1 Year Since Having Surgery - 200 Pounds
Well, it’s been one year since my gastric bypass surgery. All I can say is – WOW. My life has completely changed inside and out. Life is worth living for everyday and it’s amazing how differently I view my life now. OK so let me introduce myself and tell you about my story. My name is Jason Baez I am 23 years old and had gastric bypass surgery August 1st, 2007 in Brooklyn New York. The year before having surgery I was 6’1 weighing in at 420 pounds. Things were terrible, my knees started to hurt, my ankles were hurting, my back hurt, I was wearing old man big and tall clothes, and all I kept thinking about was FOOD FOOD FOOD! Food was my life, from a whole bag of cheese doodles for a snack while watching TV, or 3 double cheeseburgers before dinner; I was a food addict. I remember that last year before surgery I would eat two dinners. Food from a fast food restaurant in the restaurant parking lot, plus whatever my mom cooked for us. I was just packing the pounds, from a 50 waist to a 52 waist then a 54 waists and holy crap yes a 56 waist. I use to take 6 XL shirts and stretch them on top of my dresser since they didn’t sell 7/8 XL. I had to do something or else I was going to live pass 25. My primary doctor had recommended me to have gastric bypass surgery. Long story short I decided I was going to have surgery and it took me 13 months to finish up seeing all the doctors, taking all the test and having all the correct paper work. Yes I wanted to quit, yes I wanted to not even have the surgery since all these doctors had got me frustrated but I never gave up. So finally on August 1st, 2007 I had gastric bypass surgery, and man since walking out of Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn New York, my life is so much better. Why better? Well, as of today exactly one year later I lost a total of 198 pounds! I am currently weighing in at 222 pounds! I went from a size 56 waist to a 36 waist. From a 6XL to a L. To everyone who hasn’t had the surgery, I guess you really don’t know how overweight you are in till you had the surgery and lost the weight. You see when I was 420 pounds I would look in the mirror and be like, “I’m not that big”. But now I look at these pictures of me last year, and I am like WOW Jason what in the hell were you doing to yourself!!! Food is no longer on my mind like it was before. Since having the surgery I had moved out on my own, which happened to be the best thing I had ever done for me. Why? Well, for once I was in control of what I cook everyday. Back then my mother would always make these “heavy duty delicious meals”, since moving out I am in control of what I cook. I am more active then I have ever been. Eating right and exercise is on my mind everyday now; I have a complete different outlook on life! My schedule is not wake up and what I’m going to have for breakfast, then lunch, then dinner and let’s not forget 10 snacks. It’s about being active and being healthy! Laughing and smile and just be happy. I was SOOOOO miserable before and the weight was always on my mind. Everyday I would never smile, I was so mean with everyone and it was because of the weight. The weight impacted me in so many different ways. I’m glad to say “Gastric bypass surgery has saved my life”. Anyone who is undecided about having this surgery, you only have one thing to lose by having this, and that is the weight. Well, I can go on and on and on talking about my one year journey but I rather talk to any one individually if they are interested in talking with me about my journey. I’ll be glad to answer anyone’s question! And remember life is all about food! Eat to live! My pictures prove that weight loss surgery + proper eating and exercise will improve your health dramatically. – Jason
You hit on a very good point, "I'm not that heavy" even at over 400 lbs you couldn't see yourself as others did. Yea you knew you were heavy but heck not as heavy as that lard azz! But in reality maybe more. It's like hearing your voice on tape you go heck that doesn't sound like me, but it does to everyone else. Second point you made you don't know how heavy you are until you loose the weight. On the other side most of us still go to the size clothes in the store that are smaller then we were but yet not as small as we are. I did that the other day went to look at some 34" jeans and ended up with a pair of 30". Thin is also as hard to see yourself as obese? Great testimony people who have never visited or lived in the northeast don't know what great food you have every ethic group is represented and portions are unbelievable, from the 5 star to the dinner. Don't be a stranger! C'ya Bob
Your story is so inspiring that I think you should go to the media outlets with it. It wouldn't be to brag but, rather, you can offer hope to so many younger people who often see life as being hopeless. I know that doctors frown on having people under 18 have the WLS, but young adults might see you as an inspiration.
You were like so many other young people. Morbid Obesity is not the province only of the older people. Having tried various diets and other methods of losing weight unsuccessfully leaves many people without hope. You can show others that WLS does offer a possible solution when all else fails.
Again, we all know that all other solutions should be tried first. No one should see WLS as their first and only option. However, when other methods have been tried and one has failed at them all, then WLS can relieve the desperation that surrounds us.
Emphasis must be made that this is not an easy way out. Perhaps, you can broach this subject with your surgeon and a nutritionist. The NY media can be helpful in getting the word out to many younger people who think they are too young for WLS. I feel most sorrow for those who see themselves as being in a helpless situation and actually consider suicide as an option. Obviously, they need counseling before they would be considered good candidates for WLS (why give life saving surgery to someone who is considering suicide?) but they wouls become excellent candidates following such counselling.
Just think about it. You may be able to be an example for others your age to follow. I do not mean to put any pressure on you. Just think about the possibilities. sjbob
You were like so many other young people. Morbid Obesity is not the province only of the older people. Having tried various diets and other methods of losing weight unsuccessfully leaves many people without hope. You can show others that WLS does offer a possible solution when all else fails.
Again, we all know that all other solutions should be tried first. No one should see WLS as their first and only option. However, when other methods have been tried and one has failed at them all, then WLS can relieve the desperation that surrounds us.
Emphasis must be made that this is not an easy way out. Perhaps, you can broach this subject with your surgeon and a nutritionist. The NY media can be helpful in getting the word out to many younger people who think they are too young for WLS. I feel most sorrow for those who see themselves as being in a helpless situation and actually consider suicide as an option. Obviously, they need counseling before they would be considered good candidates for WLS (why give life saving surgery to someone who is considering suicide?) but they wouls become excellent candidates following such counselling.
Just think about it. You may be able to be an example for others your age to follow. I do not mean to put any pressure on you. Just think about the possibilities. sjbob
You say 56 waist as if it's a bad thing............ok it was a bad thing. I too am glad that those days of wearing 56's and still having a gut dunlap over the belt on three sides are behind me. I used to hold my old 42's up by the waistband and wonder how the **** I ever fit in them. Now I fit in them again. It's a beautiful thing.
The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking....... If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog.
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