luckylimey

So it's been a while since I posted - but progress has been amazing.

My VSG was 5/1/17.  I dropped to 220lbs and stayed there for some time.  This was a huge win for me - so I decided to take the next step and I met with an amazing plastic surgeon who helped me with the next step - excess skin removal.  There were three things that needed to be addressed 1) abdominal hernia's 2) panniculectomy and a 3) abdominoplasty.

First, talk to your plastic surgeon - I spoke with several, and these are expensive procedures - but I finally found a surgeon that advised me that the panniculectomy could be covered by health insurance - and it was - saving me nearly $5000.  Overall I still paid $7k out of pocket - but way better than the $12 - $14k that I had been quoted by others.

I had my reconstructive surgery 1 month ago - the surgeon removed 14lbs of skin and fat - and I dropped a few more pounds - and am now weighing in at 195.  My highest weight was 445lbs.  I way less than when I started high school - and I feel amazing - I am still recovering from the surgery because it is fairly invasive - so pics to follow - but what an amazing journey - I never thought I would get here. 

My journey has been almost 14 years - a failed lap band, massive complications from that, weight gain and then struggling to gain the nerve to try again with the VSG - but my care team has been amazing - and I cannot thank them for giving me my life back.  At 52 I am the healthiest I have been since I was 14.  

Please remember, the journey can be tough, the struggles are real, the pain is there - but it's your life you are fighting for - and there is nothing more important than that.

So just had abdominal Hernia surgery 2 weeks ago - MAN THAT SUCKED - it hurt more than my VSG.

On the good news weight loss started again about 8 weeks ago - and I am down to 216lbs - so I just changed my goal weight from 200 to 180 - i think I can do it.  I have not weighed 216lbs since I was a sophomore in high-school - feeling great.

Anyone who is considering the surgery, who is still on the fence - I am 51 years old and in the best shape of my life.  Healthier than I have ever been...

One month away from my one year anniversary - started at 343 - down to 239 - 19lbs from my goal of 220 - Flabby skin - ready to start talking plastics - any recommendations for great plastic surgeons in the Tampa area?

I think my last update was early July and I was stuck on a long plateau.  Well since then things have been interesting.  I spent a week in the hospital with an acute Pancreatitis attack, followed by something going horribly wrong with my chemistry causing my ankle to balloon (it was not gout).  I have been on steroids for the last week and in a huge walking boot.  Makes work very very difficult.  That being said - the plateau broke - and I am down to 259 - nine pounds from goal 1....  What a rollercoaster ride it has been.

So Stuck

I am having a horrible time.  I had my surgery on 5/1 - and I am stuck - more than the 3-week plateau.  I just cannot seem to loose.  I am walking 3 miles 4 x per week, I am watching what I eat.

The last time I saw the surgeon they did one of those body analyzer scale tests that said I am swapping fat for muscle - but overall the scale is just not moving down - anyone else having the same issue?

So I did make a tasty creation this week.

Ingredients:

1 can of cooked chicken (drained)

1/2 onion

2 cloves garlic

1 can Rotel

1 can of black beans (drained)

grated cheese (dealers choice)

cook the onion and garlic.  Deglaze the pan with a little cooking wine, add in the chicken, Rotel, Black Beans, simmer and reduce the sauce until nearly gone.  Makes (way to many servings)  ladle out, sprinkle with a little grated cheese and enjoy...    Yum.

So  I had a really slow period of weight loss - almost a week and not an ounce lost.  However, it seems to have started again over the past 2 days.  Now if only the runs would stop.  Constant...  

VSG on 5/1 - I am down 38.3 lbs since surgery date.  I started walking 5 days after surgery but then developed gout in my right ankle.  This was 10x more painful than anything from the surgery.  

I had my post op visit on the 17th and got cleared for everything, work, exercise, swimming and scuba diving (yeah).  The gout has started to clear up so I started walking again yesterday - trying to get in at least 2 miles each day...  

I need to remind myself that this is not a sprint - its a slow journey (I want it to be faster)  

Food wise, I am tolerating more and more.  Since I was a previous bander, I had already trained myself how to chew food to oblivion, so I am taking on more solid's but the key is chew, chew, then chew some more, then chew again.  I really believe in putting the knife and fork down between every mouthful.  You eat slower, you don't risk hurting yourself and you get full quicker.  I can eat 3 chicken nuggets in the time the family eats their entire meal, and I am good with that.

PS - Love reading all the success stories people are having - can't wait to post here in a year that I am <200- won't have been there since 9th grade...

Post op visit today.  Got the all clear to swim and go diving. Yeah....

SW: 320

OP: 314

CW: 284

Feeling good.

Gout flare-up is ebbing today, hopefully, cleared up by tomorrow - feeling very good in myself other than that.  So over the liquids, bring on the mush....I must admit that I have nibbled on a few things, and have tolerated them well.  But not going to push it hard - want to make sure I am healed...