dlamp
My story(update)
Feb 15, 2007
May, 2004Hello I'll start by telling something about myself. I'm married to my beautifull wife Patrice. We have three kids Chris, Morgan, and Devin. They are all great kids. We live in
Oregon now but moved here from the Phoenix area. I love Arizona but Oregon is our home now. I'm excited about getting the surgery and what it will do for my life.
May, 2004
This all started for me one day when my wife came home from a
trip. She told me a story about a lady she ran into in Phoenix. How she
could get wls covered by our insurance!! She was very excited about it to
say the least. We had joked around saying that she would like to have
it done, but we thought we could never afford it. Now with the reality
of it being possible I had to stop and think about what she was saying.
We have both been over weight for a long time and have tried diets of
all kinds. It was all very fast, and she already has a surgery date
scheduled. She kept asking me what I thought,how I felt about it all? Well
to tell the truth I was very scared. All I knew was people died from
the surgery!! I knew she really wanted to have it so I supported her as
best as I could. With her always being on Oh I started to look at some of the
profiles on line. Well I got hooked!!!! I could not believe some of the
stories I had read. Wow, I just kept reading and reading until some wee hour
of the morning. When I woke up I was just as excited as my wife. We
called and scheduled the information session with DR Newhoff. So I go to the
info session and get a small surprise!! See my PCP's scale only goes to
350lb. Knowing what I have weighed in the past I figure I'm about
380lb. Well I did black out a little and cant remember the correct weight, but
it was less than 380lb. Somewhere around 358-368lb so that was nice,
but still with a BMI of 44-47. I have chosen to go with DR Simon
because I want the lap and not the open. I had all but given up on losing
weight. I just figured I would continue to grow bigger and bigger until
the day I died. I guess I got tired of failing over and over!! I know I
need this surgery!! My dad is a type II diabetic with high blood
pressure. Seeing what he is going through and knowing that I weigh much more
than he did at my age, makes it all hit home. I have tried many diets
with much success, But still wound up failing in the end. I have been on
three or four 60-80lb weight swings which I know is also bad for me. I'm
looking forward to having this new tool, and finally being able to
sustain a large weight loss for more than a couple of months. Where I sit now
is I'm waiting for my PCP to send in my file, and need to schedule the
psycho evaluation. Well my wife already knows the answer to that and
she would say I'm a definite psycho!!!! I hope to get a lot out of this
site. I can say it has already done quite a lot to help me understand some
of what We are going to go through. Pleas feel free to email with any
questions or support. Thanks to everyone for posting there stories and
giving me the courage to proceed with mine.
May,25 2004
Well here I go having thoughts about this surgery? I keep
thinking its a huge step. I have lost the weight before with out the surgery.
I don't know maybe it's just cold feet. Has anyone else gone through
this? Anyway I'm still waiting for my PCP to fax over my records to DR
Simon. They said they did on the 11th but when I called they said they had
not received them yet. Well wish me luck in making my decision.
June, 03 2004
Hello, well I have decided to just do it!! I have tried many diets
with endless amounts of exercise to no avail. So instead of putting it
off another three or four months until I fail again, I'm going to be
like mike and just do it. The reason for this decision was made at my
daughters softball practice. I coach there team and thought I was doing
well until one pop fly. I was pitching batting practice when one girl
popped it up. Well I went running for it and it was a big mistake. My feet
and lower back hurt for three days. I only ran about ten feet!!!! Not to
mention I just plane missed the ball. Yea they laughed haha. Did I
mention 13-15 year old teen aged girls suck and are sometimes just plane
mean. Well I'll get over it someday sob sob :( Well as far as my surgery
the doctors office is sending in for approval any day. The lady that
handles it was on vacation for two weeks. She is now back and said she is
working on a stack of them now. I will update more when I know more.
Thanks and god bless.
June 6,2004
Well now what shall I do? I have spent the last week or so looking
through all the before and after photos. With a dial up you can only
imagine how many hours I have spent doing this. All I can say is wow!!!
no how about !!!!!WOW!!!!!! They were very motivating to me. I read
quite a few of the profiles along the way and can say now more than ever, I
want this. My wife's surgery is on the 28th of June and if she pulls
through I'm there baby.(JK) Well anyway I'm just waiting until tomorrow
to call the insurance company to see if they have received my packet yet.
