Hello all,

I recently logged back in after a two-year hiatus to ask some plastics-related questions and figured I might as well post an update after seeing a few familiar faces. I am not going to answer any questions about my surgeon, details of my post-op recovery, post-op diet, etc, since I think this information is readily available from other posters who are less far out from their operations. When I first joined here, there was a dearth of VSG veterans on the forums, so few of us had any idea what to expect after the honeymoon period is over. I am hoping my post will help people wondering about the long term.

PLEASE DO NOT PM ME WITH QUESTIONS. I am happy to respond to questions posted here. I don't really have time to address individual questions in private and I think it's best to ask and answer questions publicly so as many people as possible can benefit.

My stats: 25 at the time of my VSG, 5'5", highest weight 228 lbs, weight on day of surgery 208 lbs. Post-op goal 150 lbs (BMI 25), lowest post-op weight 136. That weight required significant effort to maintain. I settled around 140-13. I then started Crossfit and put on a lot of muscle mass. I am now sitting right around 150 lbs.

My surgery: Aug 9, 2010 in Mexicali, Mexico by Dr. Aceves. I self-paid, surgery cost around $8700 and then I had to pay for the flight. Laparoscopic VSG with no complications. Easy recovery. Reached goal weight in less than 5 months.

Thoughts about the long term:

Reflux: I occasionally have some, it's pretty minor. I don't take anything for it. Part of it is due to my penchant for coffee. I drink about 4-5 large mugs of coffee a day.

Complications: other than the mild occasional reflux, I've had none. No strictures, etc.

Foods: I can eat anything I want. After about a year out, nothing really upset my stomach anymore. I don't get nausea, sliming, or anything like that. I have always had a sweet tooth, and I still find many sweets a little too much for me. That said, I did go on a Haagen Dazs spree last week. But food just doesn't hit the spot like it used to. I don't really get major cravings anymore. I can easily keep ice cream and chocolate around the house and not eat it. When I do decide to have a treat, it's more like, "It's so hot now, ice cream sounds pretty good. Maybe I'll have some, it's pretty yummy!" rather than "I WILL SELL MY FIRSTBORN FOR A BIG MAC NOW, GET OUT OF MY WAY, NOTHING ELSE WILL SATISFY ME" like it was back in the day.

I can eat pretty decent amounts of food now. I still occasionally get comments about eating too little, but I think that has more to do with other people eating way too much, to be honest. For reference, I can eat a McDs cheeseburger and a few fries without a problem. I can force an entire Big Mac down my gullet, but some of it definitely sits in my esophagus.

Scarring: you can barely see the tiny divot from the scar where Dr. Aceves removed my stomach. I showed it to a few general surgeons (I'm a physician myself) and they couldn't believe the results, they thought it was just from a small mole excision. I don't think a layperson would even notice it. You can't see the 3 scars from laparoscopic instruments at all.

Esthetics: I have maintained the same overall bodyshape (pear). I have a very small amount of loose skin on my stomach that does not preclude me from having 6-pack abs when I closely watch my diet and exercise. It hangs slightly when I hold the plank position, but I honestly don't care. I think of it as insurance against stretch marks during pregnancy in the future! I have some loose skin over my butt and upper thighs. My breasts are still a D cup, but they are quite droopy, and when I really watch my diet, they get very flat and dumpy-looking. I worked very hard on my fitness the last few years and have come to the conclusion that I've probably gotten within 90% of what's achievable for my body with exercise, so I am having a breast lift with augmentation and lower body liposuction next week. I was originally curious about a lower body lift, but both plastic surgeons I saw felt that the improvement in my case would not be worth the scar as my situation is not that bad. The plastic surgeon believes he will achieve good results with lipo, although of course I will never have a super-tight rear end like someone who's never been overweight at all. I can deal with that!

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Wow you look amazing and so healthy! Thank you for your insight for all of us who are not there yet.

Wow, your story is inspiring! I am only 4 weeks out right now and hope to achieve your results as well!

Awesome post! Thank you for the inspiration and hope!

Blackberry- good to see you here! Congrats on the continued success! You can find several of us "oldies" in the vets forum. Thanks for sharing your story. I think it's so important for people to see what life is like a few years out. Fiddleman, one of the newer vets, works out a lot and eats a similar amount of Protein.

Love that six pack! And that's a rocking rear end view too!

Do you take any Vitamins? Are you getting your Vitamin levels tested annually? I've seen some vets struggling with deficiencies a few years out and others that seem to do OK with no supplements. I'm taking the vitamins my plan recommends and I get blood work once per year.

I'm glad to hear you're maintaining with ease after a minor correction. For me, daily weighing is key to staying at goal.

You are so lucky to have such a good skin recovery. I think your young age, (relatively) smaller weight loss, and good skin genetics really helped. I know what you mean about hanging tummy with planks. First time I saw that I was like "what the heck is THAT!" I lost 120 lbs and I'm 58. My skin is only coming back so much. I won't wear a bikini because my tunny looks saggy even though it's pretty flat. And my thighs are a little saggy too, so I prefer dresses that skim the knee and longer shorts. I do wear sleeveless shirts the extra skin on my arms is only noticeable at certain angles.

Best wishes on the lipo! Can't wait to see the pics!

Lynda

Thank you for sharing! Its always wonderful to hear from those who have come before. I agree you look beautiful.

Girl, Hardly can fathom a 6-pack with this 2-liter I've been rockin' all these years! Phenomenal work!

Your story was just what I needed. I'm 5 1/2 months out doing great but am concerned about long term. Thanks so much for sharing your story it really did inspire me. Congrats on your long term success.

I'm in medical school to about to have gastric sleeve right before I start my clerkships. Were you loosing weight during clerkship? If so, how did you do it?

All of you looks so good but I was particularly drawn to your arms. They look fabulous! You've gained some impressive muscle mass in them and great definition...love the biceps and shoulders.

And thank you for addressing the issue of caloric intake for weight lifting/crossfit purposes. I have been wondering about that myself as I really want to put on some impressive muscle mass once I have lost weight (well, actually, I plan to start lifting heavy before i get to goal). It's nice to know that it is possible!

Hey BlackBerryJuice... great to see you back! You still look amazing! Glad the back problem is over, it is a nightmare isn't it!

Good luck with the lipo and BA... I had a TT and BL 16mths ago (even though I wasn't at goal - still not at goal!) and it was the best thing I have done,,, such a hugh differnece both physically and emotionally! Just past my 4 yr anni too!

Let us know how you get on... x

Good thread.

So appreciated when the vets tell their long-term story like Blackberry juice did. Thanks, BBJ!

Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this post, addresses so many questions that those of us just starting this journey have. You look so incredible fit and healthy, very inspirational!

Wow this is the inspiring message that makes me so glade that I found this app thanks for it.

Posts like these are so inspiring. I met a woman at support group a couple of weeks ago who had her sleeve two years ago. She said she has so much energy now she pops out of bed in the morning "like a piece of toast". Lol! She is in training to run a full marathon. Keep these happy stories coming!

Thank you for giving us a snapshot view of the long term for you. Congratulations on your continued success and you are such an inspiration!