It has been a long while since I have been on VST. I always thought I would stay involved and "pay it forward" but as time went by, life took over. I thought I would post my story for the newly sleeved and/or those considering the sleeve. I know reading others stories helped me when I was starting my WLS journey.

I had my VSG July 7. 2009 with Dr. Aceves. I haven't regretted it one bit! I am 5'4 and started at 201 lbs. I set my goal at 145 lbs and reached it in just 6 months. I changed my goal to 135 lbs & reached it a few months later and continued to lose. Today I am happily (and easily, might I add) maintaining around 120 lbs. I went from a size 18/20 to a 4/6! Now that I am nearly 2 years out, I can eat a little more than I could in the first 6 months but I am still very restricted (but isn't that the point of the surgery? ) I feel completely normal now....better than ever! The only complication I had was having to have my gallbladder removed about 6 months post op.

I can't believe that I am nearly 2 years out already! There are still times where my sleeve reminds me that she is still there. For example, if I eat too quickly or take too big of a bite I will still feel the discomfort. Instead of being annoyed with the discomfort I am thankful. VSG is what changed my life & with the discomfort, I realize my "banana tummy" is still doing her job to help me maintain my weight loss.

The one thing I did not expect from losing weight was how much I would begin to love shopping! PreOP I hated shopping. It was tedious & disappointing and I never left the store happy with myself. Now I am almost addicted to shopping for myself! I love trying on clothes & shoes and I love buying nice things for myself. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who likes to spoil me so he tries to buy me everything I want. He even surprises me with gifts!

Anway, that's my update. Life is good. My VSG is great. I would recommend VSG & Dr. Aceves to anyone considering WLS. It was the best decision I made!

Hey TennJenn, maybe you should post some before and after pics. Congrats on reaching your goal and being able to maintain it.

I am thinking about getting sleeved myself.

Hey TennJenn, maybe you should post some before and after pics. Congrats on reaching your goal and being able to maintain it.

I am thinking about getting sleeved myself.

Thank you, babe! I will have to search for my before pics.

***just to let everyone know, 4Dad is my husband. We are trying to work it out for him to get VSG with Dr. Aceves this summer. He was/is so supportive of me and now I can return the favor.

Thank you for coming back to tell us how you are doing. I come on VST everyday to get my inspiration to keep on going!

funny im currently at hospital and just saw dr aceves (i got the sleeve done tuesday)and all i can say A+ to everything there doing at the hospital. its been a great expierience.

Congratulations TennJenn and thank you for sharing with us. I am currently waiting for my approval and surgery date but I am on this site everyday trying to get as much info on the sleeve as I can. I truly believe that the sleeve is going to be the answer to my weight problem. I just wondered about the long term. Believe it or not I was just thinking this morning on the way to work that it would really be good to hear from the veteran sleevers. If I may ask....

How well were you able to lose weight after the first year?

Do you have any problems eating normal/regular food?

Do you have digestion problems - foods that you use to eat but can not tolerate now?

Can't wait for your pics!

Congratulations TennJenn and thank you for sharing with us. I am currently waiting for my approval and surgery date but I am on this site everyday trying to get as much info on the sleeve as I can. I truly believe that the sleeve is going to be the answer to my weight problem. I just wondered about the long term. Believe it or not I was just thinking this morning on the way to work that it would really be good to hear from the veteran sleevers. If I may ask....

How well were you able to lose weight after the first year?

Do you have any problems eating normal/regular food?

Do you have digestion problems - foods that you use to eat but can not tolerate now?

Can't wait for your pics!

Im happy to answers your questions!

I didn't really lose any weight after the first year because I was already below my goal. However, it has been very easy to maintain my current weight.

I have no problems eating normal food. I can eat pretty much anything I want just much, much less of it. I do try to eat healthy & go for Protein first but I don't deprive myself of anything. It's so wonderful!

The only thing I have noticed is that my tummy doesn't do well with a lot of sugar at one time. It makes me feel sick to my stomach.

I remember being a few short months post op & wondering if I would feel normal & be able to eat "normal" again. I can tell you that I feel totally normal and my new eating habits and portion sizes now feel normal for me as well. I don't feel like a WLS patient at all. I just feel like a normal, healthy, thin woman who is no longer controlled by food.

