raisa.jorge

Quick update. I am now 14 months post VSG bariatric surgery and I am down 258 lbs. . My high weight was 560.lbs. the day i met the surgeon i was 509 lbs.. surgery day 424 lbs and this morning 249 lbs. Everything has been speeding up for me in the last 2 months . Physical barriers I had for years seem to be crumbling. 3 months ago I could not walk without using a walker. I exercised on a treadmill holding the handles in a death grip. Now I lift weights 5 days a week and I walk 45-60 minutes almost every day ( weather depending ) around my neighborhood, no walker, no problem doing it. I have started using the stairs as well. Something I couldnt do for over a decade. I still use my walker...as a rolling TV trable...I have 82 lbs left to reach my goal of 175 lbs but i probably carry 40 lbs of lose skin and lymphodema on my thighs. It is time to start the process to try and be approved for plastic reconstructive surgery. This is tough as I live in Canada and plastics are not covered by our healthcare system. To buy a plastic surgeon privately for the extent that I would require is around $45,000 . Not an option . I am still dropping around a pound every 24 hours at the moment With no stopping in sight. I am excited to begin this last leg of my losing phase and hopefully get some skin removal approved . Being a chef, having basketball sized Lymphoedema on my thighs make working impossible right now so I am working full time on myself. I am also working on a bariatric cookbook at the request of my surgeon for his future patients. I am on myfitnesspal with my journal open for all to see. I think the accountability is a great thing. Anyone who would like to add me is more than welcome the more the merrier my fitness pal tag is ShrinkingGordon. 

After all this time, and all this work, I still love my sleeve even with everything that comes with it. I am still amazed at how my body cyclically and periodically continues to drop weight. I never dreamed that I would lose this much. I have left my stretch goal in the dust, because when I started it seemed unlikely I would ever reach it anyway even though it would still be considered 60 pounds overweight. I am now well beneath that and I am continuing. Here is a picture of before and present.

Im down 160 pounds ai started out at 360 i was in a 26 im now in a 14/16 I feel great

So I am just about a year out since my surgery. Had it on May 23rd of 2016.     
Far and away I can say this was the BEST decision that I have ever made in my life. My highest weight was 433 lbs with my surgery weight at 397 lbs. Proud to say just about a year after surgery I currently weigh 194 pounds. 203 pounds down since the surgery and 241 down overall.
I literally cannot even tell you how much this has changed my life for the better. I am posting this because I want everyone to know that if I did it you can too. If anyone has literally any questions at all for me please don't hesitate to reach out. I  

It's getting really slow and I have a bunch of silly self critical complaints but BEST DECISION EVER!!!! (now to fix these boobs)

Awesome!! Congratulations!! [emoji322][emoji322]

Sent from my SM-A500F using the BariatricPal App

Best decision I've made in my life.
I'm down 75 kg (165 lb) in around 11 months and working for the last 17 kg to reach my goal weight.
A small advice to all weight stuck sleevers, GYM GYM GYM !

SW: 176.6 kg (389 lbs)
CW: 102 kg (224 lbs)
GW: 85 kg (187 lbs)

Oh, no Lariska. I will try again:
Can u see as attachment?
Thanks anyway
Sent from my SM-A500F using the BariatricPal App

I cant even describe the feeling!
Starting weight January 2016: 261lbs
SW- March 2016: 239lbs
CW/GW-February 2017: 136lbs

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

Hi there, I had Sepsis, a severe blood infection. It affected my left lung and although I don't really have any problems now, I feel my lung is not the same. But exercising helps.
Sent from my SM-A500F using the BariatricPal App

