I was pushing 400 lbs last year, and decided to have bariatric surgery.
I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life (I turn 34 next week). When I was younger, I’d gain and lose 60 pounds at a time like it was nothing. But the last 8 years or so I just kept gaining. This time last year I was 396 pounds (I’m 6’1”).
I made the decision to have surgery last June, but my insurance required me to attend 6 months of nutrition classes before approving the surgery. I ended up having my Gastric Bypass on January 29th.
The surgery went great. No complications, and the pain wasn’t too bad. I was out of the hospital the next day. The toughest part after surgery was just my lack of energy. I was put on a 2 week liquid diet before surgery, and couldn’t start eating solid foods again for another 4 weeks after surgery.
A few weeks after surgery I did end up with pretty bad gout in my foot. (Which is common after gastric bypass because it increases uric acid levels). I literally couldn’t walk for a week, but once my dr got it under control it hasn’t come back.
The weight loss has been incredible. I lost 43 pounds prior to surgery (17 of that was during the two week liquid diet leading up to my surgery) and another 133 lbs since surgery (176 lbs total). Today I weigh 220 lbs, and am just 25 lbs away from hitting my goal.
Weight lost by month:
October - January 15th: 26 lbs
January 15th-29th: 17 lbs
February: 37 lbs
March: 18 lbs
April: 16 lbs
May: 13 lbs
June: 14 lbs
July: 12 lbs
August: 10 lbs
September: 8 lbs
I don’t miss junk food. I actually still eat a lot of my favorite foods. Last night I had 6 cold shrimp with cocktail sauce for dinner. Tonight I’ll probably have steak (4 oz or so). I love sushi, but now I just get sashimi instead (no rice).
My quality of life has improved dramatically. I can do normal things now that I struggled with before, like tying my shoe laces. I no longer have to ask for a seat belt extension when I fly, and don’t have to shop in the big and tall section anymore. I have so much more energy and feel 20 years younger. My back and knee pain are gone. I recently signed up for Orange Theory, which has me doing the most intense workouts of my life.
Like I said before, having the surgery was the best decision I’ve ever made. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life (I turn 34 next week). When I was younger, I’d gain and lose 60 pounds at a time like it was nothing. But the last 8 years or so I just kept gaining. This time last year I was 396 pounds (I’m 6’1”).
I made the decision to have surgery last June, but my insurance required me to attend 6 months of nutrition classes before approving the surgery. I ended up having my Gastric Bypass on January 29th.
The surgery went great. No complications, and the pain wasn’t too bad. I was out of the hospital the next day. The toughest part after surgery was just my lack of energy. I was put on a 2 week liquid diet before surgery, and couldn’t start eating solid foods again for another 4 weeks after surgery.
A few weeks after surgery I did end up with pretty bad gout in my foot. (Which is common after gastric bypass because it increases uric acid levels). I literally couldn’t walk for a week, but once my dr got it under control it hasn’t come back.
The weight loss has been incredible. I lost 43 pounds prior to surgery (17 of that was during the two week liquid diet leading up to my surgery) and another 133 lbs since surgery (176 lbs total). Today I weigh 220 lbs, and am just 25 lbs away from hitting my goal.
Weight lost by month:
October - January 15th: 26 lbs
January 15th-29th: 17 lbs
February: 37 lbs
March: 18 lbs
April: 16 lbs
May: 13 lbs
June: 14 lbs
July: 12 lbs
August: 10 lbs
September: 8 lbs
I don’t miss junk food. I actually still eat a lot of my favorite foods. Last night I had 6 cold shrimp with cocktail sauce for dinner. Tonight I’ll probably have steak (4 oz or so). I love sushi, but now I just get sashimi instead (no rice).
My quality of life has improved dramatically. I can do normal things now that I struggled with before, like tying my shoe laces. I no longer have to ask for a seat belt extension when I fly, and don’t have to shop in the big and tall section anymore. I have so much more energy and feel 20 years younger. My back and knee pain are gone. I recently signed up for Orange Theory, which has me doing the most intense workouts of my life.
Like I said before, having the surgery was the best decision I’ve ever made. My only regret is not doing it sooner.