penman53

There is a lot to see here in Oklahoma welcome. By the way I will be 61 in September.

Thank you all. Yes I had many problems. My cardiologist basically told me that if I didn't get my weight under control I was a dead man. I was in congestive heart failure, stage 4 kidney failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes (on an insulin pump) and my vascular system in my legs caused my legs and ankles to swell and almost bleed. All of those co morbidity issues are mute now with the exception of my vascular problems. I feel fantastic and my strength is getting much better. I thank you all for the kind words and I hope that I feel better and better everyday as I feel the same way for you all also. By the way, I now have a normal BMI also!!!!! Mark

I remember the day I was going to surgery. I woke up and my wife asked me if I was ready. I told her that I was ready to lose weight so I could be around to take care of her and my family. That I was ready to lose weight to get my kidney and heart functions normal again. I also said that I was ready to get my diabetes under control and be able walk, exercise and tie my shoes again. I was also ready to lose the chronic back and knee pain. So the doc came into my room and asked me "are you ready to have your surgery" and answered him with hell yes let's get this show on the road. I have never every looked back. No regrets just thanks for giving me my life back. Good luck in your decision, Mark

I had cottage cheese and a roma tomato with a small banana. I typically eat a protein bar twice for a morning and afternoon snack. For dinner usually some sort of chicken or fish and a fresh vegetable. I rarely eat more than 1100 calories a day but get in 70 to 85 grams of protein a day. I have love over 175 pounds in about 10 months and I'm still losing. I feel great. Eat healthy no matter what you eat and please do yourself a favor and log your food. I use my fitness pal on my Iphone. That is really a key to success.

Just remember the cost of convenience is expensive. If you buy a shaker bottle and mix your protein with milk or water depending on the flavor you get the protein and a cost savings that believe me will add up in the long run and we are all in this for the long run right?

I take two multivitamins from Walgreens (there own brand) that is the same as Centrum Silver. They are reasonably priced and they work for me. I don't go for all the bells and whistles that the surgeons office sells. I do use quality Unjury protein. It is the best.

Please don't despair. Your weight loss is a journey. There will be success and failure and rebuilding. The important thing is to exercise when you can, eat sensibly log your food and attend regular support group meetings and stay in touch with your healthcare provider and nutritionist. I won't tell you about my success it has been great but everyones is different. Don't think that because someone has lost two hundred pounds that an eighty pound loss isn't still a victory. You are both so early on in your journey. You have done the right thing you will not be sorry and your life will be better for it. We are all here to support you and always will. We all look forward to hearing aobut your success. Mark Edmond Oklahoma

I love it, you look fantastic, and you girl are an inspiration to us all. I also have had a great deal of success and it warms my heart to know how happy you are on your journey, Congratulations, Mark Edmond Oklahoma

Unjury always works well for me.

Hi, I was sleeved on the 24th of July 2013. My starting weight was 387 before surgery, 341 on the day of surgery, today 9 months later I weight 210 pounds. So I'm down 131 pounds since surgery. I feel great and all is well hope the same for the rest of you. Mark, Edmond Oklahoma

I had my 9 month follow up yesterday. My doctor genuinely seemed stoked about my progress. All the other staff in his office were also genuinely happy about my progress. 140 pounds in nine months has made him very happy with my progress and he told me that this weight loss was amazing for a gastric sleeve patient. I am so happy that I had this procedure and very thankful to Dr. Le for doing a great job on me and to his staff who have supported me.

Hi Paul, to tell you the truth, I have never spent one minute on the gym or have I walked a mile. I lost every bit of my weight through portion control. I log every bite I put in my pie hole and I attend regular support group meetings here in the Oklahoma City area. I was in such bad condition when my cardiologist recommended my getting weight loss surgery that even today he is reluctant for me to stress my heart. I just saw him last Tuesday and he has given me a script to go to a physical therapist and see if they can come up with an exercise regime to help get me toned. I will keep you updated. Mark

Actually i'm 10 pounds past goal. I thought that I would have been happy at 225. But now I'm at 210 and even though my wife thinks I'm too thin. I am happy that a lot of my excess skin around my belly is starting to diminish. That is good news because it was really starting to bother me. My surgeon told me that I may lose another 20 pounds by the time I am out one year. If that's the case, then I really will believe that I am way too thin. But, I have heard of a bunch of people that bottomed out and bounced by 10 pounds or so. So if that's the case with me, then It would put me at 205. I would be ok with that. I am getting tired of buying just two pairs of jeans at a time because I have been losing about two pant sizes a month since surgery. I had to give away a nice pair of cargo pants (38 32) that I never wore.

Hi I just got done doing a testimonial for my weight loss surgery and I thought I would share it with the group. http://integrisok.com/weight-loss-success-stories Mark Thomas, Edmond Oklahoma

I always wanted to talk to a person with a lap band. I have only met one in the year I have been either preparing or having my sleeve. I think it all boils down to commitment. If you want to lose weight and really want to commit to that goal. Then look at all of the success stories on this forum. You will see time and time people that are happy with their results and are living their lives the way they should have for a long long time. You don't need a football size stomach to be healthy as I and many other people on this forum has shown. If you have reservations about removing most of your stomach then don't do it. But look at the results you already have with the band. Your not happy and you need to make the decision to continue with your progress or do something that will yield more permanent results. You can email me off line and we can continue this dialog if you would like. Mark

My doctor asked me also and I decided to do it. My name is Mark Thomas and I am on the second row if you would like to watch it. http://integrisok.com/weight-loss-success-stories

I started out at 387, in nine months I am down to 210. How I did it was simple: 1. Drink plenty of Water. 2. Log all food that goes in your pie hole. 3. Attend regular support group meetings. I have yet to exercise due to cardiac issues but I want to. Hopefully when I do start, my skin will tighten up and I won't be all wrinkly. Good luck to you and be successful in your journey.

Nice, very very nice.

Thank you too. I was at my doctor today and she commented on how boney I have become. and she is right. I have to start exercising and try to build some body mass. Losing the weight is a god sent but I have to the rest of the job and get super fit.

What a go girl, looks like your journey has been as good as mind. Congratulations!!! Mark, Edmond Oklahoma

You are too cute girl

My medical victories are: Cardio Myopathy gone Insulin pump gone Insulin gone High blood pressure gone chronic back pain gone knee pain gone I feel really great and now glad to be alive

Sleeved July 24 2013 down from 387 to 215 Pant size from a 50 to a 34. 165 pounds from highest weight, and 130 from day of surgery. Feeling fantastic, so glad I got sleeved.

I can tell you truthfully that if you have the procedure, follow your doctors and nutritionists instructions and keep a food diary (like my fitness pal) and go to regular support group meetings, you will be successful. Believe me. Mark

I had the same problem. I was passing out and feeling terrible when I stood up and did any kind of exertion. My cardiologist told me about a doctor at the Mayo clinic who he met in Washington DC at a medical seminar. This doctor told my doctor that in his study 8 to 10 percent of the bariatric patients he studied suffered from chronic low blood pressure. My doctor started me on Midodrine and has me take it 3 times a day and not after 5 pm. It has worked wonders for me and my blood pressure is not normal. Thank goodness, I was really getting nervous. Hope this information helps.