Creekwood

Love this story! You WILL do this!!! I have a 5 year old son too. Like you I don't want to miss seeing him grow up and enjoy life! Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll be a kicka** Grandpa! Kids are great motivation, you WILL succeed! You're doing great already!!

New here - so an introduction.
I will be 42 this Friday. My wife and I have been married 24 years and have three awesome kids. Our two oldest are both girls (22 and 9) and both are special needs. Our youngest is 5 and ALL BOY! I've always been heavy. I know I have an addiction to food. I don't drink, never have done any sort of drugs, don't smoke - I cook and I eat. That's always been how I "medicate" myself. Eat til you regret it.
Three years ago August 6th, I was in a rollover car accident that I should never have survived. I literally walked away with a severe concussion and damage to an already troubling issue with my back. I was laid up for about a month and the weight really started to pile on. I didn't realize how living life was slipping away from me.
The eye opener came when we took the kids on our annual Disney World vacation. We do the Disney Cruise and then about 5 days or so in the parks. This was the first time our son was really going to be able to go on anything and everything he wanted, and it was that awesomeness of seeing the "magic" through his eyes for the first time. Problem was I had hit 450 + pounds and just couldn't do it. I had to rent a scooter to even go to the parks. Even riding that wore me out. I was so upset with myself that guess what - I ate myself sick. When we got to the ports on the cruise I stayed on ship. No way I could walk that far. I stayed back and ordered room service.
About a week after the trip,my son and I were snuggling in the chair, and he asked me "Daddy, are you still going to be on the earth when I'm a daddy?" It broke my heart. I started to look into my options and then with both eyes closed, praying for guidance, I jumped into the deep end.
Started my pre-op diet at the end of May and had surgery June 12. Lost 25 pounds on pre-op and have lost 18 since surgery. I'm very excited about this journey to get healthy and to make sure on next year's trip to see Mickey - nothing's getting in Daddy's way!

Go Eric go!!

So a lady stopped me this morning around mile 4. She lives right around the corner from me. "I see you walking every morning when I'm getting my coffee. You look great, you're losing weight, your posture has improved, your gait is faster. You are doing great, it motivates me to get off my butt and get moving" man that made that last mile easy!
It reminds me to show up and work hard because you never know who's counting on you for motivation!
I remember that I used to be embarrassed to exercise outside. I thought people would think "oh look another fat guy trying to lose weight, bet he gives up in a couple days." I don't know why I thought that just did. But I've been busting my butt walking/jogging between 1-5 miles 6 days a week for about a month now. I even completed my first 5k! Keep working hard everyone, you are someone's source of motivation, whether you believe it or not!!

So a lady stopped me this morning around mile 4. She lives right around the corner from me. "I see you walking every morning when I'm getting my coffee. You look great, you're losing weight, your posture has improved, your gait is faster. You are doing great, it motivates me to get off my butt and get moving" man that made that last mile easy!
It reminds me to show up and work hard because you never know who's counting on you for motivation!
I remember that I used to be embarrassed to exercise outside. I thought people would think "oh look another fat guy trying to lose weight, bet he gives up in a couple days." I don't know why I thought that just did. But I've been busting my butt walking/jogging between 1-5 miles 6 days a week for about a month now. I even completed my first 5k! Keep working hard everyone, you are someone's source of motivation, whether you believe it or not!!

So a lady stopped me this morning around mile 4. She lives right around the corner from me. "I see you walking every morning when I'm getting my coffee. You look great, you're losing weight, your posture has improved, your gait is faster. You are doing great, it motivates me to get off my butt and get moving" man that made that last mile easy!
It reminds me to show up and work hard because you never know who's counting on you for motivation!
I remember that I used to be embarrassed to exercise outside. I thought people would think "oh look another fat guy trying to lose weight, bet he gives up in a couple days." I don't know why I thought that just did. But I've been busting my butt walking/jogging between 1-5 miles 6 days a week for about a month now. I even completed my first 5k! Keep working hard everyone, you are someone's source of motivation, whether you believe it or not!!

So a lady stopped me this morning around mile 4. She lives right around the corner from me. "I see you walking every morning when I'm getting my coffee. You look great, you're losing weight, your posture has improved, your gait is faster. You are doing great, it motivates me to get off my butt and get moving" man that made that last mile easy!
It reminds me to show up and work hard because you never know who's counting on you for motivation!
I remember that I used to be embarrassed to exercise outside. I thought people would think "oh look another fat guy trying to lose weight, bet he gives up in a couple days." I don't know why I thought that just did. But I've been busting my butt walking/jogging between 1-5 miles 6 days a week for about a month now. I even completed my first 5k! Keep working hard everyone, you are someone's source of motivation, whether you believe it or not!!

