Freedom2Thrive

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.
 
He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to giveback and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

As a 16 year old having bypass surgery I was approached by many people who were either supportive or toxic. I say toxic because making the decision to undergo WLS is not something easily decided and many people try to persuade you out of it.

It required a huge team of thinkers (including me) coming together to create a plan that would help me live my best life!

A lot of people can't see what were trying to do because they lack empathy and they are scared for us, and fear manifests itself in many different ways (anger, anxiety, negativity), and yes it's true we could die on the table but we can also get hit by a bus, That's just life.

6 years out and looking back now I can say it was the best decision I ever made. I came to realize that there are three types of people in the world. People who:

1. Make things happen (Oprah, you and me)

2. Watch things happen (the spectators, the one's that root for us to fail)

3. Look at their life and say "what just happened" (the victims)

You should feel soo proud of yourself for making a step in the right direction for yourself and the lives of the people around you.

However you or any of you choose to move forward know that you're not alone and we're all hear to support you

As a 16 year old having bypass surgery I was approached by many people who were either supportive or toxic. I say toxic because making the decision to undergo WLS is not something easily decided and many people try to persuade you out of it.

It required a huge team of thinkers (including me) coming together to create a plan that would help me live my best life!

A lot of people can't see what were trying to do because they lack empathy and they are scared for us, and fear manifests itself in many different ways (anger, anxiety, negativity), and yes it's true we could die on the table but we can also get hit by a bus, That's just life.

6 years out and looking back now I can say it was the best decision I ever made. I came to realize that there are three types of people in the world. People who:

1. Make things happen (Oprah, you and me)

2. Watch things happen (the spectators, the one's that root for us to fail)

3. Look at their life and say "what just happened" (the victims)

You should feel soo proud of yourself for making a step in the right direction for yourself and the lives of the people around you.

However you or any of you choose to move forward know that you're not alone and we're all hear to support you

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.

He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to give back and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.

He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to give back and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.
 
He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to giveback and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.
 
He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to giveback and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

As a 16 year old having bypass surgery I was approached by many people who were either supportive or toxic. I say toxic because making the decision to undergo WLS is not something easily decided and many people try to persuade you out of it.

It required a huge team of thinkers (including me) coming together to create a plan that would help me live my best life!

A lot of people can't see what were trying to do because they lack empathy and they are scared for us, and fear manifests itself in many different ways (anger, anxiety, negativity), and yes it's true we could die on the table but we can also get hit by a bus, That's just life.

6 years out and looking back now I can say it was the best decision I ever made. I came to realize that there are three types of people in the world. People who:

1. Make things happen (Oprah, you and me)

2. Watch things happen (the spectators, the one's that root for us to fail)

3. Look at their life and say "what just happened" (the victims)

You should feel soo proud of yourself for making a step in the right direction for yourself and the lives of the people around you.

However you or any of you choose to move forward know that you're not alone and we're all hear to support you

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.

He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to give back and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.

He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to give back and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

I had a new work photo taken. That's the only picture I have of myself before beginning my pre-op, so it's my "before." I was shocked to see my new photo. I almost look gaunt. I don't think either photo looks like me.

I ,point blank, told anyone with a negative opinion that I didn't have room in my life for that. If they can't be supportive and positive, not to talk to me about it. I almost lost a few friends... others quickly realized our friendship is more important and have been super supportive!

Don't listen to him. And if you encounter any other naysayers, say directly and firmly, "This is the decision I have made in consultation with my primary care physician and surgical team. I believe it is the right choice for me." Opinions are like a**holes -- everybody has one.

Yeah...think I'd be a bit irked if I heard that from a doctor. So, what, wait a few more years until you do actually have comorbidities and then it'll be okay? I really get tired of people that say "oh you just to diet and exercise more." Sure. Just tell somebody dealing with alcoholism to stay out of bars and all their problems will go away.

Well, in the end you're the one having surgery, not him. It's ultimately up to you. Man this burns me up reading this...lol. Put this in your pocket and break it out the next time you need it.

Zoii,

I had surgery in September of 2013 and I have had the same gain (about 50 lbs). I realized that I got away from the the 4 golden rules that I agreed too when I got this surgery

1) Protein first
2) Water water water
3) exercise
4) avoid snacking on empty calories

After I lost my weight, I threw those basics out the window and started eating as though I didn't suffer from obesity. We can get this weight off, I went back to basics since Tuesday and have lost 5 pounds. Let's do this together.


