I've been wanting to write for a while but honestly, couldn't find the words. I'm down 125 pounds since my surgery on August 11, 2015. I feel wonderful. I am a better mom and wife and just a happier person. My body no longer aches and I no longer feel like I'm living in someone else's body. I am much more active and am preparing to run my first 5K this weekend with a 10k to follow in the fall.
I cannot thank the whole team enough for this new life! The work you guys do is really life changing and I hope that everyone knows how much you have improved my life. I've never had better care in my life than the care I received with you. Your surgeon is by far one of the best, most caring doctors I've ever had and I cannot thank him enough.
Brenda
I am currently down 90 lbs and very pleased with those results. I am exercising daily and the weight loss achieved has enabled that activity greatly compared to pre-op conditions. By June 2015, my Endocrinologist took me off insulin and cut my dosage of Metformin down to 1/5 that of my pre-op dosage, and now (June 2016) has reduced/eliminated these again.
Other than feeling full faster now, I have no complications whatsoever. I also have no difficulty with any foods. I did in the first 3 months but that is gone completely now. I am completely cognizant now that Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery is only a minor tool in achieving weight loss goals long term.
My ‘Top Two Triumphs” (as I call them!) are:
- I no longer avoid long walks to a desired activity I wish to attend,
- I no longer fear summertime. The resultant constant sweating I would endure during hot weather was extremely embarrassing. I was a prisoner locked away in air conditioned rooms for way too many summers than I care to admit.
Brad
I want to thank everyone at SmartShape for their kindness and compassion.
Janet
I hit my goal weight and feel great, working on maintaining the weight loss now. You were asking about the differences - overall I feel healthy, energetic and like how I look. 109 lbs gone. I have not been this weight since 1985!
Heather
I went for my adjustment yesterday. It was interesting. I am not a fan of needles but I will get used to it. I did go out afterwards to treat myself and bought a new outfit. Before Christmas, I had to get a pair of jeans and was crushed when I had to buy a size 22, and all my shirts were 2XL. Yesterday the jeans I bought were a loose-fitting size 16 (I should have bought size 14) and the shirt was a Large (not XL or 2XL). It felt great. Thank you for all your support.
Anonymous
Update-August 2016: I am now in a 12 or 14, depending on the store. I have lost 58 lbs.
Thanks to everyone who helped me today –Kim, I want to thank you and Rita for answering the many questions I have had over the past couple of weeks. A big thank you to nurse Tina and the other nurses, pre- and post-op (shout out to nurse Francine, she was very kind and patient with me while juggling 2 other patients in recovery), the anesthesiologist (I don’t remember his name – nice fellow with good hair lol) and of course the surgeon for his reassurance throughout the day.
Thanks again,
M.P.
Good experience with caring surgical staff.
It is rare in today's fast-paced materialistic world to find somebody like your Surgeon personally, and his entire staff at SmartShape, to be so caring and dedicated as they are. Simply pleasantly surprising! I am pretty sure he is one of those 'one in a million' and I am lucky to be his patient.
Sincerely, Paul
Yes, it’s been a year. I can say that I’m not the same person I was a year ago. I’ve lost 70 pounds and that has been the total since October. So I’ve been at the same weight for a few months, but I’m not discouraged. I haven’t lost much since then but on the plus side, I haven’t gained it back. I just had my first adjustment last week and I’ve found that my level of satiety has increased between meals.
Overall, I’m so much happier. I will lose more weight, that I’m sure of, but the confidence I have, even at 242 lbs, is amazing. I’m no male model, but try telling my brain that. The biggest weight I lost is the heavy burden of feeling judged every time I walked into a room of strangers or co-workers. Now, I no longer care and it’s great! But I also lost my worst critic: myself.
I will be moving this summer to the Fredericton area. I’ve been promoted, but I’ll keep in touch. Thank you all. I still think about how amazing my experience was on my surgery day. You put me at ease when I was freaking out a little inside. And the care I received pre- and post-op was superb.
Take care,
Claude
It is apparent that the many professionals at SmartShape work together as a team. I very much appreciated the help from Kim as I waded through websites and books trying to decide what to do. The Surgeon was very forthright in my initial meeting and was easily able to address my concerns. I felt accepted as a patient and a person. I did not feel rushed. Everyone at SmartShape that I have met or spoken to so far has been grand. I appreciated the follow-up calls from the nurses and the dietitian on Day 3. Thanks to everyone.
Jenny
