8 months post-op -- 1 pound to goal!

[Ann2]

For newbies who want to know how the VSG process goes, here is a quick summary of my VSG experience.

Pre-op

June 3, 2014 - 235.6 pounds (highest ever)
I couldn't wait to get started and began my own pre-op diet. I lost 11.6 pounds.

August 4, 2014 - 224.0
I started my surgeon's official pre-op diet and lost 8 pounds.

August 18, 2014 - Surgery Day - 216.0 pounds

Post-Op
Month 1 - 205.6 (lost 10.6 pounds)
Month 2 - 193.8 (lost 11.8 pounds)
Month 3 - 184.6 (lost 9.2 pounds)
Month 4 - 174.2 (lost 10.4 pounds)
Month 5 - 167.4 (lost 6.8 pounds)
Month 6 - 162.4 (lost 5.0 pounds)
Month 7 - 156.2 (lost 6.2 pounds)
Month 8 - 151.8 (lost 4.4 pounds)

I'm confident I'll reach my goal (150 pounds) during Month 9.

For those who want to know what my protein grams / daily calories were during this time, below are the daily guidelines I followed. Yes, there were days when my consumption was above or below these guidelines, but my daily averages were quite close to these guidelines:

Pre-op (my own diet) - 1,400 calories; 60 grams of protein
Surgeon's pre-op - 800 calories; 75 grams of protein
Month 1 - 500 calories; 60 grams of protein
Months 2-4 - 800 calories; 60-70 grams of protein
Months 5-6 - 1,000 calories; 75-80 grams of protein
Months 7-8 - 1,200 calories; 90-100 grams of protein

In Month 9 I'll continue with 1,200 calories and 90-100 grams of protein.

Needless to say, I stay hydrated, take my vitamins / minerals daily, and move a lot more than I used to (walking, elliptical, yoga, strength training).

This program has worked beautifully for me. I've been on this board for 18 months and read thousands of posters' comments. Although some people modify their own programs, the program described above is pretty common for those here who've had great success.

For those who think you're losing too slowly, please note above that I did not lose 20-30 pounds a month! As the saying goes, this is a marathon, not a sprint. In fact, there is no finish line. I'll soon be working on maintenance and expect it'll present different challenges. My nutritionist and my exercise consultant are confident that at my current level of exercise I can eat 1,600 - 1,700 calories/day and maintain my weight.

I've never thought that the sleeve would solve all my overweight / eating problems. Other tools I've used include (1) seeing a shrink monthly (who understands overweight / obesity / bariatric surgery issues), (2) planning and tracking my food intake in www.myfitnesspal.com, (3) wearing a Fitbit 24/7, (4) inviting the support of my husband, and (5) staying on the down low about WLS surgery to others in my life (to avoid weird feedback from those uneducated about WLS).

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[Mich-D]

Nicely done Ann!

[Joe Poppa]

Congratulations Ann!

I am very happy for you. You are an inspiration to many, including myself, and deserve all the happiness your weight loss has brought.

[Sleeveroo]

Great results, great advice. Thanks!!!!

[PITSTOP]

As always Ann, thanks for the post and guidelines. Im 3 months out and still learn something new everyday. Congrats on coming up on your goal weight and your success to date. So motivational for me and otheres here. Please keep us posted on your "maintenance" phase and let us know how that goes? Any tips/suggestions are always appreciated! YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!

[JAG322]

Ann,
You're the best! thanks for giving support, advice and faith!
Love yah!!!!!!

[Katrina]

Ann2, do you intend to immediately up your calories to maintenance level once you get that last pound off, or are you going to continue to see where your sleeve will take you? I'm three pounds away from my personal goal, and 14 away from the goal of that damned weight tracking app. Admittedly, I don't do anything ie. track my food, calories, carbs, etc., so I am just taking it as it comes. I like the mystery of wondering where it will bottom out. If I don't lose another pound, I'm ok with that, too.
Congratulations on all your success. I know you're happy, and we're all happy for you.

[Terps]

Ann, your story is a thing of beauty...which makes sense because your true beauty just radiates with all youndo for people on these boards. Congratulations!!!

[Melyssa]

This post was amazingly helpful to me right now.
.thank you for breaking it down like this for us newbies. And congrats to being so close to goal...so inspiring!

[cathbas]

fabulous post and even more fabulous victory!! thanks so much!!

[SomeGuyJeff]

congrats - and from a pre-op newbie thanks for sticking around. to me it is important to hear long-term feedback and not just those from the viewpoint of "i had surgery yesterday and feel great".

i think that gives a more well rounded view of what to expect.

[Jmichelle]

Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing your story! Your honesty, experience and insight are a blessing to those of us that are just out of the gate. Congratulations!

[LORAW]

Fantastic!! Way to go Ann. You are a Rock Star.

[Philabethie2016]

Way to go! And thank you for posting such a fabulously helpful breakdown for us!

[Midas]

Wonderful job, Ann!!

I'm wondering if you can give us an idea of what foods you typically consume? Thanks in advance.