Allan Cameron

Again, I have to admit to being very lucky in that most everyone I know has encouraged me into this choice. Both of my parents are obese, but have never done anything serious to resolve their issues. Luckily, they are both still here, but their comfort level is not as good as it should be. I've been able to see that if I stayed on the path I was on, I too would not have as much fun or enjoyment as I would like in my retirement. And I want to enjoy retirement, I've worked to damn long not to have some funtime, playtime... So I get to work at my health along with my job for a couple of years, then I can reward myself with a move back out to Hawaii for some fun in the sun on the water...that is the big time goal (for me anyway)...

Nope, on this board is here for us all to share...I weighed 450 in February when I was assigned a "Case Manager", got down to 440 in May (not much of a loss) when I was assigned a surgeon, and as of yesterday morning I'm at 420...the basic goal is to get into the 200's, the ultimate goal is to crack 200 and get anything in the high 190 range...though I expect that will take a couple of years to see, if I can get there.

D nyse, I'm sorry I reminded you of your bad experience, sometimes my message gets lost in the rambling... Anesthesia seems to have gotten better, two surgeries in two years and I've not have any bad issues (knock on my thick skull)... Feeling pretty good, up and about, doing most everything I was able to do prior. A little sore on my left side, can't sleep on that side yet, and still not back to a "regular" sleep cycle, the hospital really messes with my sleep cycle what with the "time for us to check your vital signs every four hours or less"... Had to get out of bed this morning due to the general pain level, can't sleep when the background pain level gets too high. Sitting here at the computer has settled the pain levels, and I'm feeling quick good now and hour later.

Not that I'm trying to be competitive or anything, but you've got a three day head start...I weighed in at 421 yesterday when I took my shower (didn't take one this morning yet, wife hasn't woken up, it's only 5:50 here). Still in some pain like right now, that is what woke me up out of sleep. Will hit the med table in a few minutes when I feel a little better. Typing about all this is a form of therapy for me, calms me down and cuts through the pain. Obviously I've become a desk jockey, oh well live and learn.

D nyse, I just went thru my surgery on the 7th. Back in 94 I had surgery for deviated septum (I think that is what the doc said). Anyway the anesthesia proved to be a problem for me (didn't want to wake up) and when I finally did I was throwing up and just in lots of trouble. Needless to say I avoided anything to do with surgery since then. However last year I was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer, had to have surgery to get it out, or else... So for Valentines day 2012 I went in for surgery. It went great. The anesthesiologist sat with me in the preop room and gave me support, telling me that things had really improved over the years and sure enough I came out of that surgery in great shape, not complications other than I'm now missing a Kidney... Anyway, that gave me the courage to go forward with my sleeve surgery which I did on Friday June 7th, again no issues with anesthesia, though the hospital administration left a little to be desired, but hey I'm retired military and we are taught very early on to expect SNAFUs as a part of everyday military operations... I wish you all the good luck and a quick recovery with lost of weight loss in your future.

I am a 56 year young retired Air Force TSgt working towards a healthy and active retirement hopefully in Hawaii around 2017. I had my sleeve surgery on Friday Jun 7th at Madigan Army Medical Center, and was back home on Monday afternoon the 10th. Having difficultly learning how to sip (I guess I've always gulped my drinks). Wife had to explain to me how to sip, still not natural for me. Starting this challenge at 450 with a goal of as close to 200 (if not just below) if I can get there. I literally want to be less than half the man I am today.

Rena's Ragdolls, Love the photo of the kittens, my parents boat was name Ragdoll, though for the toy not the kittens...but hey, it works for me, I love both. Yes I am lucky, but then again we all make our own luck. I am a retired GI so getting this surgery approved was probably easier for me than most. All I needed was a Primary Care Physician to refer me to the Barriatric clinic. And since I had Kidney Cancer last year (lovely Valentines day present), not only did my Primary Care Physician but my Urologist both refered me. It has taken me since 1994 when I retired from active duty to truly understand that I couldn't lose the weight just through diet and exercise. I too have sleep apnea, and among my other medical conditions, high blood pressure. Though the joint issues have been annoying, I am very lucky that none have progressed beyond the problematic stage. I am hopeful that this surgery will have positive side effects for all of the negative health conditions (though I don't think I'll be able to replace the lost kidney). You sound as if you've not taken as long to come around to this decision as I did, even though we are both doing it at the same chronological age...Good Luck and I hope you get approval soonest.

sipping is oh so hard for me, but your comment brings it to the front of my issues list, the few times I have pain are probably caused by me trying to drink too much too fast, must remember to sip...

56 years young and trying to get younger each passing day...had my surgery on June 7th so I don't know that weighing myself yet will mean much. I think I want an active lifestyle, thus the sleeve surgery. Luckily I have not ruined my health with my obesity (yet).

We all learn, and sometimes some of us only learn from mistakes. Sharing our own mistakes with others helps them to make decisions that hopefully will avoid our mistakes, though regrettably many of us must learn by doing even if doing is not good for us...thus I am here as you were a year ago beginning this journey into my new lifestyle.

June 7th was my date, came home from the Hospital on Monday, and today was the first walk outside the house...I hope to be up and around town (at least a trip to the store) tomorrow. Still have a little pain as I drink, but once it gets all the way down to the stomach it seems okay. Off the pain meds for now, still can't sleep on my left side yet, but it will all be good soon...