David Allen
Highest weight: April 2006 404 pounds.
Lost 25 pounds by surgery date: 379 on June 21st, 2006
2weeks post op: -26/-59 =353.4
3weeks post op:-34/-59=345.5
4weeks post op:-41/-66=338
5weeks post op:-45/-70=334
6weeks post op:-48/-73=331
7weeks post op:-53/-78=326
8weeks post op:-56/81=323
9weeks post op:-63/-88=316
10weeks post op:-70/-95=309
11weeks post op:-75/-100=304
12weeks post op:-77/-102=302
13weeks post op:-82/-107=297
14weeks post op:-89/-114=290
15 Weeks post op:-93/-118=286
16 weeks post op:-96/-121=283
17weeks post op:-102/-127=277
18 weeks post op:-102/-127=277
19 weeks post op:-105/-130=274
20 weeks post op:-107/-132=272.9
21 weeks post op:-110/-135=269
***check below for corresponding dates to see what happened during each week!***
Im recently engaged to a beautiful woman. I teach inner city kids in Philadelphia, which is always a challenge!
3/24/06
Well, I am all ready to pick a date, but because I am a teacher I am waiting for school to get out before I get the procedure. Im not nervous and I don't think I will be. Im merely excited to get my life back. Im lucky because I have it pretty good for a guy in my shape, I run a pretty normal life..
I recently started my cpap machine, but I can't sleep a whole night with it on.
Oh and I started a diet before my surgery because I don't want it cancelled because I gained weight....down 15.8 down
4/09/06
OK well, havent been sticking to my diet, but I am supposed to get assigned a ate for sugery on Tuesday. The day I get my date is when I am really going to kick it up a notch! I want that to be the healthies 2 and half months of my life (eating and excercise) because barix clinics recently changed their policy and now if you gain 20 pounds from consult to preop checkup, they cancel surgery. ( Before they made your laproscopic into open) So on Tuesday April 11th (if thats when I schedule) will be a new me up until surgery!!!!) I have to do it or all this would be for not. I think I put that 15 pounds back on. Sometimes....I really suck at life!
4/12/06
Got my date. 10 weeks from today, June 21 2006. I cannot "weight" Haha...sorry it's late and sad to say bad jokes run in my family.
04/17/06
Let's see. Today(after easter) I decided to kick it up a notch with my diet and excercise. I really want to be as healthy as I can be for my surgery. Wish me luck! If any post-opers have any pre-surg advice, please email me.
05/10/06
OK, thanks for the support everyone in my mild crisis. I have good news to report. I need to get within 15 pounds of my November consultation weight or less or my date will be cancelled. According to weight watchers I am weighing 392 pounds...down 12.2 this week from 404 pounds. Im sticking with weight watchers up until my date to keep me on track. So, as long as I gain no more weight I am ready to go,
Sadly, I bumped into an old friend and she told me her brother died (age 19) three years after surgery (22 when he passed) due to complications. He dropped all of his weight but had complications due to scar tissue on his intestine. Im really nervous because reading about people dying, and knowing someone who died from the procedure are two different things. Im nervous.
05/24/06
OK, I just weighed in and am down to 389 lbs. So, I have 6 more pounds to lose and I will be at the weight I was at consultation (December) I am within my range for surgery to go on so all is well. I would love to get to be an even 380 before surgery on june 21st. I will keep you posted! Down 15 pounds since given a surgery date!!!!
06/05/06
Yes, I had my PAT today, and I was within my weight range to go forward with surgery, but I was "urged" to lose about 10 pounds in the next 18 days. I think I can do it, but one thing was weird; the nurse took my blood pressure and said it was 180/90 (very high) which is odd because it has always been normal. Then the doctor took it and he said it was 120/80 (I may have these backwards I don't know.) I told him what the nurse said it was and he took it again. This time...130/80...finally another nurse came in and took it and got 160/80...why can't we get a steady reading? Now I have to be on blood pressure meds for the first time, and Im not even sure if I have high blood pressure!!!!
