Update

[matt1912 316]

On April 17th of this year I had my VSG.

Two weeks prior to surgery I was on 100% liquids with the last week all Clear Liquids. Surgery happens. 2.5 weeks later I was still HATING this decision. food and liquids hurt when you swallowed more than a thimble full. It was a constant fight against 38 years of practice. I lost many battles. Then something happened. I swallowed instinctively and NOTHING BAD HAPPENED. I remember thinking, "Oh shit! I'm about to pop staples and die from some septic gunk coursing through my veins."

Staples held, nothing bad happened, I lived - and still am.

In fact I'm much better. See below:

April 17, 2014 - Weight 298 lbs. (45.6 BMI)

June 23, 2014- Weight 224 lbs (34.1 BMI)

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS- 74 lbs.

A1C on Surgery Date- 6.7 (6.5 + is Diabetic)

A1C on June 16, 2014- 4.6 (5.7 and below is normal)

Post Meal Glucose Level on Surgery Date- 210 mg/dl (DIABETIC is 200 mg/dl or greater)

Post Meal Glucose Level on June 22, 2014- 99 mg/dl (NORMAL is <140 mg/dl)

Waist Size Pre-Surgery- 46 in.

Waist Size June 6, 2014- 36 in

Shirt Size Pre-Surgery- XXL

Shirt Size June 6, 2014- L

Shoe Size Pre-Surgery- 10 wide

Shoe Size June 6, 2014- 9 med

Addendum: Additional non-quantifiable changes post surgery:

• chicken Nuggets were amazing before. They now smell like Satan's dirty underwear.
• Salmon - Pre-Surgery- yucktastic Now- an amazing fish
• Ice Cream is impossible to eat now. (kinda bummed about that one...not really)
• Knee/foot pain from tennis - largely gone
• Existing on less than 1000 calories a day is not as bad as you may think
• Gatorade is physically easier to drink than Water (I know, that is hard for me to believe too)
• My libido is more...noticeable.

Any one out there have any comments, recommendations, or accolades to throw my way...Lets read em. Post in comments.

[StayingStrong 78]

WOW!! Incredible success. Okay so I am a little jealous I had surgery on April 21st and have lost 47lbs. Feeling great but WHOA you've lost 70+ pounds?!! I wanna lose more. What are your daily meals like? How much are you working out? So inspiring!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

Great to hear your diabetes numbers are fine now! Also good to hear that everything goes down more naturally now, without pain. Lookin' good too! Congrats.

[matt1912 316]

@@StayingStrong

Here is what i ate yesterday:

My Protein shake isnt listed on there...I suppose I missed that, who knows.

I use a Fitbit to track a lot of things: food, exercize, fluids, active (working out) times...i think it helps to see your progress toward the daily goals on your wrist when ever you want to check it.

As a tennis pro, I play tennis daily. I lead a very active lifestyle, but never could lose weight. My VGS is exactly what i needed. If I am short of my goal each day I have a treadmill at home and crank the music and get to stepping.

It is doable! I had severe doubts early on, but now... I believe.

I now own 4 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 pairs of shorts - donated 20+ years of clothes to Goodwill. It was cathartic! I highly recommend it! The feeling of not allowing yourself to go back is healthy. It least to me it was.

@@BeagleLover thanks for the positive message! I appreciate it!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

You mentioned that, if you go over in calories, you make up for it with exercise... a great option. There are two suggestions I have to lower the caloric hits you are taking. I assume you like bacon. I use Honeyville textured vegetable Protein, flavored like Ham. It tastes just like bacon, but is made out of soy. You could add it to scrambled eggs to get the flavor of bacon. Another alternative I use is costco Canadian bacon. One slice is over 99% fat free and only 20 calories. I'm NOT suggesting you eat fewer calories, just ways to not go over whatever calorie goal you have and still enjoy it.

[yodasplash 20]

Keep up the good work!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

You are such an inspiration here and I am so happy for your success! Since the sleeve 12/2 my husband is down 90 lbs, and instead of adding ANOTHER box to his 20 year collection of every size clothes known to man and woman, he gave them to me to donate. He knows he will never go back, ever. I know you know that too and it is incredible!

[Lady VS 1,147]

Congratulations!!! Keep up the great work.

[belunos 93]

I've had some of the same changes in food taste. I can't stand anything breaded, and pizza is gross. And like you I didn't like salmon before, now I love it.

Grants!

[Capegin 12]

You just made my day! First, of course, congrats on your accomplishments. Amazing. My favorite is your list of food and other experiences that are different now. I can only dream of a day when pizza (a major trigger for me) is unappealing. I know everyone is different, but your list hit on all of my concerns, ALL of them. Thanks for the inspiration and hope, and keep up the great work!

[getnhealthyintx 281]

Wow great changes. Congrats!

[DeniseNCC1701 306]

• chicken Nuggets were amazing before. They now smell like Satan's dirty underwear.

BWHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

Congratulations, handsome. And the blood sugar numbers are amazing. THAT's what I'm talkin' about!

Be well…

[matt1912 316]

@DeniseNCC1701 They smell like death...really

[barbb3 115]

LOL! Thanks for the REAL NSVs! What a great overall turn around between your attitude, weight and health measures! Very inspirational!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[matt1912 316]

@@barbbcute

I love living like this. Thanks for the kind words