Jason S.

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18 months, 125 pounds lost, 100% life gained.  Enough said.

Jason

be encouraged.  Surgery is dangerous, nerve wracking, and the first few months are hard.  But with all that being said, it's worth it.  At least it has been for me.  Today is my 34th birthday.  I used to approach every birthday with "I'm gonna have this weight off by next year".  It never worked.  I used to blow out those candles and "wish" (cheesy, I know) that I could find a way to get out from under the excess weight that had plauged me for as long as I could remember.  I found it, in March of last year.  Truly in the top 3 as far as best decisions of my life. 

The family and I went to a large amusement park yesterday for the first time in about 3 years.  The last time I visited this park I was 320 pounds.  I had to sit down every few minutes to rest, I sweated profusely, and had to sqeeze into the seats of the roller coasters (one of which I simply COULD NOT ride).  Yesterday, I walked all day, rode whatever I wanted with no thought about weight limits or seat size, and overall just had a great time.  I'm a better father to my kids, a better husband to my wife (in more ways that one!), and hopefully will live healthy enough to see many/many more birthdays. 

Good luck everybody. 

Jason

320-198

then-now

be encouraged.  Surgery is dangerous, nerve wracking, and the first few months are hard.  But with all that being said, it's worth it.  At least it has been for me.  Today is my 34th birthday.  I used to approach every birthday with "I'm gonna have this weight off by next year".  It never worked.  I used to blow out those candles and "wish" (cheesy, I know) that I could find a way to get out from under the excess weight that had plauged me for as long as I could remember.  I found it, in March of last year.  Truly in the top 3 as far as best decisions of my life. 

The family and I went to a large amusement park yesterday for the first time in about 3 years.  The last time I visited this park I was 320 pounds.  I had to sit down every few minutes to rest, I sweated profusely, and had to sqeeze into the seats of the roller coasters (one of which I simply COULD NOT ride).  Yesterday, I walked all day, rode whatever I wanted with no thought about weight limits or seat size, and overall just had a great time.  I'm a better father to my kids, a better husband to my wife (in more ways that one!), and hopefully will live healthy enough to see many/many more birthdays. 

Good luck everybody. 

Jason

320-198

then-now

be encouraged.  Surgery is dangerous, nerve wracking, and the first few months are hard.  But with all that being said, it's worth it.  At least it has been for me.  Today is my 34th birthday.  I used to approach every birthday with "I'm gonna have this weight off by next year".  It never worked.  I used to blow out those candles and "wish" (cheesy, I know) that I could find a way to get out from under the excess weight that had plauged me for as long as I could remember.  I found it, in March of last year.  Truly in the top 3 as far as best decisions of my life. 

The family and I went to a large amusement park yesterday for the first time in about 3 years.  The last time I visited this park I was 320 pounds.  I had to sit down every few minutes to rest, I sweated profusely, and had to sqeeze into the seats of the roller coasters (one of which I simply COULD NOT ride).  Yesterday, I walked all day, rode whatever I wanted with no thought about weight limits or seat size, and overall just had a great time.  I'm a better father to my kids, a better husband to my wife (in more ways that one!), and hopefully will live healthy enough to see many/many more birthdays. 

Good luck everybody. 

Jason

320-198 .

then-now

Normality...is nice.  I've never been here before, so I guess it's 'new'.  Well, what's 'new' is the fact that it's not 'new' anymore.  Before, when I was obese.-which was pretty much the majority of my life prior to March of 08-I was always on the lookout for the newest diet, plan, pill, video,etc. that would certainly fix my problem.  Then came gastric bypass, the long lead up, the tests, seminars, classes, insurance issues, etc.  Then came the surgery itself and all the 'new' things that came along with it.  Then the weight came barreling off, pound after pound after pound!  GREAT!  All this "new and exciting" stuff. 

Well, now that I'm 16 months out and I've been at my goal for about 8 months.  I've sort of settled into a sense of normality..and I like it.  For the first time in my life, I don't have "lose weight-lose weight" on the brain all the time.  I have discovered that I can go days-weeks even (gasp!)- without even thinking about my weight, waist size, how I look when I go to different events or get togethers, or everything else that crowds the minds of the obese.  I'm just me, I'm "normal"...and that's great! 

