Profile update bmi 49% to 17.5%

Update** 04/03/05 Hello all, I am sorry it has been so long since I have updated my web posting in so long. Since my last update I have lost another 50-60 lbs. I bounce between 192-200lbs now. The standard says I should be 185 lbs, I may get there come this summer; once I get back out on the forest preserve trails on foot and bike. I am looking forward to the great outdoors again. I was doing well for a long time going to the gym and being a good little boy and working out 6 or 7 days a week once it got to cold to be on the trail. But about a month & ½ ago I got sick and tired of the gym and the treadmills, elliptical, and bikes and clamored for the outdoors. So I am in great hopes that I will loose my LAST 10-15 Lbs in the next 2 months!!!!=) When I broke the 200 lbs mark in August 2004 I celebrated by going SKYDIVING and it was the best thing I have ever done!! It was go fun I went again 20 minutes later!!! I have always dreamed of doing it, but was always too fat. Having this surgery has opened so many new doors of life to me that I never thought would be open to me. I do things now that I have never thought I would do in my life. I am in the best shape now, than I have ever been in my life. I still struggle with the everyday issues just like everyone else. I am still battling depression, and making the right food choices and sticking to my ½ cup serving. Some days I win,,,some days I loose. But I can say I am in more control of my life now, and win 6 ½ days out of 7. But my self-confidence is getting better every day. The accolades are overwhelming at first, and the attention you get is UN nerving at first. But as time went on I was enjoying the extra time in the spotlight, and I also used it to help educate people in the surgery I had and my restrictions I have. I also have had many people come to me and ask how and why, and I am more than happy to talk about it... The way I see it is, anything I can do to influence someone to make a life altering change for the better I will. Because if it weren't for all of the people who had the courage before me to post their stories, I don't know if I would have been able to make the leap my self. I have other things motivating me also. For the first time in my life I will be able to test for a Police Officer position and be in a position to actually pass =) and I am getting Married to my beautiful fiancé who has also lost 85 + pounds doing weigh****chers. She has to loose 2 lbs per week to be at her goal weight by our Wedding, and the two of us motivate each other to not give up! So for all of you *****ad this and are thinking of this surgery, I hope my story inspires you to take action and go for it and get a life back that you feel you will never have. My only regret is not doing this 10 years ago!!!!!!! Highest weight 370 lbs BMI of 49% Current weight 197 Lbs BMI of 17.5%

John, welcome back to the boards. And welcome to a fellow patient of Dr JR. He was my surgeon also. Did you get the email last week for the support group? It is this Thursday at WI**** is going to be a good one, they are having an open forum with both the exercise physiologist and the dietician. Email me and I can forward it to you if you did not get it. They have changed the location from the Marriott over to the clinic now. Great job so far keep up the good work. Be looking for the add in the papers, Itasca PD will be probably testing soon. One of our female officers just resigned last week (I have worked there for 25 years). Check into Roselle, Addison, Elk Grove, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates just to name a few departments. They have larger rosters and may need to test more often.

Great job John!! Your story is an inspiration to us all. Keep up the good work. Summer is just around the corner. Can't wait to go hiking and camping. Thats my kind of exercise , too!! Have a great day!! Andrea rny 12/1/2004 284/210/?