I don't really have much concern about getting approved. My wife was just
approved and her BMI was lower than mine. We both have co co-morbidities
though. Mine is type II diabetes on my fathers side, and hers is heart
related stuff. I'm not in much of a hurry because I need to be able to
help take care of her after her surgery. So if I can get my date about a
month after hers that would be great. Well I just want to say thanks to
everyone for posting and giving me the much needed information and
motivation.
June 23, 2004
Well I'm approved!!!!!! Wow there has been so much going on I don't
even know where to start. Well here we go! We have moved to Wisconsin,
I got approved, my wife goes to surgery on Monday. With the move and
spending all our attention on that everything has just snuck up on us.
I'm still in just a wow state. We went to six flags this weekend for
fathers day and I can say it depressed me quite a lot. I really like to
ride coasters but just don't fit in them anymore. All I can say is I'm so
ready for this. I'm tired of my back and feet hurting after being on my
feet for a short time. We went to wal-mart to get my wife some stuff
for the hospital and I caught a glimpse of my self in a mirror and
thought damn that's horrible. I don't look at myself in anything that will
reflect my image. Well I hope soon I wont have to do that any more. Or that
I wont mind doing it anymore. Anyway you all know what I mean. Well
They just flashed a tornado warning on the TV for two counties in WI. Oh
my what have we done to ourselves!!! So It has been a very stressful
and quick paced couple of weeks for us. Well I will be letting you all
know how things go for my wife. Now that the move is over I should be
able to update more often. So bye for now I'll post more later.
June 27, 2004
Things are moving very fast I just happen to be in Phoenix for my
wife's surgery on Monday. Well on Friday she had her last Prue op meeting
with DR. Simon. On our way out I stop to set up my Prue op classes.
Thinking it will take a month or so before my first class when she says "we
have one tomorrow and the second one next sat". So as of yesterday I
have already had my first class with the last one next Saturday. My wife
just about lost it! She took a month to get approved. She called
everyday mine took eight days. Her first class she had to wait for three
weeks before her first one, mine the next day. All she could do was laugh.
Well I guess this was just meant to be. My wife is very excited for
Monday. She is already counting down the hours. Some where around 23 hours
before the surgery. I'll let everyone know how she is doing. She will
also have a computer in the hospital with her. She is a Internet junkie
as you can probably tell from the message boards. I have to beat her off
with a stick just to get time on it to update my page.lol We had her
fair well to food last night at Applebee's mostly a liquid meal if you
know what I mean. I'm really looking forward to this new life for me and
her. Not to mention the money we are going to save on food. Also being
back in Phoenix refreshed my memory why I don't miss this place.
!!!!!!!!ITS FREAKING HOT!!!!!!!! only 110 yesterday no more for me. The only
thing that will bring me back is winter and my surgery.lol Well I post
more later. bye for now.
June 28, 2004
Well here I'm at the hospital with my wife. I'm very nervous she
has been in surgery for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours now. I hope she is not
as nervous as me when I go through this. I know in my heart she will be
fine I just want to know it in my head.!! Well as far as my surgery, it
should be scheduled by this wed. All I'm waiting for is an ultra sound
of my gall bladder. I want to say thanks to everyone for there support.
There has been a lot of great people sending lots of wonderful things
and well wishes for both me and my wife.
June 30, 2004
Well I got a date!!!!!! July 26th less than a month after my
wife's. I just hope my nerve holds up. After sitting here with my wife for the
last couple of days, my head is starting to play tricks with me.
Every time I see myself in a mirror I keep saying oh yea that's why. Well I
know I'm not going to back out its just hard seeing first hand whats its
all about. So I'm very excited yea and ya hoo. Well I'm in the
southwest!! My wife is doing OK she might get to go home today but probably
tomorrow. Who knows I don't and neither do the nurses. Well she should be
doing OK by the time I get my wls done. Well that's all for now later!!!
July 10,2004
I went with my wife to her ten day checkup and decided to find out
what time my surgery was. They came back and said I will need to check
in by 11:00 am on the 20th not the 26th. So that was quite a shock to
say the least. So now I have 10 days till my surgery!!!!! WOW!!!!!! My
wife has lost 18lb in ten days. She is doing great but has not been able
to take in any protein. She also needs to take in more water witch kind
of worries me. Well I'm sure with my constant nagging she will get on
the ball. I just hope she does not start to get mad at me for it. I just
want her to be OK. Well that's all for now don't know if I will post again
before I'm a loser.
