102 lbs. and counting

Hello Brothers, This morning, I attended the monthly follow-up meeting held by the Bariatric Dept. of the Health Care Facility where my surgery was done.  I attended my first pre-op class 3/13/06 and weighed 347lbs.  I had surgery 10/09/06 and weighed 306lbs.  Today I weighed in at 244.9, a loss of 102 lbs. Life is very different from 11 months ago.  I take the stairs vs the elevator often because I want to. Instead of sitting in my car eating way too much food for lunch and reading the paper, I bike for about 40 minutes (uless it's raining).  Last Sunday, I biked almost 20 miles in a little over 2 hours.  I only stopped because I thought the wife would be worrying about me.  I felt like I could have done the whole route all over again! People see me and don't recognize me.  Some recognize me and look astonished. I love wearing my old 'thin' clothes and I really love shopping for new clothes.  (The Mens Store at JC Penney has a new loyal customer!)  Goodbye Casual Male XL! I still have a long way to go to get to goal...at 5'10"", getting under 200lbs is my goal...but I'm very happy with the way things are going. I can't tell you guys how much this board has meant to me and how much a part of the journey it is for me. Thank you to each and every one of you who takes the time to share your story and your experience.  We all benefit from it. Best of Luck, Brothers! Dennis

That is a huge difference Dennis.  20 miles is amazing.  I'm really happy for you bud.

Thanks, Scott, The only reason I know how far it was is that I was so amazed I could pedal that long, when I stopped, I got in the car and drove it!  Then I estimated the miles spent on the trails not accessible by car.  When the odometer kept turning over mile after mile, I kept thinking...............no way I would have ever done this without WLS.

Congratulations Dennis!!! Seems like ‘Just yesterday………" Keep it Up!!! Amazing!!! Best Wishes- Dx

Hey Dennis, Our starting points were very similar. My doctor didn't require any pre-op diet. The day before surgery I was required to go on clear liquids after noon. That's it. So I went into the hospital at 347 lbs. and left at 351 lbs. Today I'm sitting at 251 lbs. and feel that my dreams have already came true. I'm a little taller at 6'3". My goal is 220. Although my ideal weight is supposed to be 190, I feel that would be too thin. My wife thinks I'm too skinny now. I wear an XL shirt, a L would fit but I like my shirts a little loose. I wear size 36W32L pants. I went into high school wearing size 38 pants just to give you some insight. I just can't believe I'm this small. I look at my pants before putting them on not believing they will fit, but they do. It is crazy. Skinny body, fat mind I guess. Hopefully time will heal this thick head of mine.  Best of Luck to you,

Wow, what a great experience Dennis.  You and I started at around the same place.  I started at 352 so you are a nice barometer for me.  Thanks for sharing.  I have been doing a lot of swimming lately due to some torn tendons in my feet.  I did the elliptical  the other day with the heart rate monitor.  Going as fast as I could go with my foot (which is faster than what I was doing the last time I was on the elliptical), I couldn't get my heart rate above 79.   I was somewhat shocked at that.   Congrats on the great progress, Dennis!!!

I agree Brother and thanks everybody for sharing. Dennis you are doing great 20 miles is a long way. I keep saying that I am going to start riding my bike again. May be now I will.

Congratulations Dennis... great job!!! Steve