Hello,

My name is Jim Boston, I am 43 years old, married 26 years to Marsha my wonderful wife. We have (3) children, Daughter - Amber 27, Son Andrew 23, Son Jimmy 22.

May of 2009 My sons changed my life forever, They both enlisted in The United States Marine Corp. and went to boot camp in San Diego on Sept. 21, 2009.

I being a greatly Patriotic Individual anyways felt amazingly proud and severly lost without them as we were very close. While they were in boot camp I made a pact that if they were strong enough to volunteer to suport and defend the whole country, I could atleast be disceplined enough to take care of myself and be around for them as long as possible. So, i started going to Dr visits and found out I had Diabetes, High blood pressure, High colesterol, and low testostrone, all the while weighing in at 474lbs and i was only 40 years old. I was disgusted with myself but soon things started to change.

I got the diabetes under control and started taking all my meds and my energy level seemed to start coming back. My wifes and my sex life kicked into high gear and our relationship improved. I started to move in the right direction, on a routine Dr. appointment i asked my doctor if she could research for me a bariatric surgeon. I was thinking of self paying for surgery as i knew my company insurance did not pay... She said she would and got me the Number of Dr. Travis Goodnight www.goodnightsugical.com.

I called the next day and went to a seminar the next week. I filled out all paper work knowing that my insurance did not cover the surgery, I had all the money ready to self pay to my surprise! My company changed our insurance at the first of this year and now pay for 80% or the lesser of your out of pocket. Bingo bango i had surgery on june 31, 2011 I have now lost 20 lbs since surgery... Amazing turn of events in 2 short years....

Hi and welcome Jim.

Welcome to the forums! That is a great start! Congratulations!

That is wonderful news Jim. And Welcome to the board. I bet your sons are very proud of you. I know how it is when your children are gone, you really do miss them. Although my daughter is not in the service her husband is in the Navy and they are not stationed anywhere close. So she has been gone from home for over 4 years.

Good LUck on your journey.

Welcome Jim! Congrats on your surgery and what sounds like a wonderful family! Here's to the new you!

JIM, welcome to this great family. First, please thank your sons for the wonderful job they are doing protecting our freedoms and our country. Second, thank you and your wife for raising patriotic men as your sons to go serve our country in this manner. Third, thank you for your inspiring words and sharing your story. So often men won't take care of themselves due to some "macho" thing from the 70's or something. I know you will have lots of great advice for us pre-opers still waiting on our surgery dates. Spread your wisdom when you can. Thanks again. :usa: :usa2:

One of my Sons the elder and His wife are stationed in Oceanside, California On Camp Pendleton.

The other is Stationed on Okinawa, Japan at Camp Futenma. He came home in Febuary Got married, left his new wife at our house and went back. So, we have had our new daughter in law living with us for the last almost 6 months. We love her but we were just getting used to not having any kids at home. Gotta love those kids....

Thank you all for the warm welcome...!

That is wonderful news Jim. And Welcome to the board. I bet your sons are very proud of you. I know how it is when your children are gone, you really do miss them. Although my daughter is not in the service her husband is in the Navy and they are not stationed anywhere close. So she has been gone from home for over 4 years.

Good LUck on your journey.

Welcome Jim!! I am a fellow Razorback lover (Whoo Pig Sooie!!) as I am an Arkansan as well! Good luck to you in your journey!!!

Welcome to the world of winner's beating the weight issues. myself i had my VSG 3-2-11 and have lost 91 lbs so far. i live just down the road in Alma, and used Dr. Roller in northwest AR for my surgery. if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. someone here has probably experienced the same issue. good luck and keep up the good work.

Wow, thats great!

Japan, that is where my son in law wants to go next, but my daughter doesn't....LOL Right now they are in Jacksonville Florida on the Naval Base. We did get to visit them in June, just went to Fla. for our vacation....LOL

Must be strange having a new "kid" in the house, especially one that isn't your own. Maybe she can join her husband soon in Japan.

Japan, that is where my son in law wants to go next, but my daughter doesn't....LOL Right now they are in Jacksonville Florida on the Naval Base. We did get to visit them in June, just went to Fla. for our vacation....LOL

Must be strange having a new "kid" in the house, especially one that isn't your own. Maybe she can join her husband soon in Japan.

Jim loved it at first, now he just wants to be state side....I wonder why? He got married in February hasn't seen his wife in 6-1/2 months???----

So glad to have you here! Please thank your son for their bravery and sacrifice on behalf of our country. My husband is a retired Navy Chief and I do miss the "family" of the military at times. I know you're bustin' buttons with pride and I don't blame you one bit! Congrats on your surgery and the new steps in your new life!

Welcome Jim!! I had surgery with Dr. Goodnight on 3/28/11 and cannot say enough positive things about him!! Have you gone to any of the support group meetings? I live in Central AR, so I haven't been able to make it to one yet. How have things gone for you since surgery?

Welcome Jim!! I had surgery with Dr. Goodnight on 3/28/11 and cannot say enough positive things about him!! Have you gone to any of the support group meetings? I live in Central AR, so I haven't been able to make it to one yet. How have things gone for you since surgery?

Lanette,

I am doing really great, I just broke through 350 last week as of today I am 345.6 lbs and I love my sleeve... It keeps me honest in my Quest to lose weight the vey thing i could not do for myself!