I was 275 in 2012. I had the sleeve in August 2012. I was down to 200 pounds by December. I have worked hard to keep it off. I am 63 and, as of today, am 190. I have kept it off for 11 years.

The first pic is 2012 before surgery. the next pic is recent.

Thank you so much for sharing. So many people have posted about weight regain, especially with VSG. It is inspiring to hear your testament of long term success. Lifetime vigilance and dedication in embracing a new and healthy relationship with food seems to be the deciding factor. BRAVO!!!

Thanks for posting this. I really needed to see this post and I'm sure a lot of us who are just starting their weight loss journey will feel the same. You look great and I'm sure you feel great too.

This is so encouraging, thank you for posting! I have been researching my options as I'd prefer to go with the sleeve but have over 100 lbs to lose and I have been told that's not possible to do and maintain long term with the sleeve. It really helps to see those who have done it and maintained! Great job putting in all that hard work, you look fantastic! And thank you for your service. ❤️

Oh wow, this is amazing to hear. Do you have any tips as to how you've managed to maintain when so many of us regain??

55 minutes ago, Spinoza said:

Oh wow, this is amazing to hear. Do you have any tips as to how you've managed to maintain when so many of us regain??

Sure. The sleeve is not a miracle cure. It is a restart.

1. I walk 5 miles a day. Every day. I can’t run. I am a disabled veteran with 6 knee surgeries, so I walk.
2. When I start to feel full, I stop eating

3. I maintain, and have maintained, the diet from my surgery. I don’t do carbs and I drink at least 2 protein shakes a day. No cake, no pie, no pizza, no pasta. No cookies, no donuts , no bread. And I don’t miss it. I have been off it for 11 years. I do eat carbs on Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthday. But, because I have been careful, I get full very quickly.

That is amazing! You look great! Thank you for sharing as it gives all of us confidence that we can do this and maintain the weight loss!!! Thank you!

On 8/5/2023 at 11:00 PM, CelticTexan said:

Sure. The sleeve is not a miracle cure. It is a restart.

1. I walk 5 miles a day. Every day. I can’t run. I am a disabled veteran with 6 knee surgeries, so I walk.
2. When I start to feel full, I stop eating

3. I maintain, and have maintained, the diet from my surgery. I don’t do carbs and I drink at least 2 Protein Shakes a day. No cake, no pie, no pizza, no Pasta. No Cookies, no donuts , no bread. And I don’t miss it. I have been off it for 11 years. I do eat carbs on Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthday. But, because I have been careful, I get full very quickly.

Wow! This is inspiring! I had a VSG in 2017 and unfortunately I began to regain in 2021 after giving birth to my first child. I am now post baby number 2 and at 114 lbs regain after losing over 150lbs after surgery.

I am going to follow your advice to go back to basics and the original post op diet. Thank you for sharing your journey. Can I ask do you drink the 2 protein shakes as 2 meal replacements so only eat 1 main no carb meal?

What an inspiration you are. You look great and healthy too. You have a lot more discipline than I do! lol. I am a 80/20 person myself.