November 2007

Like many people on this site, I've dealt with a weight problem most of my life. Along the way 'heavy' became 'fat' which became 'morbidly obese'. Now, that's one happy label to carry around (not!).

I lost a bunch of weight on OptiFast and HMR at different times, but the weight came back. My recent work with reducing the carbohydrates in my diet tells me why. I now know that by controlling carbs, not fat, I can maintain any weight I lose (I also realize that this isn't a solution for everyone).

In the summer of 2006 I decided to take one more run at losing weight without surgery. I promised myself an honest effort, but if I failed, WLS would be my next option, and it sure feels like my last option.

As expected I had surges of weight loss and periods of weight gain, but my the spring of 2007 I'd dropped from 454 lbs to 420 lbs. But after a while I was just treading water... I was happy that I wasn't gaining weight, but rather than waste more of my life being obese, I decided to take a serious look at WLS. That's when I found ObesityHelp.comp.

Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston was my choice because they do many, many WLS procedures every year, and they are a Bariatric Center of Excellence. I decided that RNY was better for me than the lap-band.

I weighed in (with clothes) at 424 on Aug 6, 2007 when I joined the program. I've been attending the required classes and medical appointments, and workin' the required pre-surgery weight loss, and waiting for that date with destiny...

My weight is now 394 with clothes, an even 60 lbs less than my peak! My surgery is scheduled for Dec 19, 2007 (WooHoo). My pre-op testing is in a couple of days.

And in case you are wondering about my username, FirstFlight... one of my goals is to learn to fly! Training aircraft are small with strict weight limits. A 454 lb guy as large as me (6' 3" and heavy around the middle) just does not fit in those small planes. In order for me to achieve my First Flight, I need to be smaller! ;-)


About Me
Bolton, MA
Location
33.9
BMI
RNY
Surgery
12/19/2007
Surgery Date
Jul 25, 2007
Member Since

Friends 85

Latest Blog 23
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