4 year anniversary!

Geez, I just turned four!  Life is great.  I can't believe the opportunities that I have been given the chance to take advantage of because of this surgery.  At this time four years ago I was laying in bed in the hospital somewhere between 325 and 340 pounds.  My roommate was being questioned by FBI agents about his stabbing, and I'll I could smell was the fried chicken that his guests were eating.  All I wanted to do is get out of bed and walk.  Well the nurse took the compression boots off and let me get out of bed.  I crawled out of bed and pedaled around the nurses station.  The rest is history...    I have been blessed by having wonderful surgeons (Irgau and Wynn), amazing support staff (nutritionists and psychologists) at PMRI, my outstanding coaches and nutritionists at ACAC, and all my new found fellow RNY and Lap-Band friends, and lastly all my running and cycling buddies.  A special shout out to my brother Dwight (3-years out) for kicking my butt on the bike and pulling me through some hard rides.. Of course, my wife has been rock and inspiration throughout this journey.  We have a stronger bond now than at any time prior to the surgery.  My children (now young adults) actually enjoy spending time with their "new" dad.  What a journey!  Every day is full of choices.  Staying hydrated.  Getting adequate protein.  Eliminating whites.  Taking vitamins.  Follow-up blood work.  Sticking to the rules.  Follow-up doctor visits with my primary and Dr. Irgau.  Attending support meetings.  Becoming manic about exercise.  3000 calories a day.  Getting off the couch. Anyway.  Just wanted to toot my horn.  Thanks for everyone for helping me along the weigh. Your friend. Rob   

Rob,  It has been a pleasure to be part of this journey with you.  You should be very proud of all that has changed for you over the last 4 years.  You certainly have been a great motivator for me.  Thanks and Happy Anniversary.  Ellen

Congraduations on your anniversary! You have done a great job! Can't wait to say its MY anniversary! Judy

I can't  believe you are only 4 yrs old.....How cool!  You have done well with the tool and working with others.  I wonder, did you spend a lot of time with people before the surgery or where you on the invisible ride?  You may think I am silly to ask but I am curious.  I was thinking about that this weekend.  I think I interact with more people than I did before surgery.  I was socialable then but I think I do more interaction now....How about you? Congrats on the birthday!  I hope you did something special for yourself. Debbie

Good question.  I was the ultimate introvert prior to surgery.  Now I love to be out among the masses.  And I also love to talk about the new life that this procedure can provide.

In keeping with my four year makeover I ran a 5k down at the Shipyards yesterday, and then went to the gym where a couple of my trainers gave me a surprise party.  Of course, there idea of a party was a one-hour body bar session, followed by one-hour spinning course.  Then we sat back, and gulped down some smoothies at the cafe.  For dinner I cooked up some great 6-oz filets for me and the wife.   It was a great weekend.   Too bad it had to end. Hope that you are feeling better and can start getting yourself active again.  The weight loss is good, but it is a terrrible way to lose it.  Hopefully, you can keep moving so you can keep it off. Your bud, Rob

Hi Rob, you forgot to add your latest adventure to your list.....Model.... :lol:  Happy "NEW" Birthday, it is a wonderful feeling.  I find this new life to be wonderful, I never want to go back to the old ways.  You have been an inspiration and a motivator for all of us.  You are proof that if you do what you are suppose to do life will be good. Have a great day,  

rob, happy 4th and many more. keep up the awesome job. stay tuned there is more to come. keeping it short due to 1 hand typing. elissa

Wow Rob, What a change of heart.  Last I read from you is that you were sick and tired of all us "strugglers", and that you were pulling away from the group that had so many failures.  You said that you couldn't understand why so many of us just couldn't follow the rules, why we would even take 3 bites of a no-no food and more.  I believe support groups are just that, for support, for the people who need support, to get  a sympathetic ear, a compassionate hug, reminders and helpful hints on how to get back on tract., to know that we are not alone. I can't seem to find your post about this, so maybe you really did have a change of heart and removed it.  Or maybe you do need us to be able to  toot your own horn.  Well good for you that you seem to be one of the lucky ones.  It would have been easier to congratulate you if you hadn't made the remarks that you had made. Tina... aka... "a struggler"

Congratulations Rob!  You are an inspiration to me.  You have every right to toot your own horn. I do understand how you feel sometimes at the meetings when we see and hear things folks do after surgery  and wonder why they are not successful.   I can't say that I've never cheated like by best buddy,  Denise, who is my role model for this life saving surgery I had 3 yrs. ago on Oct. 25th.  I too was at 327 lbs. with severe asthma, high bp, borderline diabetic, knee pain, etc.  I've thanked Dr. Irgau for saving my life 3 years ago.  If it weren't for the surgery, I hate to think where I would be right now.  The surgery gave me a new life which I hope never to take for granted.  We all need support from each other, but we all know that this surgery is a tool - not the magic fix, especially when we have been out for a while.  We have to constantly work at it to keep on track.  Seeing how successful you have been encourages me when perhaps I've "fallen off the wagon a little", especially with the exercising.   Denise had her plastic surgery on her legs  Oct. 16th and she's done fantastic.  She'll be in the fashion show.  My plastic surgery for breast reduction & tummy tuck is Nov. 12th.  I would like to attend the fashion show, but will wait and see how I am doing.  Again Rob, congratulations to you!    Diane S.

Hey Dianne,  Congratulations on reaching the 3-year mark! :thumbsup: You've done great!  I can't even remember your before image anymore.  Looking forward to seeing you when after you get the tummy tuck.  Take your time during the recovery process.  You need "me" time.  The recovery process for the tummy tuck is a lot more intense than the RNY but it is so worthwhile.   Keep up the good work, and if you talk with Denise let her know that I wish her a speedy recovery. See you soon, Rob