MarieB

Wow. I was just checking this site out, since I haven't been on here in forever. Someone posted their journey 15 years post surgery. That's when my little brain said hey wait, I'm 15 years out now too! Anyway, a quick recap. I too went to Mexico for my sleeve. Dr.Alvarez was his name. All went well, very minimal pain, easy recovery. My max weight before surgery was approximately 230 lbs, which was hard on my 5'2" frame. My weight had been a problem my whole life, with 50 lb. swings at times. I was 55 years old when I learned about the sleeve surgery and made the plunge. Even though my whole career was in health care in the US, I chose the Mexico option because the red tape in the US was daunting, and I just wanted to get it done. My weight was 190 when I had the surgery. It took maybe 8 months to reach my lowest weight, which was 120 lbs. After a year, once my hormones were back up and running, I had some issues with regain. The sleeve is a tool, not a cure. After a few years I was up around 170 and decided to get serious about control. Since then I have been maintaining at around 150-155 lbs. I'm happy with that. I feel good. I don't feel like everyone is looking at the fat girl. I just feel like I'm free of that long, dark time. I think having the sleeve was a great decision. Yes, it still takes perseverance and mindfulness, but I have no regrets. I do have GERD, but I had bad reflux before the surgery, I am on Omeprazole, probably for life. I'm trying to figure out how to come off it, if that can be done. I try to exercise regularly, walking at least 2 miles most days. I'm turning 70 next week, so all in all, I think I'm doing great. So blessings to all of you on this journey. You can do it. It's a marathon, not a sprint!