I am 11 months post op gastric sleeve. My highest weight ever was reached in June of 2019 and I was horrified to weigh in at 502 lbs! I didn't believe it and requested the doctor to re-weigh me. That was my first wake-up call. I was suffering from very high blood pressure, debilitating back pain/spasms, knee pain and damage, sciatica, and sleep apnea. I started doing Keto and got down to 415lbs. During COVID quarantine, I gained back up to about 459lbs.
In July of 2020, I finally decided to take back my life and financed a vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery (out of pocket, since insurance would not cover it).
As of yesterday, I'm down to 275 lbs. I have gone from a 6xl shirt to a 2xl. From size 62 pants, to a size 44. I still struggle to see myself as anything but fat from time to time, but it's the Non-Scale Victories (NSVs) that keep me going! My only regret is not doing this sooner. Sometimes I wish I could go back and re-do certain life experiences without the extreme morbid obesity.
Here's my running list:
- I’m off of all medications (including 2 BP meds).
- No more seat belt extension on airplanes
- Seats with arm rests are no problem.
- Restaurant booths are now no problem
- I can fit in an MRI machine (if needed).
- I can now walk ANYWHERE without debilitating back pain.
- The car steering wheel no longer rubs my stomach.
- I can shop in most “regular” stores for clothes.
- I no longer worry about a seat being able to hold me (those plastic white ones at weddings are even ok now).
- I can use my own step ladder to do things around the house like change a light bulb.
- I can sit with my legs crossed.
- I can now get down on the floor.
- My “love life” has drastically changed/Improved.
- too many to list! Notice there is a lot of use of the word “CAN” here?
All in less than a year. The little black battery operated box on the floor cannot control me any longer! Yea, it’s still important. But weight is no longer the defining characteristic of my life.
Sleeved 7/23/20. HW 502, SW 459, CW 275, GW healthy
Shawanabrown@rocketmail.com got a reaction from Jaye W in 101 pounds GONE pic included