kmac1

Who knew 3 years ago that on September 24, 2023, I’d be crossing the finish line after 12 hours, 33 minutes and 38 seconds of hard work in the Chattanooga Ironman! Since February 5, 2021 I have stayed focused, followed the plan, and worked hard to lose a 160lbs. And those decisions are got me here!

I share this not to brag or seek attention, but to show others who have questions or doubts of what is possible! If you have or are considering proceeding with bariatric surgery, go into it with the decision and desire to live life differently moving forward! The old way doesn’t work for us wired the way we are! You have to want to do better and be better for this to work! The surgery is a tool for change! It’s going to be difficult, you’re going to face temptation, you’re going to tip toe back in the old life… but discipline, consistency and effort is the way forward! You deserve it! But you also deserve to give your self grace when mistakes are made along the way! But know that one poor choice doesn’t define your path forward, it’s just about trying to make a better decision the next time. Ok, off my soapbox…

Good luck everyone and keep fighting the good fight!

One year ago today, at 2:00pm, I had my initial phone interview from my bariatric program. I had enough and took the step.
I was always dead-set against surgery and prayed daily for God to help me. I awoke one day at peace on the surgery and made the call. I weighed 329lbs.
ONE. YEAR. TO. THE. DAY I wake to this blessing! 199.8 on the scale.

God works in mysterious ways but, in this case, no mystery...just Gods Grace!
Oct 1 will be 7 months to the day of my surgery

Sorry you are dealing with this. First, you’re down 50 lbs in a year and 9 months!!!! That’s friggen awesome!!! My guess is it took you a lot longer to gain that 50lbs than it was to lose it! Second, it sounds like you may benefit from some counseling to help with the head trash- I will be the first to admit my mental health work impacted me so much more than any of the physical work. Last, go back to the basics of your eating habits. Track your intake (calories and macros), eat Protein first then vegetables then carbs, and then if you’re able to get moving and exercise! Doesn’t matter if you’re walking or powerlifting… get moving. Activity drives attitude. Hope this helps and remember, the surgery isn’t the fix… it’s a tool to allow you to make sustainable healthier lifestyle decisions. You got this! My last thoughts are look forward and not backwards. Whatever you did or didn’t do can’t be changed. Today is your opportunity to be a little better than you were yesterday! Tomorrow you get an opportunity to be a little better than you were today…. Rinse and repeat and keep fighting the good fight. You deserve to be the best version of yourself!!!

Sorry you are dealing with this. First, you’re down 50 lbs in a year and 9 months!!!! That’s friggen awesome!!! My guess is it took you a lot longer to gain that 50lbs than it was to lose it! Second, it sounds like you may benefit from some counseling to help with the head trash- I will be the first to admit my mental health work impacted me so much more than any of the physical work. Last, go back to the basics of your eating habits. Track your intake (calories and macros), eat Protein first then vegetables then carbs, and then if you’re able to get moving and exercise! Doesn’t matter if you’re walking or powerlifting… get moving. Activity drives attitude. Hope this helps and remember, the surgery isn’t the fix… it’s a tool to allow you to make sustainable healthier lifestyle decisions. You got this! My last thoughts are look forward and not backwards. Whatever you did or didn’t do can’t be changed. Today is your opportunity to be a little better than you were yesterday! Tomorrow you get an opportunity to be a little better than you were today…. Rinse and repeat and keep fighting the good fight. You deserve to be the best version of yourself!!!

Thank you all for the insightful responses. To be clear- I understand more education will be involved. I actually have already looked into a few programs that would provide me the certifications for personal training, nutrition counseling, etc. I am in the US but would happily help folks in other countries as long as schedules could align. I will would also open my doors to all types of folks not just the Bariatric Surgery community (but my passion is geared towards the BS community).

Thanks again.

Here’s my advice: trust your medical team, stay calm, and think about all that you’ll gain rather than what you’re giving up! 2 years post op here and down 180 lbs from highest weight. I’ve gained more confidence, the ability to be more active, good health (good A1C score, no more sleep apnea, no more high blood pressure), a better relationship with food, etc, etc, etc… Good luck tomorrow and the days to come.

Here’s my advice: trust your medical team, stay calm, and think about all that you’ll gain rather than what you’re giving up! 2 years post op here and down 180 lbs from highest weight. I’ve gained more confidence, the ability to be more active, good health (good A1C score, no more sleep apnea, no more high blood pressure), a better relationship with food, etc, etc, etc… Good luck tomorrow and the days to come.

