Xpost 1 Year Into The Journey And 8 Months Post Op (Long)

[Terry H. 196]

What a difference a year can make. I've lost 164 pounds. I think it is fair to say I've lost a full adult. Almost 40% of my total body weight. When I started the journey I was frustrated and hopeless. The very idea of surgery was unnatural and I was sure I couldn't live with the restrictions. I've thought about WLS over the years and all of them seemed so drastic and some just seemed flawed. I became interested in the DS surgery but after attending a seminar and doing research, I decided the sleeve addressed the vast majority of the issues I had with WLS. I just couldn't keep up the diet cycle any longer and I decided to take the leap. It was well worth it. Here are a few contrasts before and now:

Before: children would point me out to their parents in public. Now: still very overweight (no longer super morbid though) and I feel like I fit in.

Before Car seat all the way back, belly rubbed hard on steering wheel, needed extender to be comfortable, worried that the airbag could be fatal if it deployed, belly pushed legs apart and my knee would be shoved into the car door. Now: comfortable with lots of room between me and the steering wheel. I keep moving the seat further forward and it is better every trip.

Before: I actually got stuck in a pool that didn't have steps (didn't realize it until I was in the water). I couldn't get through the ladder without help. Now: I have the energy to do an hour of deep Water aerobics and easily climb the ladder out of the pool.

Before: 62 tight pants, 4-5x shirts, big and tall store only, buy whatever I could find. Now: 44 pants, large shirts, shop in most stores and have huge options for what to buy.

Before: Had to ask for tables at restaurants. Many times had to ask my fellow diners to move to a table if I didn't get there first. Now: Sit where I want.

Before: Couldn't make it through grocery shopping without back problems and running out of energy. Walking was limited to a few blocks at the most. Always overheating. Now: No back problems (tailbone hurts when sitting too long but that is a good trade), walking distances are not an issue, always feel cool and enjoy the outdoors so much more.

Before: Never felt I could get close to my wife during intimate times - my belly was always in the way. Now: Oh yeah, so much better and we are so much closer all the time. Its like a rediscovery. Both parties are much happier.

I can't wait until I reach goal. I have so much more I want to do and I feel it is within my grasp. The people here gave me so much confidence that I could succeed and I thank you all for your support.

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

Congrats!! Such an awesome story & great NSVs!!

[Musharooni 62]

Congratulations to you! Thank you for sharing your incredible story--it is truly inspiring.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

What a difference a year can make. I've lost 164 pounds. I think it is fair to say I've lost a full adult. Almost 40% of my total body weight. When I

I have so much more I want to do and I feel it is within my grasp.

Terry H

Inspirational story.

i'm so very happy for you

Why haven't I seen you around the block earlier? Maybe you've been around, its just not that easy to see you any more

hope to hear more

Keep on keepin on

continued success

kathy

[Almostthere34 128]

Great job! I can't wait to join the losers bench.

[chitowngirl 885]

Wow those are all great accomplishments. Keep up the good work.

[GivingItMyAll 168]

:joytears: You are an inspiration. Cogratulations of your success thus far. Can't wait to read more of your accomplishments.

[shangefan 193]

Great story! Congrats.

[BoBann 42]

Very awesome! Very happy for you!

[Miriam 50]

Amazing - thanks for sharing! Posts like yours are what keep me inspired to keep on giving it my all.

[coops 1,790]

Terry... you have lost ME!!! WOW...

thank you for posting your story. What an amazing transformation. It really does sound like you have turned your health and your life around. I love the fact that you and you wife are bothe benefitting ...lol... and feel closer, that is such an uplifting side to weight loss.

Congratulations! and good luck on the last part of your transformation; I am sure that this post will be very encouraging to those new into their sleeve lives and those who are in the research stages.

[Mommymook 16]

Awesome accomplishments! I really can't wait to be on tthe losers bench. Reading stories like yours is what keeps me focused and moving forward in my journey.

[Terry H. 196]

Thank you all for your kind words. We inspire each other.

[Patrick Curl 424]

What a difference a year can make. I've lost 164 pounds. I think it is fair to say I've lost a full adult. Almost 40% of my total body weight. When I started the journey I was frustrated and hopeless. The very idea of surgery was unnatural and I was sure I couldn't live with the restrictions. I've thought about WLS over the years and all of them seemed so drastic and some just seemed flawed. I became interested in the DS surgery but after attending a seminar and doing research' date=' I decided the sleeve addressed the vast majority of the issues I had with WLS. I just couldn't keep up the diet cycle any longer and I decided to take the leap. It was well worth it. Here are a few contrasts before and now:

Before: children would point me out to their parents in public. Now: still very overweight (no longer super morbid though) and I feel like I fit in.

Before Car seat all the way back, belly rubbed hard on steering wheel, needed extender to be comfortable, worried that the airbag could be fatal if it deployed, belly pushed legs apart and my knee would be shoved into the car door. Now: comfortable with lots of room between me and the steering wheel. I keep moving the seat further forward and it is better every trip.

Before: I actually got stuck in a pool that didn't have steps (didn't realize it until I was in the water). I couldn't get through the ladder without help. Now: I have the energy to do an hour of deep Water aerobics and easily climb the ladder out of the pool.

Before: 62 tight pants, 4-5x shirts, big and tall store only, buy whatever I could find. Now: 44 pants, large shirts, shop in most stores and have huge options for what to buy.

Before: Had to ask for tables at restaurants. Many times had to ask my fellow diners to move to a table if I didn't get there first. Now: Sit where I want.

Before: Couldn't make it through grocery shopping without back problems and running out of energy. Walking was limited to a few blocks at the most. Always overheating. Now: No back problems (tailbone hurts when sitting too long but that is a good trade), walking distances are not an issue, always feel cool and enjoy the outdoors so much more.

Before: Never felt I could get close to my wife during intimate times - my belly was always in the way. Now: Oh yeah, so much better and we are so much closer all the time. Its like a rediscovery. Both parties are much happier.

I can't wait until I reach goal. I have so much more I want to do and I feel it is within my grasp. The people here gave me so much confidence that I could succeed and I thank you all for your support. [/quote']

Wow your befores sound like my nows, tummy getting squashed by steering wheel wear 10x pants I know I can't fit in size 86, highest was 698. I've lost 30 lsat year and started looking at surgery this year. I started my preop 2 weeks ago and have lost 15.

I wanna say it is so inspiring to me especially to see people like you with similar issues be successful. Thanks for sharing you story.

[nabird77 29]

Thanks so much for sharing - amazing progress!