I walked in the survivor lap of the Relay For Life today. I've been cancer free for 11 years now! The last time that I walked it was in 2011. I looked at some pictures and realized I was at my heaviest (395), now I'm at 323. The pictures show a huge difference. I was 369 when I called to make my consultation and 333 on day of surgery (5/6). So obviously i didn't lose all my weight with band but i was only 26 pounds lighter when i set up my consultation. I didn't even want to wear the survivor shirt at my heaviest because it was way too tight (biggest they had 3X). In fairness today was a 4X. But, it feels good to be 72 pounds lighter than my heaviest weight. I went from 395 to 315 dieting by myself but ended up at 369 and decided to have surgery and am now at 323. This time I'm not gaining it back!!

Kettering at Delco park. Sorry your daughter went through that, but glad she can be called a survivor!!

Amazing!!! ... U look great so far and congrats on your 11yr mark!

Amazing!!! ... U look great so far and congrats on your 11yr mark!

Thanks! I appreciate it!!

I agree! My face def looks a lot different, looks longer and with a bigger forehead Lol.

So true! You start looking like a different person! Great job. Thanks for sharing! It's stories like your that inspire!

You look amazing!! What a difference!

This is one awesome story an goes to show that you never know someone's story or what that have been through. I to attend our hometown relay for life never have had cancer but just go an support friends am loved ones that are survivors. You are on a great journey now an God defiantly has had his hands one you. You have a nice looking family as well. I'm proud that your doing well now an looking more healthier.

Hey Creek!

Awesome brotha!! Now ... What's the plan of action ? Can you schedule and train for another event ? Maybe as it turns fall ... Around Halloween - good way to stay focused and give you extra incentive ?

Hit me up and let me know - time to get to the next level, You can do it : )

Lee

This is one awesome story an goes to show that you never know someone's story or what that have been through. I to attend our hometown relay for life never have had cancer but just go an support friends am loved ones that are survivors. You are on a great journey now an God defiantly has had his hands one you. You have a nice looking family as well. I'm proud that your doing well now an looking more healthier.

Thank you! God has done so much for me. I told my wife when we started getting serious that I was informed that due to the high levels of chemotherapy that I had that I would likely not be able to have children. Then, next thing you know she was pregnant with our son. God is great!! Thanks again for the nice compliments and supporting cancer survivors!

that's awesome... definitely a huge difference!!! Good for you

Holy cow, what a HUGE difference! You look AMAZING!!! I'm so proud of you!!!

Very, very inspirational...keep on going!!!

You look amazing (my May 6 banding buddy)!!

Hey Creek!

Awesome brotha!! Now ... What's the plan of action ? Can you schedule and train for another event ? Maybe as it turns fall ... Around Halloween - good way to stay focused and give you extra incentive ?

Hit me up and let me know - time to get to the next level' date=' You can do it : )

Lee[/quote']

Well, Monday will be two weeks since surgery and I'm looking forward to getting cleared for more exercise. As of now I'm allowed walking (which I have been doing). I am calling my Dr. Early Monday morning to find out exactly what all I can do. I look forward to pushing myself like I haven't in years. There's a 5k the 8th of June for a cancer organization that I volunteer with. I'm not sure if I would be ready by then though (I would definitely have to walk the majority at this point). If not there are tons of events throughout the year. I'm in Ohio, the cold doesn't bother me

I would love to get to the shape I was in during high school football season. Mainly what we did was cardio, weight lifting, cardio, cardio, cardio, weight lifting, get cussed out for an hour, cardio Lol

I need to get a plan or schedule together to stick to! If its waking up at 6 and exercising before my wife heads off to work then that's what I need to do! I haven't been able to run for long distances (quarter mile, that's a LONG distance when you are near 400 lbs) in years!

Had to keep going back and forth. Can't believe it is the same person. great job!!

Wendy

Thanks everyone!! You guys (and gals ) are so supportive!! I have to say that I do kind if smile or even chuckle at the thought of ME being an inspiration. I appreciate that compliment and I sure hope that I can help other people in their journeys even though mine is still in the baby stage!

Catwhisperer, Thanks! You are such a positive person, I know that you will be successful! You have really taken the time to research everything and I know you will be successful with your very new band!

Mis73, Thank you for the compliments! I have to say that I definitely don't take any compliment that you give lightly! You have accomplished so much and your story is so inspirational! I look forward to reading your comments on posts and you are very committed to helping us newbies out along this journey to save our lives!!

Drehn, thank you!! I love having people who share the same date as me! Heck I love having the same, week, month, but it's very cool to have a few friends with the exact day! Our journeys have already proved to be different but we will end up at the same place! Successful banders!

Wendy, thank you! The more I look at it the crazier it seems to me too! It's funny how even though you see yourself in the mirror everyday you don't notice the changes. But, when you compare pictures side by side it's hard to deny the changes! Thanks again for your kind words! I do appreciate them!

Congratulations on surviving cancer! I am an ovarian cancer survivor myself.i'm a 30 year survivor come this November.

Due to my other disabilities I am unable to participate in the special events like relay for life but I'm hoping once this weight is off, I'll be cane free and able to participate in a relay for life.