How we view ourselves.
One of the reasons that has kept me from pursuing WLS in the past has been I believed I didn't look as big as I am. I go to the Big Man store and get clothes and say to myself "Well you got the same size you did last time and there are sizes much bigger so you are fine." placed me in a state where I believed I was fine. Yes I have a few medical issues but take pills to handle it, and my wife and kids love me for who and what I am. Well my decision to pursue WLS has revealed what a dream I was living, that my life isn't fine. Yes my wife and kids love me but I don't, pills aren't good enough and by living the way I have; I am not treating those I love in a way they deserve.
I read stories like Dan and see how much so many of you have lost and say to myself "Hey I can do that". No longer do I fear failure but rather question What will I look like 50 pounds lighter much less the over 100 pounds I need to lose. I dream of being under 200 pounds a weight I have not been under since I was in high school some 25 years ago.
Which brings me to my question. How you looked prior to surgery versus your target weight or any points in between.
Thank you.
I read stories like Dan and see how much so many of you have lost and say to myself "Hey I can do that". No longer do I fear failure but rather question What will I look like 50 pounds lighter much less the over 100 pounds I need to lose. I dream of being under 200 pounds a weight I have not been under since I was in high school some 25 years ago.
Which brings me to my question. How you looked prior to surgery versus your target weight or any points in between.
Thank you.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
I never considered myself fat or saw myself as fat until I was smacked in the face with it.
Things like finding clothes.
Doing physical activities.
I didn't have any medical issues.
Things like that. Just every day activities and my weight or how I looked never came into play.
One of my Doctors even played into that misconception. He once told me that I didn't look as big as I was according to the scale. He didn't believe the reading and had me weigh in again. That made me feel pretty good. But now when I look back at those pictures, I think how the hell could I have convinced myself or have lived with the lie. I was a fat slob there is no denying that. The pictures don't lie.
Scott
Things like finding clothes.
Doing physical activities.
I didn't have any medical issues.
Things like that. Just every day activities and my weight or how I looked never came into play.
One of my Doctors even played into that misconception. He once told me that I didn't look as big as I was according to the scale. He didn't believe the reading and had me weigh in again. That made me feel pretty good. But now when I look back at those pictures, I think how the hell could I have convinced myself or have lived with the lie. I was a fat slob there is no denying that. The pictures don't lie.
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Paul, I know you asked a question, but I want to comment and congratulate you on a statement you made.
You said "No longer do I fear failure but rather question What will I look like 50 pounds lighter much less the over 100 pounds I need to lose. I dream of being under 200 pounds a weight I have not been under since I was in high school some 25 years ago."
You have successfully reframed the common issue that we read across the board with those considering the surgery: "Can I do it?" That brings out all of the past failures and negative issues around WLS. By changing your mindset to "What will I look like when I achieve my dream?" and "What will I feel like with less weight and minimal drugs?", you can focus on the tool that will help you achieve the goal.
Kudos for your transformation. That's the most important step in the journey. Now all you need to do is plan the rest of the journey, and then work your plan.
You said "No longer do I fear failure but rather question What will I look like 50 pounds lighter much less the over 100 pounds I need to lose. I dream of being under 200 pounds a weight I have not been under since I was in high school some 25 years ago."
You have successfully reframed the common issue that we read across the board with those considering the surgery: "Can I do it?" That brings out all of the past failures and negative issues around WLS. By changing your mindset to "What will I look like when I achieve my dream?" and "What will I feel like with less weight and minimal drugs?", you can focus on the tool that will help you achieve the goal.
Kudos for your transformation. That's the most important step in the journey. Now all you need to do is plan the rest of the journey, and then work your plan.
Onward and DOWNward,
Brian Burke - Wellington OH
Brian Burke - Wellington OH
It was the pictures that told the truth, plus all our friends are normal weight and I was the one who was abnormal.
Pre WLS I hit a high of 286 and now 198 and shooting for 172 +/-
Life is MUCH better with the weight gone. And when I go to my HS 75th anniversary, I will be normal and look good for Goldie Hawn, Ben Stein, Chic Hernandez, Matt Drudge, Connie Chung and a host of other celebs who graduated from Blair.
Trust all will work out for you-good luck
Pre WLS I hit a high of 286 and now 198 and shooting for 172 +/-
Life is MUCH better with the weight gone. And when I go to my HS 75th anniversary, I will be normal and look good for Goldie Hawn, Ben Stein, Chic Hernandez, Matt Drudge, Connie Chung and a host of other celebs who graduated from Blair.
Trust all will work out for you-good luck
Now to answer your question...
I am four months post-op. I'm almost to the point where I will say I have lost 8" in the waist (six for sure, but I'm closing in on the next size), I'm wearing an inch and a half smaller neck size shirt, and people are saying "Haven't you just about lost all you need to?" To which my answer to them is, "Thanks for the compliment", but my answer to myself is, "Heck, no." People do look at and respond to me differently. I never felt I had bad energy, but the difference in 70+ less pounds is like night and day.
I can't imagine myself at 175, but I'm sure looking forward to what 175 will look and feel like!
