WLS and borrowed time...
I don't dare post this on the RNY board, most of the women there probably wouldn't understand...
---
My dad had a massive coronary at age 45...he survived and made some serious changes to his eating habits, dropped a lot of weight and continued to have a productive life and career...he mellowed quite a bit, as well, as a result.
At age 50, had a coronary triple bypass...without it, he was headed for a second equally massive coronary that he probably wouldn't survive.
His doctor and surgeon, I've been told, were very frank and direct when they told him that the best case scenario for him is that he might get another ten to fifteen (long shot) years but that the data indicated that heart disease would eventually win...
As it turned out, he got another 8 years...he died of a massive coronary at age 58. He had said on a number of occasions that he was living on borrowed time and that he now treasured every single day.
You can probably see where I'm going with this post...
I believe that for many of us, our WLS is a godsend as it enables us to make the necessary changes to our lifestyle that at least mitigates if not puts into remission our Type II diabetes and its comorbidities like high blood pressure, sleep apnea, increased risk of glaucoma, kidney failure, pancreatic cancer and the like....but are these permanent reversals or are we just buying more time, delaying the prematurely inevitable and really just allowing ourselves the opportunity to be healthier and to feel good living for whatever time we have left?
I can tell you that I, too, now truly treasure every single day that I am alive...I have plans to pursue new career opportunities, acquire new disciplines like Tae Kwon Do, sculpt my body so that my wife has a reason to give in to her more base desires....
I know the end will eventually arrive...I just didn't want it to arrive early because I was too lazy to do something about my morbid obesity...I can hardly wait to get back on my Harley knowing that I don't have to be so worried that I won't be able to do it because of a prosthesis...
Any and all feedback is not only welcome, it is solicited...
---
My dad had a massive coronary at age 45...he survived and made some serious changes to his eating habits, dropped a lot of weight and continued to have a productive life and career...he mellowed quite a bit, as well, as a result.
At age 50, had a coronary triple bypass...without it, he was headed for a second equally massive coronary that he probably wouldn't survive.
His doctor and surgeon, I've been told, were very frank and direct when they told him that the best case scenario for him is that he might get another ten to fifteen (long shot) years but that the data indicated that heart disease would eventually win...
As it turned out, he got another 8 years...he died of a massive coronary at age 58. He had said on a number of occasions that he was living on borrowed time and that he now treasured every single day.
You can probably see where I'm going with this post...
I believe that for many of us, our WLS is a godsend as it enables us to make the necessary changes to our lifestyle that at least mitigates if not puts into remission our Type II diabetes and its comorbidities like high blood pressure, sleep apnea, increased risk of glaucoma, kidney failure, pancreatic cancer and the like....but are these permanent reversals or are we just buying more time, delaying the prematurely inevitable and really just allowing ourselves the opportunity to be healthier and to feel good living for whatever time we have left?
I can tell you that I, too, now truly treasure every single day that I am alive...I have plans to pursue new career opportunities, acquire new disciplines like Tae Kwon Do, sculpt my body so that my wife has a reason to give in to her more base desires....
I know the end will eventually arrive...I just didn't want it to arrive early because I was too lazy to do something about my morbid obesity...I can hardly wait to get back on my Harley knowing that I don't have to be so worried that I won't be able to do it because of a prosthesis...
Any and all feedback is not only welcome, it is solicited...
Weight at Heaviest: 320 lbs.
Weight at Surgery: 283.6 lbs.
Everyone is entitled to my opinion...
Weight at Surgery: 283.6 lbs.
Everyone is entitled to my opinion...
Lman,
It could have been me who wrote your post. As I near 50 years old, with my mom having died in her late 50's with a heart attack and my dad having had one in his 40's I knew that I was headed for the same fate. Whenever someone looks at me and asks why the weight loss (few people know I had an RNY) I tell them I am doing it so my heart won't explode. I was finding that althpough I've been around the same weight for most of my adult life I simply could not do the things that I used to with ease. Now if I stick to the program I will actually enjoy the rest of my life, hopefully doing things I only dreamed about before, and have many more years to do it in. Those last few words are the key... we are all going at some point but improving our health pushes that date out... who knows how far but I myself will take every extra day I am given.
Brian
It could have been me who wrote your post. As I near 50 years old, with my mom having died in her late 50's with a heart attack and my dad having had one in his 40's I knew that I was headed for the same fate. Whenever someone looks at me and asks why the weight loss (few people know I had an RNY) I tell them I am doing it so my heart won't explode. I was finding that althpough I've been around the same weight for most of my adult life I simply could not do the things that I used to with ease. Now if I stick to the program I will actually enjoy the rest of my life, hopefully doing things I only dreamed about before, and have many more years to do it in. Those last few words are the key... we are all going at some point but improving our health pushes that date out... who knows how far but I myself will take every extra day I am given.
Brian
Hug your kids every day, let them know they are loved, keep them safe the best you can.
Men's Forum FAQ here: docs.google.com/folder/d/0B5YeHu9A2ZfYcVJhUlVHeVVFWE0/edit
Lesserman
What a profound and worth while post! I learned early on in life two things when my mother died when I was 23. One, life ain't fair and two, the sun is coming up tomorrow whether I want it to or not so it's best to move on with your life best you can. Losing a parent that early in life lets you know that life can be short and in my case that was a bit of a detriment because I also thought I better get mine while I can because it may end sooner than later for me too. So endulging in all the rich and fatty foods, good drinks and basically living a hectic on the go life style caught up to me in my late 30's into my 40's where began to pay the price for that lifestyle. I feel without a doubt this surgery is giving me a 2nd chance to be around for my family and friends so each day from now on is a special one for me.
Stoney
What a profound and worth while post! I learned early on in life two things when my mother died when I was 23. One, life ain't fair and two, the sun is coming up tomorrow whether I want it to or not so it's best to move on with your life best you can. Losing a parent that early in life lets you know that life can be short and in my case that was a bit of a detriment because I also thought I better get mine while I can because it may end sooner than later for me too. So endulging in all the rich and fatty foods, good drinks and basically living a hectic on the go life style caught up to me in my late 30's into my 40's where began to pay the price for that lifestyle. I feel without a doubt this surgery is giving me a 2nd chance to be around for my family and friends so each day from now on is a special one for me.
Stoney
Amen Bro!
Live life and experience all that it has to offer! Now is time to enjoy everything we never thought we could.
Live life and experience all that it has to offer! Now is time to enjoy everything we never thought we could.
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
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