John R.

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 I made the switch. Since last year, I've lost an additional 90 pounds, which makes a total lost of 250+. I can't believe it. I'm feeling well, exercising daily and as active as I've ever been in my life. I'm grateful for a supportive family. I'm also thankful for so many friends who have journeyed with me through these past few years.

I was the most nervous I had ever been in my life. That being so, I was thrilled to finally be able to have my surgery. SInce that day, I have learned to live life all over again. Whereas before, I couldn't even walk 10 steps without stopping to catch my breath - today, I can do just about anything I want to do. It has been a great journey and I'm looking foward to the days, months, and years ahead. 

I've kept my initial 175 pounds off with no problems to speak of. I am still determined to excersize more and eat with more moderation. I suppose those two goals will remain with me until the day I die. But, having the weight off has helped me manage the goals better and helped me to regain hope that I will remain healthy.

Beyond the initial few weeks of complications, I have had none. I still eat what I want with no side effects. Life is good and I'm glad I made the choice. 

Well, here goes my every six-month post. I'm so happy to be where I'm at in life. I have a wonderful family, who has supported me through thick and thin, as well as great and true friends that have shown so much encouragement and support throughout this journey.

Needless to say, I am still on the downward slope and still losing weight. In fact I've lost an additional 27 lbs. the past 4.5 months. I continue to struggle to find time to exercise and find myself eating chocolate way too much. Other than that, I have kept up the routine of vitamins and supplements daily. My biggest victory came only a couple of weeks ago when I had a follow-up sleep study and discovered I do not suffer from sleep apnea any longer...anyone want a used CPAP machine?

I look forward to the coming days and continued health!

It's been six months since I've posted an update, so I figured now is as good a day as any to write some of my thoughts and experiences. First, I am celebrating my 18-month check-up with the surgeon this week. The reason for my celebration is simple - I have never gone this long (in my adult life) at such a stable weight. I haven't lost any more in the past six months, but I haven't gained any either! For me, that is something akin to a miracle. In the past, it has always been such a battle. Either the battle to loose or keep at the weight I had lost, or the current diet was just not working the way I had hoped. It's been a real relief not to fight anymore of those wars.

Secondly, I have not had to buy more clothes. I have the same clothes now for over 6 months. I have lost 22 inches off my waist since being switched. I've gone from a 5-6XL shirt to a 1-2XL shirt. I have no pain on my knees, no more loosing my breath after short walks. I even enjoy going shopping again because I no longer get worn out.

Since posting last, I have a new job in a new city and have loved every minute of the transition. I am in Florida now leading a team of 18 wonderful people. My family is also enjoying the 'new' me because I am much more active with them all. Plus they are so proud of me now.

I am going to set some goals for the coming 6 months. I will:

1) walk at least 2 miles per day
2) cut down on the sugar
3) continue to give support to other DS patients when possible

Hopefully, I won't be a stranger and take the time to update the profile more often.

Tomorrow marks the one-year mark for my DS. In many ways it doesn't seem that long ago, in other ways it seems like a lifetime away. I remember the feelings of anxiety and fear that almost overcame me and, yet, I knew this was the one thing in my life that would give me the opportunity to live life to the fullest.

I have not been disappointed!

After a couple of months of rocky recovery, I began to feel alive and better as each day passed. I have tried to pay attention to the things that will add to my long-term success - water, protein first and taking daily supplements religiously.

I had my one-year surgeons appontment today and we will see how I'm doing one the blood work comes back. All I know, I feel wonderful having lost over 165 pounds, so far. I am 22 inched down off my waist and have knocked off pver 20 BMI points from my high of 64.

I know I have a ways to go but now I feel like I have a fighting chance to see myself below the 200 pound mark...something I thought was impossible before the DS.

I was having so much fun during the past couple of months that I flew past my 9-month update and have landed on the ground today. I didn't want this special day to go by without documenting something of an update on how things were going with me.

During this past month, I had a milestone occur in my life after WLS. My family visited Disney World. In the past, I have been to large to ride any rides, much less make the parks by foot. This time, however, was a different story. I walked every inch of every park and rode every ride my heart desired. It was truly MAGICAL!

I loved being there with my kids and having them fight over who is going to ride the next ride with me. They just wanted to see my reaction every moment. It was a blast. We also ate in the French, Morrocan, Chinese and American Pavillions at EPCOT. Finally, I went with my brother and his family to eat African food.

I am so close to the two hundreds, I can smell it. I hope next month will be the month that I cross over. It would be the first time since 1993 that I have been anywhere close to the 200's. I can't wait!

This month was filled with food and fun. Yesterday, we just celebrated Christmas and the best part of the whole day was feeling good enough to help cook one of my family's favorite foods (Sweet Tamale Corn Cakes from Cheesecake Factory). 

As a bonus, I was able to help my wife clean up the kitchen afterwards. This is no small task considering we fed ten people everything from traditional Mexican tamales, turkey, dressing, lots of veggies, homemade rolls, and three kinds of desserts - I'm still full.

Despite all of the carbs, I managed to loose another 9 lbs. this month. 

This DS is a miracle! 

I am doing my best to keep the protein first rule, and lots of water. I don't always keep the rules, but that's one of the reasons why I chose the DS in the first place...because I can't seem to follow dietary rules for the long-term.

Anyway, I am grateful to so many for their support. beginning with my immediate family and extending to those whom I know personally and then the OH friends. I am determined to give back and make a difference in someone else's life.

I'm still humming along and feeling better by the day. While the scale told me that I didn't loose as much as in the past, my clothes are feeling loose again which is a clear sign I'm still dropping inches. 

I'm having trouble keeping my water intake to a level that is optimum for weigh loss. This month my goal is to pay close attention to this detail. Otherwise, I made it through Thansgiving with no problem. I ate as much turkey as I could before going on to the rest of the meal.

I've had a wonderful month! I am getting adjusted more and more to what I can eat and the foods that I should avoid. It gets old real fast smelling up the house and office. I had my assistant come in one day after a bout with gas and she said, "what smells so bad, is it a dead rat somewhere?" I just smiled and said, "probably". She's still looking for that rat...

I went to Dr. Spaw's office this week for my 6-month check-up and everything is fine. I've lost a total of 139 lbs. Since the surgery, I've lost 112 lbs. I'm having to buy new clothes now after going through my closet. It's amazing to me that my 3 boys have never known me at this weight. I am able to play with them more and am much more active around the house. 

Besides the gas issues, the only other problem has been my hair loss. I am loosing it by the droves. I know this is temporary, but it still is a little humbling.

See you next month! 

Well, i've been a little neglectful about posting this update. I did post an updated pic sometime back. I am feeling well and humming along in recovery. I've lost 124 pounds since being switched. I'm feeling good and am getting onto more and more physical activity on a daily basis. 

My waist is down 14 inches and I'm down from a 5X to a 2X t-shirt, a 22-inch dress shirt to an 18 1/2. My kids are pumped for me which gives me even more motivation. Enough for now...