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Goals

Weigh Under 300 pounds

205 People
 in progress, 
389 People
 achieved this

be healthy

60 People
 in progress, 
7 People
 achieved this

Learn to Scuba Dive

38 People
 in progress, 
2 People
 achieved this

run a 5k

191 People
 in progress, 
55 People
 achieved this
View The Goals Page
Surgeon Testimonial

Jeffrey Lord, M.D.
Dr. Lord impressed me from the beginning when he sat down and explained in detail what he was going to do in the surgery. He set me at easy and answered questions before I even asked them. He was professional and friendly.
Member Interests

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by lmm31 on 10/9/07 4:29 pm
    Hi, I'm prayiing for your speedy recovery. I had mine on the 4th. Godd lucck! Laura
  • Comment by kathy S. on 10/8/07 8:30 pm
    Wallace, Praying for an uneventful surgery tomorrow! You'll be fine
  • Comment by judyanne on 10/8/07 7:09 pm
    Tomorrow is your day! Just remember you are on the journey of a lifetime. Try to enjoy every minute. It may sound weird now, but know that you are cared for and prayed for here, and all too soon this will be but a memory and you will be an inspiration to someone else. I am waiting for you on the losers' bench!
Click here for the surgery support page
WCarter's Blog
WCarter's Blog


Hope to break the plateau...
on August 6, 2008 10:06 pm
Last night I logged on to OH for the first time in quite a while. I saw that I had a few messages, one of which was from Kathy S. I went to her page and she had reposted some great info about plateaus that I hadn't seen before. Here's the link: www.obesityhelp.com/member/kathsum/uzone,blog/action,comments/blog_id,113986/blog_post_id,181436/

Well, this morning I started following the recommendations in the guide Kathy had posted. I'll defintely keep my OH profile updated with my progress.

Also, I would like to thank everyone who commented on my pictures. Thank you all very much!
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Has it really been 7 months since my last post???
on August 6, 2008 12:00 am
Well I guess it has. In that time, I have lost almost 80 more pounds. I've gone from a 58 waist to a 44 waist. I can fit in a 42 but it's a little snug.

My energy is through the roof, my self-esteem is better than it's been in years, and I've even started sword fighting again. Now that's a real rush.

I've been working and going to school. I try to find time to exercise every day. At the very least I take my dog Buddy for a walk around the block.

My nephews can't even keep up with me now. I run circles around them, literally.

I feel great, and I'm so glad I decided to have GBS. I'll try to post more often

PS.
I added a few pictures taken at the end of June.
4 comments | Leave a comment.

It's been a while...
on January 3, 2008 7:57 am
I haven't posted anything on OH because I use my blog on Myspace to update my friends and basically, I'm too lazy to come here and post anything.

I'm nearly 3 months out from my surgery and I've amazingly lost over 100 lbs. As of 12/27/07 I weighed 397! That was the first time in 10 years that I weighed under 400 pounds. I was so happy.

None of clothes fit me anymore and the clothes I got for Christmas are already getting too loose. It's a great feeling. I go in on 1/7/08 for my 3 month follow up and I'm afraid I might get in a little trouble with Dr. Lord. I haven't kept up with my protein like I should over the Christmas holidays but I'm getting back into the routine now.

I'll post more soon and add some pictures too.
2 comments | Leave a comment.

Some disappointing news...
on October 2, 2007 7:32 pm
I've been so bummed out about this news that I couldn't even post about it until today. 

Last week I developed an abscess on my belly. When I showed it to Jan at Dr. Lord's office she was worried. The next day she called and told me that my surgery was being rescheduled for 10/9 because of the added risk of infection the abscess would cause. CRAP!!!!

I should have been recovering from my GBS right now, and if it hadn't been for that meddling abscess I'd be doing it right now too!!!
2 comments | Leave a comment.

The journey starts!
on September 12, 2007 8:40 am

On August 10, 2007 I had my final physician supervised weight loss visit.

On September 5, 2007 I was notified that my insurance had approved my GBS.

On September 10, 2007 I was given a pre-op appointment for September 18 and a surgery date of October 2.

I am so excited about all of this! I finally made it. Now, the hard part... the surgery and the lifestyle changes that need to be made.

2 comments | Leave a comment.



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My Story

My name is Wallace (or Junior to my friends) and I've been a big guy all my life. In elementary and middle school I was somewhat pudgy and lovable but in high school I either slimmed down or got so tall so fast that my body LOOKED slim. After high school, I began working in the real world and kept the pounds off nicely. But eventually I wanted to make more money and have benefits, so I became a prison guard. I didn't realize it then but prison guards have a lot of down time and just about every officer fills the gaps with food. So, not being one to be left behind, I started packing on the pounds too. That was nearly 13 years ago. Today I'm nearly 500 pounds. 

My weight is now affecting every aspect of my life, from sleeping to romance to job performance to spending time with my nephews. Friends and co-workers suggested various diets over the years and I tried them all. I'd notice a little difference but I'd always fall off the wagon and pack on more pounds than I lost. Finally, I read a blog of someone who had gone through GBS. I was intrigued so I started doing research. I started thinking that GBS was such a drastic measure and I could just lose the weight on my own. Oh, I was so wrong. First of all, being as big as I am, I can't exercise like I had when I was younger. Secondly, I had developed some bad eating habits over the years. And lastly, I wanted to be able to go to my favorite steak house and order a 16 oz. New York strip when I wanted one.

Then one day I woke up and I could bearly move. My knees and back were screaming at me and they were saying I needed to lose weight. So I spoke to my doctor about GBS and she wanted to know why I hadn't asked sooner. She set up an appointment with Dr. Lord at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL and Dr. Lord told me like it was. I needed this surgery to live. I already have high blood pressure, apnea, depression, joint pain and a family history of diabetis stacked against me. So, I finally decided that the alternative to NOT having the surgery was far worse than not having my favorite foods.

I'm nearly 6'9" and I carry my weight well but it's just too much.