Surgiversary - Long, bring popcorn
March 2nd, 2010 is the first anniversary of the surgery that changed my life. The folks on ObesityHelp call it a "Surgiversary" and I liken it to a rebirth. March 2nd, 2009 was the day I changed my life forever. I began the fight of my life to combat the obesity that had consumed my life. It defined me and confined me. It hurt me and hurt others. It took away my will to live. I began this fight so I could live longer and have a better quality of life. I had no idea what that meant until it happened.
I started at 448.5 pounds. I was walking with a cane because my back hurt so bad I couldn’t support myself. I couldn’t walk through a WalMart without stopping to sit down frequently. I was seriously considering riding the motorized carts but I could not bring myself to actually try it. My blood chemistry was very bad with cholesterol and sugar numbers through the roof. All I wanted to do was sit in my La-Z-Boy and do nothing while dreaming about doing something rather than sit. I drank nothing but Coca Cola and ate nothing but junk food. I was literally spiraling to my inevitable doom.
Then I went to a seminar and met Dr. Gregory Walton. He showed us the surgical weight loss procedures he performs and how his patients turn out after having them done. There was hope for the first time in my life. On that day I decided to change. This was the toughest decision yet it was the easiest. Tough because I was embarking on a very hard road but easy because I could have life again if I can be successful.
I must be successful.
The hardest part of that first consultation was finding out I had to lose 44 pounds on my own prior to surgery. Lose weight before surgery to lose weight? How in the world can I do this?
1 pound at a time.
I cut out all the carbs and Cokes. I ate only what the dieticians told me to eat. It was the hardest thing I have ever done.
It took 3 months with several visits to various doctors to make certain I was healthy enough to have the surgery. The last weeks of February I got scheduled and it was for real. I was going to do this. I came in that morning having lost 52 pounds. I already felt the changes beginning to happen. I didn’t need the cane and I was up and walking for exercise. I felt better than I ever had. I met the staff at the hospital. They were incredible. I really mean that. There’s no finer place to go for medical treatment. Even better, most have been right where I was that morning: awaiting the biggest change in their entire lives and scared half to death. I knew I was in good hands so I just sat back and let it all happen. Dr. Walton took 85% of my stomach out that day. He left me with enough to survive but I could no longer gorge myself. I now have to be careful about every bit of food that goes into my mouth. I get so little food that everything has to count to keep me alive. No more junk, no more fizzy pop. I am now stuck this way for the rest of my life. To live I have to eat right. When dieting, you can go back to your old ways. This was a lifestyle change and I can never go back. It wasn’t all fun and games, though.
I had a complication.
I hemorrhaged into the area where my stomach used to be. I lost 2 liters of blood but I didn’t comprehend what was happening to me. Luckily my family got my attention and took me back to Dr. Walton. He never found the bleeder but he got me fixed up enough to go home and recover after a few days. By the way, did I mention the nurses at Summit Medical Center are the best? I’ll bet I did but I can’t say it enough. They didn’t just take care of me, they CARED for me. There’s a difference.
The incredible melting man.
It was a rough start but I lost weight quickly. In the year since surgery I have lost another 143 pounds bringing the total to 195 pounds lost. The average man in America weighs 187 pounds. I’ve lost more than the average man weighs. My blood pressure has dropped along with my heart rate. My cholesterol and blood sugar numbers are as near to perfect as any doctor could ask for.
I can exercise now. I currently spend almost an hour on an elliptical trainer every day. I am slowly getting in shape and have started to have aspirations to bigger fitness events. I want to compete in the mini-triathlon. 600 yards swimming, 2 miles running, 8 miles biking. I can do this, I just need to practice. I actually look forward to warmer weather so I can get outside and ride my bicycle or work in the yard. I never enjoyed it before but now I look forward to it.
You mean I can shop anywhere now?
I’ve never had a bigger thrill than being able to shop anywhere I want. I went from 4XL shirts to XL and from 60 inch waist pants to 42. I look good in my clothes and love to shop for them. For years I only wore what I could because nothing fit.
Don’t think there aren’t speed bumps along the way. I stalled for 4 months without losing any weight. In fact, I gained a little back. I constantly battle my demons. They fix your stomach, not your brain. I grapple with it every day.
A year later.
