CMDD71

Male. Single.
43 years old.
Highest weight 427lbs.  Was about 380lbs, until my vanity took over and I tried to use Rogaine.  I am one of the very small percentage of folks that is causes rapid weight gain...oh and extra hair loss :(
I used to be a very active person, played football, rugby, golf.  Did a lot of windsurfing and a fair amount of sailing.  With my weight gain those all fell to the wayside, and I replaced that with poker playing.  I look forward to getting out on the water again!
 
Over the years I have tries most of the common diets (Weight Watchers, Nutisystem, Sanoma, Atkins...)
Some worked for a while, but I would always regain.
I did lose 140lbs on Weight Watchers, but that may have had something to do with exercising 3 hours a day.  When that as reduced to a few hours a week, the weight came back.
 
I had looked at weight loss surgery before, but I have never had any of the other co-morbidities, so I could not get myself to willingly have an elective surgery.
When my weight balloned over 400lbs, for the first time in my life, triggered by the Rogaine.  I suddenly had high blood pressure.  The weight finally got me talking to doctors about WLS.  I did not ike the first two surgeans I talked with, but once I met Dr Spiegel I knew I had met my doctor. 
 
I had my weight loss surgery (Duodenal Switch) on 6/11.  As of 6/19/15 my weight is now 389lbs.
My surgeon was the person who told me about BariatricPal.  I expect to be able to get in touch with people with shared experiences, and needed knowledge of people who have already experienced what I am about to.