One year out - Life is good!

[OldAv8tor 2]

I thought it was time to share a little of my experiences since having a VSG a year ago. Both my wife and I had the surgery, 19 days apart. To date I've lost 140 lbs while she has lost 120. Losing is not coming as easily now but we're still making progress towards our goals.

We had the surgery at the Michigan Bariatric Institute in Livonia, Michigan. They have great doctors and a wonderful support team. I did have some complications after surgery (a touch of pneumonia and Fluid near the surgical site) which put me back in the hospital for a few days and required 20 days of IV antibiotics but everything resolved satisfactorily. The doc kidded me about screwing up his statistics.

Living with the sleeve obviously required some adjustment but it was easier than I had imagined. Gone was appetite and cravings, which made it so much easier. I found I was perfectly happy with smaller portions and had no problem passing on french fries, Desserts and other high calorie foods that I used to love. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy food - I 'm just satisfied with less and tend to choose high quality versus high calorie. Even so, I haven't found any food that I can't tolerate.

One of my biggest concerns was restaurants and social situations. I needn't have worried. We have just as much fun as we ever did. Often my wife and I will split a meal and even then take some home. The wait staff always looks worried, apparently thinking that there was something wrong with the food. We've learned to choose meals that make good leftovers and as a result, get more for our restaurant dollars. We have a camper van and on a 5 week tour of the west last fall we made good use of a little fridge and microwave that I installed.

Speaking of our trip, one funny thing is that we lost enough weight during the trip that we didn't bring any of the outer garments home that we started with. They ended up dropped off at various Goodwill Retail stores which also supplied us with replacements. I was surprised at the quality of clothing available at such places and have found it a great way to replenish my closet without having to spend a lot of cash.

To summarize life a year later - happy, healthy, active - enjoying life and looking forward to a future with possibilities. This afternoon I will go out and walk my dogs, ride my motorcycle and have dinner with friends. Life is good......

[former_vbg 198]

I thought it was time to share a little of my experiences since having a VSG a year ago. Both my wife and I had the surgery, 19 days apart. To date I've lost 140 lbs while she has lost 120. Losing is not coming as easily now but we're still making progress towards our goals.

We had the surgery at the Michigan Bariatric Institute in Livonia, Michigan. They have great doctors and a wonderful support team. I did have some complications after surgery (a touch of pneumonia and Fluid near the surgical site) which put me back in the hospital for a few days and required 20 days of IV antibiotics but everything resolved satisfactorily. The doc kidded me about screwing up his statistics.

Living with the sleeve obviously required some adjustment but it was easier than I had imagined. Gone was appetite and cravings, which made it so much easier. I found I was perfectly happy with smaller portions and had no problem passing on french fries, Desserts and other high calorie foods that I used to love. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy food - I 'm just satisfied with less and tend to choose high quality versus high calorie. Even so, I haven't found any food that I can't tolerate.

One of my biggest concerns was restaurants and social situations. I needn't have worried. We have just as much fun as we ever did. Often my wife and I will split a meal and even then take some home. The wait staff always looks worried, apparently thinking that there was something wrong with the food. We've learned to choose meals that make good leftovers and as a result, get more for our restaurant dollars. We have a camper van and on a 5 week tour of the west last fall we made good use of a little fridge and microwave that I installed.

Speaking of our trip, one funny thing is that we lost enough weight during the trip that we didn't bring any of the outer garments home that we started with. They ended up dropped off at various Goodwill Retail stores which also supplied us with replacements. I was surprised at the quality of clothing available at such places and have found it a great way to replenish my closet without having to spend a lot of cash.

To summarize life a year later - happy, healthy, active - enjoying life and looking forward to a future with possibilities. This afternoon I will go out and walk my dogs, ride my motorcycle and have dinner with friends. Life is good......

A huge congratulations to the both of you and thank you for sharing your journey. It's always nice to hear from people who have been post-op for awhile.

Do you mind if I ask how much more you and your wife plan to loose?

