45lbs and counting down..

[Vitae 3]

Good evening everyone! Just introducing myself here, my name is Yvonne.

I'm 31 years old, married, no children. I enjoy computers, video games,

painting/sketching, aquariums (saltwater & freshwater), my 2 cats, and

many other things.

I've been obese for a very, very long time. I was a chubby kid and a fat

teenager, transitioned into morbidly obese in my early 20's. Of course

I've always had issues with self-esteem, so with that I never really had

the desire to lose weight.

That changed of course when I met and married my husband, I started

becoming frustrated with how my weight effected our relationship and what

it meant years down the line. I decided I wanted to do something about

it, not only for us, but for me as well.

I've always been 100% healthy even with my obesity. I've never had blood

pressure problems, diabetes, cholestoral issues, or any co-morbidity

aside from a very light case of sleep apnea, and even then that was very

recently.

However, I also wanted to make sure none of them became a problem down

the line.

This is why I decided to opt for the VSG.

I started the process last year in July. I found a local surgeon, Dr.

George Woodman, and attended the required class. Unfortunately, shortly

after starting the process I was informed that my insurance company does

NOT cover anything coded "obesity", so this had made things very

difficult. I was able to secure a loan for MOST of the charges, but I

digress.

I obtained my pre-surgery work up and assessment from my primary care

doctor. Most of the bloodwork was covered, however I still had to pay

close to $1,000 out of pocket. It was also discovered that I had a minor

blood clotting issue, which I was referred to a blood specialist, and

even though it had nothing to do with my obesity I was still forced to

pay out of pocket for all of those tests.

Let me just say, I am not full of money, I live check by check.

Regardless, I met with Dr. Woodman after everything and was advised to

lose 30lbs due to my BMI.

My first weigh-in with him I was 360lbs, also note I am 4'11.

I was all set and ready to begin the required weight loss, I started

dieting and exercising. I managed to lose about 15lbs, then in August I

had a really nasty celulitis infection in my leg.

This put me in the hospital for a week. During this time I also had a

nasty break out of sores inside of my mouth due to the antibiotics, so I

couldn't eat anything at all. I also couldn't move or get out of bed.

After my week in the hospital I fell into a depression and gained back

everything I had lost during that time and a little bit more.

Finally in January I was able to shake off the depression and continue my

journey. I contacted Dr. Woodmans office and explained what happened, we

met for a new weigh-in and I was 367lbs. He still told me that due to the

anestiesiologists rules I would need to be less then 70BMI before they

could provide the surgery. He provided me a tenative date of February

13th.

I got back on the horse and managed to lose 25lbs by that date, and

thankfully the anestiesiologist accepted this and allowed surgery to

commence.

I really didn't have any issues, Dr. Woodman had told me surgery was a

bit rough due to my weight but he has had tougher situations.

Surgery went smoothly. My family and friends were there for me in the

hospital.

It's now been a month since surgery, and I've lost a total of 45lbs (this

includes the weight I lost before surgery).

I'm feeling a whole hell of a lot better. I no longer need a scooter when

I go shopping. Hell, I even went walking around the mall, something I

haven't been able to do in years.

I look forward to losing more weight, but for now I am happy with the progress I've made so far.

I have a question, what is the average amount a sleever loses in 1 month? I feel like I'm losing a bit slow.

I've attached a picture of myself, this one is recent.

[KimMarh 99]

Good evening everyone! Just introducing myself here' date=' my name is Yvonne.

I'm 31 years old, married, no children. I enjoy computers, video games,

painting/sketching, aquariums (saltwater & freshwater), my 2 cats, and

many other things.

I've been obese for a very, very long time. I was a chubby kid and a fat

teenager, transitioned into morbidly obese in my early 20's. Of course

I've always had issues with self-esteem, so with that I never really had

the desire to lose weight.

That changed of course when I met and married my husband, I started

becoming frustrated with how my weight effected our relationship and what

it meant years down the line. I decided I wanted to do something about

it, not only for us, but for me as well.

I've always been 100% healthy even with my obesity. I've never had blood

pressure problems, diabetes, cholestoral issues, or any co-morbidity

aside from a very light case of sleep apnea, and even then that was very

recently.

However, I also wanted to make sure none of them became a problem down

the line.

This is why I decided to opt for the VSG.

I started the process last year in July. I found a local surgeon, Dr.

George Woodman, and attended the required class. Unfortunately, shortly

after starting the process I was informed that my insurance company does

NOT cover anything coded "obesity", so this had made things very

difficult. I was able to secure a loan for MOST of the charges, but I

digress.

I obtained my pre-surgery work up and assessment from my primary care

doctor. Most of the bloodwork was covered, however I still had to pay

close to 1,000 out of pocket. It was also discovered that I had a minor

blood clotting issue, which I was referred to a blood specialist, and

even though it had nothing to do with my obesity I was still forced to

pay out of pocket for all of those tests.

Let me just say, I am not full of money, I live check by check.

Regardless, I met with Dr. Woodman after everything and was advised to

lose 30lbs due to my BMI.

My first weigh-in with him I was 360lbs, also note I am 4'11.

I was all set and ready to begin the required weight loss, I started

dieting and exercising. I managed to lose about 15lbs, then in August I

had a really nasty celulitis infection in my leg.

This put me in the hospital for a week. During this time I also had a

nasty break out of sores inside of my mouth due to the antibiotics, so I

couldn't eat anything at all. I also couldn't move or get out of bed.

After my week in the hospital I fell into a depression and gained back

everything I had lost during that time and a little bit more.

Finally in January I was able to shake off the depression and continue my

journey. I contacted Dr. Woodmans office and explained what happened, we

met for a new weigh-in and I was 367lbs. He still told me that due to the

anestiesiologists rules I would need to be less then 70BMI before they

could provide the surgery. He provided me a tenative date of February

13th.

I got back on the horse and managed to lose 25lbs by that date, and

thankfully the anestiesiologist accepted this and allowed surgery to

commence.

I really didn't have any issues, Dr. Woodman had told me surgery was a

bit rough due to my weight but he has had tougher situations.

Surgery went smoothly. My family and friends were there for me in the

hospital.

It's now been a month since surgery, and I've lost a total of 45lbs (this

includes the weight I lost before surgery).

I'm feeling a whole hell of a lot better. I no longer need a scooter when

I go shopping. Hell, I even went walking around the mall, something I

haven't been able to do in years.

I look forward to losing more weight, but for now I am happy with the progress I've made so far.

I have a question, what is the average amount a sleever loses in 1 month? I feel like I'm losing a bit slow.

I've attached a picture of myself, this one is recent.[/quote']

I don't know about average but I've lost 37 including my preop and I'm almost 2 months out

[Bunnydee 40]

Your story was so touching and I am so happy you decided to do make this journey. You are a brave woman. I was sleeved end of January and I've lost close to 30 pounds. Up and down a pound or two. So I would say you are doing marvelous! Keep up the great work and good luck to you!

[gmanbat 5,889]

Congratulations and welcome!!!!

The amount lost in a months varies tremendously as you will see when you spend time on this forum. The reaction to weight lost varies too, some see any loss as a big victory, some are troubled because their loss does not compare to others on here. One thing is sure, your body does not log on to forums as a reference, it has it's own schedule.

20 pounds in a month after surgery is great! Get ready to give away or sell your clothes. I advise you to buy cheap clothes, I shop at the second hand stores. I went through three complete closet strippings. I am just now contemplating a Macy's suit.

Welcome again, Vitae!!! :)

[Rycherchick 147]

6 wks out close to 40.