SaavySleever

Hello all!! My name is Lisa, I am from Duluth, MN and am 11 months post op from my Sleeve. When I started the whole process it was just invigorating knowing my whole life was going to change! My surgeon is Dr. Matthew Bettendorf; and he currently works for Essentia Health in Duluth, MN primarily as a weight loss surgeon, specializing in VSG. When I started my liquid diet after about 4 months of Dietician visits, I was at a top weight of 318lbs. as of today's date I currently weigh 192lbs and am looking to lose about 30 more! I have trouble still getting in the proper amount of protein, but can eat most things. I have had some trouble with pork and chicken if it's not chewed really really well. I also can sadly no longer eat sushi. Not sure why, but it bums me out!! This is just the BEST decision I have ever made for myself in my whole life. When people ask me if I have regrets, I always tell them NO WAY! If I could I'd do it all over again in the blink of an eye. Being that I am 11 months out I have slowed way down in the rapid weight loss but am still consistently losing weight. I just need to exercise more and drink more water. :-) that would be my biggest piece of advice, even for those like me who HATE exercise, DO IT! It makes a HUGE difference in the end. :-D

Thank you so much!!! I'm hoping to shed those last 30 by the end of summer/beginning of fall. I'm getting my gym membership back in a couple weeks so that will WAY HELP! 4am is CRAZY but that's AMAZING! Good luck to you and I'm sure you will have just as much success on your journey!! It's a crazy life change but SO WORTH IT!!

A big reason there are not many bad/ugly stories with VSG is because it's still considered relativly new in the medical community. I had the sleeve 11 months ago and have lost 126 lbs with a starting weight of 318. I am 30lbs from my goal, and It has BEEN AMAZING! I have had little to no side effects, and literaly as I type this I just at a Funyun. One of the best things about the sleeve in my opinion is that I have NOT had to take a complex regiment of multivitamins. The biggest down fall that I have faced is hair loss, but not in a grand scheme where I have bald patches or anything, just thinning, and that can be remedied by more protein intake and a simple vitamin called Biotin. I can eat everything except Sushi (I miss Yellow Tail) and I have trouble with pork on occasion if I do not chew and chew and chew. If your insurance will cover the sleeve GO FOR IT! Not only has it changed my life, it's prolonged it, given me better self esteem, and taught me that I DONT HAVE TO LIVE FAT!!! Best route to success that I have found in eating is Protein, Veggies/Fruit, then carbs if there is room which there usually is not! I still can't eat a 4 inch sub LOL... Good Luck to you and wish you the best in your journey!!!!!!