My weight loss surgery story actually started back in early 2019, but I chickened out before my first appointment because I was worried that I would have postop complications and the cost would go beyond the base rate. I gave up on the idea of weight loss surgery at that time, and decided that I would do it on my own. I think everybody here knows how well that went.
At the end of the year I found out my husband‘s job would be ending, and we took that as an opportunity to try to find a job where he would have insurance that I could go on that would cover weight loss surgery. He got a job that covered it, and I joined his insurance plan, and within the month I was set up with my first appointment.

my first appointment ended up being converted to telemedicine because of Covid, but that actually worked out great for me because my doctors office is two hours away. We had a six month waiting period, and for the first two months I will be honest I was working from home in quarantine, and I made absolutely no effort to lose weight and I did not make any progress. My third appointment was going to an in person appointment and the Bariatric class, and I was terrified that I would be up in weight and be disqualified. So for 2 weeks prior to that I went on a low carb low calorie diet. And I don’t know if it was me telling myself it was temporary or the realization that the surgery was coming helped, but I just kept extending and extending the date on my low carb diet. I ended up losing 48 lbs before the liquid diet which was greatly needed because I started at 339, and my surgery weight was 282. I’m 5’10 and my goal weight is 165.

The liquid diet was no big deal, maybe because my diet was already very low calorie. I think I ended up losing about 8 pounds or so on it. It was a full liquid diet, and I did not vary from the diet at all. I want this to be the part of my life where I’m not constantly having a “little extra” or “just this bite” and I figured it would be a good test of willpower.

surgery was a bit rough. I was in a fair amount of pain when I woke up, and I felt very nauseous. I could definitely feel my stomach, and it did not feel good. I wasn’t able to keep any water down, and the pain meds made me very sick. I ended up throwing up the small amount of water I’d drank snd the pain meds up all over myself the first night. But the next day was a tiny bit better, and it got better every day until day 4 I felt great. I ended up being able to drink water totally fine, no problem with protein or anything.

I think my surgeon is a bit old school because I have a 4 week post op liquid diet too. No mush or purée stage here. I’m currently finishing up week 2 of the post op liquid diet, and like the preop diet I’m not going to cheat or go off plan. It was a long road to get here and I am going to do everything in my power to make this work.

So far I am down about 10 lbs post surgery, so I don’t think I’m going to get the dramatic 30 lbs weight loss in the first month or anything but that’s fine. I’m down close to 70 lbs from my high weight, and it feels great. I’ll try to follow up every month or so with progress.

HW:339

SW: 282

CW:271

GW: 165

Me at 192

17 hours ago, blackcatsandbaddecisions said:

Me at 192

Congratulations!! You look amazing!!

9 months in- my sleeve is officially a full term baby! Weighing in today at 184.6, total weight loss of 154.4 lbs. I lost 8.2 lbs last month, which doesn’t seem like a lot but as I get closer to my goal weight it keeps getting more and more difficult to shed those last pounds! I have less than 20 lbs to go to get to 165.

Work has been difficult as we move into another Covid surge, and as my mother’s health is rapidly declining- this may be the first time in my life that I’m not handling stress with overeating. I am still moving forward with losing weight- goal or bust!

At this point it is so obvious how to derail a surgery- I can eat pretty much anything. I know I wouldn’t still be losing weight if I was just relying on my surgery for portion control. If you get this surgery you have to take a look at what you are eating and be realistic if it’s only portions that’s causing your weight or if it’s the food too. The surgery helps so much but past the first few months it won’t carry you anymore. You have to be making the right choices.

This next month I’m super excited to get into the 170s! It would be awesome if I could reach 175 but anywhere in that range is fine.

Month ten- 178.6. I’ve lost 160.4 lbs total. Soon I could weigh less than I’ve lost, which would be a cool milestone.

This month I went on vacation which did get me off my more regimented eating plan. It was amazing to be able to hike all day and then swim with my kids in the evening and have energy and endurance for it all. I did get a beer at the breweries we visited, which was nice to be able to do. I still haven’t found any food that I can’t tolerate, although higher fat foods tend to sit like a brick in my stomach- not that it hurts, just a super heavy and full feeling that lasts for hours.

