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Goals

Replace fear of going back to old habits with something more positive.

7 People
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this

I want to ride my bicycle again...

21 People
 in progress, 
8 People
 achieved this

To buy a suit or tuxedo on my next birthday

1 Person
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this

Wear my wedding ring again!

28 People
 in progress, 
76 People
 achieved this
View The Goals Page
Surgeon Testimonial

Philip R. Schauer MD
There are so many considerations that go into the eventual decision. Some people do their research, and the pros and cons of each type of weight loss surgery makes their head spin. Others assess all their co-morbidity's and can clearly see what they need to do. My RNY choice was also influenced by the place I eventually had my surgery. I had blood clots in my lung and leg about a year before starting the WLS process. That factor and the fact that I weighed around 500 pounds kept local doctors considering me too high risk to consider for even gall bladder surgery, much less WLS. I had eye surgery at the Cleveland Clinic before, so I went there again. Once again the bariatric staff was very supportive. I looked at the thousands of surgeries performed by my surgeon, Dr. Phillip Schauer, and decided that this was the place to have the operation. I was impressed with Dr. Schauer's credentials as well. He semed confident and reassuring, yet he seemed to talk honestly about what I faced in terms of risk. Like others, I still had my worries and concerns about surviving surgery. But I was confident that they were taking the needed precautions. I wasn't afraid to bring any concerns to him or his nursing staff. To this date, I have had no complications and am losing weight at a good pace. Thanks to the Cleveland Clinic, as well as support from my wife and people on this board, I'm feeling healthier every day.

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Member Interests
  • Dogs - We own a golden retriever. My favorite dog!

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Judi J. on 9/20/09 6:50 pm
    Best of luck with your surgery. Based on what you've done so far, I think you will do great! Don't be a hero though, take the pain medication!!
  • Comment by bebaugh on 9/20/09 10:27 am
    Good luck tomorrow. I am wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery. I am also sending up prayers for you!
Click here for the surgery support page
hercules411's Blog
hercules411's Blog


282 hrs, 29 mins, 19 seconds of bliss
on May 17, 2011 5:43 pm
That's how much time I have spent riding my bicycle since early last year.

I have a gps that keeps track of my distance, time, heart rate, calories burned and other factors when I ride my bike.

I began using the gps back in February of last year.. five months after my RNY surgery.

My 11 mile ride this morning put me at more than the 3,005 mile mark.

If someone told me a couple years ago that I would be hopping on a bike whenever the weather permits, and riding the equivalent distance from New York City to Vancouver, British Columbia .. I would have told them they were crazy.

But there are other day to day changes in my life that still amaze me.

On Mothers Day. I got up early and made my wife an egg, cheese and sausage strata.
I made a tasty fruit salad with fresh cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes, kiwi, pineapples and mango.
I stood at the sink and cut up the fruit.  No longer were my arthritic knees achy trying to hold up my formerly 500+ pound body.

My kids came over and we had a nice breakfast.

We didn't do a lot of things, or buy a lot of expensive gifts. But my wife said it was one of the best Mother's Day she ever experienced.
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Taking time to smell the roses (or cow manure)
on May 4, 2011 6:01 pm


The wet, cold weather has prevented  me from doing as much bike riding as I would like, so when I left work today under sunny skies and dry conditions, I headed right to the bicycle trail.

I was making real good time and felt good with lots of energy. I  made the turn for home as the sun was setting. I could hardly wait to see what my total time would be.  But when I passed the local farm, I saw the cattle grazing in the field with the sun behind them.. I had to stop and take out my phone and take this picture.





I love having goals like faster times on my bike. But sometimes I have to step back and take a moment to remember why I am on this weight loss journey. It is to become healthier, hopefully live longer,  and enjoy the life I had deprived myself of all of those morbidly obese years.

I am not here to trade one obsession for another.

I finished my ride of sixteen miles tonight in about an hour.  And hey... if I can increase my riding speed by about ten miles an hour... I'll be as fast as Lance Armstrong!

(I can dream, cant I?)





4 comments | Leave a comment.



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