One Year VSG Follow Up

[MsLisa71]

Well, my actual one-year is next week but both me and my surgeon will be out of town so I had my visit this week on 5/1/19...6 days early. I have lost 151# from highest and 115# in the last 359 days! He told me I'm doing great, that the weight loss I have achieved is what they would expect to see at a two-year visit. Yay me!! The office also signed me up to share at one of their seminars for people looking into WLS. I'm excited to do that....I love to encourage others about how good this can be!

Sometimes it is hard to express how I feel about all the changes I have been through. My improved health is my greatest accomplishment...no longer on meds for high BP or pre-Diabetes. I feel AMAZING, truly! I take the stairs instead of elevators and park in the far spots and walk to stores. I go on walks just 'because'. I work out. All things that were challenging before...they are now just a part of my new life. I still weigh, measure and track my food. This helps to keep me accountable. I have had an easy recovery...no food intolerances, can drink any kinds of protein drinks, I still take my Bariatric chewable vitamins, my energy is great! The dysmorphia in the beginning is real, but I can now see the changes in the mirror and am not surprised that it is me! I'm not sure how I feel about the extra skin, but for now I wear it as a badge of honor. It reminds me of how far I have come.

I get in 80-90g protein a day from foods most days. I realistically only have 1-2 protein shakes per month. I like eating healthy and when I veer off and taste a little "junk food", I don't feel as good. That's another motivation to stay the course. I have eaten more fruits and veggies in this last year than probably the last several years combined. And I like it! That's where the majority of my carbs in my eating come from; fruits and veggies. I will have the occasional slice of toast...with smashed avocado & parmesan cheese on it...maybe once or twice/month. Yum! I have really adapted a new lifestyle mentality and this works for me. I don't deprive myself of anything, I exercise moderation with foods now and the restriction of my tiny tummy really works well.

This is my before, at highest weight in 2016 and this Easter 2019:
Easter 04-21-2019.JPG

Milestones:
05-01-2019.2.JPG

I'm getting ready to travel to the Netherlands for a dear friends wedding. I will pack protein powders and some high protein snacks to help keep me on track. I'm excited to travel in this new state of health and well-being.

I hope this in some way encourages someone out there. This has been one of the greatest decisions I've made in my life and while it has required more discipline than anything I've done it is incredibly rewarding. My best advice - follow your surgeon's rules, make YOU a priority, and give yourself grace.

God Bless!

[Bellagirl]

Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us newbies. You look fabulous, I can’t wait to be in your shoes by this time next year.

[MsLisa71]

Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us newbies. You look fabulous, I can’t wait to be in your shoes by this time next year.

You're welcome, Bella!! And thank you!!! Best to you on your journey!!

[Dutchie]

Yeah you!
This sounds great and very inspirational.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
Oh, and btw, we do have protein bars in the Netherlands... lol
And nuts and lots of cheese and protein yoghurt and... and....

[sraebaer]

You are AMAZING! So proud of your success. You lost a 151 pound person!

[Sh5]

You are my nominee for Gastric Sleeve poster child.

[MsLisa71]

You are AMAZING! So proud of your success. You lost a 151 pound person!

Thank you! It's funny that at the start of this I didn't even realize I could lose 150....I just knew I needed to lose. Thanks for your encouragement!

[MsLisa71]

Yeah you!
This sounds great and very inspirational.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
Oh, and btw, we do have protein bars in the Netherlands... lol
And nuts and lots of cheese and protein yoghurt and... and....

LOL, I'm sure there's lots of good things in the Netherlands, Dutchie I just have some specific snacks I like so I may as well pack them. These will also be handy to have on the plane. I am excited to come visit your beautiful country...was there a couple years ago and glad to be going back.

[MsLisa71]

You are my nominee for Gastric Sleeve poster child.

Thank you! You are sweet!

[WANAGL]

Congrats LISA!

[Ann2]

Huge congrats and respect to you, Ms. Lisa.

You've done incredibly well with your sleeve.

[MsLisa71]

Huge congrats and respect to you, Ms. Lisa.

You've done incredibly well with your sleeve.

Thanks Ann! I appreciate your support

[MsLisa71]

Congrats LISA!

Thank you Cyndi!

[Christie13]

Lisa!!! You are a bona fide hottie!! Way to go!! You have so much to be proud of. Enjoy your trip to the Netherlands. I lived there for 3 years before moving here 5 years ago. Hopefully the weather won't be too cold. I loved so much about the Netherlands but it was too cold for me. Now I think it would be even worse since I was fat when I lived there.

[MsLisa71]

Lisa!!! You are a bona fide hottie!! Way to go!! You have so much to be proud of. Enjoy your trip to the Netherlands. I lived there for 3 years before moving here 5 years ago. Hopefully the weather won't be too cold. I loved so much about the Netherlands but it was too cold for me. Now I think it would be even worse since I was fat when I lived there.

LOL, thanks, Christie! You're sweet! I visited the Netherlands back in 2017...but had an extra 100# so I do fear I'm going to be cold. Their weather is actually pretty similar to where I live, here in the Pacific NW but wouldn't you know its going to be sunny and up to 80 all next week here. Holland will be cloudy/rainy and top out in the mid-50's. Oh well, layers for me! It will be a great trip.