I am four months post-op. I'm almost to the point where I will say I have lost 8" in the waist (six for sure, but I'm closing in on the next size), I'm wearing an inch and a half smaller neck size shirt, and people are saying "Haven't you just about lost all you need to?" To which my answer to them is, "Thanks for the compliment", but my answer to myself is, "Heck, no." People do look at and respond to me differently. I never felt I had bad energy, but the difference in 70+ less pounds is like night and day.
I can't imagine myself at 175, but I'm sure looking forward to what 175 will look and feel like!
Onward and DOWNward,
Brian Burke - Wellington OH
Brian Burke - Wellington OH
I was the same way. Everytime that a Doctor would find out my weight all of them would say "you don't look that heavy". Less than 3 years ago my former PCP said that I really was not a candidate for WLS. Said I was "big but not fat". It was that same PCP how eventually put me on hypertensive meds. and said that I was pre-diabetic.
I reinjured my right knee and had to have it scoped and never could bounce back to doing the cardio that I'd been doing before. The weight came back and I was getting to the point of no return. I could see where my health was heading and I knew what a dismal future I had in store for me. I was tired of swollen lower legs, hurting feet and knees, an aching back, not being able to do the things that I once was able to do. I took inventory and my decision was obvious.....WLS.
Now I'm a little over 4 months post-op and am 120lbs lighter. I'm weighing 279lbs and figure I'd like to get down to about 220lbs. I'm training for my first half-marathon and I have every intention to get into the sport of Triathlon. I've lost some muscle mass but that's to be expected. What I've lost in mass I've more than gained in cardio. fitness and health.
Good luck on your journey and on whatever decision you make. Don't be a stranger to this forum and don't be afraid to ask questions. There are a lot of great guys on here and they've been a huge help and source of inspiration to me.
Duane
I reinjured my right knee and had to have it scoped and never could bounce back to doing the cardio that I'd been doing before. The weight came back and I was getting to the point of no return. I could see where my health was heading and I knew what a dismal future I had in store for me. I was tired of swollen lower legs, hurting feet and knees, an aching back, not being able to do the things that I once was able to do. I took inventory and my decision was obvious.....WLS.
Now I'm a little over 4 months post-op and am 120lbs lighter. I'm weighing 279lbs and figure I'd like to get down to about 220lbs. I'm training for my first half-marathon and I have every intention to get into the sport of Triathlon. I've lost some muscle mass but that's to be expected. What I've lost in mass I've more than gained in cardio. fitness and health.
Good luck on your journey and on whatever decision you make. Don't be a stranger to this forum and don't be afraid to ask questions. There are a lot of great guys on here and they've been a huge help and source of inspiration to me.
Duane
"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
I run for those who can't or won't. I run because I once was one of those people.
My 24 year old daughter said to me last month. "When I look at the pictures I don't remember you being that big anymore, I only remember how you look now, but what I am relly happy for is that now we can do so many things together that you couldn't do before". Boy I wish I would have done it a lot sooner so we could have done all these things all her life!
The sooner you do it the less regrets you will have.
The sooner you do it the less regrets you will have.
Robert
I never even thought about it prior to surgery. The benefits from surgery are almost to numerous to list. I started out at 375,at least that was the highest weight I know of. I stepped on the freight scales at work one day just for ****s and giggles and could not believe I was 375. I know I got higher but I would not get on the scale again.
What made me decide to pursue WLS was the fact that I was just about to the point I was going to have to grow a longer arm so I could wipe my ass. I know my wife loves me but I don't think she loves me that much.
Some where along the way I started running, never did it before and use to make fun of old guys I use to see doing it. Last year I ran a half marathon, 13.1 miles, in 2 hours flat. This year I am signed up for the full marathon. I run most every evening now training for the marathon. I run any where from 3.5 to 6 miles and a long run on Sunday. Before, running across the street would have to been a life or death situation. Prior to surgery if I was sitting on the ground working on the car or motorcycle I would have to roll over on my hands and knees and walk my self up or grab some thing and pull my self up. Now I will start to do the same thing and remember I can just get up.
Any way I started out in a size 54 and I now wear a 32 or 34 and a medium shirt. You can look at the pictures on my profile and see the old me.
pan head
What made me decide to pursue WLS was the fact that I was just about to the point I was going to have to grow a longer arm so I could wipe my ass. I know my wife loves me but I don't think she loves me that much.
Some where along the way I started running, never did it before and use to make fun of old guys I use to see doing it. Last year I ran a half marathon, 13.1 miles, in 2 hours flat. This year I am signed up for the full marathon. I run most every evening now training for the marathon. I run any where from 3.5 to 6 miles and a long run on Sunday. Before, running across the street would have to been a life or death situation. Prior to surgery if I was sitting on the ground working on the car or motorcycle I would have to roll over on my hands and knees and walk my self up or grab some thing and pull my self up. Now I will start to do the same thing and remember I can just get up.
Any way I started out in a size 54 and I now wear a 32 or 34 and a medium shirt. You can look at the pictures on my profile and see the old me.
pan head
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