Brian66

I still consider myself a success story. I had my surgery two years ago (7/13/2010) and I have maintained a weight loss of about 120 pounds. I look and feel better than I have in my entire adult life. I am writing today because I want to keep it a success story while I still can. Here's the thing. I went to my surgeon for a check up yesterday and his first words were, "OK, now it's your be careful time." I gained 2 pounds since my check-up last year. His concern is that once the weight loss stops, your body re-sets itself to a new equilibrium and it is easy to re-gain weight. Am I surprised that I gained weight? Hell no. I am surprised that I didn't gain more. For a long time time, I've been cheating like hell in what I have been eating - Cookies, candy, chips, pretzels, etc. -- all the stuff I have always loved. Why did I do it? Because I could, that's why. I have been able to eat those things, albeit in smaller portions than I used to, and I have felt some joy and excitement because I have felt like I was getting away with something. I wasn't eating because I was hungry, I was eating because I felt like it was a challenge to see what I could eat. How messed up is that? I either kept losing weight or didn't gain anything, so it really did feel like I getting something over on someone (Who? Beats me.) My first thought when I saw the gain of 2 lbs was, "No big deal, what's 2 lbs when I have lost 118?" But then I started to think, every bit of weight I ever put on came in 1 or 2 pound increments and it really started to scar the cr*p out of me. I will not go down that road again. I have come too far and gone through too much to allow myself to do that to myself again. One of the main reasons I had this surgery is that I felt that even if I could lose weight with diet and exercise (highly unlikely), I just could not go through all that hard work just to have it come back. Even knowing that, I have continued to sabotage myself. Man, the power that food has in my life is really amazing. Anyway. I am writing probably more for myself than for others. I needed to admit these things and to make myself accountable so that I don't screw up one of the best decisions I have ever made. Just wanted to put this out there and to remind everyone -- "Let's be careful out there." Thanks for listening. Brian

Two years out and I have no regrets at all. There are days when I miss eating what I used to eat, but that is how I got into trouble in the first place. It truly has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Isn't that the greatest feeling in the world? I love to see the puzzled look on people's faces when they realize that they should know me but just can't place the face. It has been a lot of fun!

I agree with Supersweetums. I do get hungry occasionally, but it is not the same feeling that I used to have. Sometimes, in fact, I don't feel the hunger at all and I don't realize that it has been a long time since I have eaten until I start to get a bit of a headache. The best way I can describe the hunger feeling that I do get sometimes is that it is a much "smaller" hunger than I used to have. I like to think that it goes along with the smaller stomach, but maybe that is just psychological. I do find that on the rare occasions when I do get hungry that I have to be careful not to overeat becasue the results are sometimes not so pleasant! All in all, even with the struggles I have experienced, the decision to have the sleeve was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Brian

I had my VSG just a little over two years ago (7/13/2010) and I consider myself a success story -- I have maintained a weight loss of about 120 pounds. I do find that I am still struggling with some head hunger issues. Last night, I took my kids to dinner at a restaurant that specializes in thin crust coal oven baked pizza. It was deliciious. I had one slice and I was absolutely full and knew that if I ate more, I would have trouble and could perhaps get sick. Even though I enjoyed it and was full, I really wanted that second slice and felt cheated because I couldn't have it. Fortunately, I got up from the table to use the restroom which gave me a little time to think of things. If I was full from the first slice and not hungry, why did I want that second slice so badly? The whole experience gave me a little insight into my relationship with food and how things got out of control in terms of my weight. I also need to realize that I should order only what I can eat comfortably, not what I want to eat. Just the other night, I ordered two tacos for dinner on the way home from work. The first one was great and would have been just enough. Fortunately, as I started to eat the second one, I realized that it would make me feel too full and could possibly make me sick. I promptly spit out what was in my mouth and threw it all out. I felt pretty powerful at that moment. This has not been an easy journey, but it sure has been interesting. Brian