Hi all,
It's been almost 8 months since my gastric sleeve surgery.
I am sharing this because just like I find inspiration and motivation in people’s stories, I think I could be a source of those too.
I had A LOT of trouble after my surgery. I stayed in the hospital for almost a month due some complications and my life was at risk. I questioned myself so many times if going through all this was worth it and today I can totally say YES.
Yes, it’s me in both pictures. The first one was taken exactly 10 years ago. That was my ‘heaviest’ year (134.8 kg). No, I wasn’t happy, but I had in my head ‘I was born this way’, ‘that’s my karma, there is nothing I can do about it’. Oh, I was so wrong!
I lost some weight on the following years. I reached 116 Kg and I kept it for like 4 years. But my mind remained the same: unhappy, but conformed. It took MANY years – basically, my entire life – to me finally accept and love myself just the way I am. But the funny part is that when it finally happened, I decided I should do something.
"Obesity is not a matter of appearance. It is a disease and should be treated like one. I simply refuse to let my body suffer anymore", I told myself. So I took some action.
Does every fat person have to follow the same path? NO! That was MY choice. I chose this way because I thought it was better for me, but you go to any direction you want, dude. You OWN YOUR BODY. As cliché as it sounds, it comes from someone who truly knows how is to wear those shoes: They will try to bring you down. Sometimes they will make it. But put your sh*t together and demands the respect you deserve. They cannot reach you once you get to the top. It takes time, and a lot of patience. But I like to believe everybody can get there.
Yet, don’t think you will find heaven on this path. It’s more like the highway to hell, but it feels so good to kill some demons.
I did my sleeve weighting 126.6 Kg, in June 2016. Today I'm 82 kg.
I officially ditched obesity and now I am 'just' overweight. It's pretty much the first time in my life I reach this point. I cannot explain the feeling.
Ah, there is another thing I cannot explain: My eyebrows on the fist pic LOL.

Impressive work! You look good
Too bad for the complications, hope everything will remain fine for you.

Wow you look completely different. Congrats
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all,
It's been almost 8 months since my gastric sleeve surgery.
I am sharing this because just like I find inspiration and motivation in people’s stories, I think I could be a source of those too.
I had A LOT of trouble after my surgery. I stayed in the hospital for almost a month due some complications and my life was at risk. I questioned myself so many times if going through all this was worth it and today I can totally say YES.
Yes, it’s me in both pictures. The first one was taken exactly 10 years ago. That was my ‘heaviest’ year (134.8 kg). No, I wasn’t happy, but I had in my head ‘I was born this way’, ‘that’s my karma, there is nothing I can do about it’. Oh, I was so wrong!
I lost some weight on the following years. I reached 116 Kg and I kept it for like 4 years. But my mind remained the same: unhappy, but conformed. It took MANY years – basically, my entire life – to me finally accept and love myself just the way I am. But the funny part is that when it finally happened, I decided I should do something.
"Obesity is not a matter of appearance. It is a disease and should be treated like one. I simply refuse to let my body suffer anymore", I told myself. So I took some action.
Does every fat person have to follow the same path? NO! That was MY choice. I chose this way because I thought it was better for me, but you go to any direction you want, dude. You OWN YOUR BODY. As cliché as it sounds, it comes from someone who truly knows how is to wear those shoes: They will try to bring you down. Sometimes they will make it. But put your sh*t together and demands the respect you deserve. They cannot reach you once you get to the top. It takes time, and a lot of patience. But I like to believe everybody can get there.
Yet, don’t think you will find heaven on this path. It’s more like the highway to hell, but it feels so good to kill some demons.
I did my sleeve weighting 126.6 Kg, in June 2016. Today I'm 82 kg.
I officially ditched obesity and now I am 'just' overweight. It's pretty much the first time in my life I reach this point. I cannot explain the feeling.
Ah, there is another thing I cannot explain: My eyebrows on the fist pic LOL.

Congratulations for all your hard work and taking care of yourself.
Would you mind sharing your complications after your surgery? Are you still experiencing any complucations?

You look amazing! When was your surgery?

