Hi,

I'm new to the forums and in the starting stages of obtaining a VSG. Just looking to see if there are any other men who were above 400 (or even close to 500) pounds before starting this journey and how life after surgery has been. Did you suffer any complications from surgery due to your size? Did your doctor make you do anything extra or warn you of any possible issues? Did you lose more rapidly than average patients? Did you lose any motivation when you had lost enough weight to lead a fairly "normal" life, even though you might still have a good amount of excess weight?

A little background...I'm 31, 5'10", and honestly can't bear how difficult my weight has made my life. Just this weekend my wife went alone to her sister's engagement dinner at a restaurant due to my fear the chairs wouldn't be supportive enough. (I typically avoid restaurant situations unless there's a booth with a table I can adjust, ideally half booth/half chairs.) I've avoided flying for a couple years, will only attend theatre or sporting events where I can be guaranteed an aisle seat, etc. It seems like in the last 60 or so pounds many social situations involving sitting have escalated from very uncomfortable to more or less unbearable. Healthwise, I have hypertension and am very likely will be diagnosed with sleep apnea once the results of my sleep study last week come in.

Look forward to hearing from any of you have started in similar situations.

You can do it Joe. I think all of us have doubts about the surgery at some point. I'm almost three months post surgery and I'm really glad I made the decision to have it. Good luck!

aggietop

Wow David - so you lost over 200 lbs in just 9 months ? That's incredible - congratulations on your success and way to work hard !!!!

Not sure if anyone can relate to this but I'm (pre-op) having a hard time mentally thinking I will experience these kinds of successes. I don't know how to explain it to my wife but it kind of seems like watching a movie, a story of something happening to other people. At 460 lbs, the thought of some day (relatively soon) being "out of" the 400's or even close to 300 just seems unreal !!!

I'm sounding crazy huh ???

I feel the same way. My BF has only known me as fat - I can't even picture in my head being "normal" sized.

Haven't had the surgery yet. Started at 475 pounds. Down to 412. Hoping to be under 400 for surgery which I estimate will be in 4-6 weeks. I'm really nervous about getting surgery at 400 pounds. I have sleep apnea and borderline high blood pressure. Really nervous about dying.

You aren't alone. At 55 yrs. old, over 450# I'm petrified.

@@sgc Congrats on your significant loss already. I doubt I will be able to lose quite that much (18.5 lbs. so far) before my surgery (date TBD), but I am trying.

I'm more nervous about staying at this weight. Surgery at our size is scary. No doubt. But I'm more terrified of, say, slipping and breaking my ankle and having to recover from that weighing 475 lbs.

Losing weight hasn't been an issue for me. As recently as 2008 I weighed 250 pounds. I'm getting surgery to keep off the weight. I figured I better do it now since I'm only 31 as my risks for surgery will only increase as I get older and more obesity related illnesses develop. I had an echocardiogram done and my heart was fine so that is encouraging. Doing 60 minutes of cardio a day to try to get into the best shape possible for surgery but I will still be pushing 400 pounds when I get surgery. Hoping to be 380. Doctor says I should lose about 15 pounds on the liquid diet and I'm averaging about 3-4 pounds a week on my own.

We have much in common. I'm also 31 and got down to about 245 seven or so years ago. When I graduated from college in 2006, I was around 460.

I started my weight loss at 688. As of this past Saturday I am at 450. I've lost 238lbs in the last 25+ months w/o surgery. I attempted WLS in November 2015, which has to be aborted. Complications with keeping me inflated, and therefore couldn't operate safely. If all goes as planned, I will make my second attempt on 5/31. I'm excited, but nervous for the road ahead. My goal is to get to 250. Last time I was there was late junior high and still going through puberty. I have no reference as to what I may look like as an adult. So I want to get to 250 see how I feel and what I look like and then go from there. Plus with the skin removal procedures which I will need, who knows where my ending weight will be. Dr says conservatively, he expects 45-60 lbs of loose skin.

Keep up the great work guys!!

I started at 437 before pre op diet on the day of my surgery I was 408. Today I'm down to 329 but I don't see any difference in my stomach size. Has anyone else experienced this??

I began the bariatric process last summer. I thought I remembered it being in June, but it was actually the beginning of July 2015. I weighed 478 pounds. On high blood pressure & cholesterol meds. Been suing a CPAP machine for 10 years prior. Had a herniated T-12 disc, spinal stenosis and severe advanced arthritis in both knees.

I had the sleeve surgery in mid October 2015. Surgeon also repaired a large umbilical hernia at the same time (third surgical repair for the same issue). I weighed 422 lbs on the day of my surgery.

Hospital stay was short....released the next day.

Came home and recovered. Slept in a recliner for the first couple weeks. I highly suggest this, too. So easy to get in & out of....and very little stress on the abdomen.

There have been absolutely zero complications from my sleeve surgery. The hernia repair is not doing well, but I was advised to think of it as a temporary repair that would have to be addressed as the abdominal muscles were no longer being pulled outwards by excess fat and gravity. I go back at the one year mark to see where I'm at with the hernia.

I feel good....great on some days. The back is healing on it's own. Arthritis is more tolerable. Blood pressure meds are cut in half. I don't snore near as bad. I used to take 800 mg of Advil twice a day just to get around......now I go through most days without taking any.

I exercise by walking and through some light weight training. I am limited in the movements I can make due to healing back and pending hernia stuff....but I get around the gym and do the stuff that feels good.

I now, for the first time since high school, weigh under 300 lbs. I am closing in on my goal weight and have high confidence that I'll beat it and live at a lighter, more lean weight. I'm very happy with all aspects of the progress and can say without reservation that I would do the sleeve surgery again without a seconds thought.

My surgeon has given me very simple yet effective instructions to follow and as long as I do so.....the scale number keeps getting smaller.

I'm very grateful for this.

My only regret is not doing this sooner. Much sooner.

You are doing the right thing in doing your research and making sure you are getting the best from your surgeon and best nutritional advice upfront. The sleeve is very easy to live with and the weight loss is is going to happen for you.

I have been a high as 691, but I started this particular journey at 607. Currently 372 after 2 years of work. I am 9 months post-op.

Dude way to go man. I'm very proud to hear you moving towards the right path. When I started this process 24 months ago, surgery 17 months ago, I was at 597lbs. So it can be done. You can reach that goal.

I have been a high as 691, but I started this particular journey at 607. Currently 372 after 2 years of work. I am 9 months post-op.

I have been a high as 691, but I started this particular journey at 607. Currently 372 after 2 years of work. I am 9 months post-op.

That's so inspiring. You don't know how "possible" I think success might be for me (in spite of my doubts) when I read this kind of story. THANKS and CONGRATS

@@Sterlind Burke Incredible. Hope you can get the surgery this time.

This is my favorite thread on this site! We need to keep it going! Love the success stories from the Big Guys!

I started out at 456 lbs. before 4 weeks of the liquid (mostly) diet and am getting sleeved this Monday (May 9) at 420 lbs. The pre-opt diet was a bear but had to be done. I look forward to sharing my successes along the way!