I had my surgery on July 13, 2010 and it truly was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was not an easy one for me to make. I was a widowed dad of three young kids - ages 15, 10 and 9 at the time - and I was really worried about the risks of having the surgery. Ultimately, I came to realize that the staying fat was a far greater risk to my health and put my kids at a much greater risk of being orphaned. IN the end, I did it for them as much as I did it for myself. Today, two years later, I have lost 120 pounds and have maintained that weight loss pretty consistently (I fluctuate within a 2-3 pound range). In the past two years, I have gone from: a size 54 suit to a 44 regular 18 1/2 or 19 inch neck to a 16 XXL Shirt to a M Size 44 pants to a 34. I no longer need mediciation for high blood pressure or high cholesterol and I no longer need my c-pap machine for sleep apnea. My back and knee pain have also all but vanished. Most importantly, I am engaged to a wonderful woman and we plan to get married next summer. I met her just a few months after my surgery and she has been very supportive. So, I am here to tell all of you who are considering this surgery to do your homework, find a practice where you feel supported and comfortable, but do not be afraid to go for it. If your experience is anything like mine, you will never regret it. All the best to you, Brian

I buried my mom on January 3rd. She got very sick very quickly and died four weeks to the day after being diagnosed with melanoma. It is still unbelievable to me how fast she went. One of the things I am happiest about is that she got to see me conquer my life long battle with weight with the assistance of an incredible tool - the sleeve. I had my surgery on July 13, 2010 and I have lost about 125 pounds since then -- from 300 pounds to 175 today. When I first told her I was going to have the surgery done, she was very nervous, but she came to trust my research and judgment and she became on of my biggest supporters. She battled her weight for much of her life, so she knew how difficult it was. She was very proud of me. I was lucky to have had her and I'll never forget her. Thanks Mom for your love and support and encouragement. Thanks for listening. Brian

Rainsong, Just wanted to take a minute to wish you well and to tell you to go with your gut as far as telling people. I was where you are in July 2010 just before I had my surgery. I was 44 at the time and a widowed father of three fairly young children. I made the decision to have the sleeve and told only my children, my mother and my brother and sister. I simply told work that I was having some elective surgery, "nothing serious, just something that needs to be taken care of." I did not want to be the topic of everyone's conversations and I think I was secretly afraid that it wouldn't work. I had my surgery on July 13 and by Labor Day I had lost about 50 or 60 pounds. People really began to notice at that point and I had to make a decision as to whether to tell people. Ultimately, I did start to tell my extended family and close friends, but I still have not told everyone at work. I just don't feel like it is everyone's business. I would caution you about one thing though. I've dealt with some guilt about "taking the easy way out," even though in my heart I know it is not the case. I see a therapist and he did help me to see that, even though I absolutely have the right to tell or not tell whoever I like, for me, keeping the surgery a secret did add to the feeling that I had something to be ashamed of. I do find that as I tell more people I do feel freer and lest burdened about "keeping my secret." Just something to keep in mind. Wishing you all the best. Brian

I had my surgery on 7/13/2010 and so far I have lost 120 pounds. This truly was one of the best things I have ever done for myself and my family. Brian

Congratulations! I know that having this baby was one of the main reasons you pursued your surgery. God bless you and your whole family and thank you for continuing to be such an inspiration and source of information to so many of us!

Hi Jen, Welcome to this site and congratulations on getting your sleeve. You are going to love it. I was sleeved a little over 14 months ago and have lost about 120 pounds. Good for you for doing this for your son. My kids were main motivation as well. I became a single dad to my three beautiful kids when my wife died of cancer in 2007. The kids were 12, 7 and 6 at the time and it scared me that I was putting my health at risk by remaining so heavy. After a lot of soul searching, I decided to have the surgery so that I could be healthy enough to stick around and finish raising my kids. WIthout a doubt, the decision to have this surgery was one of the best I have ever made! Good luck to you! Brian

