The new guy

Well I guess it is time to introduce myself and become an active member of this community.

After a few months of serious self consideration and a couple years of thinking what life would be like, I have finally decided it is time to take the first steps to be able to seriously improve not only my life but the lives of my wife and kids.

A little over 3 years ago I weighed in at 350 a few changes in lifestyle, moving away from the city I was in and to an area that promotes a much more relaxed life style I was able to shed about a total of 75lbs.  This took almost 2 years to do, but other changes had my habit of eating when stressed putting about half of that back on.

I have come to a point where I know I need serious changes in my life and that I won't be able to lose everything I need to in a timeframe where it makes a difference on my own.  So now I find myself here in a position to finally take control of my life.  I know nothing comes easy and reading peoples stories has only confirmed  what I already knew, which this is by no means an easy way out.

Quite simply put I am tired of taking handfuls of meds to control my diabetes, blood pressure and colestorol.  My goals are fairly basic I want to be around to watch my kids grow up and have them not be ashamed of their dad.  To have my wife be proud of the man she chose to marry, and finally for me to not be ashamed of the person I am.

Thats my story.

Thanks for reading
Paul

Welcome to the locker room, where sweat socks stand up by themselves at times.  We're looking forward to clearning off space on the loser's bench for you - let us know how we can support you.  We have guys who are in the stages of thinking about surgery, pre-op, last days of pre-op, heading to op, newly post-op, experienced post-op, and long-timer post-op.  Take your pick and ask your questions ... and be ready for a lot of perspectives!

Paul if it makes you feel any better , your story is NOT uncommon.
As a matter fact it is very common.My story is just like yours ,as is  most all the other guys here in the locker room .
Kids, wife ,health, And I'd be willing to bet in that order too .( me too )
You have come to the right place to cather all the info you need to make the right choice for you .There is no one size fits all when it comes to WLS .
Ask questions, learn what you need to know before you go under the knife.
Good health and best wishes
Nick from Utah ( theres two Nick's here in the locker room)

Welcome aboard and if you have any questions they wil be answered.These guys are really great.

Paul,
Welcome aboard!  It's a great group of guys that hang out in here.  There's lot's of good advice and help to be found.  Goodluck on your journey.

Duane

Paul,

Greetings and Salutations!

Welcome aboard!  Glad to have ya join us.

Your story is like most of ours. I was 397.5 lbs, size 50-52 pants, 3X-4X shirts, on 13 meds a day after my heart attacks in 2002. Now, 16 months later, I'm 182 lbs., size 33 pants, M-L shirts, and NO MEDS!! No more congestive heart failure, no more ssleep apnea and bi-pap machine to sleep, no more edema of the feet and legs! I can walk and exercise, weight train, ride my motorcycle, mow the lawn, play with the grandkids - do mostly whatever I want without an extra 215+ pounds holding me down like an anchor!

Try this sometime.......when you've at the Gym load up a bar with plates that equals how much weight you've lost and just hold it for a minute or two.  You'll be shocked when you realize how heavy it is and to think that you carried it around 24/7 for that long.  I wondered how I even functioned?

Yeah Duane, I did that about a month ago. I grabbed the set of 110 pound dumbbells and walked about 20 feet with them. Made me realize why I was so tired while lugging that much extra dead weight around for all those years!

Just saying Hello,

alot of great info here..........