cardioboxing, and kickboxing). I *want* to be more active and try something new. And that's all the difference.

Here are a few of mine from a couple weeks post op to last week.

My insurance also required six months. I attended a surgical seminar in early February and underwent surgery October 31. The process demanded a bazillion appointments and documents. And it was 100% worth it.

@Lauren_kay21 Best of luck to your husband. And you. I'm acutely aware of how much my weight affected my wife, and how much she helped me get my health back on track. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@sgc Did you have to wear the shirt under a jacket, or was the work seamless? I might consider that for a special event, but as I wear dress shirts for work, probably not practical for a transitional wardrobe. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What do you guys recommend for dress shirts, other than buying ones in neck sizes that are much too large? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@faceofababy Hey, best of luck. We started at about the same weight, except I'm 5'10".

I'm looking for a nice suit, too, for my sister-in-law's wedding April 1. I have my suit from my wedding, five years ago, that's fitting nicely now, but it'll be beyond a tailor's help two months from now (losing about 25 lb. a month). I've been searching through thrift stores with no luck yet. Will try eBay if I don't find something by early March. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi, yes, I'm local. PM me if you like. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

About 30. 25 of which were during my two-week pre-op diet. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@bill1140 Thanks, and best of luck with your surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Some progress pics: Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

As of this morning's weigh-in it's all past tense when I discussing the 400s. 396! Getting there.

Sorry you had such a rough day from someone else's mistake, but congrats on narrowing in on the halfway mark. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@cyndi990 I'm doing well. Down 70.6 pounds and 10 BMI points since beginning my pre-op diet on 10/14. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Nice work and congrats! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Five days after surgery, and took stool softeners two of those days. Now at 7 weeks out, I go every day or every other day. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App