Unbelievable! Congratulations! You look amazing! Brian

Great Topic. I've been heavy my whole life and I thought about my weight everyday for as long as I could remember. I was fortunate enough to meet my wife in high school and she loved me for who I was, weight and all, so I was able to coast along for many years, gaining weight gradually over the years. We had three wonderful kids and life was going pretty well. My world came crashing down around me the night before Thanksgiving in 2004 when my wife was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of abdominal cancer. After fighting it with all she had for two and half years, she died in February 2004 and I was left as a single dad of our three kids ages 12, 7 and 6. I probably gained another 30 pounds over the next three years as I dealt with the lonliness, stress, sadness and anger and was just hitting my heaviest weight of 300 pounds. Each time I went to my doctor for a checkup, there was more bad news...high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, back pain, etc. When my doctor suggested weight loss surgery, I was highly insulted...I was not that guy. However, the seed was planted and I began to think about it more and more. I felt like I was standing on the railroad tracks facing an oncoming train of additional health problems, diabetes and maybe even early death. My children suffered so much with the loss of their mother, I just felt like I had to so something to lose the weight and regain my health so that I could be there to take care of them. I also felt like I needed a way to lose the weight and keep it off as I had been told or read somewhere that of people who lose 100 pounds or more with diet and exercise, only about 2% keep it off. I found that statistic chilling and thought that even if I could lose the weight with diet and exercise (highly unlikely), I could not take the chance of gaining it all back. I started looking for a doctor to do the gastric bypass as I'd read negative things about the band, but I was delighted when my surgeon, Dr. Mitchell Roslin told me about the VSG and suggested that I was an ideal candidate. The more research I did, the more I became convinced that this was the right decision for me. Now, almost 14 months ago, having lost just about 125 pounds, I am absolutely convinced that, with the exception of marrying my wife and having our kids, the decision to have this surgery was the best decision I have ever made!

I absolutely love this post and I feel like I could have written it myself. I love the replies too! SInce my surgery last year, I have struggled with feeling like others would look down on me for taking the easy way out (even though no one has said anything like that to me). Even though it was not an easy decision to make to have the surgery and the first 6-8 weeks were pretty tough physically and emotionally, the fact is it has been pretty easy to lose the weight with this wonderful tool. In almost 14 months, I've lost just about 125 pounds and I was never able to come anywhere close to that in my previous attempts to lose weight. My weight was something that I thought about every single day of my life for about 30 years and it feels wonderful not to have this issue hanging over my head in the same way. I continue to thank God everyday that I was able to have this surgery. Brian

Gastronaut, Welcome to the boards. I've got about 10 years on you, but other than that our numbers are very similiar. I was just hitting my highest weight of 300 lbs when I decided to have the VSG in the spring of 2010. By the time all of the pre-surgical testing and insurance approvals were completed, I actually had my surgery performed on July 13, 2010. In the 13 months since my surgery, I have lost 120 pounds and I could not be happier with the results. One thing that this surgery will cause you to do is really take a hard look at how you've used and abused food. I always viewed myself as just a big guy who loved to eat, but after the surgery I realized that I was doing a lot of emotional eating - I ate when I was bored, tired, angry, sad, happy, frustrated, lonely, etc. I have always been overweight, but after my wife died in 2007 after a two and a half year battle with cancer, the problem only got worse and I put on an additional 30 pounds or so. As a single parent to three young kids, I really felt that I needed to do something dramatic to reverse this cycle in my life and get health so that I can stay alive to raise my kids. Perhaps the biggest challenge for me after the surgery was learning to cope with my feelings and emotions without my drug of choice -- food. Good luck to you as you start your journey. The sleeve is an amazing tool, but you are going to have to make some significant changes in your behavior and attitudes regarding food. Post often, ask questions and make full use of these message boards -- they are an amazing resource. Peace, Brian

I only took four days off from work -- Tuesday through Friday. Before I went out, I simply told people that I was having minor elective surgery -- "nothing serious, just something that needs to be taken care of." No one asked me at the time about the exact nature of the surgery. Since I've lost 120 pounds, I tell most people who ask that I've been working with a doctor and a nurtitionist. At the time of the surgery, I didn't think it was anyone's business (and I was also afraid that I would not be successful), but I am telling more people the full story now because I have found that by keeping it a secret, I was starting to feel that it was something to be ashamed about.

