Great results so far, 3 months since my procedure 6' male age 41 - I lost 60lbs and I gained a very active lifestyle!

[Thinkbruce 56]

So about 9 months ago I found myself looking to my local hospital's surgical weight loss center for some help as I had reached my highest weight ever 315. I was moderately familiar with Bariatric surgery as my brother had a gastric bypass performed about three years ago. I wanted more information because I knew there were options but I wasn't sure what was right for me. So I attended a surgical weight loss seminar at Reading Health System located in Reading, Pa. There I learned more about the Gastric Bypass and also the Lap Band, but more importantly I heard, for the first time about the Gastric Sleeve Surgery. The minute I learned about it I felt like it was the right procedure for me. Then, before I knew it my visit to the seminar to just "check it out" turned into my first official meeting which began the chain of events leading up to my procedure.

From there, the SWL (surgical weight loss) team evaluated my insurance, scheduled me for a consultation visit & set up the appointments necessary to access my blood work and over-all physical condition, aside from visual obesity (one does not qualify for a SWL procedure based on that alone) I had a thorough physical with a great deal of blood work completed, I was currently under care for sleep apnea and my blood pressure had been slowly rising into the pre hyper-tension zone.

Before I knew it my insurance was accepted, my psychological evaluation was scheduled, my nutrition classes had begun and I had been given an approximate date for surgery. It was now actually happening and all I could think was, "what if" - "how can" - "what about after." It all seemed surreal as I wondered what life would be like after permanently altering one of my organs.

My surgery was a week away and it was time for the "liquid Diet!!!" The thought of full liquids for 4+ days was terrifying and I couldn't imagine how I was going to make it. Well, I did & it wasn't so bad at all after the third day. Not to mention, what I learned about not taking this part seriously made it seem like a small price to pay. The liquid diet, I'm told shrinks the size of your liver and this was very important to give the doctor room to "work." Say no more, help the doctor to help me.... I'm in!!

The day of surgery came and it was simple, show up, check in, lay down and get rolled to the operating room. Just a few hours later I was in the recovery room. I elected to have the robotic daVinci procedure performed by Doctor Stephan Meyers of Reading Health System. I did not need a long time after the operation (maybe an hour) to wake up and take a few laps around the hospital floor of my wing. There was a bit of shoulder pain and gas pains as I recall, but easily controlled with IV pain relievers.

I went home in 48 hours and pretty much hung out in bed for another 48 hours, getting up to walk as often as I could till I felt better. Three days later I accompanied my 10 year old daughter to the annual father daughter dance, we took some pictures and I felt fine at the dance. I stood and sat for most of the time, but we did squeeze in a couple slow dances together.

I followed the directions of the doctors office and their website. I walked more and more and within a few weeks even began to jog very lightly. As I began to tolerate regular food again I was CERTAIN to eat just enough visually to become satiated. It's been three months now & I now eat more slowly, I separate my eating and drinking (this is a must) & I keep as active as possible by parking farther & taking the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator whenever at all possible.

I have also actually increased my level of exercise by desire, I've been walking/jogging 3-4 times per week, riding my bike 10 plus miles once per week and just this month I began swimming. We are a boating family and I am fortunate to be able to use our local lake for my first few long distance swims. Just this Sunday I swam 1.2 miles on Blue Marsh lake.

I would do this surgery again if I had it to do all over - I consider myself lucky that the actual procedure was a success physically & I feel like I've been given a second chance to do it right and appreciate the opportunity to be ACTIVE!!

I do not, at this time, feel hunger - in place of hunger I feel emptiness inside and I eat what makes sense to fuel my body. I take all of my suggested Vitamins and chewable Calcium too. We (big people) got too large for a reason and if you are looking at having one of these procedures so you can keep eating poorly, but less of a quantity, then I suggest not wasting your time - if you get the opportunity to choose and undergo a procedure that's best for you I implore you to make it count on every level and WORK hard to follow the directions you'll be given. Most importantly get ACTIVE!!! My BP is now normal, my sleep apnea is gone and I have lost over 60 lbs. I eat approximately 1 cup of food about 5 times a day. I am very careful of what I eat because I can only eat such a small amount. My caloric intake is currently only about 1100 per day so it is imperative that I get the right amounts of Protein, potassium, Iron, and other vitamins to remain healthy.

Because of this I use "My Fitness Pal" and "Pacer" for tracking food intake my daily steps taken. My Fitness Pal tracks the nutrient content of the food I eat which is essential to make sure your eating properly. I also use Strava for walking, jogging, cycling and swimming tracking. All of my activities sync with My Fitness Pal, so I am sure to know my nutrition intake and the app tells me how much to increase on days where I am more active than others.

All in all, I'd say my operation was a success and it's up to me individually to make it last forever. I ended up in the position I was in, three months ago, because of the choices I made, now I have the physical help to make better choices. I wish anyone taking this journey Godspeed & may you find it deep within to stay the course !

[4everbeautiful 61]

Simply an AWESOME post! Good work!

[ElectricBoogaloo 337]

Thank you for taking the time to put this in writing! Very motivating and superbly stated!!

[Thinkbruce 56]

You're both very welcome, best of luck to you & when you reach your goal, pay it forward & be sure you help inspire others ! thats the way I try and be and always that of others -

[getnhealthyintx 281]

Thanks !

[missbrown30 148]

Great post. Thank you.