Big Fart! kinda long post.

Hey guys,

I'm more of a lurker than real participant in the forums, but I had a great experience this weekend that I wanted to share. My best friend got married on Saturday and I was the best man. He asked me to be his best man last October when I was still going through the motions and was still waiting for a surgery date. I got the call last November, on Veteran's Day and I had my RNY on 12/7/07, ironically, Pearl Harbor Day.  I was 282lbs. on 2/7/07 at my initial consult and 270 on surgery day and on Friday, 7/11/08, I weighed in at 180lbs. My highest weight is unknown, but I was a 46-48 waist at my consult and am now between a 32-34, although the tux pants were 36-38 and fit perfect. I am still losing weight and it's been a very stressfull few weeks. Besides all of my best man duties, speech, bachelor party, etc., I was very worried about the tux not fitting and ended up getting re-measured 2 weeks before the wedding. I ended up losing 3 inches from my hips, 1 inch from chest and 2 from around shoulders in 11 days and dropped from a 44 jacket to a 42, which ended up being a little big on the wedding day, but still looked good.

I had a lot of incredible moments this weekend. Most happened as people who I'd met once or twice before, or had seen pictures of me, didn't recognize me when I was introduced to them during the rehearsel or at the Wedding itself. The best was when the bride's mom who I met last year, and haven't seen since, said that she couldn't wait until I arrived so she could see how good I looked and I'd already been standing next to her for a while! I also met a few people at the wedding who had WLS and got to talk about our experiences and get and give advice and share some of the things that I've learned from these boards.

My friend put together a slide show on a digital picture frame at the wedding and included a picture of me, him and two other friends taken in Feb '06, when I was a lot heavier and when people found out that was me, they were floored. I actually didn't see or know about the picture until I was about to be introduced and walk into the reception. I told the groom that I couldn't believe he used that picture. He said it was the only one of us he had and thought I was pissed because it showed my pre-surgery weight, but I wasn't. That was me and I'm not ashamed of it. I called him out on it because of the rather crude pose and gesture we were making, but all was good.

I used this wedding as extra fuel and a reason to work hard and drop as much weight as possible to look the best I could and I think I did pretty well. At the end of my speech I thanked the bride and groom for all of their support and gave them the credit that they deserve for helping me achieve the level of success that I've attained. I was told that this caused some of the people who weren't already crying to shed some tears. Hell, I didn't think I'd make it through that last part without crying, but I was able to hold it together in the end. Thanks for reading and thanks for all of the help and support you have all given me though this journey to a thin and healthier life. JOE

That is what it is all about my friend.  That is called living life to the fullest and enjoying every minute of it.  It is amazing to look back on pictures and see where we were and where we are now.  It just makes everything seem very clear about how good having RNY surgery was.  You have obviously come a long way and seem to be happy with life.  Keep up the great work you are doing. 

Taz

Congrats to ya man! You've obviously come a long way! Keep up the good work, and post more often!

Good job man  Looks like your almost at your goal.  Enjoy your new life

Joe, you rock. I'm so glad you posted this instead of just lurking about it. Congratulations on your great success, and also to your buddy!

Great story, very inspirational so thanks for sharing it with us. The transformation for us is emotional indeed and I'm starting to find out that more people are beginning to realize how much work we have to do to lose the weight and become healthy. It ain't automatic as many people used to (and many still do) think.

Getting healthy again, and for some maybe for the first time in their lives, is a major accomplishment for all of us and we should be proud of what we have achieved.

Enjoy the new sunshine in your life and congratulations on your success to date!

Boner

Thanks for all of the replies and kind words. Last weekend was an experience that I'll never forget and WLS has made it even more special. Congratulations to you all on reaching your goals and I wish you all continued success. JOE