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New here - so an introduction.

I will be 42 this Friday. My wife and I have been married 24 years and have three awesome kids. Our two oldest are both girls (22 and 9) and both are special needs. Our youngest is 5 and ALL BOY! I've always been heavy. I know I have an addiction to food. I don't drink, never have done any sort of drugs, don't smoke - I cook and I eat. That's always been how I "medicate" myself. Eat til you regret it.

Three years ago August 6th, I was in a rollover car accident that I should never have survived. I literally walked away with a severe concussion and damage to an already troubling issue with my back. I was laid up for about a month and the weight really started to pile on. I didn't realize how living life was slipping away from me.

The eye opener came when we took the kids on our annual Disney World vacation. We do the Disney Cruise and then about 5 days or so in the parks. This was the first time our son was really going to be able to go on anything and everything he wanted, and it was that awesomeness of seeing the "magic" through his eyes for the first time. Problem was I had hit 450 + pounds and just couldn't do it. I had to rent a scooter to even go to the parks. Even riding that wore me out. I was so upset with myself that guess what - I ate myself sick. When we got to the ports on the cruise I stayed on ship. No way I could walk that far. I stayed back and ordered room service.

About a week after the trip,my son and I were snuggling in the chair, and he asked me "Daddy, are you still going to be on the earth when I'm a daddy?" It broke my heart. I started to look into my options and then with both eyes closed, praying for guidance, I jumped into the deep end.

Started my pre-op diet at the end of May and had surgery June 12. Lost 25 pounds on pre-op and have lost 18 since surgery. I'm very excited about this journey to get healthy and to make sure on next year's trip to see Mickey - nothing's getting in Daddy's way!

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New here - so an introduction.

I will be 42 this Friday. My wife and I have been married 24 years and have three awesome kids. Our two oldest are both girls (22 and 9) and both are special needs. Our youngest is 5 and ALL BOY! I've always been heavy. I know I have an addiction to food. I don't drink, never have done any sort of drugs, don't smoke - I cook and I eat. That's always been how I "medicate" myself. Eat til you regret it.

Three years ago August 6th, I was in a rollover car accident that I should never have survived. I literally walked away with a severe concussion and damage to an already troubling issue with my back. I was laid up for about a month and the weight really started to pile on. I didn't realize how living life was slipping away from me.

The eye opener came when we took the kids on our annual Disney World vacation. We do the Disney Cruise and then about 5 days or so in the parks. This was the first time our son was really going to be able to go on anything and everything he wanted, and it was that awesomeness of seeing the "magic" through his eyes for the first time. Problem was I had hit 450 + pounds and just couldn't do it. I had to rent a scooter to even go to the parks. Even riding that wore me out. I was so upset with myself that guess what - I ate myself sick. When we got to the ports on the cruise I stayed on ship. No way I could walk that far. I stayed back and ordered room service.

About a week after the trip,my son and I were snuggling in the chair, and he asked me "Daddy, are you still going to be on the earth when I'm a daddy?" It broke my heart. I started to look into my options and then with both eyes closed, praying for guidance, I jumped into the deep end.

Started my pre-op diet at the end of May and had surgery June 12. Lost 25 pounds on pre-op and have lost 18 since surgery. I'm very excited about this journey to get healthy and to make sure on next year's trip to see Mickey - nothing's getting in Daddy's way!

by reading what you wrote, i believe Daddy CAN do it..and good for YOU....all the best keep up that positive attitude, it helps :)

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what a story...god bless ya! Sometimes its those big eyes lookin up at us from those tiny faces that wake us up. I am so glad you chose to get healthy. Best of luck on your journey and have fun at Disney next year..because you WILL do this!

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Yay for u!!! U will not regret this!! food addiction stays but thankfully the band keeps u from being able to fall prey to that binging!! Go Disney dad!!

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Wow - it's rare that an introductory post moves me as yours did. I'm so happy that you made the decision to take the bull by the horns, to aggressively manage your weight and your health. You deserve to have a long, happy & healthy life with your family; you are certainly on your way :)

Good luck - please keep us posted on your continuing success.

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God bless you, Daddy! This day after Father's day, you brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing, we will be here for the "ride" this year and whenever you need us! Karen

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Great story... gave me chills! Yes, you can do it! One word of caution though, the band will not help with the "head" hunger, that addiction is powerful and, unlike alcohol, cigarettes or drugs, since you can't give it up completely, you might want to look into some counseling! I'm a firm believer that a good counselor is worth their weight in gold!!

And I look forward to reading your post a year from now after your next Disney trip!! I'm sure you and the kids will have a blast!

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Good for you! Your story touched me. You CAN do it!

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Love this story! You WILL do this!!! I have a 5 year old son too. Like you I don't want to miss seeing him grow up and enjoy life! Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll be a kicka** Grandpa! Kids are great motivation, you WILL succeed! You're doing great already!!

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New here - so an introduction.

I will be 42 this Friday. My wife and I have been married 24 years and have three awesome kids. Our two oldest are both girls (22 and 9) and both are special needs. Our youngest is 5 and ALL BOY! I've always been heavy. I know I have an addiction to food. I don't drink' date=' never have done any sort of drugs, don't smoke - I cook and I eat. That's always been how I "medicate" myself. Eat til you regret it.

Three years ago August 6th, I was in a rollover car accident that I should never have survived. I literally walked away with a severe concussion and damage to an already troubling issue with my back. I was laid up for about a month and the weight really started to pile on. I didn't realize how living life was slipping away from me.

The eye opener came when we took the kids on our annual Disney World vacation. We do the Disney Cruise and then about 5 days or so in the parks. This was the first time our son was really going to be able to go on anything and everything he wanted, and it was that awesomeness of seeing the "magic" through his eyes for the first time. Problem was I had hit 450 + pounds and just couldn't do it. I had to rent a scooter to even go to the parks. Even riding that wore me out. I was so upset with myself that guess what - I ate myself sick. When we got to the ports on the cruise I stayed on ship. No way I could walk that far. I stayed back and ordered room service.

About a week after the trip,my son and I were snuggling in the chair, and he asked me "Daddy, are you still going to be on the earth when I'm a daddy?" It broke my heart. I started to look into my options and then with both eyes closed, praying for guidance, I jumped into the deep end.

Started my pre-op diet at the end of May and had surgery June 12. Lost 25 pounds on pre-op and have lost 18 since surgery. I'm very excited about this journey to get healthy and to make sure on next year's trip to see Mickey - nothing's getting in Daddy's way![/quote']

Kids I think can be our greatest motivators in just what they say and do. Your son is a gem! He wasn't concerned about the fact that daddy couldn't do it. He was more concerned by showing how much he loved you now and in the future. He wants to see you become the grandfather of his future family. Aren't kids great?

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I bet you will one day incorporate the run Disney marathon into your annual vacation. What an inspiration!

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Wow !! That was very touching. Thank you for sharing with us. We are all here for the same reasons to be healthy and to be able to enjoy life especially Disney ! We went there on our honeymoon and many times after. It's the best! You will for back and be able to do so much more with your kids because of the decision you made to lose weight. Good for you ! Keep your eyes on the prize which for you is MICKEY MOUSE :). One day at a time and one pound at a time !!

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Y'all are very kind. It's nice to have the support. Thanks.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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