Glad to hear from you again. Sounds like you are doing AMAZING. Fingers are crossed for your hubby.

Thank you for sharing. It amazing to hear that you don't regret doing it, even 2 years later. And that you are doing fine, keeping your weight etc etc. It is great, especially for us who just started or are going to start their journey soon.

And yes! We all do love the before and after pics!

Thanks again!!!

Im happy to answers your questions!

I didn't really lose any weight after the first year because I was already below my goal. However, it has been very easy to maintain my current weight.

I have no problems eating normal food. I can eat pretty much anything I want just much, much less of it. I do try to eat healthy & go for Protein first but I don't deprive myself of anything. It's so wonderful!

The only thing I have noticed is that my tummy doesn't do well with a lot of sugar at one time. It makes me feel sick to my stomach.

I remember being a few short months post op & wondering if I would feel normal & be able to eat "normal" again. I can tell you that I feel totally normal and my new eating habits and portion sizes now feel normal for me as well. I don't feel like a WLS patient at all. I just feel like a normal, healthy, thin woman who is no longer controlled by food.

Yep that is what I am looking forward to - feeling like a normal....thin.....healthy woman. I can't wait!

Thank you for your feedback lady.

Congrats & thanks for your update! I'm doing ok but I can't get motivated to exercise as I should: What kind of exercise program did you do then & now? Lu

Thanks for posting! Its always nice to see someone who's a way out having such great success! It gives me/us confidence. Don't be a stranger.

Congrats & thanks for your update! I'm doing ok but I can't get motivated to exercise as I should: What kind of exercise program did you do then & now? Lu

Exercise? I'm embarrassed to say I never did and still do not do any formal exercise. I do, however, have 4 young kids that keep me going if that counts.

Congrats on your loss and your maintaining! Thanks for sharing your info with us. My hubby and I are *both* sleeved...and loving life. There are a few more huband/wife teams on this board...maybe you guys will be next!

Congratulations TennJenn!

I wish it was as easy for me to maintain my weight loss. It must be because you are so much younger than me. I have to watch my weight very carefully because I gain a couple of lbs if I eat sugar or do any snacking. I also seem to gain every weekend when life I do more socializing. It's maddening!

It has been a long while since I have been on VST. I always thought I would stay involved and "pay it forward" but as time went by, life took over. I thought I would post my story for the newly sleeved and/or those considering the sleeve. I know reading others stories helped me when I was starting my WLS journey.

I had my VSG July 7. 2009 with Dr. Aceves. I haven't regretted it one bit! I am 5'4 and started at 201 lbs. I set my goal at 145 lbs and reached it in just 6 months. I changed my goal to 135 lbs & reached it a few months later and continued to lose. Today I am happily (and easily, might I add) maintaining around 120 lbs. I went from a size 18/20 to a 4/6! Now that I am nearly 2 years out, I can eat a little more than I could in the first 6 months but I am still very restricted (but isn't that the point of the surgery? ) I feel completely normal now....better than ever! The only complication I had was having to have my gallbladder removed about 6 months post op.

I can't believe that I am nearly 2 years out already! There are still times where my sleeve reminds me that she is still there. For example, if I eat too quickly or take too big of a bite I will still feel the discomfort. Instead of being annoyed with the discomfort I am thankful. VSG is what changed my life & with the discomfort, I realize my "banana tummy" is still doing her job to help me maintain my weight loss.

The one thing I did not expect from losing weight was how much I would begin to love shopping! PreOP I hated shopping. It was tedious & disappointing and I never left the store happy with myself. Now I am almost addicted to shopping for myself! I love trying on clothes & shoes and I love buying nice things for myself. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who likes to spoil me so he tries to buy me everything I want. He even surprises me with gifts!

Anway, that's my update. Life is good. My VSG is great. I would recommend VSG & Dr. Aceves to anyone considering WLS. It was the best decision I made!

WOW that is sooo inspirational...is that a word...lol Im scheduled for April 11th cant wait to be in your shoes...