Three and a half years later

[Keys Pirate 70]

Hello Sleever People!

I had my surgery January 25, 2010 with Dr. Aceves in Mexico and have never once looked back. I was on this board pretty much 24/7 pre-op and for a long time post op and one of the things that I desperately wished for more of was feedback from people that were "long term" sleevers. We seem to be few and far between and I swore I would provide regular updates... fail!!! And I apologize to any of you that, like me, wish for more of the "big picture" - no pun intended! It's true that we simply get on with life after surgery and before we know it, life has been blowing by and suddenly it's been some fantastic years gone by - you'll see, trust me!

So, the long and short of my sleeve experience has been incredible – there truly are no words to describe one of the absolute best decisions I’ve ever made for myself. I started at 254 and lost exactly 100 pounds well before the end of the year. I ate low carb and drank Protein Shakes forever it seemed. About a year and change after surgery, after maintaining a size 4/6 154# for months, I started gaining – eeekk!!! – I attributed this primarily to nursing school (which I started the same week of my vsg and have since finished and am now working in an ER – whole nuther story!) and grazing all day. Cashews are the devils work, btw!! I was scared and worried but stopped gaining after slowly putting back on 20 pounds. I’ve lost five of that since, am now in a size 8/10 and have been holding there for some time. I truly eat what I want within reason. I’m in a good place mentally and physically. I have been at this weight for over a year now.

I 100% BELIEVE THAT EXERCISE IS CRUCIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS LONG TERM!!!!! So commit to it, the sleeve, while a fantastic tool, WILL NOT solve all of your problems if you aren’t prepared to take care of yourself and having the sleeve makes it easy!! Like any “diet” or whatever, the long term is the trick; you will be able to eat A LOT more as time goes on yet nothing like before. You WILL be able to eat enough and often enough to gain weight if you are not aware. But it’s different. I would have easily gained that 100# back by now, that I know.

So, for me, to compensate for eating so-so, I bicycle competitively and long-distance; average 50 miles every other day at about 19mph. I have a group that I ride with but do it often on my own too. Burns a gajillion calories.

I guess the bottom line is that your life is going to be absolutely incredible post-op BUT, you will always have to be aware of what’s going in and out. The story about the woman who gained all her weight back cuz she would order an xl pizza and work on it all day? I can see that!! Yikes! But, you know what? Don’t buy the stupid pizza!! Easy!!

I wish you all the very best and please feel free to contact me to vent, ask questions, whatever, I’m happy to help and happy to be here for you.

Carol

[gmanbat 5,889]

Thanks, Carol!!

Your input is very needed and welcome!

In case you are not aware, we have a veterans forum now as well, http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/352-gastric-sleeve-veterans-forum-new-forum/

[cdunn 45]

Great job!!! Thanks for your feedback, it's very helpful to someone like me who is just getting started!

[AudOne 82]

Congrats on your success! And what an athlete you've become! Gives me hope for my own goals, thanks so much

[SmilinNC 27]

Thank you. I'm still pre-op and these posts are so good to read. Gives me a bigger picture- no pun intended there.

[Healthiernewme 81]

Thanks for coming back and posting:) It is very informative to hear from someone who is 3+ years out.

[mooregirl 74]

Thank you for the awesome post. It is encouraging and realistic. It means so much to us newbies.

Jamie

[WolfLady 19]

Thank you for giving us an update. It is good to hear from a 'veteran'.

[SueJH 205]

Ditto from what everyone above has said! Thanks for taking time out to update us and to let those of us who are just in the beginning stages of our journey know what life looks like 3+ years out.