July 15,2004
Hello everyone!!! Well my day is coming up fast and the nerves are
starting to set in a little. I watched the Al Roker special on the
health channel last night. When I seen the instrument's sticking out of his
belly I freaked out a little. My heart raced for a second or two, but I
calmed down. I just have to keep focusing on the rewards from this
surgery and not the negatives. I don't know if that's going into it with a
blind eye or whatever. I just know it's what I have to do to get there
and have it done. Oh my god am I rambling on or what!!!!!!! Just keep
lying to my self that will work!!!!! aaaahhhhhhhh !!!!
Wow I feel better now whew!!!! So I also wanted to thank everyone for
the great words of support and encouragement. Well off to the message
board for something else to do. Bye
July 18,2004
Well I went for my Prue op meeting with Dr Simon on Friday. It went
well they took lots of blood and all the normal stuff. Although my
blood pressure was very high 152/100. Wow I felt like my heart was going to
explode.lol The doc didn't seem to think it was out of the normal. He
said that if it wasn't high he would be scared. I guess everyone is a
little nervous. Now I go back to Phoenix tomorrow and will say the night
there before my surgery. OH yea I was told that my surgery was moved up to
10:00am so now I will need to be there at 8:00am. My wife said this was
just meant to be the way this is moving forward so fast. SO I guess the
next time I post I will be a loser. I have been thinking about being
over weight a lot. The day we came home from Phoenix from Patrice's surgery
there was some comments made by a couple who just happened to be
sitting by my daughter. They were saying stuff about us being over weight and
so on. When we got off and were on our way down to baggage claim when
she told me what they said. Well me being me I went over to them and
said they should be more careful what they say. She proceeded to yell
obscenities at me and I called her a bitch. Up until that moment I never
really felt over weight. I knew I was!! Just never really bothered me
until that time. Well I'm glad that happened even though it hurt, well it
just really pissed me off. It just made my decision that much simpler
to make. well I Will post again after my surgery. bye for now.
July 30,2004
Well here I'm not sure what to think yet!! I miss fooooood well
with that being said what else is there. The surgery went fine but the
pain meds after gave me a terrible headache. I quit taking pain meds on
day three and have not had any since. I'm still a little sore around
the middle but I'm getting along fine. The hardest part is just finding
stuff to eat and getting the protein down. I'm not getting nowhere near
the recommended amount down every day. I hope this gets better as time
goes on. Well at ten days I have lost 27lb already. I know this will slow
down but its neat to already see such a difference. Well I'll post more
when I have more to say so bye for now.
August 24,2004
Well its been a while since my last post. Things have gotten much
better for me. The weight has been dropping off quickly. I have lost 38lb
in three weeks. I have not weighed since, but still can feel and see a
difference since than. I try not to weigh myself too much. We went to
visit my mom this last weekend in bullhead city AZ. The flight was great
because the seat belt fit with plenty of room and I could get my tray
down in front of me. We fly a lot so being at ease on the plane is a big
thing to me. The seat belt used to cut int my belly so now having to
pull on it to tighten it up is very cool.
My wife has lost 40lb at six weeks together we have lost over
80lb. She is really looking good and I'm so happy we both have done this.
She is throwing up a lot though but we hope it will get better with time.
My old clothes feel like huge bags on me now. I'm not planning on
buying any new clothes until I lose more weight. My wife has bought
some new clothes but not much.
August 31,2004
Hello did anyone else have a great weekend we did!! We went to
Tuscon Arizona for a wedding. My wife got a new dress, shoes, jewelry the
works. She looked great!!! she got a lot of comments on how good she
looked. To date she has lost 44lbs. As far as me I have now lost 49lbs.
I'm fitting into clothes that I wore the last time I lost 60lbs or so.
But from here on out it will all have to be new clothes for me. I have
not set any goals for myself witch I guess I should do soon. I just know
there are a lot of things I want to do that I cant do when I fat.