So here I am today thinking about all that’s happened in the past year. I don’t know where I would be without my family. They have supported me so much through all this.
Then of course there’s Dr. Walton. Without him, I would be sitting in my La-Z-Boy watching life pass me by. You give hope and the gift of life to so many who despair so much.
My primary care physician, Dr. Heather Barnes, has been so supportive and never judgmental. Her staff always looks forward to seeing me because I look so different every time I go.
How about my coworkers? They help too and I have inspired others to work toward better health.
The support group at WeightWise has been such a big help. I may not have time to go much anymore but without their help and understanding I might have given up.
These are but the few that have helped me be a success and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
What’s the biggest thing I have learned? Good health is not given. It’s taken. You must stand up and demand it. You must fight for it. You can never stop because the minute you do, bad health will take you and fighting back from it gets harder with every passing year. Don’t let it win.
I’ve done all this my first year. Where will the next year take me?
I started at 448.5 pounds. I was walking with a cane because my back hurt so bad I couldn’t support myself. I couldn’t walk through a WalMart without stopping to sit down frequently. I was seriously considering riding the motorized carts but I could not bring myself to actually try it. My blood chemistry was very bad with cholesterol and sugar numbers through the roof. All I wanted to do was sit in my La-Z-Boy and do nothing while dreaming about doing something rather than sit. I drank nothing but Coca Cola and ate nothing but junk food. I was literally spiraling to my inevitable doom.
Then I went to a seminar and met Dr. Gregory Walton. He showed us the surgical weight loss procedures he performs and how his patients turn out after having them done. There was hope for the first time in my life. On that day I decided to change. This was the toughest decision yet it was the easiest. Tough because I was embarking on a very hard road but easy because I could have life again if I can be successful.
I must be successful.
The hardest part of that first consultation was finding out I had to lose 44 pounds on my own prior to surgery. Lose weight before surgery to lose weight? How in the world can I do this?
1 pound at a time.
I cut out all the carbs and Cokes. I ate only what the dieticians told me to eat. It was the hardest thing I have ever done.
It took 3 months with several visits to various doctors to make certain I was healthy enough to have the surgery. The last weeks of February I got scheduled and it was for real. I was going to do this. I came in that morning having lost 52 pounds. I already felt the changes beginning to happen. I didn’t need the cane and I was up and walking for exercise. I felt better than I ever had. I met the staff at the hospital. They were incredible. I really mean that. There’s no finer place to go for medical treatment. Even better, most have been right where I was that morning: awaiting the biggest change in their entire lives and scared half to death. I knew I was in good hands so I just sat back and let it all happen. Dr. Walton took 85% of my stomach out that day. He left me with enough to survive but I could no longer gorge myself. I now have to be careful about every bit of food that goes into my mouth. I get so little food that everything has to count to keep me alive. No more junk, no more fizzy pop. I am now stuck this way for the rest of my life. To live I have to eat right. When dieting, you can go back to your old ways. This was a lifestyle change and I can never go back. It wasn’t all fun and games, though.
I had a complication.
I hemorrhaged into the area where my stomach used to be. I lost 2 liters of blood but I didn’t comprehend what was happening to me. Luckily my family got my attention and took me back to Dr. Walton. He never found the bleeder but he got me fixed up enough to go home and recover after a few days. By the way, did I mention the nurses at Summit Medical Center are the best? I’ll bet I did but I can’t say it enough. They didn’t just take care of me, they CARED for me. There’s a difference.
The incredible melting man.
It was a rough start but I lost weight quickly. In the year since surgery I have lost another 143 pounds bringing the total to 195 pounds lost. The average man in America weighs 187 pounds. I’ve lost more than the average man weighs. My blood pressure has dropped along with my heart rate. My cholesterol and blood sugar numbers are as near to perfect as any doctor could ask for.
I can exercise now. I currently spend almost an hour on an elliptical trainer every day. I am slowly getting in shape and have started to have aspirations to bigger fitness events. I want to compete in the mini-triathlon. 600 yards swimming, 2 miles running, 8 miles biking. I can do this, I just need to practice. I actually look forward to warmer weather so I can get outside and ride my bicycle or work in the yard. I never enjoyed it before but now I look forward to it.
You mean I can shop anywhere now?