May God bless you and keep you[emoji173]️

-Mariela

I'm so happy to a found this app, there are so many people here who are in my shoes, today I scheduled my appointment with my doctor to have a consultation and decide which surgery is going to be best for me. I'm very lucky to where my health insurance is covering the procedure, and at 410 pounds I really want to be able to live a full life of health! I've never had anything like this done before and I am extremely nervous. I'm just really happy that there's a form where I can turn to for emotional support.

Looking absolutely amazing! Keep up the great work

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.

He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to give back and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.

meat and chicken still hard to digest at 2 years post op. I prefer fish if having solid Protein as other Proteins can be so uncomfortable in stomach. I find I eat mainly vegetarian meals with protein as a side thing. I do have Protein Shakes and yogurt to keep protein levels up.
I've read that many people eat protein and veggies as meals but I find that difficult to stick to as so uncomfortable and if I eat too much of anything it can lead to vomiting.

Hi everyone, just joined today and figured I would share a bit of my journey.
I have always been overweight even as a kid I was always the typical "fat kid" and that never went away through my teens and most of my twenties. For the most part I was reasonably healthy given how heavy I was and my weight yo-yoed through the years as I tried several different diets, Atkins, calorie counting, Atkins again, low fat, low cal. You name it I probably tried it without any lasting success. Right around 3 years ago my weight really started catching up with me. I had high blood pressure that was resistant to medication, my joints were starting to wear under the pressure and my back was starting to really give me trouble at the ripe ol age of 26.
My doctor said I needed to have weight loss surgery at that point and I agreed with him and began the process only to find out my Insurance company didn't cover the surgery and had it fully excluded for coverage, along with most other weight loss programs. After fighting and getting denied at every turn for over a year I ended up dropping my Employee coverage in favor of a ACA marketplace plan that would actually cover the surgery and went through all the evaluations, which was daunting in itself because of exceeding the weight limits of most machines used for testing. My cardiologist wanted to do a stress test but couldn't find a facility in network that had a stress test machine that could handle my weight (all maxxed out at 450) for hospitals in my insurance network. After almost six months of testing to make sure I would be ok for surgery all the paperwork was submitted to the insurance, who thankfully approved it a week later and my surgery was scheduled two weeks later, just enough time for the pre-operative diet, I don't think I will ever be able to drink sugar free carnation instant Breakfast again, the only flavor carried in the stores around here was chocolate and after having that 4 times a day for two weeks its a bit much lol, but at least it was better than the Protein Shakes.
My time in the hospital was pretty good, they had just switch away from using a morphine drip to localized long lasting lidocaine is how they described it at the surgical areas which worked really well, my pain level luckily was low enough where I only needed pain medication once.
It was interesting learning how to eat again, and finding out what I tolerate well and what I don't which still seems to change from what I'm experiencing so far. I feel a lot better than I used to and can move around much easier. It's a weird experience, but I think what wierds me out the most is how different I'm treated out in public now compared to where I was before, I'm more readily acknowledged and I find that people are more willing to converse with me as well.
I'm glad to be here in this group and look forward to interacting with the community.

I had a stall around week four as well. I'm stalling again... for the first time since the beginning. I'm eight months post-op. Sucks. But just stick with it and do everything you know to do: Protein, fluids, walking... because I don't think you're allowed to do anything else until six weeks.

I understand that stalls are normal, but if you had surgery five weeks ago and have lost 27 pounds in those five weeks . . . wow! That's fantastic! I can't even imagine losing 27 pounds in a little more than a month. Hang on in there--your journey is just beginning, but it's beginning really well, stalls aside. This will pass.

Hey guys and gals!!!
My surgery date is coming up soon and I've decided to document my journey!
I've created an instagram account and would love to follow others that have already been on this journey (Post-op members) or those who are pre-op as well!
Please PM me your IG id or share it here! [emoji106]
Or if you know of any wls ig accounts that are motivational, please share those as well.
[emoji173]️

I know it's very common to develop gallstones after WLS. Today, I touched my stomach, just to the right of where my gallbladder should be and I felt a little pain. The pain was equivalent to that of a big pimple or a cyst that was ready to pop. It seems to move around a little too. Could this be a gallstone? Do they make the surrounding tissue sensitive to touch? I have no other symptoms so I don't plan on reaching out to my doctor, but I will tell him at my next appointment in 3 weeks.

This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.
 
He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to giveback and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
 
He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
    
He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.