The plane rides are getting easier as far as the seat belts are
concerned. They keep fitting better and better however the seat bottoms seem
to be getting harder. It also could be that my but has less padding on
it lol. Everything is going good as far as eating but I still need to
get some or any protein down. Now that all the traveling is done for
the summer I can start to focus on that some more. Bye for now!!
October 4,2004
Hello I just had a wonderful trip to Oregon. Well it was as good as it
gets when your going to do mostly work. I did manage to have fun
somewhere in between the work. Spent lots of time on the coast playing on the
beach. Look and my web site for some pic's of the trip.
My weight loss is going great!!! I'm feeling so much better everyday I
just cant stand it. As of yesterday I'm down 73 pounds. That's in 10
weeks and 5 days. My jeans are very baggie on me but I'm waiting until I
can get into a size 38. It wont be long. I tried some on yesterday at
Wal-Mart, but just couldn't quite button them. Maybe in another three
weeks or so? I'm still listed as severely obese but not far from just
being obese..LOL I'm also on my last hole in my belt and will have to
start drilling holes in it soon.
I cant believe how much this surgery is changing how I feel about my
self!! Life is getting better everyday.
October 18, 2004
Well how about another two weeks!!! I got my size 38 jeans the other
day. They fit great and I had to put the first new hole in my belt. I'm
down another 6 pounds for a total lose of 79 pounds. I have been
averaging 3 pounds a week steady weight loss. I hope this holds the entire
time but who knows.
My feet and back hurt less everyday. Everything is going great except
the intake of protein. This is the next thing that I'm going to start
working on. I have been getting about 25 grams a day every other day. My
new goal is at least 60 grams a day. Now I'm talking about the powdered
or bar type protein. I have the EAS advantage protein products. I also
have a tasteless protein that can be mix in with food. Now with that
being said my goal is to ingest 60 grams a day from this type. However all
the food I eat is protein. I'm hoping my daily intake will be higher
than 60 grams. I have been religious about taking my vitamins everyday. I
also drink green tea daily. Last night I made my own or homemade form of
a protein rich espresso drink. Made with fat free milk, espresso, lite
Hershey's chocolate syrup, Sweet and low and tasteless protein powder. I
used just enough syrup to flavor it than used sweet and low to sweeten
it. Than I ran it through a blender to mix the protein well. Chilled it
in the fridge for and hour or so. Poured it over ice and man was it
good. The first protein drink that really hid the taste of the protein.
Yea I know I said tasteless protein but it's not!!! This should be a great
way to help me get my protein intake up.
Both me and my wife are doing great and my attitude has changed ten
fold from the beginning. I'm so glad I have done this I cant even explain
it.
December 27, 2004
Well its been a while! Let me see whats been going on in my crazy world.
We had moved to Wisconsin...... lets just say it didn't work out too
well. Now we are back in Oregon and say we should have never left. Well
as far as my weight loss, everything is going great. I'm down 108
pounds,in size 36 pants and wearing a regular old XL or maybe large shirt. I
have not submitted the 100 pound loss pics yet because I just haven't
got to it yet. I have however put them on my picture site. Just follow
the link at the top of the page. I have been working out lots and have
been getting down all protein everyday. Everything is going very well and
I cant believe how this has been a great experience for me. I would do
it over again in a heart beat!!!!
January 19th, 2005
Well it's the new year! yea! now what? I'm sitting here wondering what
every body's new years resolutions are from oh this year. Now that I
don't have to use the old lose weight one. Well The weight is still coming
off. I'm somewhere over 110 pounds down now and feeling great. I have
submitted my 100 pound loss pics and they are up now. My wife is doing
great she has lost over 80 pounds and is almost done. She would like to
lose about another 15-20 pounds or so. All I can say is she looks
really good in her size 6 jeans. Wow did I just say that about my wife!!!!
Well anyway she looks really good. Bye for now!!
February 5th, 2005
We just got back from the gym and wow!!! Well lets start at the
beginning...... I have been sick for about a week. Laying around feeling
like I'm getting fat from lack of exercise. Well When I weighed at the
gym I lost another 10 lbs. That's 22 more pounds since my new picture on
my web page. I never in my fat adult life thought I could weigh 233
pounds. Heck in high school I weighed 255 or somewhere around there. Well
other than that there is not much going on in my life right now. Just
get up eat exercise and eat some more than go to bed and start over the
next day. Well that's all for now.
