Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🌈 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

3 years out

Vera

By Vera, in The Lounge

Recommended Posts

Vera    7

Vera
Posted

Its 3 years and I made it to goal!

The last time I weighed 156 was when I was 26 years old. Shortly after that I broke my foot (last bone on the side of my foot, before pinky toe) and gained 20 pounds. Struggled with that for about 2 years then my sister died and I gained more. I averaged about 190 for 7 years except the time I broke my arm and went up to 210 I was 30 years old at the time. Flash forward to 37 when I gave birth to my gorgeous girl Roxanne at 245, she was only 8 lbs and 3 oz… Sure I lost some baby fat but never got below 220. Then at 42 I had my boy Hunter at a grand weight of 270, his birth weight was less than Roxanne’s…. So after trying, dieting, exercising…I was stuck a 244 for years. 244 might not be much for some but I was devastated and miserable.

It didn’t take me long to decide on the band, I did about 2 months of research, knew the insurance battle would be hard and long, so I pulled out money on some low interest credit, which I did pay off within a year. Pick Dr. Sanchez based on his experience and flew to Monterrey Mexico.

On 8/14/03 I was banded and it changed my life. I’ve had some issues and was re-banded on 3/31/05. My weight just didn’t melt away; there was some mental and physical work. It’s just a tool and I had to make some changes to how I looked at food and myself. When I would weigh myself, I didn’t seem to be losing many pounds, but my clothes seem a lot looser. I would lose fat and gain muscle tone for the longest time, the last 20 pounds have been the hardest and longest to loooose. It’s been a trying 3 years but well worth it.

The main things I noticed…

I feel full! I never felt full before having my band unless it was Thanksgiving. Yes I get hungry and have cravings, but try to choose Protein first and something Michelle (LaMadam) taught me “stay away from the carbs”. If I have potatoes in the morning, I’ll want them all day.

I haven’t had a mid-night snack in years, basically because I wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably if I did.

I drink more water; I still don’t care for Water but know how important it is. And I try to have some warm tea or a cup Soup before meals.

Energy! I can water ski! Throw a frisbee! Even do cartwheels!

On the emotional side, people have treated me different, not sure how to deal with it. For instance, I never felt welcome around my sister and brother in law; it was like I was below them and looked down at. They didn’t talk to me much. Now it’s like I’m accepted and they’re proud to be around me. People who have never had to deal with weight don’t know the damage they can cause.

I try my best to always smile and be friendly to those who seem to be struggling weather it be weight, disability or mental issues. I deal with “skinny” people if I have to but they seem to treat me different now. Why couldn’t I get the respect when I was fat?

I haven’t been on any boards much lately, due to my family keeps me real busy, my job has had more demands and my free time has become very precious as I just turned 47 and feel alive again.

Thanks for all the support I have received through out the years; I have made some wonderful friends here.

This pic is for Christina…. Ms. August checking in.

post-203783-13813133917402_thumb.jpg

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

jewels    0

jewels
Posted

Vera, what an inspiration. Hey, I live in Hollister and I'm getting banded on Monday the 21st by Dr. Foster. Thanks for all the stories and suggestions. Julie-

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

leatha_g    4

leatha_g
Posted

Gorgeous!! You look MAHvelous baby girl!! I'm SO proud of you!! Congrats Vera!! Well done!! and girl, I'd kill for your thighs!!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

kabeerah    0

kabeerah
Posted

Well who do you think 'gorgeous' Roxanne got her looks from? Way to go! Your post brought tears to my eyes. It sounds like sometyhing I could have wrote 12 years from now if it were not for the band. After giving birth to my children I was stuck at 244lbs too!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

wheeler    0

wheeler
Posted

Thanks for the compliments! I resized that last pic, but I still hate my thighs

OMG she hates her thighs! You look GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWJUS, SEXYYYYY

Well done

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Go To Topic Listing The Lounge

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    Bariatric Forums

    For Patients

    Health Professionals

    Search Surgeons

    Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

    ×