I’ve never had a bigger thrill than being able to shop anywhere I want. I went from 4XL shirts to XL and from 60 inch waist pants to 42. I look good in my clothes and love to shop for them. For years I only wore what I could because nothing fit.
Don’t think there aren’t speed bumps along the way. I stalled for 4 months without losing any weight. In fact, I gained a little back. I constantly battle my demons. They fix your stomach, not your brain. I grapple with it every day.
A year later.
So here I am today thinking about all that’s happened in the past year. I don’t know where I would be without my family. They have supported me so much through all this.
Then of course there’s Dr. Walton. Without him, I would be sitting in my La-Z-Boy watching life pass me by. You give hope and the gift of life to so many who despair so much.
My primary care physician, Dr. Heather Barnes, has been so supportive and never judgmental. Her staff always looks forward to seeing me because I look so different every time I go.
How about my coworkers? They help too and I have inspired others to work toward better health.
The support group at WeightWise has been such a big help. I may not have time to go much anymore but without their help and understanding I might have given up.
These are but the few that have helped me be a success and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
What’s the biggest thing I have learned? Good health is not given. It’s taken. You must stand up and demand it. You must fight for it. You can never stop because the minute you do, bad health will take you and fighting back from it gets harder with every passing year. Don’t let it win.
I’ve done all this my first year. Where will the next year take me?
Jay~
You've had such a wonderful and inspiring 1st year! I know I look forward to following your journey for years to come, as I know you'll be a continued success. Many blessings to you in the future and I know I'll always be here as a support, should you need it, and a friend. Thank you for being there and being supportive of others on the journey :)
~ Renae
You've had such a wonderful and inspiring 1st year! I know I look forward to following your journey for years to come, as I know you'll be a continued success. Many blessings to you in the future and I know I'll always be here as a support, should you need it, and a friend. Thank you for being there and being supportive of others on the journey :)
~ Renae
~*Renae*~ Open RNY 8/3/04 ** (rockmyskinnyjeans on MFP)
Post-op Mommy x 2 (Krysten 12/1/05 & Tyson 10/3/08) 334/303/136/135
Friend me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/airmansxprincess
That is soo awsome!!
Here's to a LIFE TIME of success and inspiration!!
*big hugs*
Here's to a LIFE TIME of success and inspiration!!
*big hugs*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. ~Michael Jordan
My Goals:
1) 200lbs ACCOMPLISHED
3) 170lbs
4) Run 5K
"Unneeded food is not any less wasted in a body that doesnt need it, than it is in the trash." ~Brandilynn
"Those that will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." ~William Penn
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. ~Michael Jordan
My Goals:
1) 200lbs ACCOMPLISHED
3) 170lbs
4) Run 5K
"Unneeded food is not any less wasted in a body that doesnt need it, than it is in the trash." ~Brandilynn
"Those that will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." ~William Penn
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Outstanding! Thank you for sharing your story. Good luck on training for the mini-triathalon. Every day I discover a new perk to losing weight. Don't know that I'll ever look forward to training for a competition, but I am looking forward to a break in the weather. My yard is calling.
5'3/4" 56 years young
Heaviest Weight 250; Consult Weight 232; Surgery Weight 211
Shorter
Are you maintaining? Join us at http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
Heaviest Weight 250; Consult Weight 232; Surgery Weight 211
Shorter
Are you maintaining? Join us at http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
Wow, Winnie!!! It's already been a year and look at you now! Life is good and you're living it to the fullest. God has indeed given you a second birth. I've had the pleasure of watching you melt away. You have been such an inspiration to me and many others. Just think...can your second year out be any better? I think so my friend.
Debbie
Debbie
This is the ride of my life.....what an amazing tool I now have!!!
hey guy!
i know we dont talk much but your such an inspiration! i see your facebook everyday and it reminds me that my butt should be at the gym after work :D
happy surgerversey!! i cant wait for mine in a few weeks!
xoxoxxooxox
i know we dont talk much but your such an inspiration! i see your facebook everyday and it reminds me that my butt should be at the gym after work :D
happy surgerversey!! i cant wait for mine in a few weeks!
xoxoxxooxox
But you don’t
Always
Have to hold your head
Higher than your heart
~jack johnson~
Most Active
Recent Topics