[OldAv8tor 2]

A huge congratulations to the both of you and thank you for sharing your journey. It's always nice to hear from people who have been post-op for awhile.

Do you mind if I ask how much more you and your wife plan to loose?

Thanks.

Me 30 her 20

[KellyL 173]

Awesome update!! Thanks for taking the time. We all need to read these experiences. I loved hearing about the traveling and clothes swapping. I hope to travel more post-op and I've been curious how it would work with a sleeve. Congrats to you both!!!

[groovearmada 14]

What an inspiring post! thank you!

Now i want a camper van!

[Saved By The Sleeve 22]

WOW your year sounds like it has been GREAT! I cant wait until I can feel the way that you do now!!!!!! Congrats and God Bless :-)

[samantha209 19]

That sounds great ! Congrats on your success

[Hawaii50 4]

Congrats!!! What a great success story, thanks for sharing!

[callalillyland 0]

Thank you for the needed inspiration!

[coops 1,790]

I think it is great that you have done this together... you really have the best support network there. Only those who have chosen this path truly understand what it is like; warts and all!!

Thank you for the update and congrats on a brilliant success. I am sure that you will both reach your goal weight very soon!

=]

[OldAv8tor 2]

Thank you all for your kind comments. it wasn't always easy but the end result was worth it. I've always hated being on diets and assumed that living with the sleeve was going to be much the same. One of the wonderful surprises of the last year was to find out just how wrong I was. With the cravings gone and the appetite diminished I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. Indeed, after a year, it's hard to remember life ever being any different. I've adjusted to my new eating style and really don't think about it much. The surgery and it's aftermath was something that I had to get thru but now I simply live my life. I choose to look ahead rather than dwell on the past.

For those of you who still aren't sure whether to go ahead.... all I can say is that I wish I'd found the courage to do it years ago.

[Becca 108]

Awesome post and you are doing so great! Thanks for sharing!

[Used2b575lbs 29]

Thanks for the post and congratulation on your great success, I am hoping to be down around 140 after a year got about 20 to go over the next three months and this post is definitely an inspiration.

[YOLANDA240 13]

Congrats to you both, great story thanks for sharing

I thought it was time to share a little of my experiences since having a VSG a year ago. Both my wife and I had the surgery, 19 days apart. To date I've lost 140 lbs while she has lost 120. Losing is not coming as easily now but we're still making progress towards our goals.

We had the surgery at the Michigan Bariatric Institute in Livonia, Michigan. They have great doctors and a wonderful support team. I did have some complications after surgery (a touch of pneumonia and Fluid near the surgical site) which put me back in the hospital for a few days and required 20 days of IV antibiotics but everything resolved satisfactorily. The doc kidded me about screwing up his statistics.

Living with the sleeve obviously required some adjustment but it was easier than I had imagined. Gone was appetite and cravings, which made it so much easier. I found I was perfectly happy with smaller portions and had no problem passing on french fries, Desserts and other high calorie foods that I used to love. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy food - I 'm just satisfied with less and tend to choose high quality versus high calorie. Even so, I haven't found any food that I can't tolerate.

One of my biggest concerns was restaurants and social situations. I needn't have worried. We have just as much fun as we ever did. Often my wife and I will split a meal and even then take some home. The wait staff always looks worried, apparently thinking that there was something wrong with the food. We've learned to choose meals that make good leftovers and as a result, get more for our restaurant dollars. We have a camper van and on a 5 week tour of the west last fall we made good use of a little fridge and microwave that I installed.

Speaking of our trip, one funny thing is that we lost enough weight during the trip that we didn't bring any of the outer garments home that we started with. They ended up dropped off at various Goodwill Retail stores which also supplied us with replacements. I was surprised at the quality of clothing available at such places and have found it a great way to replenish my closet without having to spend a lot of cash.

To summarize life a year later - happy, healthy, active - enjoying life and looking forward to a future with possibilities. This afternoon I will go out and walk my dogs, ride my motorcycle and have dinner with friends. Life is good......

[lkcraig316 4]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. It is so encouraging to those of us who are just beginning the journey.