06/17/06
I made a quick stop ino BArix to weigh in. This morning II have lost 10 pounds since my PAT. I hope to lose another 5 which would put me at an even 380. I have lost a total of 20 pounds since I have been given my date. I am only 1 pound
6/23/06 Well I made my goal. I lost over 25 pounds before surgery and dropped my weight below my consult in December, as expected I put on weight from surgery. I left Barix weighing 391. I felt awful the first night. Many people were teasing me and calling me a baby as a joke. I can handle it. But my friends and family really camr through, especially my fiancee , Jessica. She was with me from 10 to 10. The staff was amazing as expected too. Im home after only 48 hours afyer entering Barix. (June 21st-23rd) I am very sore but I will be just fine. Updates to come later!
7/13/06
Today I had my 2 week checkup(actually about 3) and everything seems to be going well. I am down 35 pounds and it is showing just a little. (loss of 60 pounds since April)The doctor was very happy with my progress and he thinks I should have a lot of success. I do need to get more protein in, which has been easier since I started pureed food, and I need to get my butt in the gym more often. Dr. Brader said the same work out I do know is more benificial than the one I will do in 8 months.
08/01/06
Yesterday I had my 6 week checkup(which is actually tommorow) and the doctor thinks everything is in order. He also told me I could stop my blood pressure meds. everything was good news except I am REALLY slowing down with my weight loss. It looks like in between my 5th and 6th weeks I have only lost 1-3 pounds. I will know better tommorow. This is frustrating because it seems awfully early for this slow of a loss, moreover, I started going to the gym this week so I thought it would be MUCH better than it has been. I have heard the pro's mention "weight shifting" and I have to pray that that is the case, I am sliming it just isn't showing on the scale, but again, it seems so early. I hope I am not done losing by some freak occurance. I am just going a little crazy, Im sure it will be fine!
08/23/06
This week has been a very good one. I dropped 7.5 pounds this week. I really kicked it up a notch this week at the gym. I actually ran a mile without stopping. I ran at 5 mph too. I didn't know I could do that. I also signed up for Karate ( www.tsk.com ) I also have a new school. Wagner Middle School in Philadelphia. Wish me luck. I think being lighter will help me in my teaching. I can just get around better too! Jessica is back in Medical school and already I don't hardly see her, but I am always thinking about her. We did do a lot this summer so I can't complain.
08/30/06
10 weeks in and I am under 310 pounds. I have lost 70 since surgery and 95 total. I had another strong week, but I did have to fight serious cravings again for the first time since surgery. I knew they would return but I didn't think it would be this soon. So far I haven't given in because I can't argue with the success I have seen...plus I don't want to let myself or anyone else down. School starts in 6 days...YUCK!!! It will be a new challenge trying to deal with the stress of work and having to eat while teaching as well. I hope to be uner 300 in two weeks!
09/06/06
Today I weighed in and I am down 100 pounds since May. Most people only care how much lost from surgery...not me...I worked hard to lose those 25 before surgery and ofcourse it counts. This week I did something I know I never did before. I ran for 2 miles nonstop going 5 mph. The last two days I have been paying for it!!! I am so sore I can hardley move. But I did reach my first milestone, and my next is only 4 pounds away! I will be under 300 pounds! The kids arrive in school tommorow and I am a little nervous, but I will never let them know...HAHAHAHA!!(evil laughter) Wish me luck!
09/12/06
So it was a slow eek for weight loss, but my numbers were important....As of my weight now, I would no longer be a candidate for surgery. I am no longer MORBIDLY OBESE!!!! ( I started out SUPER MORBIDLY OBESE)I have no comorbidities so everything is going well. I just got into a pair of pants that I got from JCPenneys (thanks Mom) that didnt fit me when I bought them 2 weeks ago. And today I got into size 40 jeans! I cant believe it. 2 weeks ago, I thought it would be a month till they fit, but here I am! School is going well too? Am I dreaming?
