David W.
From Old Profile
Nov 10, 2006
Well enough was enough. Last December, I made a decision to take the steps to change my life. I had to come to grip with the fact that I was super morbidly obese. I was on blood pressure medicine, had sleep apnea, high cholesterol and it was getting more and more difficult for me to freely move around.
My dear wife had stuck with me through thick and thicker, but she was growing more concerned that she would be raising two boys by herself if I did not change the direction that my health was headed.
My boys were suffering also, as their dad would not get out of his chair to play or participate with them in the activities they wanted to do.
I weighed 425 lbs. was 47 years old and was on the beginning steps of my health starting to deteriorate I had been in emergency medicine for 18 years and had seen what happens to people when their health is failing. I watched patients who were dying and could change the out come if only they would change their lifestyle.
Through good friends and the support of my family, I researched and sought a weight loss surgery known as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. This procedure was done on May 12, 2005
My mottos
The band is a tool to the solution; not the solution.
The band does not control what I put in my mouth.
You can eat around the band.
The band helps, but does not cure.
The band is a tool. I am the Carpentar.
Don't give up what you want most for what you want right now.
Nothing taste as good as skinny feels.
May 2004
Pre-op
Soccer with my youngest son Matthew
August 2004
My before Surgery photo - Around 425 lbs.
On the Beach - Panama City - Fl.
December 2004
4 months pre-op
December 2005 8 months post-op 
June 2005 -349 lbs -75 lbs
Me and Matthew after our morning walk on vacation
Port Aransas, TX
August 2005 - 320 lbs. -122 lbs.
Me and My beautiful wife at Gulf Shores - Al.
September 2005 - 298 lbs. -126 bls
Soccer Team
What a difference?????
October 2005 - 284 lbs. -140 lbs.
DFW Support Group Dinner
April 16, 2005 392 lbs. -32 lbs
NASCAR Busch Race Texas
Motorspeedway with William
60 Days before surgery
November 2005 - 274 lbs. -150 lbs.
NASCAR Nextel Texas Motorspeedway
with the best looking gal at the track!!!!
November 2005 - 269 lbs. -155 lbs.
Glen Rose, Texas - Inn on the River
Me and my bride of 24 years
November 20, 2005 - I went on a marriage retreat in Glen Rose. We stayed at the Inn on the River. It was perfect. We were away from distractions of TV, radio, schedules, appointments, volunteer work and kids. The facilitators did an outstanding job. It was something that our marriage needed and I did not even know it. Even after 24 years of marriage I learned of ways to make our marriage better, and folks it is pretty good now.
We sit on Adirondack chairs overlooking the river under a 300 year old oak tree watching squirrels and birds chase each other. Shelia and I had time to relax, recharge and reconnect with each other. We got up early in the morning and we went walking around the community. Later that afternoon we walked around the square looking and shopping in little antique shops, gift shops and farmers on the square. We went on a date and just had a wonderful time.
I highly recommend this bed and breakfast in Glen Rose. For a get away it was perfect. www.innontheriver.com
December 2005 - 260 lbs. -164 lbs.
Sweats that I was wearing last year
Another Milestone - Horseback riding
December 25, 2005 - 260 lbs -164 lbs.
December 31, 2005 - 253 lbs -171 lbs.
I have lost the weight of both my boys. The boys combined weight is 167 lbs.
January 29, 2006 - 244 lbs -180 lbs.
Arlinton Dinner - The Three Amigos
Ramon - Joe - David
March 2006 - 230 lbs. -194 lbs.
Arlinton Dinner
April 2006 - 224 lbs. - 200 lbs.
May 2006 219 lbs. - 205 lbs
Work Wear "Boots and Balls Inventational" Golf
My first golf tournament - our team tied for last - but I had so much fun that I did not care.