Here’s my advice: trust your medical team, stay calm, and think about all that you’ll gain rather than what you’re giving up! 2 years post op here and down 180 lbs from highest weight. I’ve gained more confidence, the ability to be more active, good health (good A1C score, no more sleep apnea, no more high blood pressure), a better relationship with food, etc, etc, etc… Good luck tomorrow and the days to come.

Here’s my advice: trust your medical team, stay calm, and think about all that you’ll gain rather than what you’re giving up! 2 years post op here and down 180 lbs from highest weight. I’ve gained more confidence, the ability to be more active, good health (good A1C score, no more sleep apnea, no more high blood pressure), a better relationship with food, etc, etc, etc… Good luck tomorrow and the days to come.

Zero regrets! Had VSG 2/5/2021. Highest weight was 363. Current weight 185. No more blood pressure meds, no more sleep apnea. I feel in control of my life and have a process to help manage my food behaviors for life. I still log my food every day and follow the guidance of my surgeon and nutritionist. Surgery allowed me to make long term behavior changes.

Great work! My journey is similar. I am a year and a half post op and ran my first half marathon (also a trail run) back in April. I want to start doing triathlons as my next challenge. I’m too on a mission to put on some muscle. My trainer also wants me to up calories and I’m easing into that but I agree, it’s scary! Anyway, thanks for sharing and keep fighting the good fight!

I finally hit 50 pounds lost today!!!! It's exactly 3 months since my surgery and I'm down 1 clothing size, 1 ring size, and 50 pounds!!!! It seems like my body likes to do a 2-3 week stall every month and a half or so, so it's been slow going. But it FINALLY happened today. WooHoo!!!!!

Great work! My journey is similar. I am a year and a half post op and ran my first half marathon (also a trail run) back in April. I want to start doing triathlons as my next challenge. I’m too on a mission to put on some muscle. My trainer also wants me to up calories and I’m easing into that but I agree, it’s scary! Anyway, thanks for sharing and keep fighting the good fight!

Great work! My journey is similar. I am a year and a half post op and ran my first half marathon (also a trail run) back in April. I want to start doing triathlons as my next challenge. I’m too on a mission to put on some muscle. My trainer also wants me to up calories and I’m easing into that but I agree, it’s scary! Anyway, thanks for sharing and keep fighting the good fight!

I use the mini peppers when eating salsa or guacamole. If you eat chips, be honest with yourself and log them so they fit into your daily calorie budget (assuming you log). Just remember the surgery isn’t the fix, it’s a tool to help you make changes for the long term.

I am a year and a half post op and basically went from 363 to 180. Have I been perfect, heck no! Am I more aware and have overall better habits, absolutely! What I’ve learned since my VSG is:

1. Give yourself some grace- we’re human after all
2. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good
3. One bad decision isn’t going to derail you- consistent bad decisions will!
4. Know that every day you have an opportunity to do better than the day before

Good luck in your journey.

I use the mini peppers when eating salsa or guacamole. If you eat chips, be honest with yourself and log them so they fit into your daily calorie budget (assuming you log). Just remember the surgery isn’t the fix, it’s a tool to help you make changes for the long term.

I am a year and a half post op and basically went from 363 to 180. Have I been perfect, heck no! Am I more aware and have overall better habits, absolutely! What I’ve learned since my VSG is:

1. Give yourself some grace- we’re human after all
2. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good
3. One bad decision isn’t going to derail you- consistent bad decisions will!
4. Know that every day you have an opportunity to do better than the day before

Good luck in your journey.

I use the mini peppers when eating salsa or guacamole. If you eat chips, be honest with yourself and log them so they fit into your daily calorie budget (assuming you log). Just remember the surgery isn’t the fix, it’s a tool to help you make changes for the long term.

I am a year and a half post op and basically went from 363 to 180. Have I been perfect, heck no! Am I more aware and have overall better habits, absolutely! What I’ve learned since my VSG is:

1. Give yourself some grace- we’re human after all
2. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good
3. One bad decision isn’t going to derail you- consistent bad decisions will!
4. Know that every day you have an opportunity to do better than the day before

Good luck in your journey.

I use the mini peppers when eating salsa or guacamole. If you eat chips, be honest with yourself and log them so they fit into your daily calorie budget (assuming you log). Just remember the surgery isn’t the fix, it’s a tool to help you make changes for the long term.

