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 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 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 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.

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?

Lapband was removed on 5/31 after 6 years of struggle to lose.  I am hopeful this next step in converting to the sleeve will bring greater success.

Post op visit today.  Got the all clear to swim and go diving. Yeah....
 
SW: 320
OP: 314
CW: 284
 
Feeling good.

The process has been AMAZING so far!!! I am 6 moths post op. My surgery was Nov 08, 2016. I am down 100Lbs as of today. Not a ton of sagging skin but I work on my bowflex everyday and get a full body oil massage every other week (including cupping) to help my skin.  I have only had a few minor issues with vitamin absorbtion. I get Iron infusions once a week and give myself B12 shots once a week. But that is nothing!! and I feel great!
I still hate that sick feeling after I eat! I try many different foods but Greek yogurt w/ protein is the ONLY thing that doesn't make me feel like crap after I eat it.  The feeling always passes in about 30 min but that 30 min is spent feeling like I need to lay down or get sick. Anyone that says this is the 'easy' way has NO idea what we go through EVERY day! you don't realize how much of a luxury eating was till you can't. My before and after is attached.

I weighed 200 pounds this morning!  Getting below 200 pounds is a major milestone.  I'm hoping to be there in the next few days!!!

I woke up early this morning, 5:45am.  I felt great, tons of energy, no hunger, no pain.  So it was time to go for a walk.  Grabbed my iPhone and headphones and headed out.  Not a long walk, just about 1.5miles, back home in 30 minutes, and paid for it the rest of the day.  Totally exhausted, stomach gurgling, gas pains, nasty headache, just felt like $hit.  The only advice I can give anyone from this - is don't be like and don't be stupid.  Going to take it a little easier tomorrow - will still try for a walk, but not as long and not as quick.

1 week from surgery, lost 10lbs on my pre-op diet.  Found that I like powdered peanut butter in my chocolate shake.  Also found that I like frozen blueberries in my vanilla shake.  
Can't wait - want this done, so I can get on with the rest of my life.

Do I have the WORLD'S FASTEST APPROVAL or what? Paperwork was submitted yesterday, and I received my approval today before 11am.  You're saying WHAT!?
I go in for my pre-op paperwork on Monday, May 1st.  Surgery is May 15th.
Sooo excited!
 

4/21 - When to the NUT today. She was soo proud of my progress. I told her I was concerned that I my loss was slowing down and she assured me that it would be normal. She said, "Slow and steady wins the race. She said my weight looked amazing and that I should be proud of even 4lbs because of how much 1lb of fat means to a healthier body. She gave me the go ahead to start adding in new foods with limitations: 
Stay away from red meat 
Stay away from pasta
Stay away from rice 
Stay away from from all kinds of ice cream and sugar free junk alternatives.
And the usual suspects (No cakes, cookies, ice cream and soda (any carbonated/sparkling drink)
She gave me the go ahead to start lightly at the gym. No more than a 30 minute light weight workout (walking on the treadmill and biking). She said no weight lifting just yet, or swimming , I will have to wait until my 6 week followup with my surgeon to see if it is okay. 
Since Pre-Op Diet (3/12/2017): 29lbs
Since Surgery (3/26/2017): 15lbs
Although 15lbs does not seem like a lot, it is when you break it down in weeks. That is 3.75lbs a week. That is more than I ever did without this tool. I am soo happy it's working. 

4/22 - I almost forgot about food today lol
I made an entire meal prep for 4 meals. I had ground chicken and beans mashed. Reduce fat WW cheese melted in.  Each meal was 160 calories a piece. I had an Atkins Protein Water drink:
Atkins Protein Water: 20g Protein / 90 Calories / 1 Carb / 0g Sugar
Ground Chicken (1 oz Each): 22g of Protein / 170 Calories / 0 Carb / 0g Sugar
Black Beans (1 oz Each):  7g of Protein / 100 Calories / 19 Carbs / 0g Sugar
Weight Watchers Cheese (1/2 oz Each):  5.3g of Protein / 60 Calories / 0 Carbs / 5.3g Sugar
Atkins Protein Water: 20g Protein / 90 Calories / 1 Carb / 0g Sugar
Total:
Protein: 74.3g
Calories: 510
Carbs: 19 Carbs 
Sugar: 5.3g 
 

4/22 - Just in 1 month, the following has changed: 
1) I get a FULL Nights SLEEP !!! (Omg, I have not had a full nights sleep since before college in 2009). 
2) I can walk further and my ankle not hurt or I need to sit down (today I took 17,248 steps). Amazing and YESSSSSSS!!!!
3) I have really started eating my food cold. When I get hungry, I like to make sure that I am, so I will wait an additional 10 - 15 minutes. I just want to make sure it is not head hunger. However, I when realize that I am and I sometimes do not even bother heating up my food lol. 
4) I finally broke down and purchased one of the Portion8 containers at the BariatricPal Store. They have some really interesting things there. 
5) My younger brother (I have two brothers on my moms side whom are younger than me.) We were shopping for "Baby's" (he is the one that steals food lol) 17th B-day and my brother High Five'd me and said, "We are going to have to find a new nickname because FINALLY, "Bigums" will no longer fit you lol".