One Year Pics, Profile and Thanks!

Hi All, Last year at this time I was getting ready to go the hospital for my RNY. Throat was dry (no water since midnight), insides were empty (no comment), I was Hibecleansed and antsy. Then the surgery prior to mine took longer than expected so I finally went under the knife a couple of hours late. That was harder on my wife than on me. But at last I was out and under. When I came to, the first words out of my dry mouth were an exuberant, "I did it!" (Well, as exuberant as a drugged, loggy brain and bod can muster.) I have been extremely fortunate regarding WLS--no pain meds after the first day, no bad dumping episodes, no foamies. I'm a coward and have not gone near dangerous stuff in a year and have no desire to. I have finally posted a profile and some pics. I can't begin to tell you how much encouragement and inspiration I've gotten from reading your profiles and looking at your photos. Before I found this site I'd have never guessed how much something like this Men's Forum can mean, so I'm overdue to contribute my own pics and profile. (I've also tried to update my avatar, but can't tell if the new one will take. When I preview my profile, the old and new show up.) It's been a great year. I've lost about 127 lbs and 18 inches off of my waist. There's still 30 or so lbs to go, but however long it takes, right now is good, very good, and you guys have made a great year even better than great. Thanks, brothers. And to newbies and maybes and lurkers: Join us. You'll be so very glad you did.

Doug, Congratulations on your first year.  You've done a fantastic job and the pics look great.  You are a real inspiration to many.  Those last 30 pounds will be gone in no time.  Good luck. Floyd

Good times Doug! Congrats on a splendid first year out!

Thanks Dan. I hope I look as happy in my pics as you do in yours.

Hi Floyd, Thanks for the hello and for welcoming me the first time I posted. I just showed my wife your photos and she is amazed at how you (and your wife) have transformed yourselves.

Floyd, Oops--I posted my reply to you via the wrong link. It's below in the thread. Guess WLS doesn't sharpen up the old brain, eh?

Floyd, I keep trying to place a thanks to you right after your post to me. Here's another attempt. The actual thanks (and other attempt) are somewhere in this gosh*@#*& thread that won't behave! Let's see where this one ends up!

Your Workout Photo cracked me up!           Way to Go Doug! Awesome just how much life can change in a year!! (and we are a fun bunch aren’t we?!?!  Patting selves on back...)

Keep it Up! Best Wishes- Dx

Hey Dx, Great little smiley animations! I get a kick out of them. Glad you liked my workout photo. I guess the time in the photoshop . . . er . . . I mean gym . . . is paying off.

Doug,

I am so proud of you. You have had an amazing transformation both physcially and in every other aspect of your life. You have been an inspiration to others and I am so glad you have listed your story for others to learn from. You are a happier and more complete man.

I am honored to consider you a friend.

Thank your for your positive influence and sense of humor you have brought to this board. It wouldn't be the same without you.

Life is great, Rick