Hi all,
It's been almost 8 months since my gastric sleeve surgery.
I am sharing this because just like I find inspiration and motivation in people’s stories, I think I could be a source of those too.
I had A LOT of trouble after my surgery. I stayed in the hospital for almost a month due some complications and my life was at risk. I questioned myself so many times if going through all this was worth it and today I can totally say YES.
Yes, it’s me in both pictures. The first one was taken exactly 10 years ago. That was my ‘heaviest’ year (134.8 kg). No, I wasn’t happy, but I had in my head ‘I was born this way’, ‘that’s my karma, there is nothing I can do about it’. Oh, I was so wrong!
I lost some weight on the following years. I reached 116 Kg and I kept it for like 4 years. But my mind remained the same: unhappy, but conformed. It took MANY years – basically, my entire life – to me finally accept and love myself just the way I am. But the funny part is that when it finally happened, I decided I should do something.
"Obesity is not a matter of appearance. It is a disease and should be treated like one. I simply refuse to let my body suffer anymore", I told myself. So I took some action.
Does every fat person have to follow the same path? NO! That was MY choice. I chose this way because I thought it was better for me, but you go to any direction you want, dude. You OWN YOUR BODY. As cliché as it sounds, it comes from someone who truly knows how is to wear those shoes: They will try to bring you down. Sometimes they will make it. But put your sh*t together and demands the respect you deserve. They cannot reach you once you get to the top. It takes time, and a lot of patience. But I like to believe everybody can get there.
Yet, don’t think you will find heaven on this path. It’s more like the highway to hell, but it feels so good to kill some demons.
I did my sleeve weighting 126.6 Kg, in June 2016. Today I'm 82 kg.
I officially ditched obesity and now I am 'just' overweight. It's pretty much the first time in my life I reach this point. I cannot explain the feeling.
Ah, there is another thing I cannot explain: My eyebrows on the fist pic LOL.

Hi all,
It's been almost 8 months since my gastric sleeve surgery.
I am sharing this because just like I find inspiration and motivation in people’s stories, I think I could be a source of those too.
I had A LOT of trouble after my surgery. I stayed in the hospital for almost a month due some complications and my life was at risk. I questioned myself so many times if going through all this was worth it and today I can totally say YES.
Yes, it’s me in both pictures. The first one was taken exactly 10 years ago. That was my ‘heaviest’ year (134.8 kg). No, I wasn’t happy, but I had in my head ‘I was born this way’, ‘that’s my karma, there is nothing I can do about it’. Oh, I was so wrong!
I lost some weight on the following years. I reached 116 Kg and I kept it for like 4 years. But my mind remained the same: unhappy, but conformed. It took MANY years – basically, my entire life – to me finally accept and love myself just the way I am. But the funny part is that when it finally happened, I decided I should do something.
"Obesity is not a matter of appearance. It is a disease and should be treated like one. I simply refuse to let my body suffer anymore", I told myself. So I took some action.
Does every fat person have to follow the same path? NO! That was MY choice. I chose this way because I thought it was better for me, but you go to any direction you want, dude. You OWN YOUR BODY. As cliché as it sounds, it comes from someone who truly knows how is to wear those shoes: They will try to bring you down. Sometimes they will make it. But put your sh*t together and demands the respect you deserve. They cannot reach you once you get to the top. It takes time, and a lot of patience. But I like to believe everybody can get there.
Yet, don’t think you will find heaven on this path. It’s more like the highway to hell, but it feels so good to kill some demons.
I did my sleeve weighting 126.6 Kg, in June 2016. Today I'm 82 kg.
I officially ditched obesity and now I am 'just' overweight. It's pretty much the first time in my life I reach this point. I cannot explain the feeling.
Ah, there is another thing I cannot explain: My eyebrows on the fist pic LOL.