May 25th, 2005
Well its been a wile since I have updated!!! Things are going very well
as far as the weight loss!! I have now lost a total of 140 pounds!!!
Yes that's right 140!!! I about fell off the scale yesterday at the Dr
office. I have been saying to myself all day "hey I weigh 218 pounds"
followed by some sort of giggle. This surgery has truly been a god send. I
would do it all over in a heart beat. Our computer has been down or I
would have put some new pics up. Hopefully it will all be fixed soon.
Well that's all for now.
August 24,2005
Well my year anniversary has come and gone(sorry we have had no
Internet) Happy anniversary to me to me to me!!! yea I know shut up. Well as
far as my weight loss is going I'm down to 204 pounds. That's a total loss
of 154 pounds!!!! Wearing size 34 jeans with a belt to hold them up. I
tried a pair of size 32 regular jeans on and they fit but maybe should
have tried on the loose ones. Just to tight through the legs. Shirt
size is now just a plane old large. Everything I have always wanted as far
as weight loss has come true. Well it has far surpassed what I thought
I wanted. Hell did I even know? No I don't think so...... Things are so
much better as far as my health also. I checked my blood pressure
yesterday at wal-mart and it was down into the normal range. I can now sleep
sitting in my chair. Before I used to choke out and wake up gasping for
air. Walking is much easier and my back hurts less. My wife is also
doing great. She looks so goooooood I just find myself looking at her and
saying daaaaaammmmnnn is that the same girl? We find ourselves looking
at old pictures and just going wow! I don't remember looking like that.
Well we say that about each other anyway. All we get now when people
find out how heavy we used to be is "you look like you have been skinny
your hole life" My wife actually got called a skinny minnie by a
pilot!!!!!! She just laughed it off. If they only knew. Well all I can say is
wow what a journey. I'm so glad this has happened for me.
September, 05 2005
I have been thinking a lot about my participation in the hole
weight loss game. It has all been going pretty easy for me. I know I love
being thin( just bought two pair of size 32 jeans) Like right now I'm
craving something sweet very badly!!! I would usually just eat a little
something to feed the need. Well I just settled for a diet Pepsi instead.
I have been reading a lot about gaining back the weight and have been
thinking about it a lot. My parents have both said I look to thin!!!! I
need to stop and gain some back. Well I have seen me with my shirt off
and there is still some to be lost.......trust me! I do know with out a
doubt I don't want to ever be like I was. So instead of just sitting back
and letting things go on like they have. I want to start taking a more
active interest in the health of my body. Maybe to help me feel like I
have earned it or something. I was working out and running.......but
have not in about three months. Well the weight has still just melted
away. In turn I have just stop worrying about it. Well it's time for me to
wake up and get on the ball young man!!!! Well kinda young....... Hey
I'm only lying to myself. LOL So I'm putting myself on notice. Get up
and get busy.
September 11,2005
Well I just feel like I'm getting fat!!! I don't really know though
because I don't have a scale or want to step on one right now. Still
have not done any exercise to speak of or got any amount of protein down.
I'm just putting this here to keep myself honest. This will change!!!!
I have however started reading some or visualizing some magazines.
Trying to get myself ready to start. I want to be at my best physically fit
when I turn 40. That gives me three years. The funny thing is I
probably am right now!!! LOL I just don't want to waist this gift on stupidity
and laziness.
Derrick
October 23, 2005
Well this week has just sucked. My dad was diagnosed with a brain
tumor on last wed. He has lost a lot of mobility the last month or so. I
went to visit him last week over in Bandon, OR. When I got there I had
to clean for quite awhile. My father has always been very clean. There
was trash every where! Did dishes for an hour!!
I brought him to the er at the VA hospital. They diagnosed him with
Parkinson's. To prove it they did a CT scan the next day. They finished it
at about 11:30. We drove over to Bandon to pick up some stuff we
forgot. I got a call at 3:30 from the Dr. He proceeded to tell me about the
tumor and the follow up scan of the lungs. They want to see him at the
Portland VA on Tuesday in the neurology clinic. They want to also scan his
lungs to see if the brain tumor spread from his lungs. We don't really
know whats going on till Tuesday. All I know is I don't know how to spell
neurology and whats going on with my dad. This has effected my eating
habits greatly!!! I know this!!! I haven't been to the gym either. I
will get through this and get back on track. Stress is a great trigger
for me right now I just don't care. I do however know this and it will be
taken care of. He is not all there mentally and it is wearing on my
nerves.
