No crystal ball, but looking back a year after RNY

December 20, 2011, exactly 365 days ago and to the minute I am writing this note my life forever changed.

Hard to have known then what I do now, I mean no one has a crystal ball that can give you insight into the future.  After more than 12 months of preparation and appointments with different health care professionals and spending time  with support groups and reading online, you do feel pretty secure that you know what you are getting into, but it is hard to really appreciate the new future that lies ahead until you commit yourself and take the plunge.

I am a very lucky man. I can tell you that with 1005%certainty that my life before RNY was great. I am married to the love of my life, my high school sweetheart (married now 13+ years), we have 3 wonderful boys and one little princess that are all happy and healthy. I have a great job, in a fun industry that allows my great flexibility to balance my work and home life priorities. Life 366 days ago was as great as it is now. 

Amidst all the positive was one underling issue that kept me up at night, my health.  I don't come from the best stock when it come to health genes. I lost my father when he was 45 due to complications from diabetes, my mother died from breast cancer at 49. Being in my late 30's and hovering around 300 pounds with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol was putting my family at risk that I could not afford. 12 years ago I decided that I needed to do my best to increase my odds at survival.  My method was simple, diet and exercise. Over the course of the last 12 years I exercised 6 days a week  for 60-90 minutes a day, I had consulted with 4 different dieticians and committed myself to eating good foods. Seemed simple enough, seemed completely logical....but, nothing happened. I could not loose weight in a safe and controlled manner.

Frustration and anxiety were mounting with each day as my health became a bigger and bigger issue. The tipping point came when my oral medication to control diabetes was no longer enough and my doctor told me it was time to start insulin injections. This was my biggest fear, and this in my mind clearly put me on the same path that lead to my fathers death.  I started to cry right there in front of the doctor. He understood, he knew I was committed and had tried fro years. He told me that it was time to take drastic measures and I agreed.

I took nearly 18 months from referral to Dec 20, 2011. during that time I can honestly say I under appreciated all the great support and education that all of the appointments and meeting provided me. By the time it was my turn, I was prepared and believed I knew what I was doing, why I was doing it and what a lifetime commitment was being made.

The journey has had a few bumps in the road, all of which have been manageable. The support and guidance from the staff in the bariatric clinic at TWH has been awesome. I have lost over 100 pounds, and no longer suffer any weight related health issues. I am off all medications for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am training to run a half marathon next summer. I have rappelled down a sky scrapper and climbed on rope courses. I have done more physically to push my limits in the last 364 days than I did in the previous 14,000 days. 

I have no crystal ball and cannot see what the future holds, but what I do know is that together with help and support from my doctors, nurses and team at the bariatric clinic I am more optimistic than ever that my fantastic and blessed life will be a long one.

At the one year mark I know this is really still just the beginning, but I would not be hear today if not for one major factor. My wife, she is my life!!! It was Jennifer who through all the years of dieting and exercise was my motivation. The decision to take drastic action was motivated by wanting to be by her side forever! She inspired my every day in everything I do to be a better man, husband and father. I did this all for us, but mostly for you. Thank you for never giving up on me and for giving me all the blessings that I count every day.

Happy surgavery to us both.

I love you.

Harold xoxoxox

Oh Harold... what an incredibly sensitive, inspiring post. A HUGE congratulations to you on all of your successes. Wishing both you and your wife a long and happy life together. XO

Wonderful post. Congratulations!!

That was an awesome post. It really moved me. Thank you fro posting. Congrats on having such a wonderful supportive spouse. I wish you a long and healthy life.

Harold;

May the years to come be filled with life, laughter and love...you are a gift, to your family and to all who look to this forum as a support...

Blessings,

Kim

sky scrapper?  You a crazy man!    Might try the half marathon, not gonna repel down anything!  

 Congrats on your weight loss success and your family!  Thanks for your post!  

Great post Harold, Thank You for sharing all that is important.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Sue

wiping a little tear!  CONGRATS on your success and very motivational... I LOVE hearing from the Men here... Simply not enough of the male perspective.  :) 

I wish a Long happy healthy life for both you Jennifer and your children.

Juls

Simply wonderful. Congratulations on your one year! 

Thank you so much for sharing your story. Congratulations on your one year surgiversary and all the successes you have had.