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July 2015 to March 2016, 112 lbs and 16 inch waist size drop

Santiago Draco

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Santiago Draco    73

Santiago Draco
Posted

Just wanted to post a quick update on my progress.

Aside from feeling like I just became 20 years younger.... I've lost a ton and am still losing. On July 7 of 2015 I was 320 lbs, I'm 208 today. Waist size went from a 56 to a 40 (and 40 is a tad large). To say the least I'm feeling wonderful and life is great.

Overall I've had zero complications. My Diabetes type II is gone completely, blood pressure went from 145/90 to 115/60 ish. Cholesterol is great, feel fantastic and pretty much all the "getting older" body pains have just about disappeared.

The best analogy I can come up with for people is that your body is like a machine. If it's clogged up with gunk (fat) it's going to operate poorly, have low power and break down more often. Keep it well maintained and it will perform properly.

Before the surgery I had trouble riding my bike (and mountain biking was out of the question), walking was painful and simply moving around hurt (and forget getting up and down from the floor without something for support). Now I ride my bike anywhere and sprint on it like a kid (at least it feels so to me!) and no longer need the AC at 68 at night to not sweat and in general I don't sweat at all unless I'm exerting myself.

This is the best thing I've done for myself since I can remember and I highly recommend the sleeve for anyone struggling with obesity. It's a new lease on life.

Cheers.

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peaceout    273

peaceout
Posted

Congrats! It really is amazing how much your life can change over the course of a few months!

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fernandfj    469

fernandfj
Posted

Congrats on the great results and new lease on life! Like you, I marvel at how much things have improved since surgery in July!

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Dub    10,019

Dub
Posted

You have done great !!!

Excellent post!

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DRene    12

DRene
Posted

Dear Santiago Draco, first of all CONGRATULATIONS!! Your story is awesome & inspiring. I have so much weight to lose that's why I'm getting the sleeve done. I have several medical problems. Diabetes is my main one. I take 3 insulins (5 shots daily) plus metformin. I'm also on BP med and pain meds etc. My HOPE is to get my blood sugars under control and get off all these meds. I'm praying for Gods help for this (and for my skin to tighten up too) lol

I'm so anxious to get the surgery over! Did you have any complications

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Santiago Draco    73

Santiago Draco
Posted

Sorry for the late reply DRene. I had no complications, thankfully. It's been an amazingly smooth process from start to now. However I was careful to follow doctors directions and not push beyond eating what was recommended. That said I also advanced to more solid foods fairly quickly.

I drink lots of Water (use a 40oz hydroflask insulated bottle) with Vitamin drink mixes (ecodrink, zipfizz and true orange/lemon/grapefruit/etc) so I am getting plenty of nutrients.

Haven't had any sugar/candy/pasta/bread since I started. It's been easy. I use healthier foods for "snacks" (but not much snacking). Just kept with it and so far it's been completely life changing.

As for complications I can't predict what you will see but hope it is smooth for you.

Good luck!

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Go To Topic Listing Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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