November 16, 2005
Well quite a lot has transpired since my last post. They have taken
the brain tumor out of my dads head. He is in some ways better than
before like his mobility and balance. I don't however think he is making
good medical decisions. He fights the doctors at every turn and doesn't
remember what they tell him from time to time. I'm to the point of
total frustration with it all. He lives two hours away from me and it
worries me. He has fallen a lot and is having problems staying awake for a
good portion of the day. The list of things that worry me go on and on.
we are hoping that after Thanksgiving he will sell his trailer in
Bandon and move over by us. He is right now refusing to take the chemo but at
the same time is willing to take the head radiation. When you tell him
that it will just grow back from the lungs he just gets upset. No
matter how you look at it he has a rough road ahead.
Well as far as my weight loss has been going I seem to still be holding
around 200lb. Since I have been back to town I have made it to the gym
a couple of times. I have taken to running on the tread mill. It is fun
to just get up there and run. I think it helps with the stress..... I
out ran my sixteen year old son the other day.....Yea that was fun. My
eating is out of control of course but is still the thought of eating fill
all my thoughts.
November 19,2005
What a crappy year it has been for the small community we live in.
In the last year four kids from here have died. First Willie than a
girl named Crystal. Yesterday a boy named Kellen and my daughters friend
Erica. Willie and Crystal died in separate car accidents. Both were
ejected and not wearing seat belts. Yesterday it was a four wheeler
accident frost and leaves on the road. They lost control and went over a
cliff. Were all tired of losing or kids. Lets hope it the last.
Derrick
January 12, 2006
It's 1:18am Oregon time but I am not in Oregon right now. I am in
Philly with Patrice on a trip. It's 4:20am however I am wide awake. I
was just looking at some photos that we took yesterday. I am totally
shocked at how I look in them. I have been feeling like a total failure
at this weight loss game. Well any way I? think they look great.
On another note my dad has gotten much worse. I am struggling to
dealing with him. It has been consuming all my thoughts. I have
not talked to him for four days now.
February 18, 2006
Well we had a blast at Disneyland! It was so much fun! Me and
Patrice rode all the rides together and had no problem fitting. As far as
my dad he is back in the VA in Roseburg. The plan now is just to leave
him there. He is very weak and cant move by him self at all. the end
will be a blessing for all I think. Well enough about that here are some
pics of us at Disneyland.
April 24, 2006
Well its been some time since I have updated. A lot has happened
since the last time I posted. My father passed away on march 15th 2006. It
was kind of a blessing he was very sick and was not enjoying life very
much. It was very hard for me to go see him because all he talked about
was getting out of the hospital. I knew it was not going to happen
though. I find my self missing him a lot the more time goes on. He used to
call me all the time sometimes 3-4 times a day. Now I just wish he could
call me once. I miss him very much.
As far as the wls all is well. Still holding at 210 with a 150
pound weight loss. I have been sick with this intestinal thing for about
the last two weeks. I am so ready for this to be over!!! yuck!
I have been feeling fatigued as the day wears on and have posted a
question about this on the grads board. I also will talk to my doctor and
surgeon about this problem. Its like the life gets sucked out of me as
the day goes on.
July 23, 2006
Well my two year re birthday has come and gone. Things are going
pretty good as far as my weight loss is concerned. I have to work at it
more now than before. I have started exercising more and after not
doing protein sups have started to do so. Still wearing size 32 pants and
large shirts. That's a long way from 44-46 pants and 2x-3x shirts.....My
legs have been sore some lately from all the walking I have been doing
but its a good hurt. It has taken a wile to figure this wls deal out I
must be a slow learner....lol If I eat right take my vits and b-12
injection on time I feel really good. Things are great and I have done lots
of things I would never have dreamed of doing at my starting weight. I
Still have lots of things I'm looking forward to doing. Well I hope the
next year goes as well as the last two have gone.
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About Me
Ildeyld Park, OR
Location
27.0
BMI
Surgery
07/20/2004
Surgery Date
May 19, 2004
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
WOW that's all I'm going to say !
358 poundslbs
