8 Weeks Post-Op

Hi all, Just wanted to take a minute and give some updates on how great things are going.  The changes in my life over the past 2 months are amazing - and, I'm so excited to continue on my journey back into life!!!!!!!!! I don't have a number (starting at 547, I don't have a scale at home that goes that high), but at my 3 week post op I was down to 479 (25 of that lost pre-op).  I'm thinking i'm probably down 80-90 pounds so far, but the number isn't important to me.   I'm fitting into clothes I haven't worn in YEARS - I can take stairs (Hell, I can WALK without getting winded or sweating!!!!!!!!!!!).   I'm getting around SOOO much easier, and I'm walking without the horrible pain in my joints and back.  The pain isn't gone, but it's much less intenese than before. I also bought a condo.  I went to get pre-approved with my credit union a few weeks ago, thinking that I'd buy something later in the summer or Fall when i was feeling "good enough" - well, I decided to look at a place - then, ended up spending 3 weeks looking at about 25 places.  Up and down stairways - walking all around empty units (no place to sit, and I actually survived it!).   Anyway - bottom line - I decided I was already feeling "good enough" and could handle the packing/moving now, so why wait????    Well - I just wanted to check in - and, let everyone out there thinking about the surgery, that I haven't regretted my decision for a single minute.  I view my surgery as a long-term decision to change my life, and the benefits are better than I ever expected.  I knew life could be better than it was - but, i never would have guessed that the changes would be so dramatic this quickly. I hope everyone else is doing well, and enjoying the journey as much as I am. Chuck

Hey Chuck, It's nice to hear stories like yours. When I was pre-op, I lived for stories like yours for inspiration. And I know, even if they don't post a reply, that there are pre-ops that will read your post and get that same inspiration. For me, I wouldn't change a thing.

Hey Ronnie, I almost didn't post, but I remember how important the positive stories were for me when I was pre-op, and I realized how important it is to share the successes.  It took me over 3 years from the first surgery orientation class, before I had the courage (and, the 18,000 dollars) to have the surgery.  And, I haven't regretted a moment of it. Thanks for confirming my reasons for making the post, and glad things are going so well for you. Chuck

I feel so fortunate, almost guilty, that my surgery process went so smooth. I went to see the doctor in June, and had surgery in August. My insurance just happened to cover both the RNY, and the LapBand. I didn't have to do any kind of pre-op diet, psyche evaluation, have a PCP recommend me, or any of the other crap some others had to go through. However, I did have to do a sleep study, required by ins in order to be covered. I thought this is how it worked. When I started to log into the men's board, and read all the horror stories, I was shocked. It was good that my journey was so smooth because I was very nervous about having weight loss surgery. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I had to jump through a lot of hoops. The way it worked out is I was done with whole thing before I could think too much about it.  I feel better now than I have in over 15 years. People are starting to tell me that I shouldn't lose any more weight. That's still hard for me to understand. Right now I'm 239, down from 351, my ideal weight is 215, so that is my goal. I won't stop or think I'm in the maintenance stage until I reach that weight.  Keep working the tool and you will make it to your goal weight.  You're on your way! Ronnie

Don't you love it when a plan comes together! Congrats and continued success, Chuck. Thanks for sharing. DD

Hi Chuck, What a great story--on all counts. You seem to be in one of those synchronicity places where all sorts of things fall into place. What great wave to ride. Congrats and thanks for keeping us in the loop.

Chuck: I have not posted for a while, but was elated to see your progress and very happy to hear you are doing so well. Keep up the good work Kev-

Hey guys, Thanks for the replies.........   My decision to have surgery has saved my life - literally.   To anyone considering surgery - it is a very personal decision, but I know that I made the right choice for me............... Thanks to everyone for the encouragement along the way........    Chuck

Hey Chuck, Nice to hear your upbeat story. I agree that the decision to have RNY was the right one for me. this in spite of some complications due to strictures. No regrets. I like the way I look and I especially like the way I feel. Doug

Chuck, I am 8 weeks post-op this Tuesday and like you am very excited about my progress.  I was 598 pounds at my initial consult and 559 pounds the day of surgery.  As of this morning I am now at 502 pounds and like you love getting into old clothes that have been too tight for several years.  It is now enjoyable to walk, swim and I just joined a gym - looking forward to the future.  The best $20,000 investment in my life!!  Congrats and keep up the good work!! Geof