I am a year and a half post op and basically went from 363 to 180. Have I been perfect, heck no! Am I more aware and have overall better habits, absolutely! What I’ve learned since my VSG is:

1. Give yourself some grace- we’re human after all
2. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good
3. One bad decision isn’t going to derail you- consistent bad decisions will!
4. Know that every day you have an opportunity to do better than the day before

Good luck in your journey.

I use the mini peppers when eating salsa or guacamole. If you eat chips, be honest with yourself and log them so they fit into your daily calorie budget (assuming you log). Just remember the surgery isn’t the fix, it’s a tool to help you make changes for the long term.

I am a year and a half post op and basically went from 363 to 180. Have I been perfect, heck no! Am I more aware and have overall better habits, absolutely! What I’ve learned since my VSG is:

1. Give yourself some grace- we’re human after all
2. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good
3. One bad decision isn’t going to derail you- consistent bad decisions will!
4. Know that every day you have an opportunity to do better than the day before

Good luck in your journey.

I find the list of things I don’t miss far outweigh the things that I thought I would miss! Being 16 months post op and about 180 lbs down, I don’t miss blood pressure meds, I don’t miss my cpap, I don’t miss big and tall sizes, I don’t miss requesting a seatbelt extender on flights while trying to make myself small to not be rude to those sitting next to me, I don’t miss the mind space and control that my food addiction had over me, I don’t miss hangovers, I don’t miss fat jokes, etc., etc., etc! This journey has given me so much to Celebrate that I don’t dwell on what I’ve given up. If I never have another carbonated beverage or Big Mac or you name it, it’s all been worth it to me. Keep fighting the good fight y’all!

Not trying to be flippant, but I truly miss NOTHING. I am 2 weeks post op tomorrow and I have never felt better.
Nothing tastes as good as THIS feels!

I find the list of things I don’t miss far outweigh the things that I thought I would miss! Being 16 months post op and about 180 lbs down, I don’t miss blood pressure meds, I don’t miss my cpap, I don’t miss big and tall sizes, I don’t miss requesting a seatbelt extender on flights while trying to make myself small to not be rude to those sitting next to me, I don’t miss the mind space and control that my food addiction had over me, I don’t miss hangovers, I don’t miss fat jokes, etc., etc., etc! This journey has given me so much to Celebrate that I don’t dwell on what I’ve given up. If I never have another carbonated beverage or Big Mac or you name it, it’s all been worth it to me. Keep fighting the good fight y’all!

I find the list of things I don’t miss far outweigh the things that I thought I would miss! Being 16 months post op and about 180 lbs down, I don’t miss blood pressure meds, I don’t miss my cpap, I don’t miss big and tall sizes, I don’t miss requesting a seatbelt extender on flights while trying to make myself small to not be rude to those sitting next to me, I don’t miss the mind space and control that my food addiction had over me, I don’t miss hangovers, I don’t miss fat jokes, etc., etc., etc! This journey has given me so much to Celebrate that I don’t dwell on what I’ve given up. If I never have another carbonated beverage or Big Mac or you name it, it’s all been worth it to me. Keep fighting the good fight y’all!

I find the list of things I don’t miss far outweigh the things that I thought I would miss! Being 16 months post op and about 180 lbs down, I don’t miss blood pressure meds, I don’t miss my cpap, I don’t miss big and tall sizes, I don’t miss requesting a seatbelt extender on flights while trying to make myself small to not be rude to those sitting next to me, I don’t miss the mind space and control that my food addiction had over me, I don’t miss hangovers, I don’t miss fat jokes, etc., etc., etc! This journey has given me so much to Celebrate that I don’t dwell on what I’ve given up. If I never have another carbonated beverage or Big Mac or you name it, it’s all been worth it to me. Keep fighting the good fight y’all!

I find the list of things I don’t miss far outweigh the things that I thought I would miss! Being 16 months post op and about 180 lbs down, I don’t miss blood pressure meds, I don’t miss my cpap, I don’t miss big and tall sizes, I don’t miss requesting a seatbelt extender on flights while trying to make myself small to not be rude to those sitting next to me, I don’t miss the mind space and control that my food addiction had over me, I don’t miss hangovers, I don’t miss fat jokes, etc., etc., etc! This journey has given me so much to Celebrate that I don’t dwell on what I’ve given up. If I never have another carbonated beverage or Big Mac or you name it, it’s all been worth it to me. Keep fighting the good fight y’all!