I am 11 months post op gastric sleeve. My highest weight ever was reached in June of 2019 and I was horrified to weigh in at 502 lbs! I didn't believe it and requested the doctor to re-weigh me. That was my first wake-up call. I was suffering from very high blood pressure, debilitating back pain/spasms, knee pain and damage, sciatica, and sleep apnea. I started doing keto and got down to 415lbs. During COVID quarantine, I gained back up to about 459lbs.

In July of 2020, I finally decided to take back my life and financed a vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery (out of pocket, since insurance would not cover it).

As of yesterday, I'm down to 275 lbs. I have gone from a 6xl shirt to a 2xl. From size 62 pants, to a size 44. I still struggle to see myself as anything but fat from time to time, but it's the Non-Scale Victories (NSVs) that keep me going! My only regret is not doing this sooner. Sometimes I wish I could go back and re-do certain life experiences without the extreme morbid obesity.

Here's my running list:

- I’m off of all medications (including 2 BP meds).

- No more seat belt extension on airplanes

- Seats with arm rests are no problem.

- Restaurant booths are now no problem

- I can fit in an MRI machine (if needed).

- I can now walk ANYWHERE without debilitating back pain.

- The car steering wheel no longer rubs my stomach.

- I can shop in most “regular” stores for clothes.

- I no longer worry about a seat being able to hold me (those plastic white ones at weddings are even ok now).

- I can use my own step ladder to do things around the house like change a light bulb.

- I can sit with my legs crossed.

- I can now get down on the floor.

- My “love life” has drastically changed/Improved.

- too many to list! Notice there is a lot of use of the word “CAN” here?

All in less than a year. The little black battery operated box on the floor cannot control me any longer! Yea, it’s still important. But weight is no longer the defining characteristic of my life.

Sleeved 7/23/20. HW 502, SW 459, CW 275, GW healthy

Edited June 21, 20215 yr by Chris1345
added info

That's amazing! Congrats. You've lost so much and gained even more! It's terrible that insurance wouldn't cover the procedure since now that you're healthier you will cost them less in the long run, but you have made an investment in yourself, so money well spent!

That's amazing! You should do something to celebrate.

Chris, your story is so inspiring!

That is an amazing and wonderful story

So happy for you!? You are truly inpiring!

Wow. Amazing story.