I haven't posted for a while and just wanted to send this update. I was sleeved in march 2013 at about 300 lbs and reached my goal in jan 2014 at around the low 180's. today, Aug. 20, 2014, I still weigh 182, so since jan I have basically maintained my weight in between 180-185 so I think this is the weight I will permanently stay at. I exercise 3-4 times a week. over the last 1.5 years ive become a runner and do about 15-20 miles per week. i started out by just walking but now ive also completed a few 13.1 mile half marathons and earlier this year I finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine and completed a 26.2 mile full marathon. I can definitely eat a lot more now that I did when I was first sleeved, but I do make the right food choices of what I put in my mouth. I can see that if I made bad food choices I could easily gain back 15-20 lbs or even more because like I said, I can eat a lot more now than I could a year ago. so making a lifestyle change is critical for long term success with the sleeve. if you don't make the correct lifestyle changes, eventually you will stop losing weight and as your ability to eat more increases, you could actually start gaining weight again. thankfully ive been one of the lucky ones and ive had no complications or trouble eating. I never hit any serious plateaus as I went from around 300 to the low 180's very steadily. but I did work the program and I always ate right and I always made time for exercise. I think these last 2 steps is what truly made me successful and made my journey an easy one. heres a few current pics from this month. life is good, the sleeve is the best thing that's ever happened to me and at the age of 51 im in the best shape of my life!

if any of you have any questions for a 1.5 year out sleever, ask away and ill gladly answer.

Edited August 20, 201411 yr by NY Lou

Congrats Lou, what a journey !

I have 2 questions for you :

- did you have any problem with loose skin ?

- can I ask you which clothes sizes (shirt and pants) you were at the beginning and what are you sizes now.

Thanks

reply to olronir:

hi and thanks for your message. i see your numbers are very similar to mine. you started about the same weight as my high weight and your goal is what my goal was, which is 180. unfortunately I had a lot of loose skin and I just got a tummy tuck 2.5 months ago. I got my insurance to pay for a panniculectomy which i had to prove was medically necessary, but the panniculectomy only covers the hanging loose skin from your belly button down that overhangs your waist and basically only in the front of your body, it does not cover anything above the belly button or really any part of your sides/hips. I had to pay out of pocket to get a full tummy tuck which then added in the area above my belly button up to the chest bone, some of the side/hip area and I also got my stomach muscles tightened to create a flatter look. as far as clothes size, before I wore a size 50 pants and a 3xl shirt. now I wear a size 34 pants and a size large shirt. hope this info helps and best of luck to you on your journey.

Thanks for your prompt answer.

Can I have an idea of the cost you have to pay from your pocket for the skin removal procedure ?

^{if I had to pay for the full tummy tuck it would of cost about $14,000. because the insurance paid for the panniculectomy part of the procedure, I only had to pay the difference which was $8500. also remember im in New York City and prices here may be more expensive than other areas. it was the best money ive ever spent! take care.}

Edited August 23, 201411 yr by NY Lou