My one year update, the good, the bad and the ugly (Long)

   Hello gentleman, The good - When I started this journey I told myself that I would give it a year and  see what happened.  Well, life happened.  I have met or exceeded most of the  goals I set for myself.  I have ridden on a roller coaster, flied on a plane comfortably  and been able to enjoy physical activity with my wife, family and grandchildren.  I feel healthier then I have during anytime in my life.  I started tracking the amount  of miles I walk.  Since August, 2006 I have logged approximately 900 miles. I do not  take any prescription medication.  I take 2 multivitamins, 2 calcium, 2 vitamin C and  one complex vitamin B daily.  My blood pressure is consistently  106/66.  I am able to  buy clothing in any store I choose.  I ask myself all the time why didn’t I do this sooner?  I guess the time just had to be right.

The bad – there have been financial concerns.  I have probably spent over $5,000 this  last year in medical out of pocket expenses, travel expenses and clothing expenses.  This has truly been an investment in myself.  There have been a few times when the  type or quantity of food I had did not agree with me.  I have been in tears with pain.  I  can honestly say that I haven’t ever been hungry.  I have found it necessary to take  time away from my family to get my walking in.  This has been somewhat selfish, but necessary.  Would I do it again?  Every month, if it would mean I would achieve the  same results.

The ugly.  I knew I would have hanging skin issues and I do.  I figure that there are  very few people that are going to see me naked anyway.  I do not plan on researching  plastic surgery.  I can’t justify the expense.  I have people tell me that I don’t look like  the same person.  I’m not sure how I feel about that.  When I look in the mirror, I just  see me, just like I always have.

One thing that hasn’t changed is that I still have many of the old insecurities that I  always have had.  I had thought that this would be the cure all for me.  I thought that  now I would be the life of the party and want to be more of a social creature.  Much to  my dismay this has not materialized.  I guess it is just one more thing I need to work on.

The future – my ongoing goal now must be to continue on the program and maintain  the results I have already achieved.   I also feel compelled to help others that have  considered the same path.  I enjoy going to support group meetings and answering  other people’s questions and concerns.  This is a road that no one should have to take  alone.

I am grateful for the support of my wife, my family and those that have helped me  through my online support group at obesityhelp.com   I am also forever indebted to  my surgeon and the weight loss surgery program and personnel at Shasta Regional  Medical Center.

 

The statistics –  Starting weight at 1st consult (January 13, 2006):           339  Weight on day of surgery (March 20, 2006):                      300  Goal weight reached on February 24, 2007:                     186  Current weight:                                                                        185  Height:                                                                                       5’8”  Starting BMI:                                                                             51.5  Current BMI:                                                                              28.1

Clothing sizes:  Shirt from a 5X and 6X to medium  Pants from a tight size 46 to loose 34’s  Shoes from 9 very wide to 8 ½ regular  Ring size from 12 to 9 ½

Measurements:  Chest from 60” to 39.5 “  Waist from 55” to 38”  Hips from 51” to 39.5”  Abdomen from 62” to 41”  Upper arm from 17” to 13”  Thigh from 33” to 20”  Neck from 19” to 15”

 Total inches lost 89.5

I used to always sign off my saying life is good.  Now I sign off by stating that  life is great.

I can’t tell what it means to be among “the living”

     Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement.

       Life is indeed GREAT,   Rick

Rick, Thanks for sharing, I am just starting the process and con only hope to be as successfull as you. It is great to hear your possitive comments, I understand that not every day was a joy but overall it was well worth the trip. Brian

good job Rick, we're the same height and I was almost as heavy as you when I started. we're pretty close clothes wise. i got down to a 32" waist and small in shirts but other than that, very close. looks like you took the time to reflect that not all areas of this journey get solved. in the end, it is the same old us on the inside. i still see me staring back in the mirror too. nothing really changed for me mentally or socially in that respect. then again, i've been preoccupied with my back and medication problems. in your case it seems you want to look inside and that's a good starting point. i hope you get the same results on the inside as the outside. it's been a hell of year for you and you achieved your goals. i think the fact that you help others will eventually work out to where that will help you too. sometimes getting lost in others and working to help them mends yourself in some fashion. i always seem to learn something when i stop thinking about myself and help someone else. i guess that's why i come here so much. i was always asking the questions (and still do) in the beginning but now spend more time answering them. it's amazing, the range of question asked here. it gets you thinking which ultimately helps me think more and reflect on my goals as well. keep coming back, your insight is needed and appreciated. good job......Carbonblob

    Carbon Blob,     Thank you for your comments.  You have always been an inspiration to me.  Especially with your openess and candor.   I have a real hard time comparing myself to you though.  I guess I  need to hit the weights.                        Thank again,   Rick 

Excellent recap of the highs and lows of the journey. And succes as a results too.  I guess the mirror still showws you but being social is a lot easier at your current asize than  being a sweaty ball of culture and self degrading jokes.  You look great and I sure enjoy  reading your comments and posts.  I hope you will share more and jump in more often. Joe

Hi Rick, I'd like to let all of the guys know what a great guy you are in person, at our NorCal support group. I am especially impressed with your consistently kind and supportive manner toward me and the other men in our off-line, in-person group and in your posts. Your success is encouraging and inspiring and, I can tell, hard-earned. More so, given the not-so-great feelings of insecurity we all face, etc. You turned on to the forum and I'm forever grateful for that, too. Your stats tell a great story--but only part of it. Your good-naturedness and generosity of spirit tell the rest of it. Happy anniversary, my friend.

   Doug,    Thank you for the kind words.  I'm glad you hopped on this train for his wild ride. it only gets better and better.                  Life is great,  Rick

Awesome Rick! And Only One Year? I’m coming up on year 4 And I’ve got to say- It does keep getting better! Don’t write-off that PS just yet… I resisted it for over a year… I’m at the- “Why didn’t I do this Sooner” Place Now. Skin will keep ‘migrating’ and drawing up for nearly the next 6 months. Reassess it then….. Congratulations on Your success! Keep it Up! Best Wishes- Dx

 

Hey Rick, Congratulations on your success! Pat yourself on the back, you've earned it for sure. This surgery is no easy fix, we are all finding that out in our own way. I am also noticing that it's still just me staring back in the mirror. Everyone else don't seem to agree with that though. Am I smaller? Yep. Am I different? Maybe a little happier, but that's about it.  If it were me, it will be me down the road a bit, then I would at least look into the possibility of PS. In your post it sounds like you've at least thought about it.  I would finish what you started. Take your journey full circle.  Good Luck! Ronnie

Hey Rick, thanks for sharing man.  You do awesome work brother!  Congrats. I can only hope that my numbers can be as good as yours!