LOOKING BACK

Good morning. Ole Dan is feeling a little better today for a change. Get to go and be fitted for new teeth this afternoon. Hopefully that will allow me to chew up my food. If anyone has dentures be aware that after loosing large amounts of weight your mouth gets smaller and your teeth will no longer fit. I found it very interesting that with weight loss almost nothing fits anymore. I have had to buy new socks and shoes the past few months. One week from today will be my one year surgery anniversary. I have been looking back over the past year and have come to the conclusion that surgery was the best thing I have done in my life just for me. I am now weighing 180 lbs less than before surgery. I am walking and no longer have to be scared that I would have a heart attack at any moment. The bottom line is that can now go out in public and no be stared at. My only regret is that I did not do this years ago. I have one recommendation to my younger friends is that they take action to loose the weight while you are still younger. Most of my problems I am having right now are not so much from the WLS procedure but instead it's from my age. I will soon be 64 years old and got the surgery just in time. My surgeon will not do surgery on someone over 62, so I just made it in time. The medical problems I now have are minor compared to the problems before surgery. The two years before surgery were a wake up call. In one year I was in the ICU twice and on one my wife was told I probably would not live thru the night. Now that is scary. When I finally made my decision to have the WLS I felt I had hope. That hope has turned into reality. Mentally I feel 20 years younger and forget sometimes that my life today will not allow me to do the things that you younger guys are able to do. I doubt if I will ever be able to run a marathon, play sports, and types of things that only younger folks can do. I beat this body up for many years and now I have to live with it. Now I am ready to move on into year two and have set realistic goals such as loosing another 75 lbs and getting out and exercise more. Ok, I have vented too much, but hope this might help some of you who a considering WLS. Dan

Dan, Congrats on your upcoming anniversary! I too, am looking at my 1st year on the 29th, so much has changed for us! You are such an inspiration, keep up the great journey! We all wish at times ,if we would have only done it sooner, be glad we just finally agreed to do it at all and be blessed to have all of these WOW's that we have had already! Which I know you are!!!! I am so greatful to have you as a friend and a fellow wls family member, may you keep feeling better and keep up the great journey! Hugz Dawn

Dawn Remember I am a man and do not have WOW's I have FART's. Dan

Hi Dan, It is so good to hear you are feeling better! I know what you mean about age being a factor in our abilities. It is amazing what we CAN do now, though!! Just think, this year you might be able to get Ann out on the dance floor at the St. V's Christmas Party! Last year you were in your wheelchair-woohoo!!! It is such a life changing /altering surgery. I know I think the same thing at times- but "if only's" just get me thinking negatively, so I try not to go there. Like you , I am just so grateful that I was able to get the help I needed at the right time in my life. You are such an inspiration to us all!! Keep up the great work, & you'll be at goal before you know it! (((hugs))) Ellen

Ellen I plan on getting out their and shake my boody this year. Dan

Hi Dan, Congratulations on how far you've come. When looking forward, a year seems like such a long time. But when looking back, it seems to have passed in the "blink of an eye". Look at all you have accomplished in that "blink". I am almost 7 months out now and I'm anxious to see where I will be when I hit that 1 year mark. I read the posts of you "old timers" and get excited every time by how far you have all come. Thanks for being such an inspiration to the rest of us. Cindy

Thanks Cindy Now I can look forward to the next year and move life changing events. I hope to get about another 75 lbs off. It just takes a lot longer at this point in the journey. Dan

Dan, Andy and I are so glad u are feeling better. He asked about you all week. I hope your new choppers will make a huge improvement on your health and your feeling better. I have gone down an entire shoe size already too!!! Ive sure missed your posts... Your kiddo

Hi Kiddo I will try and get on here more now. I have had Dr or Dentist appointments everyday this week. I have my first fitting for the choppers tomorrow afternoon and hopefully have them in within two weeks. I bought the delux ones so hope they are a good fit and I can get use to them. You probably will not recognize me. Ann says my face is so drawn in and my lip is sagging. Hope Andy and you make it to the St V Christmas Party. It is really a great time despite the snow last year. Catch U Later Gater Papa Dan

great for you to say this, ed with all of his problems he had the first of the year says he would do it again in a heart beat.... i have to agree the younger ones having this have so much to look forward to, as a loser.... Glad your feeling better and almost been a year...how time flies....