AngelaE

What a journey it has been. I am 4 years post VSG. When I decided to have surgery it was out of medical necessity. I was at a point where I was almost non-functional. Although I work in a busy industry, I would spend most of my work days parked behind a desk because I could hardly move or breathe. I had multiple health co-morbidities including PCOS, insulin resistance, weight-induced asthma, heart valve prolapse, GERD, Barrett's, fatty liver, hypertension, and more. I always SWORE I 'wouldn't be that patient that regained'. In fact, I was actually one of my surgeon's most successful patients for some time.
I was the prized patient, I followed every rule, instruction and diet point to the T. I lost a lot of my initial weight very quickly. After my initial weight loss I was feeling good, changed careers, moved and set about having a new life. But then I had a devastating loss in my life, and several life changes followed. I had some significant regain and had health problems again start to surface. I spent a lot of time online asking for help and researching all of the ''reset' options. What it took me a while to realize was this: I KNEW what to do. I just had not come to the place where I was 100% committed to doing it.
Thankfully, last fall I got some really unfortunate health news. I say thankfully because it was THE thing I needed to kick me in the pants and get me back on track. I have been completely focused since that day and have successfully lost all of my regain and am now within 20 lbs of my ultimate goal. I am looking forward to having my plastics done at that point and will feel like my long 4 year journey has been fulfilled.
I will always identify as a WLS patient, that part never goes away. I still have great restriction with my sleeve and since getting back on track, I find that my restriction is improved.
I feel great and wanted to offer my story because I know that most of the members on the forum are newer than me, and hopefully my story will inspire you or spark some questions.

Hi all, I had my sleeve done in 2014, lost 7.5 stone and gained 2-3 stone's back. I have been advised to have the bypass due to severe acid reflux. So I'm thinking of having a revision so I welcome this postand your thoughts. I don't see to much stuff on the successes of having a revision. I'm told by surgeon my weight lost will be slow due to the fact that must of my excess weight 75% had been lost when I had the sleeve, so my starting position is different, he says I'm likely to lose the weight I've regained maybe a little more not that much around 45-50Ibs which is ok by me. I'm interest to find out how much people have lost in 6 -12 months of having a revision from sleeve to bypass.


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Hi there, you are better off outside as the ground is not flat, working against the gradient, less likely to get bored and you find outside your body will want to walk faster. Before you know power walking will then jogging and lead to running. I tend to burn more calories walking outside.

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Yes I have saggy breasts but they are not too bad, that 'a one part of my body I've been loosing quickly. I started off as a size 42JJ to now a size 34G with 7 months!!! I know the size 34G is looking to big...

When you have to take a double take at your reflection is glass window, because don't recognise yourself.

You know when you have lost weight when you go to gym or party and look around to notice that you are no longer the fattiest person in the room..

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

Hi all, I had my surgery October 2014, the last month have been rather slow.
Before
And this is me now.
I'm now 98 Ibs down can't wait to get 100 Ibs...

Hi all, I had my surgery October 2014, the last month have been rather slow.
Before
And this is me now.
I'm now 98 Ibs down can't wait to get 100 Ibs...

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

You know when you have lost weight when you go to gym or party and look around to notice that you are no longer the fattiest person in the room..

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

When your no longer the fattest person in the room?

For sure. He and now my second boy are one of the major motivations for going through this journey. As a father I need to be here for them. Plus how could I teach them proper food/fitness choices in my previous state.

It's been two years now since my sleeve, and it's the best choice I ever made. My weight is stable +/-10 pounds or so, and it's relatively easy to take off weight that creeps up.
I can eat pretty much all kinds of foods now. I still eat relatively small amounts, eat slowly and with small bites. I don't drink with my meals except a small sip now and then. I focus on low carb and high Protein meals. I eat plenty of fats. I still eat my Protein first at every meal. I try to stay away from carbs, particularly refined carbs like breads, sugar, honey, rice, potatoes, corn, etc. I don't mean I never eat those things, but I try to limit it or I start to gain.
How much can I eat? I can eat 5-6 ounces of meat and a 1/2 cup of vegetables at a meal. Sometimes I can eat more. I can eat a fair amount of salad, as lettuce doesn't seem to take up much room.
I walk for exercise, take the stairs, and use a standing desk at work. This keeps my metabolism working better. I hate working out or gym classes. I still drink a lot of fluids and if I don't I get dehydrated very easily. I do drink alcohol, but I try to stay away from sugary cocktails with lots of fruit juice or sweet mixers.
The first six months are the hardest. The next six months are difficult, but so much easier than the first. The second year things get much easier, but this is also a danger zone for a lot of people, I think. You must always be aware of what you eat. That said, it is easy to stay on track if you follow your rules:
Eat your protein first Eat your vegetables second, and eat a good variety of them Enjoy fruit but limit it Avoid starches and sugars as much as possible (potatoes, rice, corn, bread, tortillas, Cereal, pasta) and save them for special occasions. pizza is my downfall. Keep up with your Water, Vitamins, and tests to insure you are not deficient When you want to drop some weight, do 3 days of Protein shakes. That will reset your sleeve. Then eat high protein/low carb until your excess is off. Once you are back at goal, slowly reintroduce foods back in and try to minimize those carbs to stay at goal.
I'm happy to answer questions. Good luck to you all.

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

When your no longer the fattest person in the room?

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.

Hi all,
Its been just over a year surgery on 25th October 3015. I started at 294ib's and now 181, about 14lb's away from target.
Before

After.