VBGrrrrreeeeaaaaatttttt!!!!! 6 months out

Just want to thank Dr Valin and his staff  for giving me my new life.   December 28th 2007 I met with Debby and the staff for the first time.   Almost 350 lbs and very depressed.   We talked about Lapband and VBG.    I hadn't even heard of VBG before, but for the next 3 days I did a lot of researching reading and fretting.    By the time I met with the Psycho Therapist I was convinced, this was the surgery for me.   No refills, no apparatus to carry around for the rest of my life. 

Well, after I took the test, and met with the Nutritionist, and went back to the Psycho Therapist he asked on a scale of 1-100, how ready are you.   My answer, 100.   I wasn't sure at that time that i meant it, but I figured if I said it, I had better.  

That day I realized, the surgery was a tool, NOT A CURE.  I decided on that day, 7 weeks before surgery, that if I really wanted this, I needed to focus NOW.    I immediately started going to the gym 5 days a week.   At first only a few minutes on the elliptical machine, but soon it was 45 minutes.    I tried to duplicate the food I would be eating after recovering from surgery.    High protein, lots of water, low carb, low sugar.   I was a little hungry, but I was going to make it. 

By the time surgery arrived I had lost over 50 lbs, and was Physically and mentally ready for surgery. 
On February 29th, I checked into the hospital at 290lbs.    At 30 days I was down another 30 (260),   Still exercising and eating right, at 60days I was down 30 more (230).   Still exercising and started running.   At 6 months, TODAY, I weighed in at 197lbs.   I am 42 years old and 6'2" tall.  I am about two Pounds from a BMI under 25.    The other thing about 197, the last time I was there, was in 1979 at age 13.   Yeah, I feel great.   So great that this labor day, I ran the New Haven road race 20k (12.4 miles).    I started running 5 weeks before, and finished a 20k.  

I have a life, for the first time in my life.   Why, because of Dr Valin and his staff and this wonderful tool.   Do I get sick, Yes.  Still once or twice a week.  SO WHAT!!!  Usually something I did wrong, Eat too fast, don't chew.   I get sick, and then I get on with it.   In January 2008 I was 350 lbs, 54 inch waist, 19.5 inch neck, 56 inch Jacket.   Sept 2008, 197lbs, 16 inch neck, 44 inch jacket, and 35 inch waist.  

January will be the Anniversary of my weight loss start.  What am I doing to celebrate?   I'm Going to Disney world!!!!!    To run the 2009 Disney Marathon. 


Thank you Dr & Mrs Valin, for your help and encouragement.   I can not express my gratitude enough.  You have improved the lives of not only me, but my entire family.  

God Bless you and the Entire Valin Staff. 

Ron Heckert

Dear Ron,

I am replying to your post for two reasons.  The first being to congratulate you on your success so far, and second, because it was really disheartening to me to post about my 6 month check-up and have 85 people read it, and have only one person reply to congratulate me.  (Bless you, Jennifer!)

You have a remarkably positive attitude, and have just inspired me to put my book down and to take the dog for a walk. 

Best of luck to you, and your continued success.  P.S. Tell Mickey I said "hi".

Diane, I couldn't help but have a reaction to your comment.  Looks like you have worked really hard and it's paying off.  Keep up the great work!

I live in a neighboring town, Beacon Falls.

Take care,

Maria LaPorta

Diane,
Congratulations to you as well.  Thank you so much for the comments.   I am really grateful to all the well wishers, on the post, and in person.   It has been an incredible year, as I am sure you have seen for yourself :)   You're doing great. 

I'll make sure I tell Mickey.  :)

Have a great day.
Ron

Ron, you are amazing and I'm so proud of you despite not knowing  you.  You are inspiring and positive!  Keep up the great work.  Enjoy your run in Disney.

Maria

Maria,
THanks for the kind words, and god luck in your situation.  I had no idea about the WLS rider?   Is Conn Hospice self insured?   I would think if your weight loss history and Dr's both supported medical necessity, Anthem would approve.   I have anthem, and had no issues.  

Don't know if this will help, but I figured I would give it a try.   When I decided that I was going to have surgery, I tried to psych myself up by following a restricted diet and exercising before surgery.  There was a 3 week delay in approval, and another two weeks due to a family vacation I had planned.   In the 60 days between my decision and the surgery, I lost almost 60 lbs.  

I know it isn't easy, if it were, neither of us would be typing on this board.   Hope I was able to help. 

Hope your insurance comes through. 

Best of luck.
Ron

Just wanted to say congratulations on  your remarkable weightloss! You have done so well. You have done this with the help your wls and your own determination and strength. What a great way to celebrate your first anniversary. I am sure you and your family will have a great time.

Sher

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  Congratulations Ron!!

Life is BEAUTIFUL!

Diane is sooo right....we come here for support...lets support each other!  We need to pat each other on the back...we know how hard we work...we know we have to work with our tool to be successful!

I was told by a good friend who is 5 years out and still at goal..that the day you realize your doctor gave you a tool is the day your success rate increases to the 100% ... use it....live it...LOVE LIFE!


Again, Ron...Congratulations....well done!!!!!!!!!

Hi Ron, I also had VBG with Dr. Valin. I am 8 weeks out and down 51lbs. Your story is very inspiring. I have been working my butt off at the gym and now I'm not losing as fast but hey that's ok I'm losing. I hope to be where you are @ 6 months i know i could do it. I to get sick but only because of my own fault. I'm so glad to hear that you ran the New Haven road Race. That is my goal i want to do that next year. There is a book called My inner journey pick it up its great. But she did the same she went to Disney to run and then she went back a year later for the BIG race and finished it. I cant wait to see that scale under 200 that must be an incredible feeling.
Nicole

Nicole,
If you want to do it, you will.   To be honest, I still get sick, and yes, it is my own fault.   Keep up the gym, the water and the protein.   Don't forget the vitamins.   51lbs in 8 weeks is awesome.   You're losing it, not cutting it off :).   Keep up the good work and the traning.   I found the elyptical machine to be most pleasing when I started.   It takes a while for the legs to get used to running.  But after they do, you will love it.   I am still shooting for Disney in January, all 26.2 miles of it.   I am well on my way, 17.3 this morning.   

Debby told me ot up my carbs and I bounce just under and just over 200lbs now, but Still feel great.   Have to get back to the gym more regularly.   It's tough working full time and trying to get 35 to 40miles of running in a week.  

Anyway, take full advantage of this tool.   It will be the best gift you can give yourself. 

Good luck in training, Ron