Haha just posing, I guess. But the happiness is expressed with words ((: Thank you!
Sent from my SM-A500F using the BariatricPal App

You were so beautiful then! You ARE so beautiful now!! Just don't forget to show your best curve: YOUR SMILE. Thanks for sharing your story. Very inspiring.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all,
It's been almost 8 months since my gastric sleeve surgery.
I am sharing this because just like I find inspiration and motivation in people’s stories, I think I could be a source of those too.
I had A LOT of trouble after my surgery. I stayed in the hospital for almost a month due some complications and my life was at risk. I questioned myself so many times if going through all this was worth it and today I can totally say YES.
Yes, it’s me in both pictures. The first one was taken exactly 10 years ago. That was my ‘heaviest’ year (134.8 kg). No, I wasn’t happy, but I had in my head ‘I was born this way’, ‘that’s my karma, there is nothing I can do about it’. Oh, I was so wrong!
I lost some weight on the following years. I reached 116 Kg and I kept it for like 4 years. But my mind remained the same: unhappy, but conformed. It took MANY years – basically, my entire life – to me finally accept and love myself just the way I am. But the funny part is that when it finally happened, I decided I should do something.
"Obesity is not a matter of appearance. It is a disease and should be treated like one. I simply refuse to let my body suffer anymore", I told myself. So I took some action.
Does every fat person have to follow the same path? NO! That was MY choice. I chose this way because I thought it was better for me, but you go to any direction you want, dude. You OWN YOUR BODY. As cliché as it sounds, it comes from someone who truly knows how is to wear those shoes: They will try to bring you down. Sometimes they will make it. But put your sh*t together and demands the respect you deserve. They cannot reach you once you get to the top. It takes time, and a lot of patience. But I like to believe everybody can get there.
Yet, don’t think you will find heaven on this path. It’s more like the highway to hell, but it feels so good to kill some demons.
I did my sleeve weighting 126.6 Kg, in June 2016. Today I'm 82 kg.
I officially ditched obesity and now I am 'just' overweight. It's pretty much the first time in my life I reach this point. I cannot explain the feeling.
Ah, there is another thing I cannot explain: My eyebrows on the fist pic LOL.

Go girrrrl, looking good & ur eyebrows are on fleek boo! Congratulations!

Oh, no Lariska. I will try again:
Can u see as attachment?
Thanks anyway
Sent from my SM-A500F using the BariatricPal App

Hi all,
It's been almost 8 months since my gastric sleeve surgery.
I am sharing this because just like I find inspiration and motivation in people’s stories, I think I could be a source of those too.
I had A LOT of trouble after my surgery. I stayed in the hospital for almost a month due some complications and my life was at risk. I questioned myself so many times if going through all this was worth it and today I can totally say YES.
Yes, it’s me in both pictures. The first one was taken exactly 10 years ago. That was my ‘heaviest’ year (134.8 kg). No, I wasn’t happy, but I had in my head ‘I was born this way’, ‘that’s my karma, there is nothing I can do about it’. Oh, I was so wrong!
I lost some weight on the following years. I reached 116 Kg and I kept it for like 4 years. But my mind remained the same: unhappy, but conformed. It took MANY years – basically, my entire life – to me finally accept and love myself just the way I am. But the funny part is that when it finally happened, I decided I should do something.
"Obesity is not a matter of appearance. It is a disease and should be treated like one. I simply refuse to let my body suffer anymore", I told myself. So I took some action.
Does every fat person have to follow the same path? NO! That was MY choice. I chose this way because I thought it was better for me, but you go to any direction you want, dude. You OWN YOUR BODY. As cliché as it sounds, it comes from someone who truly knows how is to wear those shoes: They will try to bring you down. Sometimes they will make it. But put your sh*t together and demands the respect you deserve. They cannot reach you once you get to the top. It takes time, and a lot of patience. But I like to believe everybody can get there.
Yet, don’t think you will find heaven on this path. It’s more like the highway to hell, but it feels so good to kill some demons.
I did my sleeve weighting 126.6 Kg, in June 2016. Today I'm 82 kg.
I officially ditched obesity and now I am 'just' overweight. It's pretty much the first time in my life I reach this point. I cannot explain the feeling.
Ah, there is another thing I cannot explain: My eyebrows on the fist pic LOL.

Congratulations, you look Amazing!
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App