peteyjames

I'm turning 50 in May.  I was always very athletic and over the years I’ve mushroomed from an athletic 198-205lbs. to 475lbs. at my max weight.  My reasons for doing this is the same as many people; my health, my kids, my wife, my self-esteem, and my career.  My operation is on Friday 3/19.  Just two days from today.  I've struggled with the pre-op diet.  I do well for 2/3 of the day and then break down at dinner time.  I needed to get down to 450 for the operation to take place and I'm within one pound of that goal.  I'll make the 450, but my goal was to go in at 435 or 440.  I'm a little scared, I'm worried I won't be able to make the changes I need to, but I think I'm more scared of what my life will be if I don't make the changes.  I know I have God, family, and friends on my side, so let's throw some excitement and hope on top of being a little scared.Health wise, I'm on the brink of having all the ailments you would expect someone my age and weight to have.  I'm pre-diabetic, and I have some hypertension.  My biggest issue is my knees.  I was into sports my whole life, and even with the weight I've gained over the years, I coached my kids through grade school into Junior High.  Both my knees have been scoped and there is not much left between the bones.  My weight just makes things worse.  I can't walk very much without the help of Aleve or Advil.  I hope and pray that as I take the enormous pressure off my knees as I lose weight I will be able to go back to the active life I once lived, for the kids and for myself.  I love basketball, softball, and my wife and I used to play tennis all the time.  I want all of that back.  The next 20 years can be an exciting time for me and my family if together with this surgery I can succeed in losing the weight and changing my life for good.Pete