A year ago today ... (Long post)

I was laying in my bed at Orange Coast Memorial in CCU after having my gastric bypass, actually feeling good about what was happening.  This was after a 2 1/2+ year long battle with insurance companies, medical groups, and doctors. The morning of July 25, 2006, I weighed in at 538 lbs.  This was after having a 95+ lb panus removed Dr. Eugene Elliot in a surgery on April 17th.   I was in the hospital, preparing for an open RNY surgery with Dr. Peter LePort. Here I am now, a full 350 lbs down from my highest weight, and 238 lbs down from the day of the RNY.  And it's only a year later. It's hard to wrap my head around most times I think of it.  In 16 months, I've went from a 10XL sweat pants / t-shirt to a 46" waist and a 2x T-Shirt.  Well, I can actually wear an XL, but it's a bit tight.  Not uncomfortably so, I just think it's mostly getting over the fat-guy hatred of wearing anything that's a little tight. I've went from only getting out of the house to go to a doctor's appointment or a few blocks up the road to our favorite burger joint with my wife to travelling all over the west coast with my wife.   Our "Burger Joint" was the Red Robin that's about a mile away.  When we went to these things, I had to ride (very uncomfortably) in the back of our POS Dodge Minivan.  I was too big tod rive, and couldn't fit in the front passenger seat, so I was forced to ride in the back, where I could feel my panus resting on the top of my feet. Now we don't go to Red Robin.  There' s just no way to make a healthy choice for dinner.  I miss the ambiance at Red Robin - but not the food.  Red Robin is a very sentimental place for my wife and I - not the food, but the fact we used to go there when we went out. I've went from that, to doing about 98% of the driving for my wife and I.  From having food like Red Robin, or having stuff delivered that just wasn't healthy, to going to restaraunts with my wife that we can make VERY healthy choices, sit outside, be among people, and enjoy ourselves. We've also gotten to where we travel.  In the last year, we've been up to Washington and saw people and friends that I haven't seen in at least four years.  We've been to Tombstone, Arizona, where I discovered that our new car can go entirely too fast if I want it to.  And next week, we're flying to Alaska to see my daughter who, at 7 years old, hasn't seen her Daddy since she was two.  I'm sure that's going to be a very emotional thing.  I simply was unable to fly at 650 lbs. I've went from drinking multiple 2 liter bottles of Diet Pepsi a day to drinking coffee, water, and iced tea.  (Probably in amounts in that order.)   I can walk now.  Two days ago, we actually went to a MALL of all places, and put in our daily walk for exercise.  I was able to go into a regular store in a MALL and buy t-shirts, rather than having to special order them from someplace online that treats thier customers like crap. The differences are amazing.  I see guys walking around, and my wife will point them out to me and say, "See, you're smaller than him!"  I don't see it.  I'm not saying anything bad about those guys at all - I just don't have a realistic view of my size anymore.  I'm still seeing myself in that fun house mirror that is still with me from a lifetime of obesity. I'm about 25-30 lbs from where they want me to maintain my weight, and then they're going to perform the reconstructive surgeries I need to remove exess skin.  That floors me -  a year ago that still seemed so far away, and it's almost here. But most of all, as amazing as the last year has been, and scary as the last year has been with the cellulitis infections I get in my left leg that has lymphedema, and the bacterial meningitis that nearly took my life, there's a simple way to sum all of it up. I have my life back. Even more simply: I'm free. Highest weight:  652 lbs. Weight as of 07/23/2007:  300 lbs Total loss:  -352 lbs.  And counting.

WOW! Congratulations....

DAVE!! You've Done-                                   Seems like just yesterday..... No more meningitis scares from you! You've "Fished your Limit" where complications are concerned. Keep up The Amazing Work! Best Wishes- Dx

yet another amazing story of success. keep up the good work and get to your goal weight. sounds close. i thought once i reached my goal it would be hard to maintain but i'm still losing. i have trouble keeping the weight up! after i got sick for what seemed the tenth time i now have a smaller pouch and can't eat as much not by a long shot. so that's helped. you might be like me and find once you stop losing it's actually easier to maintain. hope so....carbonblob

Dave, Your story is inspiring.  Congratualtions!

Young Dave...You have really worked the tool rock on russ

I am crying tears of joy for you dude!  Way to Go!!!

That a great bio. Congrads on the succes and eduring the bumps. Thanks for sharing your feelings and success with the rest of us. Joe

Dave, A great post!  Congratulations and keep it up.  The good times just keep on coming. Floyd

DAVE, I have to tell you. You truly are an inspiration. I will be having surgery the end of August and I have read many inspiring stories on OH, but I will be honest, Your**** home the most. My fiance and I love to travel but are unable to, due to my weight. I told her, That is about to change. Just reading your story gives me hope. It reminds me that I CAN DO THIS!!!! Thanks you for sharing!! Congratulations! Eric