So a lady stopped me this morning around mile 4. She lives right around the corner from me. "I see you walking every morning when I'm getting my coffee. You look great, you're losing weight, your posture has improved, your gait is faster. You are doing great, it motivates me to get off my butt and get moving" man that made that last mile easy!
It reminds me to show up and work hard because you never know who's counting on you for motivation!
I remember that I used to be embarrassed to exercise outside. I thought people would think "oh look another fat guy trying to lose weight, bet he gives up in a couple days." I don't know why I thought that just did. But I've been busting my butt walking/jogging between 1-5 miles 6 days a week for about a month now. I even completed my first 5k! Keep working hard everyone, you are someone's source of motivation, whether you believe it or not!!

You are not selfish at all. Ask your husband how he would feel in ten years sitting on that patio ALONE because you have some VERY serious health problem that could easily take your life (God forbid).
I paid 13,000 out of pocket. Surgery was only a month ago but so far it's been worth every penny. I have lost exactly 50 pounds since I called and set up my consultation. I exercise 6 days a week, running/walking my first 5k on Saturday, taken off of blood pressure meds!!
I know that you are married but I would do it even without his support. This is YOUR life. You only get ONE. Good luck with whatever you choose.
P.S. your husband needs to get his head out of his a**!!

I added you!!

That's awesome! Great for both of you guys!! This weight loss thing does seen to run off. My sister started trying to lose weight around when I did and had lost 20 pounds, my wife has lost 6 pounds (she only weighs 145 and is 5'8 so 6 pounds is a lot!)! It's awesome how when you decide to get healthy others around you do too!

I know it's just a number, and I know I still have a ways to go...but I got on the scale this morning and it said 199.2. I am under 200 lbs. Wow...I never though I'd see it.
Thank you lapband, and thank you to all the great folks on this forum who have supported me on this journey. I know we're only connected virtually but the first thing I wanted to do after seeing that number was to let you all know that I reached a significant milestone. Have a great day everyone!

d`5`h5r
yes you can do it....and if you keep thinking you cant, you will start to believe it and you will be doomed..get rid of the i cant thinking.. maddy was right, the first few days are the hardest...sip and drink all day....SF popsicles saved me and how about put the shakes in freezer to make a slush like (or blender) that is what i did and still do...i am sorry your struggling but its not easy and its def worth it...you CAN do it, if you really want to..

I was banded May 6th. I'm feeling great!! I have lost 6 pounds in the first week of banded life. No pain, nausea, problems to speak of. My incisions are still very tender (well mainly just my port incision), but that's to be expected. My energy levels are near normal. I'm adjusting to the purée diet. Overall I'm feeling great!! How about everyone else on here??

Who are we to guess why Governor Christie chose the Lap Band? Until he personally speaks out as to why he chose it, articles like this are completely irrelevant.
And as far as these so-called experts saying it was a poor choice because of his size and weight loss being too slow- sorry but I'm calling BS. I started with a BMI of 72. I have lost over 200 pounds in 17 months time, despite three (unrelated) surgeries and a trip to the ICU for blood clots sidetracking me. I've lost more weight and quicker than a lot of people I know who've had Gastric Bypass.
Mr. Christie needs our support, not pessimism and negative opinions.

let me say my dr wanted me to have the bypass due to my size and bmi
said i would have better success.....on the contrary, because i took the bull by the horns and ate as i was advised that would help me, exercised and let the band work, i have proved not only to my dr and myself and to anyone else who thinks the band doesnt work, that it does.
it has worked for me and that is what matters
people choose what they want and let the chips fall
but whatever anyone chooses, do the best you can for the best results.
in my opinion some people try to start trouble for no reason..

If you search for this under forums there are threads full of people. I'm ericnorth25

I'm only 6 weeks post-op but I do eat SOME of the same foods that aren't great for me (hot dogs, cheeseburgers that i make on the grill) but I eliminated A LOT of foods! I don't go through drive-thru's anymore, no pizza, stay away from Desserts (except for very rare small snack), pastas, and the list goes on. I eat a lot of Protein filled foods/snacks now. Ham, chicken, turkey bacon, turkey pepperoni, nuts, Protein Shakes (for breakfast almost every day). But, even when I do eat some of the same things as before its in much smaller amounts.

I'm only 6 weeks post-op but I do eat SOME of the same foods that aren't great for me (hot dogs, cheeseburgers that i make on the grill) but I eliminated A LOT of foods! I don't go through drive-thru's anymore, no pizza, stay away from Desserts (except for very rare small snack), pastas, and the list goes on. I eat a lot of Protein filled foods/snacks now. Ham, chicken, turkey bacon, turkey pepperoni, nuts, Protein Shakes (for breakfast almost every day). But, even when I do eat some of the same things as before its in much smaller amounts.

I read this book for a Western Religions class last semester. It's hilarious! There are so many crazy rules in the Old Testament. I started his next book "Drop Dead Healthy" but I have to read so much for school that I rarely read books for my own pleasure. But, I will finish it, eventually

Thanks for the encouragement!

Welcome! pre-op diets are tough but VERY worth it! Sounds like you are doing great! Post often with any questions that you might have. I won't be able to answer any but the vets on here can