VDB

Hi there, I had ipe as well. It was painful as you know, and furosimide etc only gave me temporary relief. I had to wear size 19 extra extra wide Shoes when normally I wear 17 or 18 wide. Main problem was mobility -- I could see the wheelchair or walker coming... now totally gone. I am 40# from goal but right now am on a lunch break from painting my very large house, using ladders etc. That says it all, and I feel good...

Amazing progress, guys! I am still losing albeit slowly, started at 422 but had been as high as 450 two months before the surgery, right at about 285 now. Not sure where this will end up, I expect to be at my goal of 260 by my two years post-gastric bypass date in April 2017. It is slow but sure now, and in reality the very rapid weight loss was rather debiliating for me, I prefer this slow and steady and getting all of my food and exercise habits cleaned up and habitual. Not complaining, the fast weight loss was part of the plan and the surgery, but that period lasted 6-7 months for me, then slowed. I do know all of my co-morbidities are virtually gone, my blood fats perfect, diabetes 95% better, blood pressure actually low, edema gone, still have sleep apnea but it is likely genetic in my case, and movement is so easy now. Still dealing with body image -- in my head, still a big fat guy. At times, I need to pick something up off the floor and reach for a grabber, even though now, all I have to do is bend over and pick it up, no problem. I can weed the garden just by bending over and pulling the weed...but in my head, my first response is that I can't. I saw myself in a reflection on the front porch glass, and did a double take, yes, that is me now.....but everyone says that we gradually get our brains turned around to match the new reality of fat no more. I am almost 6'4" with a huge frame, size 8 1/4 head and size 18EW feet, and am always going to be a very huge guy, but no seat belt extension on planes, no problem with mid size SUV, no problems with booths at restaurants, and I even get in and out of the bath tub without trouble.... I do like this new guy.

David is right -- it will go away...I just bought my first flat front instead of pleated wool slacks, ever.... and they look great.

Very much an individual decision -- but we do have solid data that says low single digits of morbidly obese people ever maintain long term weight loss.... certainly true for me, as a 65 year old I wish I had done this when I went over 400 in my 40's. The WLS (posts on BP indicate both sleeve and bypass are effective -- most surgeons no longer do the band) is my helping friend that took out virtually all disease (diabetes, BP, edema, etc)....

SGC, what surgery are you having? I had gastric bypass a year ago, but like many big guys on this site, breezed through it with minimal hassle... and a year later, am dramatically healthier... surviving morbid obesity was the issue, not surviving surgery....

Started at 420+, but had been as high as 460# in the past. Lost about 130, gotten under 300# when my maintenance kicked in at 9 months out (I had gastric bypass), which meant the rapid weight loss period was over and loss became much slower but still is steady, slow and steady. It is great you are thinking of this now. I did not do this until 63 years old and wish I had done it at your age. I had led a full active life, even flying 30 times a year with a seat belt extension, but at 60 years old my normally healthy bod finally did what the docs had always said it would do -- sleep apnea, diabetes, edema, heart problems, bad cholesterol readings, etc. I also was at risk of losing mobility -- walking and running my small farm were huge barriers. I missed alot with my kids because of the weight and it certainly effected my relationship, even though we are going on 40 years together. So, now, 11 months out, diabetes 90% better; edema gone; heart strong; blood readings perfect. The apnea goes away for some, but mine is likely genetic as a slim dad and a slim brother both had severe apnea. I will have a sleep study when I am at goal weight but likely will still use the CPAP.... not problem. My mobility is so much better. I can ride a bike again, swimming is much easier. Today, spent the entire day maintaining irrigation ditches and working my greenhouse, no problem at all. Walking my dog three times a day, no problem. BTW, my results are fairly typical. Negatives -- the first week was a bit painful, but could get out within 10 days The first month post surgery was challenging, mainly learning to eat so differently, quantity so much less, etc. but now am used to it without any real challenges. I do eat too many carbs, but not to much excess really, am working on that, guess what I am saying that food challenges don't stop. I found that the rapid weight loss was very debilitating -- did not have much energy even though almost always ate healthy according to instructions and took my Vitamins etc. I was actually glad when the loss slowed, as I needed the energy in my work. It is tempting to declare victory and say that with these great results, that is enough. However, I have been fat since I was 3 years old, and I want to experience not being overweight! I did not have any unusual prep instructions, pretty routine. You really deserve to have this monkey off your back. I encourage you to reclaim your life!