Hello all,

I haven't posted in a long time, but I am posting this to help people see how successful this procedure really is. I had my sleeve on 12/29/09 and weighed in at 345. Today a year and a week later I am weighing in at 222. I am extremely happy with my progress, I had been stalled at 226-227 since Thanksgiving 2010, but I have started the scale moving again this past week.

As far as my well being, I feel like a totally different person. I have energy, sleep great at night(no more CPAP), love shopping for clothes now(went from buying 52" pants to 36" and 3XL shirts to XL or Large!). Money saved from not eating so much has helped me keep my wardrobe fresh. If I had to do it again I would not wait so long to purchase new clothes. I kept wearing the 52" pants for the longest time, just cinching up the belt. When I finally broke down and bought new pants I bought 40"'s. Boy did I start getting a lot of compliments about my weight loss once I did that. I was just so used to wearing baggy tent-like clothing it didn't seem to bother me.

I started a Couch to 5K program as my New Year's Resolution and just registered for a 5K the second week of March. I am so stoked about my ability to actually do the training program and excited that in 9 weeks I will be running for 30 minutes non-stop. I expect this to help me shed the last 20-25 pounds that I would like to lose. The last weight loss takes exercise, it would with our without the sleeve I firmly beleive. I haven't exercised much this past year, but I do lead a very active life juggling a small business, working a full time job, and volunteering 10-15 hours a week.

My eating ability is still weird. I eat Breakfast everyday, can't miss it or I will be tired and laggy later that day. lunch is still very light, but at dinner sometimes I get full really quick and sometimes I feel like I am eating too much. I make good food choices 90% of the time, I don't believe in complete denial of things we want(it just makes us want it more). I still struggle to drink 64 ounces of Water a day, never did like water. I know that more regular exercise will help me there though, I seem to crave water more when I have exercised in the past. I drink a margarita on Friday night like I used to, but I used to be able to drink 3 or more. Now I can't, I get intoxicated very quickly and feel like crap if I have more than one. No big deal, saves me money in the long run and not as unhealthy. Oh yeah, and even a year out if I do eat too much, it hurts like hell for about 5 to 10 minutes. Feels like a heart attack I assume feels.

Doctor is very pleased with my results. All my levels are checking out normal, where as before I was border line on BP(she wanted to start me on meds), I never did get tested for diabetes, but I know that I was borderline there because my energy levels were so erratic when I was heavy. My resting heart rate has gone from 75 bpm to 54 bpm. Cholesterol is in normal range. Only pills I take now are aspirin occasionally, Vitamins daily, and Prevacid daily.

I wave the VSG flag high and proudly. I talk to people about it all the time if they ask. I have no regrets to date.

Thanks for reading.

Bill

Congrats! so inspiring! Good luck on your first of many to come 5Ks

Hey Bill - WOW WHAT A FANTASTIC JOURNEY!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

I totally feel you on the 5k's - I absolutely love walking, jogging - *someday* running... I so can't wait!! I feel so awesome when I get off my treadmill and I can just feel the pounds melting away. Congrats, and do PLEASE check in and let us know how you do on the 5k in March!!!

Congrats also on your improved health! That was my main reason on doing something like this, so here's to better health all around!! Cheers!!!