Before & After VSG with Edward, losing 160 lbs!
May 8, 2018Why I Decided To Have WLS
My name is Ed Lehman with AKA's of Eddie L, Ed, Eddie, the Famous Mr. Ed and 1 HAPPY MAN. I was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio (The Meat Potato & Pierogi Capital of the World), enlisted in the US Navy in 1977, where I attended Basic training and graduated with a weight of 187 pounds.
I received an Honorary Discharge in 1981 and was selected to attend the California Highway Patrol in 1982. Upon graduating the Academy on 3/29/1982, lean and mean, I left the Academy at 212 pounds, I retired in 2008 with weight at 365 pounds. That's right, with many shift rotations and high-stress levels, family, and relatives, I became a compulsive eater gaining and losing weight over the next 30 years of my career.
My theme song was not "CHIPS", it was "Winchell's While You Work!" I lost 120 pounds after retiring due to issues at home with my spouse. At the time, I believed my weight was the major issue. However, there was more involved, so we divorced in 2011. At the time of the divorce, I lost another 125 pounds along with half of my retirement salary, if you get my drift :-)).
Look out world, it was now time for Eddie Gone Wild and over the next year and a half, I shot back up to 355 pounds dating, eating at weird hours, drinking in excess, and not maintaining a healthy lifestyle once again.
I have lost over 1,000 pounds in the last 40 years, going up and down in weight like an elevator. Finally, after seeing family, a close friend that was my age, and high school classmates dying due to obesity, I realized I was also a prime candidate for a heart attack with my weight being 355 pounds. My blood pressure was 160/110 with six medications, borderline Type 2 Diabetes, and a resting heart rate of 49. I have been on every diet imaginable and decided enough is enough!
Before & After VSG with Edward
Weight Lost: 160 pounds
Surgery Type: VSG
Surgery Date: 4/11/2016
Surgeons Name: Dr. David Suh
My Surgery and Post-Op Life
After lots of research, somewhat apprehensive about having a surgery, I decided to proceed with Bariatric VSG Surgery! The surgery was conducted by Dr. Suh on 4/11/2016. Since my surgery, I have lost 160 pounds and currently weigh 190 pounds. My blood pressure is 112/77 with one minor medication. My blood sugar levels are within the normal range. I have become a Certified Spin Instructor. I have become an inspiration to others that are considering bariatric surgery, and I'm very active with weight loss surgery support groups.
In 2017, I attended my first ObesityHelp National Conference and was encouraged to walk the walk as a model in the Fashion Show runway. I truly believe the VSG operation has changed my life and extended my life for years to come. I attend 1-2 support meetings a month and believe this is one of the most important elements of staying on track. I have also come to the realization bariatric surgery is NOT the easy way out. It is a tool used to regain one's inner control and I emphasize to others the struggles that are involved.
Special Milestones and Non-Scale Victories
Some of my non-scale milestones in my journey are:
- Going from a size 50 waist pants to a size 34 waist.
- Being able to sit in the middle seat of an airline and not having to use a seat belt extension.
- Fitting in a booth at a restaurant, and not limited to a table.
- Having friends and relatives not recognize me, and that includes my own Mother!
In conclusion, I have finally put "Ed" as my main priority, a healthier lifestyle, and have now adopted this as my new motto, "Been there, done that, since having bariatric surgery, I am NOT GOING BACK!"
Thus, obtaining my final nickname as The "1 HAPPY MAN!" Life is good, live it without regrets and stay positive, as life will only get better and better.
Currently, I am planning to have plastic surgery this month prior to the next ObesityHelp National Conference in Anaheim to complete the surgical portion of my journey. God bless and thanks for allowing me to share my story!
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Celebrate your own Before & After WLS Success, milestones, non-scale victories, and inspire others! The OH team wants to hear from you to share your weight loss surgery journey. Visit our Before & After Submission page for details.