09/20/06
As of today, I am under 300 pounds for the first time since I was in 9th grade...15 years old. I will never forget the day I weighed in breaking the 300 mark. The school nurse made me feel so ashamed when she said..."you weigh over 300 pounds...im calling your mother" Well, fast forward 9 years later and here I am. This is the biggest goal I had for the surgery, everything else is buttah! I would like to end up weighing 225 pounds...but if I dont get right their I'll be okay...as long as life is better, and it seems to get a little better everyday!
09/27/06
I had a strong week this time through. I weighed in at 290...7 pounds this week. I did a ton of excercise and I am really sore for it...worth every bit of pain. It's funny, I had a very "slow" time getting between 307 and 299, but I went through the 90's so fast. I ALWAYS used to plateu and then fail at the 305 mark. I wonder why those pounds are so tough for me to lose. Oh well, I Never plan on fighting that battle again! 65 pounds until my goal!
10/02/06
Im having a tough time the past few days. I am REALLY struggling with temptation. I had over the course of three days three small chocolate covered pretzels...still within my sugar rang, but I am not okay with giving in to temptaion. I haven't been awful or anything, but I dont want to go in that direction! I hope this is just a passing thing...Im actually excited to go back to work after the long weekend just to get back into my routine!
10/04/06
This was a tough week, but I worked out very hard and managed to lose 4 pounds this week. By Sunday it was only 1 or 2 pounds, but I really pushed myself and it paid off. I am trying to keep myself on the right track...no more mistakes! 61 pounds till goal!
10/08/06
Its Sunday and I went to the gym. I felt so good running today (raised my speed to 5.5 mph) that I ran 3 miles!!! I have NEVER done that before...not even when I played football. I know I have been stronger than I am now as far as weight training goes, because Im not really lifting, but I am in the best shape of my life. This has been the most amazing 5 months of my life!(3 and a half since surgery) 5 months ago I could barely walk up a flight upsatairs without getting tired...weighing 404 pounds....fast forward to today I weigh 283 pounds and I just ran for over 3 miles! What a difference!
10/11/06
Down only 3 this week. I have rebounded nicely from my slippage, but I was down more earlier this week..about 2 pounds, but that was right after my running and vigorous workouts, so the water just came back. I guess that is somewhat expected. I hope I have bigger weight loss weeks to come. I know 3 pounds in a week is actually pretty good, but it just isnt what im used to...perhaps I need to adjust my expectations at this point. We will see. 4 pounds away from 100 since surgery!
10/18/06
Lost 6 this week. Over 100 pounds since surgery and 127 in all. 52 pounds from goal! Amazing.
10/21/06
4 months out down 103 pounds from surgery and 128 in all.
10/24/06
No change this week. I didnt excercise enough, but I didnt have my best week either. I will try to rebound nicely next Wednesday. Had a tough time this past week with "real life". No excuses. I know that my weight loss is going to slow down, but I hope to keep it going even if its just a little.
11/01/06
Again not my best week, but I lost 3 pounds. Halloween last night was a little challenging. Over the course of a few days, I had a couple of mini candy bars, im not happy about that, but before I would have eaten a ton and never considered giving extra candy away today. I think even though I only ate half of a mini candy bar at a time, I did mildly dump...I got VERY sleepy about 10 minutes later!
11/08/06
OK, 2 pounds this week, again not amazing, but its progress. I can't beieve how long it is taking me to get through the 270's! I hope the 260's go a little quicker. I still need to boost my excercise back to 4 days a week, Im sure that will help a ton. 4 pounds unti I am at Dr. Braders 6 month goal. (Im not even at my 5 months yet, so I cant complain!)
11/15/06 -21 weeks
Had a nice trip to Florida, my mom said I looked completely different. I FINALLY am out of the 270's, weighing in at 269. I strt my leadership role at Barix with Shauna tonight, I cant wait. 44 pounds till goal!!!
11/21/06 22weeks/5months
5 months today and I had my best week in a long time. 5 pounds this week. I really focused on hitting my protein goals and I did, all by 12pm. I need to buy more nitrotech shakes, they made the difference. I am only 39 pounds from my ultimate goal andI am passed Dr. Braders 6 month/christmas goal a month early. I hope to be at goal by my one year mark, that would put me 1 year ahead of where I planned to be...but I dont want to get ahead of myself...I have a long ways to go. Thanksgiving is tommorow and I will be just fine. Its the egg nog I will misss thats all!
