Hello, my name is Sara and I have finally decided to share my VSG story. I had the VSG procedure on 12/28/2011 and I have my 9 month post op check up next week. I was 309lbs when I went to have a consultation appointment with my surgeon back in September 2011. I always considered myself as healthy except for my weight because I didn't have any comorbideties.

What really got me wanting to do something about my weight was when my husband was in a motorcycle accident (June 2011) and he was diagnosed with diabetes. While in the hospital and dealing with his diagnosis, he turned to me and said "if any one should have diabetes, it should be you, not me". He's 6'1" and weighs about 225 and I am 5'4" and I weighed 309. That comment he made was the final straw. I was finally going to do something about my weight and knew surgery was my only option because I had tried to do it on my own so many times before and failed.

I waited until he was all healed up from his accident and on my birthday (September 1) I called Dr Castro's office and set up the appointment that would ultimately change my life forever. I was was very fortunate to have such great insurance because I only had to do 3 month nutrition class before they would approve my surgery. The dr did have me also do a psychiatric evaluation, but that was all I had to do.

A week before I finished the 3 month nutrition class, my dr's office went ahead and submitted my case to my insurance and that next week they had the approval and I had my surgery date and had to go in the next day for the pre op appointment and start my pre op liquid diet.

I remember the day of the surgery like it was yesterday. I was so scared because I had never had any surgeries before and I have 4 boys and was so worried that something would go wrong and they would be left without a mother. I have never had any broken bones or anything. The dr and his team came and talked to me and got me to relax and I don't remember much after getting in the OR and them getting me situated on the operating table.

I was up and walking just 4 hours after surgery and have been moving ever since. I've lost a total of 135 lbs and my current weight is 174 lbs. I've gone from a size 26/28 to a 10/12 in just 9 short months. It has been such an amazing journey and I'm so proud of how far I've come and all the work I have done. For once in my life, I finally have some self esteem and my life is changing everyday for the better. I just got a promotion at work which has allowed me to finally afford to hire a lawyer so I can finally file for a divorce. I won't go into a lot of details, but the marriage has been very bad for a long time.

I always stayed because I never thought I could do any better. Now I finally believe I deserve to be treated better and I actually love myself enough to finally let go of all the bad stuff and do what's best for me and my boys.

I'm excited to see where I'll be at my 1 year anniversary (which is only 3 months away). I only have 34lbs.to go to reach my goal weight. The surgery saved my life in more than just my weight. It was the best decision I have ever made for myself! Sorry for the long story and thank you for taking the time to read it!

How awesome! I love him and his staff! I recommend him to anyone who tells me they're thinking about having WLS. I had my surgery at Forrest Park Medical Center. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that everything goes as planned and you have a speedy recovery. Keep me posted on how you're doing and feel free to send me a message if you ever have any questions or just want to talk.

I love this. It amazes me how much we change inside as we gain confidence and emotional worth. For so many this surgery is so much more than our physical reflection. Congrats to you!

Today is the day!! At the hospital to check in. Looking forward to getting healthier and getting rid of these hunger pains I've had over the past week!

Great story, congratulations on your success. Enjoy your new life!

Today is the day!! At the hospital to check in. Looking forward to getting healthier and getting rid of these hunger pains I've had over the past week!

Good luck to you today, and I'll be thinking about you! Hope you have a speedy recovery! Remember to walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip. Wishing you the best!

So what advise do u haave... what is a typical day I had the surgery and is in the soft food stage and exercise

So what advise do u haave... what is a typical day I had the surgery and is in the soft food stage and exercise

Congratulations to you and good luck on your journey! A typical day for me is get up at 5am and do a quick 30 minute cardio excercise of some sort, then take my Vitamins and get ready for work. Before I leave, I make a Protein drink with the nectar Protein powder and drink that on the way to work (I have a 45min-1 hour commute). Have either some Cereal or oatmeal for Breakfast usually around 7:30 or so. Have a light snack around 10am (usually either yogurt, string cheese, trail mix, or fruit). Have lunch around 12:30, usually leftovers from dinner the night before. Then another snack around 3pm (usually something with some carbs and protein like fruit and 2 tbsp of Peanut Butter or cottage cheese and some fruit). I hi to the gym for about 1 1/2 hours after work and do another hour of cardio and 1/2 hour of weights. Make another Protein Drink with the nectar protein for the ride home. Get home clean a little bit or play a sport with the boys outside, make dinner (usually either chicken, turkey or fish for the protein and will have a vegetable & carb of some sort). Get the boys ready for bed and then watch a little tv and relax for a bit. That's a typical day for me. You can feel free to message me if you have anymore questions.

My soon to be ex husband still lives at the house so he takes the boys to school and picks them up. I just got the promotion this week and my new pay hasn't goner into effect yet, so I haven't served him with divorce papers yet, but he knows it's coming. I'm sure my routine will probably change once he doesn't live with me anymore, but I'll figure something out.

Congratulations to you and good luck on your journey! A typical day for me is get up at 5am and do a quick 30 minute cardio excercise of some sort, then take my Vitamins and get ready for work. Before I leave, I make a Protein drink with the nectar protein powder and drink that on the way to work (I have a 45min-1 hour commute). Have either some cereal or oatmeal for breakfast usually around 7:30 or so. Have a light snack around 10am (usually either yogurt, string cheese, trail mix, or fruit). Have lunch around 12:30, usually leftovers from dinner the night before. Then another snack around 3pm (usually something with some carbs and protein like fruit and 2 tbsp of Peanut Butter or cottage cheese and some fruit). I hi to the gym for about 1 1/2 hours after work and do another hour of cardio and 1/2 hour of weights. Make another protein drink with the nectar protein for the ride home. Get home clean a little bit or play a sport with the boys outside, make dinner (usually either chicken, turkey or fish for the protein and will have a vegetable & carb of some sort). Get the boys ready for bed and then watch a little tv and relax for a bit. That's a typical day for me. You can feel free to message me if you have anymore questions.

I'm exhausted just reading about your typical day:)

Thanks for the advise... I will most def inbox u with more questions

Congratulations the Sleeve is a life change in more ways than 1

Thank you so much for telling your story ! i dont know you but i am so proud of you thank you so much for sharing what a inspriration you are

I LOVED your story and I am so happy that you shared it! I can relate to so much that you have said and am inspired by it. I have my surgery on Oct 2 and I look forward to the journey and living and loving again. God Bless

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my story and for all of the positive feed back! I wish I would have found this forum sooner so I would have felt like I had more support through the journey. I'm glad I'm inspiring others and it makes me feel good. Especially since I always felt so bad about myself until recently. Please feel free to add me as a friend or message me. Thank you again everyone! You all have touched my heart!

My phone finally allowed me to add a before and after picture on my profile if you all want to go see them. I've been trying to add them all week. The before picture was me at my heaviest weight of 309 and I took it for the last time I auditioned for the biggest loser. The after picture was taken about 2 months ago when I finally got below 200lbs. I think I was 195 when it was taken.