One Year!

I just love reading all of these post when others celebrate "the surgery".  Finally my day has arrived.   My writing skills have deteriorated from lack of use but I will try to put into words what I a am feeling. First I wlll start with the basics.  I started at 384 and as of last Sunday's weekly weigh in I weigh 198.  I went from tight 3x or 4x shirts and tight 54 pants to loose Xl or L shirts and loose 36 can wear 34s pants.  Thing I never thought about I also have went from 11 wide shoes to loose 10 regulars.  B/p is now good and no meds needed.  No surgery related problems. While those things are great and wonderful, one of the major reasons I had this surgery was to help with my back issues.   While these have not resolved and I think may never, I am able to do more now than I ever was at 384.  I am very jealous of those that run Marathons, work out like deamons, or have discovered lost abilities from youth.  But i count my blessing with what i call my good days.  Days when I can go on the floor and play with my kids or take my kids sled riding or have sex with my wife and not be crippled the next day.  I was hoping today would be a "good day" but needless to say buying and bringing home a new water heater the other day has changed that plan. (back is all spasmed up) My food issues have not been nearly as severe as I thought they would be.  I do not miss eating like I thought i would and I have adapted to eating like one should.  (McDs is losing alot of money in the last year)  My wife has been a wonderful support system, she has changed they way we eat and buys only good food.  She also has lost 6olbs and has been excercising like crazy.  Once in awhile when I walk to the store for the paper I do eye up the doughnut case.  But it is not difficult to pass them by. I have found great info on this website and also some fine entertainment.  I look forward to checking everyday and seeing how all of the people are doing and what new issue has come up with someone.  It is the only place a guy can go to find the straight poop on poop. This year I am looking forward to being able to maintain my weight, getting some kind of solution for my back problem, getting off pain meds and getting back to work. Jim D

Jim, First off, let me say I am sorry that you are still having some problems with your back.  I truly hope that gets resolved soon.  But I must say your story is very uplifting and inspiring to someone like me who is about 4 months out.  You show us what we can expect and what goals to shoot for in our lives.  I think it is just terrific also that your wife has lost weight right along with you.  Now that truly is support.  And on top of improving your own life you have set an example for your entire family so they can have healthy lives also.  I hope when my one year comes up I will be able to have such a story to tell as you do.  Congratulations!!!!!!!!  you have done a wonderful job. 

Congratulations, Jim. That is awesome. I also started at 384, but haven't had the nerve to set a goal as low as 198. Way to go. Joe

congrats jim,

you know my back story too. i'm off the narcotics and have been for quite some time. i'm cycling through different non narcotic meds to help me out. none really work like opiates but i can't go back there. i do have an intereferentail device so you might want to look into that. it's not a TENS unit. email me if you want more info. i've tried everything and just ended up an addict. surgeries and everything else didn't work for me either. i would suggest you really try to get off the opiates if possible. there's some great drugs to help you withdrawl. it saved me big time and i still take them. it's a process but at least i'm drug free.

getting back to you, i had pretty much the same experience as you in the food and weight department. it works if you stay the course as it were. so good job and let me know if you need more info on the back thing. sure hope you don't have to live your life on those drugs. they nearly ruined me........carbonblob

Congratulations!  Your surgery has changed your quality of life even if it hasn't changed all aspects of your life.  Remember that many disabilities or conditions are not related to weight, i.e., there are a lot of thin people with back problems.  You are probably thin enough to do stretching exercises that you couldn't do when you were morbidly obese.  You may want to see if you medical insurance will pay for any physical therapy now that you are able to do it. When I had my RNY, I just got physical therapy showing me how to get out of bed and how to stand up without putting further strain on my body.  I couldn't do any other therapy even if I wanted to.   Your doctor may now feel that you can benefit from some special exercises or therapy and it is possible that you insurance may pay for it.  The primary reason they may pay for it is if they think that your getting therapy now will save them money in the future.

Congratulations Jim! Hope the back works out for you soon. Great to hear of all of your other advances! Keep up the great work! A go after that back with the same dogmatic approach. Hit up the docs, Physical Therapists and such. Hope you grab onto a solution soon. Best Wishes- Dx

Way to go you skinny rascal!!! 12 months of FARTS then you hit us withthe really big one. You didn't even warna guy to have some tissue and the gunk just kinda dripped right on to the keyboards and everything,....well. That was inspiring.  I got sidetracked at 230 somehow and stopped shrinking even with the running so don't be too envious.  I still have hopes of seeing 200 and 36 pants.  BUt you have my admiration and congratulations.  Best of luck with the back thing.  I suspect yo are gonna have physical therapy in yuor future but I would consult with a professional; CarbonBlob can tell you about just about anything backpain related. Happy surgeryversary and thansk for sharing with us dudes.

Congrats with your success Jim!