Hello how is everyone today? Myself I’m doing a-ok!!!

I am 5 months post-op. I am posting this a day early because I have limited computer access at the time; I have to do this when I can!!! I’m so excited and didn’t want to miss this opportunity to express it.

5 months ago today I was revised from the Realize 10cc Band to the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy by the good Dr. Aceves. I was 272 Lbs and miserable, unhappy and felt like a complete failure. I was hopeful though that I was going to undergo something that would reverse the state I was in at the time. No surprise here, but I was absolutely correct in my assumption of hope!!! My friends were so right in convincing me to quit the insanity and fix the problem.

The problem WAS NOT me, so I now know. I thought it was for a long time. It was my original choice in WLS. It was not my dedication and desire… no way! I’m NOT knocking the band for everyone; I’m knocking it for me alone. FOR ME the band was a mistake. I honestly don’t even think my Surgeon placed it correctly either, but that’s neither here nor there. I now have a surgeon that knows what the heck he’s doing and he made me one AWESOME sleeve!!! I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!! Thank you Dr. Aceves, YOU ROCK!!!!! I can’t wait until I can see him again, so he can see what he’s doing is worthwhile.

Today also marks ANOTHER big milestone as well. I’m officially 50 Lbs. less than I was on sleeve day! That makes me nearly 60 Lbs less than when I first started my Pre-Op Diet.

At my very highest, which would put me at about 330 Lbs and a BMI of 53.3, I was wearing sizes 28W/3-4X tops. On my Sleeve Surgery day, weight of 272, I was wearing 22W-24W and 2X tops and had a BMI of 43.9. TODAY I am weighing 221.8, and I’m wearing sizes 14-16MISSES and M-L tops. Not only that, I am very VERY close to moving my BMI from MORBIDLY OBESE to just OBESE!!! Whoohooooo!!!!

Here’s the best part about all of this though, I have so much energy now than I think I’ve ever had in my entire life!! I am currently training to run in my very first REAL 5K!!! I’m running in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure on May 7^th. I’m so pumped for this that even though I’m nursing a head cold right now, I’m still getting my butt up to do my training! It will be timed, and I’ll be very pleased to get under 45 Minutes. This is my first event, so I really don’t know if I have any better starting point. Just the FACT I'm DOING IT is thrilling enough!!!! From this point on in following 5K’s I will challenge my times. Doing a REAL running event has been my greatest desire since I learned how much I LOVE running!!!

So… if you are considering the sleeve… DO IT!! You have NOTHING to lose but all the weight and head games that go along with it. Yes, it IS only a tool, but it is a DANGED GOOD ONE!!! You CANNOT fail with it unless you blatantly go WAY out of your way to do it. Who would want to do that after going through such a major surgery? This is my second time around, so I know for sure I don’t want to.

Blessings to all!!!!

Here are my past and present photos:

330 Lbs, highest ever:

300 Lbs:

281 Lbs, just before Pre-Op Diet:

253 Lbs, 1 Month Post Op:

241 Lbs, 3 Months Post Op:

222 Lbs, 5 Months Post Op CURRENT:

You look amazing! CONGRATULATIONS! I couldn't be happier for you.

Congrats to you! What great results- very inspiring!!!

GIRL YOU'RE AMAZING!!!!!!!! ALL I CAN SAY IS YOU GO GIRL!!!!

You look amazing! CONGRATULATIONS! I couldn't be happier for you.

BECCA I LOVE YOUR NEW PIC-U LOOK SO SKINNY

Go Diva, Go Diva!!!!

You can really see the weight loss in your most recent pic!!! You are SOOOOOOO pretty! I can't wait to be in a size L and 16!

After I read your post, it really inspired me to want to run a 5K. I am going to start walking now (on top of what I do) and hopefully start running when I drop some more weight. I don't want to put too much stress on my knees until I drop some more poundage! But, once I start running, I want to do a 5K like you! Then maybe a half marathon, and maybe a full one after that! I have always thought it would be so cool to run a marathon. I can't even run a half mile now, so how freakin awesome would that be!

I am so glad you are on this board. You are such an inspiration!!!

wOw! Amazing difference in your body at just 20 pound increments!

YOU GO GIRL

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You look amazing! CONGRATULATIONS! I couldn't be happier for you.

Congrats to you! What great results- very inspiring!!!

GIRL YOU'RE AMAZING!!!!!!!! ALL I CAN SAY IS YOU GO GIRL!!!!

