Why it is all worth it
I'm sure each of you have stories, but I thought I would share mine. Unlike some I haven't had a weight problem all of my life, but starting having one after getting out of college. In college I was a football player who may not have been a lean as I could of been, but I was not overweight. When I no longer worked out three hours a day and walked around a large campus, I started to gain weight. I can't say that I had food issues, but I did start to eat more and more at meals. Anyway, I was at 240 pounds when I got married and when I decided to do this thing I was at 497 pounds. Prior to surgery, it was determined I had a gland problem which was not helping and had to be treated before I could have surgery. March 1, 2004 I got my life back on track.
Last week we went on vacation. The theme part we attended opened at 11:00 am. While usually I go to my gym in the morning, we were staying with family so I got up and walked five miles. We went to the park and walked from 11:00 until 9:00. I rode rollercoasters and other rides. The next day we went to a water park in which I played in the wave pool, rode tube rides and did water slides. We were with a large group of my family (16) and as all the adults were sitting there my wife said this:
Initial consultation: 150.00
Surgery: 23,000.00
Being able to do what you have done for the past two days: Priceless
It is amazing to me how I can be my kids hero just for getting in a pool. Don't get me wrong, we would have gone before, but I would have died just getting from the parking lot to the gate. I would not have ridden any rides and I would not have gotten in the water.
Life has changed so much for me in a mere five months. I have had people not know who I was and I had one guy ask me if I had an older brother that he knew before he realized it was me. Also, this Sunday we attended Mass at the church I attended while living there and going to college. The Priest was the team Chaplin and has seen me grow larger over the years. At one point in the Mass, he made it a point to come talk to me and he told me he was so proud and happy for me and that he had been praying for me.
I know this is a bit long, and I don't really want to pat myself on the back but I really want to encourage those who are questioning or in a slump. Think positive thoughts, workout and follow the pouch rules. WLS will change your life.
WELL SAID KEN!!!!!! 
Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate, as mine is much the same. I told my 14 year old son that by the end of summer I would be running with him for cross country, and.......... I am, with a month to spare, albeit I tire much faster than he and he runs faster than I, but we are running together and that feels so awesome!!!! The whole experience is priceless. Lets live life to the fullest! Janelle
Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate, as mine is much the same. I told my 14 year old son that by the end of summer I would be running with him for cross country, and.......... I am, with a month to spare, albeit I tire much faster than he and he runs faster than I, but we are running together and that feels so awesome!!!! The whole experience is priceless. Lets live life to the fullest! Janelle 
I am just returning from 3 weeks spent camping with my 27 year old daughter in Alaska. We hiked up mountains, trekked across glaciers, and rafted on white water (class V rapids!). We backpacked through forests in the wilderness. There is no way I could have done these things before surgery. I had no energy or strength or stamina. I wouldn't have even fit on the floor of her truck camper where I ended up sleeping! The only thing that I did not attempt was ice climbing on the cliffs of the glacier--trekking was enough for me!
I agree with Ken--this experience was priceless!
(By the way, we saw grizzley bears -- sows with cubs and bear/wolf standoffs, and black bears and watched a humpback whale repeatedly breach the water about 20 feet from our boat. What an awesome experience!)
I ate all wrong, and did not lose like I should have over the 3 weeks time, but I did lose 2 lbs, which, at any other time in my life would have been a gain! I think I put on muscle too with all of the hiking and climbing.
I thank God every day for this surgery and the new life I am given!
Joy
-54 lbs
oh what a feeling! Congratulations! I am so excited for all of us, getting to do things we didn't do, this is the best summer I have had in well years. Everyday I have to say this was the best decision I ever made. Today when I got on the scale and lost -78 lbs wow. I'm not a barbie yet, and maybe never will be, but I am finally feeling so much better.
Hello all! I havn't posted in a while but I read posts every day. I'm down 58 lbs now. I'm losing slow but oh well. I haven't updated my picture yet. I would rather wait until I'm at my goal. I don't know, maybe I'll post one half way. I was so happy the other night. I went out with a friend of mine and a 24 year old guy wa****ting on me!!! HaHa! I couldn't believe it! Men never even looked at me before now more of them do. I like it!!!! Ok well keep doing good everyone! We will get there....
Hugs
Cindy
305/247/137
God Bless us all, and keep us safe n healthy!
I hope all your dreams come true for you! 
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