HealthyTeacher1

I've lost approx 84 lbs, depending on the day. When I initially started this process, 34 months ago, I was hoping to lose 60 lbs, forever. I'd lost 50 lbs three times previously and promptly gained it back and then some. I knew I would be on this roller coaster for the rest of my life. I struggled to maintain around 225, give or take ten lbs. After watching a friend have WLS a few years earlier, and living to tell about and living to talk to me about following suit, I did it! 31 months ago, I took the plunge. When I got to 170, I was thrilled beyond belief, and it happened so quickly and I KNEW I could go lower. My physician's goal was 150, I think their goal is always right there at a healthy BMI. Once I saw what was possible with sleeve surgery, I wanted to go 5 lbs lower than his goal. I did that and kept going. I couldn't quit, or so it seemed. My dietitian told me to add a snack or two. I needed to up my calories. So I did, grazing is what I do best. I eat three small meals a day and several Snacks. I am not snacking on bon bons, but I do have a jr. ice cream at Braum's just not often. I like Snackwell's Cookies, low fat graham crackers with Natural Peanut Butter on them.....I was able to re-gain about 10 lbs to get to a weight that is easy for me to maintain and a weight where I don't look like I'm sick. I feel good, and find it easy to stay between 144 and 148. Why did I do this....because I was 50 and I knew that it was going to be harder and harder to lose weight and as my PCP said, almost impossible to keep it off without eating nothing but grass and weeds. Following through was by far, the best decision I've EVER made FOR ME, aside from marrying my husband. I love shopping, I feel good about myself, sex is better than ever. I may not have been morbidly obese, but no matter where you are on the scale, if you are on the heavy side, the feelings are the same. My BMI was right at 36 and now it's just under 23. I wouldn't change a thing!

The better question would be why wait till you are 220...230..250...300lbs?
Despite some peoples best efforts, the scale may go down, but always creeps much higher in the long run. An average of 10 lbs a year gain, for me, on what seemed like a lifelong diet - for what?
Pre-diabetes, heart disease, high chloresteral, high blood pressure, back problems, knee problems, PCOS and a miserable life in general? I WISH I would have considered this surgery at 180. I was too busy kidding myself that I could somehow lose 50+ pounds on my own and keep it off.
I finally decided to have my surgery somewhere between 213-218. Now, almost 6 months later I am 139 lbs, 5' 4" and for the first time ever I am HEALTHY, confident, happy and content.
That is why. I see you started at 340 pounds. I would have been dead by the time I reached that weight. I make no mistake about it. My weight was slowly killing me. Let me ask you something. Are you happy you started this journey at 340, or would you have preferred to start at 180? Because you were 180 at some point. You just kept going and going and going, as we "low BMI'rs (read still Morbidy OBESE) decided to fix the problem before it got even more out of control, we should somehow feel guilty? Yeah...no.

Heck, I WISH I'd have more seriously considered the sleeve as a lifelong tool to control my weight and help curb my appetite when I was "only" fifty pounds overweight!
Instead, I yo-yo dieted for years, developed diabetes and wound up at a high weight of 280ish on my 5'1" frame.
I can see your the question because the bigger you get, the larger your goal weight number gets! I have a friend that "only" needed to lose fifty pounds but her self esteem was just as shot as mine, her eating habits were crap and she was on her way to joining my pre-op self in the high 200s...along with the comorbidities that come with that type of excess weight.
Diets fail in most cases. The sleeve is not a diet. This is not an accompaniment to Atkins or Weight Watchers. This is a tool that can finally help people reach and remain at goal and it's far more successful at doing so than any of the hundreds of other diets out there, many of which even the lightweights here have tried and failed at.
And that same mindset is what kept my doctors from taking my weight seriously for years. The idea that a diet will magically work when you're 60 pounds overweight but that surgery is necessary once you're 100 pounds overweight is ridiculous. If more doctors would help us with this issue BEFORE we get seriously ill and live our lives unhappily, everyone would be better off. I got tired of waiting around for my doctors and self-paid and couldn't be happier!
~Cheri

Hi people, my friends call me Mal, I seeked out doctors to discuss if I qualified for the surgery. The last 5 years I suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis, sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure and Type 2 Diabetes. I was a body builder before being hit with all this and the most I weighed was 220. I got up to 265 pounds which is the heaviest I ever been. I knew how to get the weight off from my experiences of competing as a body builder but I became limited in the gym, not being able to do anything without severe pain in my joints. If it wasn't for the Arthritis I could have shed the extra pounds with no problem. Although most patients get the surgery for being considerably overweight or obese, I found out from watching a special on CNN, Dr. Oz show and others about how the surgery when done sends Diabetes into remission immediately. Before the surgery I took 5 shots a day through the stomach of Insulin and 12 different pills a day. Since surgery I haven't taken one Insulin shot and went from taking 12 pills to 3 per day. I have lost 11 pounds in one week and I'm feeling much better and more healthier. I highly recommend anyone that's suffering from Diabetes and can't get there weight down to get this surgery if you can. I have no regrets.

Well I understand where u are coming from. I would recommend to do some more detailed reading regarding the surgery because I think there is a lot of misunderstanding .
The bottom line here is your body will change your eating habit will change its only a tool...you will be able to eat your favorite food but with moderation. End of day it's your choice your life but personally going thru this surgery 7 days ago I feel like a new person and its the best decision of my life.
Think it like why you need to eat 3 -5 plates of carbs to be able to enjoy the dish you will be able to enjoy it with a few bites and be full. All of us people have been there done that its time for the change no one in the world can help you if you don't wanna help Yourself.I am sorry for being tough but its just the reality... Good Luck.
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Thank you for the thread and everyone's posts. I am lower BMI person. My surgery is scheduled for 1/29/2013 down in MX. I am glad you all are validating my reasons for choosing this surgery.
Mary

Thanks to you all!! I know that ultimately it will be my decision, but it doesn't hurt to get feedback from others. I am continuing my research and hopefully, I will make the right decision. The more I read and watch, I notice so many complications from the band. I also read about so many people going from the band to the sleeve........ Thanks again guys! Off to more researching!

I had considered the band but went with the sleeve because there are lots of issues with the band I also took into account the length of time before you get your first fill which for me would have been about 6-8 weeks after surgery to allow the stomach to heal. Then you will have to continue to do follow up ever few weeks to have band adjustments here that would cost $200 each time some are cheaper some are more
I am very happy with my sleeve I am now 6 months out I reach my goal weight at 4 months and now down a total of 120 pounds I had lost 110 pounds at 4 months and have not been really trying to lose anymore but happy to lose a few more pounds