Dennis W.
08/2006
Hello everyone! I just thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself. I'm Dennis West and my wife and I are getting ready to have the RNY procedure next month. We're both really excited and I think a little nervouse. I don't have as many health problems as my wife as a result of myweight besides low energy an some leg and foot pain, but my wife has type 2 diabetes. We have two young daughters and we really want to be there when they get older, but not only be there, but to be active with them and do things with them that our parents didn't do with us when we were kids. For a long time we've wanted to go to Disneyland with them but have worried about not being able to go on rides with them. A few weeks ago we had our consult with our Dr, (Dr Pennings of Post Falls, Idaho) and he was great. He wants me to loose 40 lbs before surgery. So far I've lost about 16. My surgery date is tentatively set for the end of September so I have high hopes of meeting my goal.
My highest weight has been about 447 lbs. When I weighed in at the consult, I was at 438 and now I'm at 432. I am 6'3" and my BMI was 55, but it's now about 52.5. It's nice to see the progress so far, but I'm really looking forward to the post op progress. I've been seen as overweight since I was 8 years old (I'm 36 now). I've tried many diets and would usually loose, at most, 30 lbs before something would happen that would distract me from it and I'd gain it all back. The most success I ever had was on Atkins, but that got too expensive for us when we were going through some hard times. My wife and I see our parents and all of the weight related health problems they have and know that we are bound to get similar issues much earlier than they did if we don't make some drastic changes now, so this is really a self preservationary step for us. Well, that's about it for now. I'm sure I'll chime in occassionally with questions or concerns. I'm really looking forward to the changes!