This next month I would love to get down to 170. I’m within sight of my goal weight of 165, and I’m only a few pounds away from not being overweight. I know from past experience the 170s are a set point for me so I’m going to have to work hard if I want to get below this. Im starting to think that I might want to aim lower than 165, but that’s a problem for another month.

Me at 178.6

Month 11, 172.4 as of this morning. I feel like my body is slamming the brakes on weight loss, but I’m still going down so I’ll get there eventually!

This month I increased my running speed and distance, and I’m getting some body weight work outs into my routine. I am also back firmly into a size 12 pants, which was my “dream size” from that brief moment so long ago when I got back down to a healthy weight. I’m pretty tall for a woman so I’m not sure that single digit sizes are even a possibility for me, so I’m very happy with this size.

I am also NOT OVERWEIGHT!! I have actually reached a healthy weight for my height! I realize a lot of people who are close to 50 bmi like I was will never get here and I’m so grateful that I have.

Next month goals- get into the 160s, increase my daily running distance, and celebrate my one year sleeve-a-versary!

7 hours ago, blackcatsandbaddecisions said:

Month 11, 172.4 as of this morning. I feel like my body is slamming the brakes on weight loss, but I’m still going down so I’ll get there eventually!

This month I increased my running speed and distance, and I’m getting some body weight work outs into my routine. I am also back firmly into a size 12 pants, which was my “dream size” from that brief moment so long ago when I got back down to a healthy weight. I’m pretty tall for a woman so I’m not sure that single digit sizes are even a possibility for me, so I’m very happy with this size.

I am also NOT OVERWEIGHT!! I have actually reached a healthy weight for my height! I realize a lot of people who are close to 50 bmi like I was will never get here and I’m so grateful that I have.

Next month goals- get into the 160s, increase my daily running distance, and Celebrate my one year sleeve-a-versary!

Congratulations on all your achievements so far!! Losing 166lbs is incredible! ?

Fantastic! You look great and you're a huge inspiration to those of us still earlier in our journeys.

Alright today is the day- one year ago today I was sleeved! It has been an incredible year. I weigh less than I’ve lost now. I am a normal weight, I run and row every day, I am not embarrassed of my pictures anymore. I have zero regrets about this surgery. It has literally changed the course of my life, and I’m happier than I ever thought I’d be.

On 11/10/2021 at 7:46 PM, blackcatsandbaddecisions said:

Alright today is the day- one year ago today I was sleeved! It has been an incredible year. I weigh less than I’ve lost now. I am a normal weight, I run and row every day, I am not embarrassed of my pictures anymore. I have zero regrets about this surgery. It has literally changed the course of my life, and I’m happier than I ever thought I’d be.

Such a wonderful journey you have been on! Thank you for sharing your progress with us in the monthly manner you did, it really helps us to see what is possible. I love that you got into exercise right away, I know that has made a huge impact on your current body composition and overall health, BRAVO!

Not only is this a great celebration for you but it is encouragement for the rest of us. Congratulations and thank you!

Hey felt like checking in because I am now 1 year 3 months past surgery, and I weighed exactly 165 this morning, still at my goal weight. Maintenance has been going really well, still considering another 15 lbs but I’m also happy at this weight.

Still loving life as a “normal weight” person.

33 minutes ago, blackcatsandbaddecisions said:

Hey felt like checking in because I am now 1 year 3 months past surgery, and I weighed exactly 165 this morning, still at my goal weight. Maintenance has been going really well, still considering another 15 lbs but I’m also happy at this weight.

Still loving life as a “normal weight” person.

Amazing! So good to hear you're happy at your weight. I'd really hold on to that feeling ... pushing down below a defensible weight could set the whole hunger-->overeating cycle in motion again. I mean, it may not, but just saying. There's so much value in being happy with a weight

Thought I’d check in…a bit over two years out and I’m consistently holding at 155. Part of the additional loss is I had five pounds of skin removed, with a full fleur de lis tummy tuck, arm lift and breast lift in late August. I’m fully recovered and rand a 5k this weekend with my best time yet.
So two years later, still the best decision I ever made. Being a thin person was a dream to me that I actually get to live…it’s amazing.

Let’s see if this pic will upload… me waiting to run this last weekend.