I had my sleeve done December 13th 2012. My highest weight was in September of 2012 at 377, the morning of my surgery I was 349. This morning I weighed in at 168!!!!! I have lost 209 pounds…..I pinch myself everyday. There is no secret to my success, my sleeve has been my greatest tool. I would have never gotten to this point without it, I know that! However, the 3 other legs of the stool to help me achieve this have been:

1) Myfitnesspal.com

2) Fitbit

3) Exercise, Exercise, & more Exercise

The sleeve did not fix the cavernous space between my ears. Even with the sleeve I would not have lost the weight if I was not ready to tackle the reasons I overate the way I did prior to surgery. I was finally mentally in the right place to take on this challenge, the sleeve was the extra edge I needed to stay on track. I can guarantee failure if you are not ready to combine mental toughness along with a life dedicated to exercise. I fear it everyday, fear that i will give up on my exercise routine and let a few pounds sneak back. I use that fear to force myself out of bed and on to that treadmill, or elliptical machine. Many days I workout twice a day. Many of us are in the same place for the same reason….lack of will power, poor genetics, and we can be just plain ole lazy. Those things DON'T go away….they just lay dormant and you have to fight to keep them where they belong: buried deep inside of you.

I see my surgeon this coming week and I can't wait to see my lab work, I am really looking forward to see how much it has improved since prior to my surgery. I had high cholesterol, high fasting sugar levels etc….

In two weeks from today I will be in my hospital room recovering from my circumferential body lift. I am so anxious to let the healing begin and get back to my workout regimen.

I have a 10 mile race under my belt, I finished in just over an hour and a half. Mind you, when I first started my workouts back in January I was barely able to walk at 3.5 mph for 30 mins. Now I run twice a day for 40 - 60 mins at a time and average 6.5 mph in preparation for my plastic surgery. In 2014 I have scheduled a half marathon and a full marathon, they are things I would have laughed at back when I was 377 pounds and because of this life altering procedure they are a real possibility.

If you are reading this and thinking of surgery or just had it completed or have had it and things are going well, know that it is tough. The sleeve is a tool and that tool is only as effective as the owner of it. This is not popular…..you can cheat the sleeve. You can put weight back on….you can eat more and more over time. It is up to you to use it properly and rehab your mind, train yourself to be mentally strong in your fight against food addiction and abuse. I do not deprive myself of things…..I have had……pizza, ice cream, french fries, and diet soda. I just don't have a whole pizza, I have half a slice and a small salad. I have a spoonful of ice cream instead of 2 pints of ben and jerry's like i did prior to surgery. I steal a french fry or two from my son instead of a super sized order from mcdonalds with my two big macs and two cheeseburger with a large regular coke. You can do it! But, you have to be ready to do it. I wasn't ready for 13 years! I gained almost 200 pounds from 1999 to 2012 when i had my procedure. just about every monday during that time i started a "diet" and by thursday afternoon i was done. I had some success a few times losing close to 75 pounds at one time but it didn't last long.

i wanted to take time to let anyone know who wanted to listen that this is not the end all be all to your success. you are the key to it working!! i wish you all nothing but good luck in your personal journey, it has been my greatest accomplishment in my life. there are so many things we are expected to do and do well: be a loving and caring spouse, be the best parent you can be, work hard to provide your family what they need. you don't have to be healthy, you WANT to be healthy but it is not a requirement so when i look back at what i have done, i truly feel its my greatest accomplishment!!

good luck everyone!

Thank you do much for sharing and congratulations on your loss!

You. Are. Absolutely. Amazing!

You have worked so hard, and it has definitely paid off!

My favorite line of your whole post is "The sleeve did not fix the cavernous space between my ears. " That's very wise, and this is great advice. We are the key to the success of our sleeves. Thank you for posting, and thank you for being such a great success story.

Best of luck on your upcoming body lift! Healing will likely be a breeze now that you're so healthy!

WTG! Ur doing fantastic! U must feel so good. Good luck with ur body lift. Keep us posted.

Want pics!!

Wow thank you for this post. I almost feel like it is the future me talking to current me. Okay I know that is strange but I was 365 when I had my first appointment and I am 342 now, I use myfitnesspal.com LOVE IT! And for the kicker my surgery is 12/13/13, 1 year after you. You have inspired me on a night I needed it. Getting approval for this has been an absolute nightmare so some of the excitement and positive outlook have worn away. Again thank you! You have done an amazing job!

I pinch myself everyday - .was 349. This morning I weighed in at 168!!!!! I

Scout1234

pinch yourself

stop that, you are gonna turn black and blue!!

wonderful accomplishment with your weight loss!!!!

its obvious you have worked hard

keeping track of your food is very important - helps alot

i don't use it, but i know the fitbit is wonderful too

you are lovin exercise - woohoo

nice helpful "words of wisdom" for newbies et al to live by

now - hard work continues with maintenance!!!

i know you will do great for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life

kathy

congrats