Week23 11/29/06 Thanksgiving week, went well, I lost 5 pounds this week, but I did struggle, although not too bad, with temptation, but I feel over all pretty good about my decisions in regards to the holiday. 34 pounds until goal!
Week25 12/13/06 This week was pretty good. I am now 27 pounds from goal and I ran 3 miles last night and ran for over half a mile at 7 mph. That was really hard at the end, but I pushed through. I hope to make my christmas goal of 250 pounds!
Week 28 01/04/07 So I managed to lose weight over the holidays, that hasn't EVER happened before. I have REALLY slowed down, but that is to be expected as my goal gets closer. I am now 24 pounds away from my goal and I am seeing some loose skin now...I just think I might be stuck with it for many years until my future doctor/wife makes any real money to allow me to get it removed. I have plenty of time before I Really need to worry, after all, Im just 6 months out yet. I am starting to think that I may want to go past my initial goal and lose more weight, but I cant tell how much is fat vs. loose skin. I guess I will reevaluate in 24 pounds! MINI GOAL=240 pounds by Valentines day, I think its dueable. 9 pounds ina month and 10 days! We shall see!
Week 30 01/17/07 I have been sick for a long time...sinus infection, but I had a very good week. I dropped 7 pounds this week, which makes it my best week in a LONG time. It was good to kind of officially get back to a routine. I should DEFINITLY make my valentines day goal now. I am coming up on my 7th month anniversary next week and have dropped 10 pounds so far this month(most in the last week) I hope to get that to 15 for the month but we will see. I feel like I am starting to look a lot better...17 to goal!!!
Week 30 02/07/07 Still not 1005 but Im close. I talked with some friends of mine and they really helped get me back on track (My fiance too) and I had a good week. I dropped 5 this week. I see Dr. Chapin this week for a plastic surgery consult...which is good because I am really starting to have itchy skin and I think it may need to go sooner than later! 10 pounds from goal...AMAZING!!!
Week 32 02/21/07 Not a great week, but I ran 4 miles on the readmill last night ,and did an upper body workout too! I am now 7 pounds from goal(which will be changed, but its a start.) I need o be in the gym more often if I want to reach my ultimate goal, which is betweem 210 and 200 by the end of June....I can do it if I work really hard, just sitting around won't do it!
9 months.03/21/07...VERY slow month, but it is MY fault. I didnt do great, but I did run for 5 miles straight...I was very proud of myself! I hope to be at my goal by 10 month time. I will have to readjust it to reach my possible surgery date of July 23...Im still waiting to see if it is a go!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed and my hands folded in prayer. I feel VERY self conscious about the skin and nothing fits me just right and its more uncomfortable than you can imagine!
04/03/07 OK, I have been working very hard lately on my workouts and making sure I am returning to good eating habits...wanna see the results.....
1. I am no longer Obese...just overweight. This is the first time this has happened since I was born (practically) I was born 4 pounds and 1 ounce and making up for it ever since. Now I am just plain overweight.
2. I am AT my goal weight of 225. I never believed this would happen! Its hard to believe that in 9+ months I could have a transition like this.
3. I am scheduled for reconstructive surgery on July 23, 2007. I will be having a full Belt Lipectomy. I am getting this done with Dr. Chapin (thanks Shauna) www.dr.chapin.com Although I am at goal, I do want to lose 15-25 more pounds to be right where I need to be for surgery (the goal I am at was my ideal from bariatric surgery, but now I want to keep going and really get in shape)
And I just wanted to thank all of you for your unending support....I love you guys. I also wanted to thank Jessica who was with me from 10am to 10pm while I was at Barix, and she has really been great. I also need to thank my mother because she is the one who recognizes the importance of this surgery and is making it possible. She has no idea how much this means to me. Thanks Mom!
Keep checking up on me because I cant fall now, surgery is in less than
16 weeks!!!