Jason
Highest-320lbs    Now-198lbs

After my "bounce" post, I decided to really examine what I was eating, snacking, etc on and regroup.  Well, I'm happy to report after 2 days of very limited carbs, only appropriate snacks and ramped up exercise...I'm down to 203 from 206!  I know alot of it is probably water, etc...but it feels good to finally see the scale moving in the right direction again. 

 

When I went to my 9 month postop appointment, I had lost a total of 115 pounds according to thier scale (320 to 205).  My surgeon told me that I was "a mighty skinny 205" and asked me if I wanted to lose anymore.  I asked him what he thought and he replied and he thought that if I DIDN"T lose anymore...I'd be ok.  However, he told me that it was usually a good idea to "overshoot" because you will "bounce" or gain back a few after a year out of so.  Well, consider me "bounced". 

The lowest I got to was around 195, but I have stayed closer to 200-202 for the majority of the past 3 months or so.  Well, I have "bounced" to 206-208.  Shucks!  You know, I'm ok with 205, or even 210 (I'm 6'1") but I'm just scared to death that my "bounce" will turn into a "launch" back to where I was! 

I'll be honest and say that I haven't been as disicplined as I should have with regard to food. I also very rarely "dump" and can eat almost anything I want...which is a BAD thing. 

Oh, well.  Just hadn't updated in a while.  I'll keep you posted on the "bounce". 

Till next time

Jason

320-299-206-200

Highest-Surgery date-Current-Goal

 

My son has been in the Cub Scouts for a little over 2 years now.  I have tried (my work schedule sucks at this) to participate in aspects of this because he acts as if he truly enjoys it.  Jacob (my boy) is not a "into everything/excited about everthing" kind of kid, so, when I find something he truly enjoys...I persue it.  Ever since day ONE his den leader(s) has been trying her level best to get me to go camping with them.  I've always made excuses and hadn't gone.  I HATE(D) camping!  I hadn't camped since I was a Cub Scout myself some 25+ years ago...for a reason.  That all changed this weekend. 

Let me tell you.  We had a blast.  Yeah, me...I finally gave in and went.  Me and Jacob had the best time!  The campfire, scary stories told by a guy dressed as a pirate, marshmallows and 'smores (just one here :) ) , games, hiking, tent "building",and SO MUCH more.  Most of which wouldn't have been possible a year and 120lbs ago.  Plus, I wasn't the "Fat Dad", something that I was scared to death Jacob was going to get picked on becasue of. 

What a great experience!

Jason

I had my one year "surgiversary" just the other day.  What a year it has been. Sometimes I find myself looking back over the past 53 weeks and "missing" what I've been through.  Even the hospital stay was kind of...neat.  Painful, nauseating, but...neat LOL.  I fould the following email that one of the guys I work with sent out to all of our employees in my office the day of my surgery.  It kind of took me back and made me smile.  Just wanted to share:

RE:  TSS Jason Steward

Hello All:   Misty just called and said Jason has just come out of surgery and is doing fine.  She has not yet been allowed to go see him, but will advise further when available.   Thanks   TSS R. D. Be****t, II N.C. State Highway Patrol Troop * Communications Williamston, N.C. 1-800-***-**** 

(Some of his signature is obscrued to maintain his privacy)


 

One year ago tonight I was in recovery...sore, thirsty, hot, and nauseated.  I was in and out of "it", I didn't have my glasses so on top of everything else, everything was fuzzy and confusing.  What a night.  Well, one year later, I'm 120 pounds lighter, off all meds, and feeling great!

For those of you who know me, I don't go around trying to "sell" a gastric bypass to anyone.  I don't want to be responsible if something goest wrong.  But, I will say this is the best thing I've EVER done for myself.  I've taken dozens of different "diet pills", tried every diet book/website/program, chewed weight loss gum, and even considered hypnosis!  Nothing worked...till this. 

With the arrival of the year mark, I've noticed that I have the ability to eat more than I should...so, I'm back to watching what I eat rather than letting the pouch rule the roost.  It still does it's thing, but as has been said many times before it's only a tool, you still have to learn how to use it. 

Best of luck to everyone in the process!

Jason