THANK YOU ALL SOOO MUCH!!! You all are really really the best!!! Keep on rocking Superstars!!!

Congratulations! I too was going to get the band until I started searching out the complications and following random peoples blogs. I accidentally came across the VSG when I was reading about someone else who was revising from band to sleeve. I did my research and found that the sleeve was truly for me. I can not wait to be on the losers bench with all of the rest of you.

Oh I have always wanted to mention I like how you have a short goal and long goal ticker. I am going to copy you when I get sleeved to break the bigger picture into smaller managable pieces.

You are an inspiration!

I'm sure there were many factors on why my band didn't work. Yes, I do think my band was faulty and either it just wasn't meant to be or it wasn't done right... I'll never know. It wasn't until it was too late that I realized the band would never be forever. It took me at least a year for me to just forget it and move on. It got me to the point which I first started and I woke up from my night mare and fixed the situation.

Best thing ever!!! MY SLEEVE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!!! It WILL change yours too! Keep in touch and let me know how you're doing. PS, it's never too early to start with challenges.

Go Diva, Go Diva!!!!

You can really see the weight loss in your most recent pic!!! You are SOOOOOOO pretty! I can't wait to be in a size L and 16!

After I read your post, it really inspired me to want to run a 5K. I am going to start walking now (on top of what I do) and hopefully start running when I drop some more weight. I don't want to put too much stress on my knees until I drop some more poundage! But, once I start running, I want to do a 5K like you! Then maybe a half marathon, and maybe a full one after that! I have always thought it would be so cool to run a marathon. I can't even run a half mile now, so how freakin awesome would that be!

I am so glad you are on this board. You are such an inspiration!!!

You're too sweet, thank you!!! Rock on girlie!!!

Planning my run for the 5k is so inspirational for me, it's keeping my head on straight and feeling FIERCE!!! The high I get from doing my treadmill when I do... there is absolutely nothing like it. I feel so confident and when I'm pushing my body to go a little bit faster and a little bit further, it's just like winning a gold medal!! I'm a tough girl, and I'm absolutely doing things I never thought I'd ever do... yet here I am today, saying I'M DOING IT!!!

My knees are bad too, so I know you do have to be really careful with it. Pushing yourself is ok, but pushing yourself too much is not.

Let me know how you do!!! I'm rooting for you!!!

Hey Diva,

ain't you looking mighty hot lady!!!!

What a difference!!!!

Congrats on your success soooooo far, I know you will reach goal, you are getting closer and closer... I know what you are saying regarding the tread mill... I too have started using it a lot more and it is all due to the sleeve! Pre sleeve, I could manage a walk... now I jog,.. one day perhaps, like you, I will run!!

Keep up the good work xx

Hey Diva,

ain't you looking mighty hot lady!!!!

What a difference!!!!

Congrats on your success soooooo far, I know you will reach goal, you are getting closer and closer... I know what you are saying regarding the tread mill... I too have started using it a lot more and it is all due to the sleeve! Pre sleeve, I could manage a walk... now I jog,.. one day perhaps, like you, I will run!!

Keep up the good work xx

((((coops)))) THANK YOU FROM ACCROSS THE POND!!!

I have to tell you, I started running back when I was banded and I was hooked immediately! Once the weight started piling back on though it became difficult until my knee gave out... Finding out it was arthritis and from then on I couldn't run anymore. Then the weight piled back on with a vengeance. It was such a depressive time for me... Uggghhhh!!!

But, I'm back on that saddle, weighing MUCH less now than when I was my lowest band weight and life's just freakin fantastic now.

Keep it up lady! I think you're doing marvelous!! You WILL be able to run. Have you tried the Couch 2 5K? It's been super helpful for me right now as I train to NOT use my handrails on my treadmill. Good luck!!

Thank you for posting this!!!! Makes me feel that much HAPPIER with my choice!!! I am totally LOVING my SLEEVE!

Wow! You r defiantly an inspiration you look awesome!!!

Thank you for posting this!!!! Makes me feel that much HAPPIER with my choice!!! I am totally LOVING my SLEEVE!

The sleeve is defintely one of the BEST things I've ever done. I'd do it again over and over again!

Wow! You r defiantly an inspiration you look awesome!!!

Awww thank you!!! I FEEL AWESOME!!! :D

You look so beautiful and now you're a beautiful SKINNY-MINI! You are such a positive motivator to all of us sleeve-newbies. I am so happy for your successes and I hope you keep us all posted as you continue to rock your sleeve!

Congratulations!! You look AMAZING! Keep up the great work!