June 2006 210 lbs - 214 lbs
Barcelo Maya Tropical Beach
Riviera Maya, Mexico
A WOW Moment while I was in Mexico - for the first time I realized that I could wear the little robe that hotels provide
I saw this as post on the Main Message Board. I putting it here to remind me and for others that visit my site.
"There is No Crying in Baseball"
That's the sentiment (scenario) that comes to mind sometimes when I hear some of the comments from people who've already had the surgery. In case you haven't made the connection, that's a line Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "A League Of Their Own." Resorting to tears or just giving up every time the going gets tough is NOT going to make you successful or keep you healthy. I see so much whining sometimes that it's hard to decipher the kids from the adults.
ENOUGH already, it's time to get "TOUGH" on YOURSELF!!!
First and foremost, you have to keep it POSITIVE. As with everything in life, if you think you can't - you WON'T! Simple enough?
I have to wonder when "we" (as adults) finally take ownership for our actions, our life and our health? We have been given a gift, a second chance to actually LIVE life again instead of merely existing in it. It's up to each of us to do that as healthy and productively as possible.
We're ALL statistics waiting to happen and the insurance companies are chomping at the bit. The bean counters are eager to drop Weight Loss Surgery ("WLS") from the policies; some already have. Don't you know that any negative feedback thrown into the mix only strengthens their cause? I may not be able to control every thing that happens to my body after WLS, but most things I can. I CHOOSE to take control and I will be a positive statistic when the numbers get counted.
We live in a spoiled society, expecting everything in life to come with a buncha really cool choices. Well, guess what? When it comes to your health, you're not always going to get a choice. You either DO IT and stay healthy, or you DON'T and your body pays the price.
The way I saw it, I had a 90 day healing and adjusting period after surgery. My 'super morbidly obese' body had more then enough stores to survive the learning curve. In turn, it gave me plenty of time to heal, adjust and learn. For those of you OVER 90 day's Post-Op, the probation period is over - its time to get serious and LIVE what you've learned.
~*~ You say you can't get in enough liquids through out the day, don't like the taste of water, or just keep forgetting? -- TOUGH! It's not an option anymore. Find a way to do it, get suggestions and tips from others in support groups, message boards, etc. Read, learn and JUST DO IT!! Why do you think there is a choice here?
~*~ You say you don't like the big horse pill type vitamins, or the tart chalky chewables? ...it's, just too many to bother with? Or maybe you just can't remember to take them? -- TOUGH! You gave up the option NOT to take vitamins when you agreed to have your insides rerouted. FIND a way to get them in; crushed, minced, chopped, liquified, in a shake, etc. No exceptions, your health depends on it.
~*~ Protein is a must. So you can't get it all in via foods and you don't like the way the shakes taste? -- TOUGH! Either get it through your meals (and there are a gazillion food choices out there) or supplement it with protein shakes and bars.
Trust me, I don't drink my protein shake every morning because I think it tastes like a chocolate blizzard from Dairy Queen. Ive tried many varieties over the last 2 years. I'd even venture to say 25 of the top sellers/flavors have crossed my lips. For the record? I've yet to find one that is as 'delicious' as boasted by the distributor. So what!!!! I still drink one every morning. My HEALTH dictates that I need "X" grams of protein per day. If I'm not getting enough from my meals then I supplement a shake. 'Nuff said!!!
I've actually walked the walk and reached my goal. Yep, I've stumbled a few times with my food choices and you know what? I'll trip a few more times. BUT, some things I will never fail at -- Vitamins, H20 and Protein. This surgery is a gift, I owe it to me and everyone else fighting the approval process, to do it right! I will continue to choke down my vitamins, my water and my protein every single day, for the REST OF MY LIFE. Some days will be easier then others, regardless, no days will be missed.
It's all about discipline. Create a routine, set a timer, develop a pattern, tie a string around your finger, glue a note to your forehead, whatever it takes.
You're an adult - take responsibility! If this surgery doesn't slap a back bone into you, not much will.
Leilani ~*~ [June 2004]
