The good and the bad

Ok, one year later and what little bad I had or have is so worth it. I had my one year exam yesterday which is also my anniversary. The good: 1. I started out at 499, lost 25 pounds prior to surgery and 216 in one year for a total loss of 241 pounds. 2. My doctor believes that if I wasn't hitting the weights so hard that I would have had a larger weight loss, but both of are happy with the increase in muscle mass. 3. My blood work was nothing but great. My cholesterol has dropped even further from my six month check. My HDL went up 8 points and my LDL dropped 20 and is now at 97 while my HDL is at 46 for a total of 143. Protein, B12, iron etc are all at optimal levels. 4. My blood pressure was 119/61 and my heart rate was 44. He told me that when he asks if people have been working out, he can always tell by the heart rate and mentioned my is now in the level of a condition athlete. 5. While my BMI is still high, he is not concerned as my frame is very large and I'm pretty muscular. The bad: 1. I have a small hernia that will require repair. I have a consult with a PS, and we may see if I can get it repaired at the same time. All and all I left feeling higher then I have in years and feeling so good that I took the steps to change my health. Thanks for all of the support.

Ken: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Friends of mine have gotten a TT with their hernia repair so that is not all bad either.

Congratulations Ken!!! You're an ispiration to us all. Hopefully the hernia will not be a troublesome issue and the TT as a bonus certainly takes away a little of the sting. Best of luck in year 2!!!! Mike

Overall it sounds like you are doing great! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! Kelley 265/132/?? Belt Lipectomy 3/24/05

Ken! Maybe it's time to splurge and post a new picture! It sounds like you're doing great - especially that heart rate! Congratulations on being healthy, that's excellent! I hope everything continues to go well. Jen

Congrats, Ken! What an amazing accomplishment! You must feel (and look) like a million bucks! Stay happy and healthy! Joan

Wow Ken you are doing fantastic. I agree it's time to post a picture we want to see all the mucles that you have been hard at work making. Leslie

WOW! What an incredible weight loss in one year! Congratulations!!! way to go!!! I wish you all the best! Happy anniversary! Elizabeth M

Wow, What a Great Year you have copleted. Did you ever think that you would have accomplished so much so quickly in just one year. It must be a great feeling. My 1 year is in about 2 weeks, and I also feel better than I have in years. So we can all be thankful for this new start to better & healthier living. I know I will live a lot longer than I would have if I had not had this surgury a year ago. Thanks for the update you are an inspiration. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Just incredible Ken! I am with the others though - you need to update your picture! Show us those muscles! Dina