Eric S.
My name is Eric. I'm 28 (turning 29 just before my surgery). I am married to the love of my life, Jen. We met in high school and have been together ever since. Last August we welcomed a new addition to our family, Allison.
I've been large all my life. I wasn't always very large, because I was very active. I played baseball in little league and high school, I bowled, was in marching band. My senior year of high school, I think I hit a bad bout of depression. I believe between that and not having any more activities to keep me busy, my weight soared. That year I gained about 75 pounds, and I didnt even realize it.
My weight has been steadily climbing ever since. I've had some success with weight loss, the most successful being a low-carb diet in which I lost 75 pounds and kept it off for a year. The problem with that diet is that you can only go so long without eating pasta, bread, etc...
My "wake up" moment came on June 26, 2006. I was at work and I felt a flutter in my chest. I had felt these before, but they only lasted a few seconds. This time, it wasn't going away. I went a saw my doctor, and she did an EKG. My heart rate was up at 180-190 beats per minute. I was in the hospital for 3 days with atrial fibrillation. They said it wasn't serious, I almost missed our first baby shower. I thought that with a child on the way, my wife worried, me worried...it was time to make a change.
Since then I have gotten my high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and anxiety all under control. I haven't had another bout of a-fib since my hospital stay. I was told by a doctor at Northwestern that its common for obese people to have a-fib, and the risk will probably go away altogether after I lose weight.
I know this is going to be hard work, but I'm ready to start living a more fulfilling life.
All weights are from 422 pounds (official pre-op weight)
Week 1 (-23 pounds)
Week 4 (-44 pounds)
Week 8 (-55 pounds)
Week 10 (-60 pounds)
Week 11 (-63 pounds)
