It has been just over a year since my life and anatomy changed forever by having a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. At this point in my progress, I can honestly say I do not miss having a complete stomach. There are times, however, that I do miss being able to eat a ton of my favorite food but wow am I glad I can't!
Sure it isn't all sunshine and roses. I have stomach aches and unbearable pain if I eat too much at once or decide I NEED to drink something too close to eating....or my personal favorite (insert eye roll) eating something with too much sugar. It is like a constant reminder that I shouldn't eat it and now I'm being punished for it. It certainly helps put eating consciously into perspective.
Having shed 105 pounds, gone from a size 26/28 to a 12, XXXL to a Med/Large, and I have the ability to run and play with my kids without being in pain or exhausted. All worth the negatives. It is like being given a new lease on life. Yes, cliche, but true.
I always thought I would never want plastic surgery, but now I'm very open to the idea. My surgeon laughed when I told him I would love to look like I had boobs again. This is the one time I regret being unable to get pregnant, at least then I would get some boobs!
At one year post-op I am able to eat just about anything I want to eat and I've tried wine with no negative side effects. All of my labs come back fantastic other than vitamin D-it is always low. Unfortunately not drinking milk has its downfalls. I have orthostatic hypotension and reactive hypoglycemia. I just stand up slowly and carefully and make sure to eat more protein than carbohydrates.
I have a theory for the hypotension. At my larger weight, my body required larger blood vessels and a larger blood supply. Now that I am smaller but still have the larger vessels and blood supply my heart can't decide how hard it has to work to pump that blood. Of course, I'm not a doctor, so I don't know :)
All I know is I am so happy with my decision and hopefully I will enjoy a long and active life!
Sure it isn't all sunshine and roses. I have stomach aches and unbearable pain if I eat too much at once or decide I NEED to drink something too close to eating....or my personal favorite (insert eye roll) eating something with too much sugar. It is like a constant reminder that I shouldn't eat it and now I'm being punished for it. It certainly helps put eating consciously into perspective.
Having shed 105 pounds, gone from a size 26/28 to a 12, XXXL to a Med/Large, and I have the ability to run and play with my kids without being in pain or exhausted. All worth the negatives. It is like being given a new lease on life. Yes, cliche, but true.
I always thought I would never want plastic surgery, but now I'm very open to the idea. My surgeon laughed when I told him I would love to look like I had boobs again. This is the one time I regret being unable to get pregnant, at least then I would get some boobs!
At one year post-op I am able to eat just about anything I want to eat and I've tried wine with no negative side effects. All of my labs come back fantastic other than vitamin D-it is always low. Unfortunately not drinking milk has its downfalls. I have orthostatic hypotension and reactive hypoglycemia. I just stand up slowly and carefully and make sure to eat more protein than carbohydrates.
I have a theory for the hypotension. At my larger weight, my body required larger blood vessels and a larger blood supply. Now that I am smaller but still have the larger vessels and blood supply my heart can't decide how hard it has to work to pump that blood. Of course, I'm not a doctor, so I don't know :)
All I know is I am so happy with my decision and hopefully I will enjoy a long and active life!