Dave, I can so understand where you are coming from and I am here to tell you to look deep inside yourself to find the courage to take this important step. It is completely natural to have fears and reservations about the surgery, but if you read as many posts as you can on this board, you will have a hard time finding anyone who has had the surgery and has any regrets (except possibly, not having the surgery sooner). Thirteen months ago, I was where you are -- about to have the surgery and really scared. I knew I wanted to change my life, but I was really afraid to have the surgery. Fortunately, I did tons of research on this board and in other places on the web and I gradually came to realize that this was the right step for me. As a 44 year old widowed father of three kids, I needed to get control of my life and start living again. Today, 13 months after the surgery, I have lost 120 pounds and am thinner than I have ever been in my adult life. My life is far from perfect and I think it is a mistake to think that losing weight will make all your problems disappear, but it certainly is helping. I'm working with a therapist on some of my other issues, but the weight loss has given me a huge head start in feeling better physically and emotionally. As far as the recovery goes, the first month or two really sort of suck. You can't eat much and when you can start eating solid food, each meal is a sort of experiment in which you see what you can tolerate and sometimes the results are not pretty. I remember taking my kids on vacation about 6 weeks after my surgery and vomitting into zip-locks bags that I had to keep with me in the car. The good news is that it gets better really quickly and you will be encouraged because you will be losing weight right away. The biggest adjustment I have had to make is coming to terms with the fact that I will never again be able to eat like I used to. For a little bit of time, that made me sad and I think I went through a bit of a mourning phase. But then I realized that eating the way I used to was how I got into trouble in the first place and I came to accept the fact that I cannont handle food the way other people can. I think it is very interesting that you used the example of an alcoholic. It really helped me when I came to understand and accept that just as a recovering alcoholic can never again drink the way they did, I will never be able to eat the way I used to eat. The wonderful thing about the sleeve is that it is always in place and serves as a physical barrier to prevent me from overeating at times (like so many in the past) when my will-power might be weak and I am tempted to overeat. Gradually, over time, food has become less important in my life and I know longer obsess about it. Good luck to you on this journey. You don't say how old you are, but my sense is that you are young. Congratulations on having the courage to take this major step. You are not going to regret it. Best to you, Brian

Hang in there! It is going to get better. I was sleeved almost exactly one year to the day before you (7/13/2010). There is no question about it...the first few weeks are very rough and there are going to be days when you say "What the he#* did I do to myself?" Just be patient and try to follow your doctor's orders exactly. Right now, just concentrate on staying hydrated -- drink little sips all day long if you have to. You'll be amazed at just how little food your body needs in the coming weeks Good luck to you. Brian

Papa Jack: Congratulations! It sounds like you are off to a great start. Make no mistake -- the next few weeks may be a bit rough, but the good news is that it going to get better and easier over time. Don't get discouraged if you have some trouble getting used to your sleeve over the next few weeks or months. It is a big adjustment, but you are going to be thrilled with the results. My surgery was one year ago on July 13th and I have lost just over 120 lbs. I have fought this battle long enough to know that this kind of weight loss would not have been possible without the sleeve. Keep up the good work and follow your doctor's instructions. All the best to you, Brian

Dear Carolina Girl, Good luck to you as your surgery date approaches in just three days. You are going to love your sleeve. I was sleeved last July 13th and I could not be happier with the results. I have a soft spot in my heart for July sleevers. To date, I've lost just about 120 pounds and I am thinner now than I have ever been in my adult life. This surgery has truly been a miracle in my lfe! Don't let anyone tell you that this is the easy way out. I struggle with this notion on a daily basis, but I know in my heart that it takes guts and determination to take this step. There is no question that it is scary and not without risks, but for me the alternative of living the way I was was no longer acceptable. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your progress! Brian

Dear H2H, Don't be too discouraged. I think what you are going through is completely normal. I remember feeling the same way during the first few months after my vsg surgery just over one year ago. In fact, I remember posting about how much I missed one of my best friends, food. I can't promise you the feeling will ever go away completely, but it will get better. There are still days when I miss eating what I used to enjoy so much, but then I remember that that is how I got into trouble in the first place. I did find some peace of mind when I came to the realization that, like a recovering alcoholic or drug addict, I cannot ever go back to my old way of eating. I also count my blessings that I was able to receive a tool that makes it very difficult for me to return to that old destructive way of eating. The good news is that as you lose more and more weight, you will become less conscious of the food you cannot indulge in and more aware of the living that you are able to enjoy without the excess weight and all its complications. Good luck to you. Brian

