Hey Guys I dont frequent the boards like i used too but just felt like i should share today with a few that are on the fence about getting the Sleeve.

Nov 2nd 2010 i had the vertical sleeve done in Stratford Nj, after a few days of feeling queezy from drugs they put me under with i felt fine. within a week i felt minimal pain in the tummy area, dont get me wrong you felt like you had stomach surgery but i was up and moving around.. always remember drink drink drink..LOL it worked for me!

My starting weight was 345lbs and today im happy to say in 225.4lbs 120.00 lbs gone forever!!! My goal was 220lb whick im still working on, but im so happy to be where i am today the sleeve saved my life. I had servere sleep apnea (used the machine) and had a small leak in the pulmonary valve that has since corrected itself. I went from a size 46-48 pants to a 36 and from 3-4xxl shirts to XL.

I did stretch my skin out one too many times and im not a spring chicken so i have some skin sagging under the armpits, man boobs and around the tummy which i expected, but i feel great!!!!

I was pretty strict the first 6 months tring to get as much off as possible and your body does adjust after losing that much weight and you will stall could last a day a week a month or 2 months so dont get upset slow and steady!!! i really havent lost much in the last few month's ive been right around the 223-225 mark all summer but i have to admit i didnt exersize at all, i did get out and moved around but i would say i probably would have lost more and toned with exersize...

Never give up on yourself, we only have one shot in this world make the best of it! Its your Journey dont let anyone scare you or change your mind, you will have regrets i waited 2 yrs longer then i should have because i was told that they loved me for who i was and didnt care about my weight, lies lies lies... when your dead and in a box theyll say he should have tried to lose weight and i tried and tried and tried, i lost but gained it all back again plus more..

well i hope this helps even just one person move forward in there goal to get healthier, these boards helped me so much and i thank everyone who answered all my stupid questions and supported me through my journey.

im gonna try and add a before and after picture .... hope it works!! Good Luck and Just Do It!!!

JOE

BEFORE

AFTER (not best pics but i really dont have many new ones yet

hey joe, what do you know!!! congrats on your success. I can't wait to follow in your footsteps.

My surgery is 12/6/11 and I just can't wait. God give me patience, just hurry up about it!! Unfortunately this past month I kindof went bullistic and ate anything that wasn't hammered down. I GAINED almost 20lbs!! . Oh well, whats done is done.

11/11 I visit my mom in CA., and 2 days for thanksgiving I go to MA to be with extended family. Give me the strength to curb my eating. After thanksgiving I'll have 10 days before surgery to also have my shakes. At least not GAINING weight and losing 5 llbs would be ok. Wish me luck, and again - congrats on your new healthier life - thats what i'm heading for, and will accomplish!!!

kathy

Awesome job!! Congrats!!!

I agree. I had so many people telling me omg are you nuts? Are you crazy this is NOT safe and my usual answer was "well neither is obesity"...I'm so happy I did the surgery. If anyone tells you not to do it....follow your heart and know that MANY people are successful at it.

Hey looking good Joe. Great job on the weight loss and the fishin'! Wow. I love to fish, but unfortunately never had the opportunity to catch anything like that. Looks like a blast. I'd probably pee my pants if I caught a big ol' bass, let alone something like that...lol. Maybe when I get healthier, we will we able to go more places. It's good that I like fishing, because with a husband and four sons, I'm sure there will be much of it in the future. :0)

hey joe, what do you know!!! congrats on your success. I can't wait to follow in your footsteps.

My surgery is 12/6/11 and I just can't wait. God give me patience, just hurry up about it!! Unfortunately this past month I kindof went bullistic and ate anything that wasn't hammered down. I GAINED almost 20lbs!! . Oh well, whats done is done.

11/11 I visit my mom in CA., and 2 days for thanksgiving I go to MA to be with extended family. Give me the strength to curb my eating. After thanksgiving I'll have 10 days before surgery to also have my shakes. At least not GAINING weight and losing 5 llbs would be ok. Wish me luck, and again - congrats on your new healthier life - thats what i'm heading for, and will accomplish!!!

kathy

Kathy, i know how you feel i still love food, i found talking to a dietican or food consoler helped teach me how not to turn to food when i wasnt havent a good day, but food was my life, I still eat most foods i did in past but in very small portions now. Another reason i had my surgery done on Nov 2nd was so i could atleast have mush foods at thanksgiving (fat guy) always thinking.. LOL

Its not easy believe me you have to get yourself saying I can do this, Food will not run my life anymore!!! If you stumble get back up and start the next day... But please follow what your doctor says you dont want any complications, i have read others eating different foods at different weeks, stick with what your doctor feels is right for his patiants..

Good Luck God Bless!!!

I agree. I had so many people telling me omg are you nuts? Are you crazy this is NOT safe and my usual answer was "well neither is obesity"...I'm so happy I did the surgery. If anyone tells you not to do it....follow your heart and know that MANY people are successful at it.

Keep Up the Great Work You Look Great!!! Good Luck with Your Journey also

Joe

Awesome job!! Congrats!!!

Thank You!!! and Best of Luck on your upcoming Surgery!!!

Hey looking good Joe. Great job on the weight loss and the fishin'! Wow. I love to fish, but unfortunately never had the opportunity to catch anything like that. Looks like a blast. I'd probably pee my pants if I caught a big ol' bass, let alone something like that...lol. Maybe when I get healthier, we will we able to go more places. It's good that I like fishing, because with a husband and four sons, I'm sure there will be much of it in the future. :0)

If your thinking of having the Sleeve done id say go for it. It Saved my life and my wife has a new husband so to speak.. we do more now and i have more energy then her..LOL we rode bikes this summer which was cool and did alot more outdoor activities then ever before..

Its a big decision that has to be talked about with your family, me I went about it the opposite way I have a Italian/Ukranian families who love to eat and thats one reason i was Obese and i love food, they would never say you need Bariatric Surgery, they did say your fat but I know my family wouldnt want me to have Surgery, So i told Mom i was going to a hernia done at 42 still lying to my Mom, well when i came out of the hospital and was home for a week i have mom, grandmom and brothers over for dinner, I couldnt eat food i was just drinking a lil Clear liquids and made my family a nice dinner and just before we sat to eat i broke down and cried my eyes out one because i felt overwhelmed and excited that i knew my life was going to be different from here forward and two i didnt want to hold this back from my family anymore, i told them my story how i was feeling and hated my life and we all cried and were very supportive after, even thou my mother said she probably would have wanted me to look into other options, but this was the best option for me!!!

Sorry for long winded story, but all the things im writing probably happened to may many other on this site, some had the surgery and other probably didnt, your family loves you but whats right for them might not be right for you!

Best of luck... Youll Do Great

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!

You look awesome!! Good job!

Kelly :Banane57:

Aww did you let your nice looking friend hold your fish in the 3rd and 4th pics?

Holy Schmoley! You look great and HAPPY.

Great job, Joe!

You must be the change you want to see in the world~Ghandi

You wanted a new you and you changed what needed to be changed and now you see. Congratulations.