I have followed this forum for a while, but not as an active poster. Dr. George Merriman in Shreveport, Louisiana performed my VSG surgery on December 4th, 2009. My recovery has been uneventful, and my weight loss has been phenomenal. My maximum weight was 310 lbs, and I had been between 290 and 310 continuously for the past 15 years. Since my surgery, I have lost 96 lbs, and am currently swimming 2500 yards a day in under 55 minutes. At age 60, I have not felt this good in years. I had a hip replacement in 2008, and that has also improved my life.

I am a surgeon myself, and can tell you that this is truly a life changing surgery. I have not been hungry or felt deprived at all. I have not advertised to friends that I had this done, but several of my close friends, and my family have been very supportive. My wife of 40 years, and my kids think it is the greatest thing that has ever happened. I do not own any clothes at this time that were hanging in my closet on Dec 1, 2009. The local charities have been the beneficiaries of this windfall. For anyone who is considering this procedure, I would encourage you to do your homework, know your surgeon, and realize that even with a VSG, you need to exercise and change not only how much you eat, but what you eat. Protein consumption is critical to maintaining your health. Good luck to anyone who goes through the blessings that this procedure has given me.

Congratulations on your WL victory! I don't like swimming in chlorinated water but as soon as the weather warms up I intend to get out there and swim in the salty old LI Sound and often. Being that you are a surgeon it's great to have your testimony. Thanks so much for posting. Best wishes for continued success.

Congratulations!

That is a tremendous loss so far!

I'm hoping to learn some water aerobics that I can do at home and I also love swimming.

I figure these are low impact things for my back until its get stronger and I can do other things.

Yikes..my surgery is tomorrow morning!

I love swimming and waiting for my salt Water pool to warm up so I can get swimming. But a bigger pool would also be great to get big laps in.....tempting.....I'm a water bug.

Your weight loss is amazing. I haven't lost that much that fast, and I have not exercised. So you are inspiring me.

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm a couple of weeks out from surgery and getting a bit overwhelmed. It helps so much to hear from people like you and know how good this can be. Congratulations on your success....it sounds like you work hard for it.

That's so wonderful!!:thumbup1:

If you don't mind my asking, how long after surgery did you have to wait to swim? I would think til all the little wounds from the laproscopic procedure are totally healed up? Or is there some other guideline too? I would really love to start out with swimming because with knee, foot, and back pain, that's the easiest way for me to get cardio. I know once some of the weight is off I'll be able to handle more impact again but in the beginning swimming would be wonderful.:001_tt1:

That's so wonderful!!:thumbup1:

If you don't mind my asking, how long after surgery did you have to wait to swim? I would think til all the little wounds from the laproscopic procedure are totally healed up? Or is there some other guideline too? I would really love to start out with swimming because with knee, foot, and back pain, that's the easiest way for me to get cardio. I know once some of the weight is off I'll be able to handle more impact again but in the beginning swimming would be wonderful.:001_tt1:

I started swimming one month after surgery. You need to be sure that your Protein intake is adequate to tolerate the additional stress of exercise. My surgeon does not recommend weight training for 3 to 4 months post op. I have been so successful with the swimming that that is all I do for exercise, but I am so much more active now that I feel better.

ah yeah, the protein thing makes sense. Thank you for the reply! So glad you are doing so well.

What a wonderful post! You give me hope and courage. I too am 60 and my sleeve surgery is scheduled for May7th. It's been about 10 years since I have seen the scale less than 280 and have been as high as 330. The swim part caught my eye because I love the water. Hope all keeps going well for you. Thanks for such a great post.

Wow amazing results, congratulations!

Congratulations, and thanks for posting about the swimming....it's really nice for me to know that you have been so successful with it, as it's really the only recommended exercise for me (I have fibromyalgia). Thanks for the inspiration!

how wonderful! You are doing so well and I have to say it is very encouraging! Our community pool opens in just two weeks and am thinking of taking lessons (lost my skills) and trying to accomplish some laps.

What are your thoughts on how swimming has effected excess skin? I've not researched enough about which activities will be most beneficial to the excess skin issue!

Enjoy swimming and keep on your wonderful progress!

I'm new to the site. .thanks for sharing your story. My surgery date for the sleeve is June 15 I'm sooo ready! If u don't mind me asking what did u wear in the hospital? I really don't wanna wear the hospital outfit, lol d0 I have a options to wear what I want?

I wore their gowns which were too small for most people getting WLS. It is probably a good idea to take your own. I just took a cover up because I knew I would need it. Also non-skid shoes because you will be walking as much as you can. Good luck with your surgery.

Qualey - thanks for your post!

Your weightloss is amazing you must feel so much better for it.

We're lucky enough to have a pool, and I have been swimming to fitten myself up for the op in just over 2 weeks time.

Can I ask when you say about the Protein are you talking about the 70g a day amount? Or more than that?

Kathy

Congratulations! I am eager to start swimming again once I have my surgery (hopefullly in the latter part of June). I have always enjoyed swimming as my preferred form of excercise and even completed the swim portion of a triathlon team in 2007.

I specifically asked my doctor about how soon I would be able to get in a pool following surgery and he felt I would be ready in about 3 weeks.

Brian