Linda: I was very apprehensive about telling my kids. First of all, they are younger - 15, 10 and 9 at the time of my surgery last year. Second, they lost their mom (my wife) to cancer four years ago, so I was very concerned about causing them undue anxiety. Getting myself healthy for my kids was one of my prime motivations for having this surgery I told my oldest first and she was very supportive. When I told the little ones, they were fine with it and they actually asked very few questions. Even to this day, I don't think they completely understand the mechanics of what I had done. I didn't let them come to the hospital to see me after the surgery and, for us, that was the right decision. They spent too much time in the hospital when my wife was dying -- I didn't want to bring back those memories for them. The bottom line, I think, is that kids are most concerned about how the changes you experience will effect them. For the most part, my kids' lives have not been changed by the surgery. They eat what they always ate. When I couldn't eat with them, I always made an effort to at least sit with them while they ate. They still tease me about how little I eat now compared to what I used to eat. The one really positive thing is they have noticed that I am happier since losing the weight -- they tell me that "Skinny Daddy" is a lot less grumpy than "Fat Daddy." Be honest with them and you'll do fine. All the best to you. Brian

Mouse Trap -- Good luck to you on this exciting journey! I had my sleeve surgery just over one year ago at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and I love the results I've had. I have lost just about 120 lbs and feel great! It was, without question, one of the best decisions I've ever made. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. Brian

I can only speak for myself, but having the VSG one year ago was the best decision I've ever made. To date, I've lost 120 pounds and continue to lose weight (although much more slowly now). I knew from the beginning that the band was not for me and I went for my initial consultation with the surgeon thinking I was going to have the RNY procedure. It was my surgeon who suggested the VNY and I will forever be gratful to him that he did. I don't think I ever really focused on "having 85% of my stomach removed" although I was certainly aware of that fact. I just viewed this as the surgical procedure I needed to have to regain my health. I do notice that some people react strongly when I tell them exactly how much has been removed, but when they see the tremendous progress I have made. To be honest, there are still days when I long to eat some of the things and the volume that I used to, but like a drug addict or an alcoholic, I realize that I was not capable of handling food in a responsible manner. I am just grateful that I found a tool that has made it possible for me to manage my particular addiction. My advice is to do a lot of research and find out as much as you can about the procedure. You can certainly understand it without necessarily dwelling on the details. Good luck to you on your journey. Brian

One year ago tonight, I was in the recovery room at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan after having my VSG. Even though I was a little scared that night and concerned about how things were going to play out, I think in my heart I knew I was doing the right thing for myself and my kids. Tonight, one year later, I am filled with gratitude to God for having been given the opportunity to have this surgery. I truly believe that it has been a miracle in my life and now I know with absolute certainty that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. This is how my life has changed in the one year since my surgery: 1. I now weigh 179.4 lbs, down from 300 lbs. 2. My sleep apnea is gone. 3. My back pain has all but disappeared. 4. My blood pressure is under control with reduced medicine. 5. I am off my cholesterol medicine. 6. My pants size has gone from a 44 to a 34 7. My suit size has gone from a 54 to 42. 8. My shirt size has gone from an XXL to a L or M. Perhaps even more important than the physical changes are the emotional changes. It has been four and a half years since my wife died and while I still miss her terribly, I feel like I am finally starting to make progress in moving forward with my life. I have been dating a very nice woman since November and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful that there are brighter days ahead for me (and in fact, I feel like I am living in brighter days). I've been honest with the new lady in my life from the beginning about my surgery and she has been very supportive and encouraging. The best part is that that my kids have noticed a change in my personality and they tell me that "Skinny Daddy" is a lot less grumpy than "Fat Daddy." I still struggle a little bit with the feeling that I took the easy way out by having surgery. I know this is not logical because it wasn't easy and, in fact, it took a lot of courage and determination to take this step. Feelings are feelings, however, and I am working on them. From the beginning, I have been very selective about who I told about my surgery, but I am now trying to be more honest and up front about it with people. It's not that I feel that people are entitled to know every detail about my health decisions, but I have come to understand that secrets can be very powerful and destructive and by keeping it a secret, I have felt that it was, somehow, something of which I needed to be ashamed. Not so -- I'll say it again -- this was the one of the best decisions I've ever made and at this point, one year into this journey, I don't care who knows about it. I am very grateful to the folks on this site who have been so helpful and encouraging along the way. The posts here have been a great source of inspiration and a constant source of comfort and encouragement over the last year plus that I have been here. My greatest hope is that there will be someone out there tonight who will read this post and find some encouragement and hope in my experience over the last year. Thanks for being there for me over the last year. I wish each of you only success, peace and joy wherever you find yourself on this journey. My daughter helped by create this side by side comparison shot. Again, what a difference a year makes? God bless, Brian