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Goals

To shop in the "regular" clothes section

28 People
 in progress, 
29 People
 achieved this

Transition from walking to jogging

26 People
 in progress, 
6 People
 achieved this

lose 100 pounds

509 People
 in progress, 
360 People
 achieved this

Go to the beach and actually be proud of how i look

50 People
 in progress, 
5 People
 achieved this

To be a healthy weight & get off medications.

5 People
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this
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Hello all, my name is Dwayne Simmons. I am a 39 year old male and I have Battled with my weight for quite some time now. Mine is not a story that is much different from many others here, if any. Over the years I have become less and less active due to weight gain and have become limited due to the health issues which have come along with it. I have decided to not let my weight predict nor determine my life any longer. I have asked the Lord to lead and guide me to a place where I am more focused and can feel free to make the necessary steps toward making me a better me and start living everyday as if it is my last.
Dwaynesimmons's Blog
Dwaynesimmons's Blog


Sleep Study!
on July 4, 2009 3:29 am
Wow where do I start? I must say that I was wrong, this was the absolute worst night of sleep I've had in my entire life. I arrived at the sleep center at 6:55 P.M., I was hooked up to countless little wires from head to chest to legs by 7:45 P.M.. Can you say UNCOMFORTABLE? In bed by 9:00P.M.. I slept aproximately 4 hours and awoke to a panic attack which lasted about 5 minutes, after calming down, I was able to finally drift off to sleep once again. I woke up about an hour and a half later and needed to use the bathroom, returned to bed and slept very badly the remainder of the night. At 5:00 A.M. I was awakened and informed that I would definitely have to return and would have to have the CPAP machine. Needless to say I was a bit upset and a bit disgruntled at the same time, but all happens for a reason. I am trying to be patient, (not as if I can do anything else) but I am finding out everything else except if my insurance is going to approve me or not and it is really naggin at me. I do know that it takes time but ..............God give me strength! Well that's my post and I'll post again soon. Thanks for the prayers and support friends and I'll keep updating.
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Third trip to UAB
on July 1, 2009 10:35 pm
On Monday 6/29/09, had meeting with the nutritionist. All went well and was very informative. I was given lots of pointers on how to begin eating in a healthy manner pre-op as well as post-op. As a result of this I have now begun to start purchasing my protein needs and supplies as well as gathering suitable recipes. Two hours after nutritionist meeting, I attended my first bariatric support group. I was amazed and overwhelmed by the welcome and warmth which I received from the members in this group. I found this experience to be so fulfilling in every way possible. It was informative, inviting, entertaining, encouraging, and so much more. I can see building lasting friendships with a great many of the members there. Tuesday 6/30/09 I had my appointment with the lung and sleep center to prepare for my sleep study which will be done on tonight 7/02/09 starting at 7:00 PM. I am a bit nervous about it but I guess the worst thing that can become of it is that I'll get a good nights sleep, LOL. As time goes on I find myself more and more ready to get all of this out of the way, get my approval from insurance, and get a surgery date. I ask you all to continue to pray for me as I do for us all each day, and again I will keep updating as I tackle one obstacle at a time. Thanks all and God bless!                 
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Psych Evaluation
on June 26, 2009 2:41 am
Hello all, I had my psych evaluation today and all systems are go!  After a long line of questions being answered, weight history being disclosed, and a bit of casual conversation on my sanity, I was said to be the IDEAL candidate for WLS. My letter was submitted and I was on my way. One step closer to Loserville I'd say. Thanks to you all for the prayers and encouragement, it means more to me than you know. 6/29/2009 I meet with the Nutritionist as well as attend my very first support group, on 6/30/2009 I have my sleep study, and I still await insurance approval. I Will post again after Monday.
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Second trip to UAB!
on June 16, 2009 10:31 pm

Yesterday was my scheduled appointment at UAB Hospital to have my esophagogastroduodenoscopy done. I was so relieved that when I got there Dr. Clements, the Dr. who will perform my weightloss surgery was the Dr. performing the esophagogastroduodenoscopy as well. Everything went well and as scheduled but I found out that I have a hiatal hernia, about the size of a golf ball in my abdominal area and severe acid reflux, which I started treatment for today. I was informed by my doctor not to be alarmed due to the fact that he could go in and remove the hernia during my weightloss surgery with no problem and that my condition is not an uncommon one. I am now scheduled to have my psych evaluation on 6/25/2009, my meeting with the nutritionist and my first support group on 6/29/2009, my sleep study on 6/30/2009, and in the meantime I'm still awaiting insurance approval. I'ts alot to do but I feel like it'll be well worth it in the end. I am so very ready in every single way to have this done that I tend to get a bit anxious at times but ..... That being said, Pray for me guys and I'll keep you updated.

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NEXT STEP!
on June 11, 2009 11:00 pm

On Monday 6/15/2009 I will have a esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed, hope it all goes well and does'nt take very long as I know it probably will since my appointment is scheduled for 5:30 AM. I tend to be bothered with heartburn and acid reflux more often now than usual, maybe its my eating habbits or lack there of, but anyhow at least I'll know and will receive whatever treatment is necessary to correct any problems before moving forward. As of now I am still awaiting insurance approval, but things look promising. I can't wait to be among you losers out there, so on that note, I ask you all to pray for me and save my place. I will post again soon, until next time America!

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My Story

I am a 39 year old male with obesity issues stimming from as far back as I can remember.Throughout childhood I was overweight and at ages as early as 10 years old my Parents shopped for me in the mens clothing departments as I had out grown the sizes labled as "Husky". I can remember always being active as a child: skating, bikeriding, running, playing softball, kickball, basketball, swimming, the whole nine but I was always still overweight. I was so active to the point that my weight never effected my self esteem as a child (Thank God) because I was pretty good in sports and pretty much anything else I put my mind to. I grew up in the home with an older brother and an older sister and both parents, none of whom had weight issues. My mom was a real nurturing mom and would encourage any and all of my interests. I took a strong liking to music and learned that I had been blessed with a voice for singing and soon after became aware of the fact that I was a whiz with a sketch book, pencil, and a sewing machine. Gifted to the point that I can look at a picture of clothing in a magazine and duplicate it almost exactly. That being said I never had a problem with wanting certain styles of clothing in my size and could not have them. Throughout high school I was always voted best-dressed male, class favorite, and would always win the school talent shows in which I'd sing. That was a real confidence boost for me even though I was overweight. It has just been within the last 4 years of my life where I've had to come to terms with the fact that my weight is a problem for me now due to the fact that I suffer from many illnesses that my weight solely contributes to. I am a type 2 diabetic, I have high blood pressure and cholesterol, I have severe acid reflux, I suffer from gout, and am now showing signs of having sleep apnea. For all of these ailments, I am taking medication  and have come to a place in my life where I refuse to let sickness and medication determine my life anymore. I want to turn 40 and be active and as much med-free as I can be.