Hello everyone,

I just wanted to first say Hi, I have been Lurking here for a month now gaining a little knowledge here and there. I was turned on to affordable wls by a miracle. I have been to some seminars and battled both blue cross blue sheild and cigna. Both businesses I have worked for put wls exempt. So I am paying out of pocket. Being so, I am willing to put my life on the line in the care of GOD.

I am a USCG captain. I run a big Crewboat in the gulf of Mexico. I weigh an average of 315 year round. I get hounded everytime I turn in a piece of paperwork on sleep apnea and my weight countering my physical ability to do my job. In the past 2 years I have spent over 3500 bucks on just sleep apnea tests not to account for all the travel time to get sign offs on agility tests. I do have thyroid issues which is controlled and has been for 4 years now. It was discovered by a dietician so I now on 175mcg of T4 synthroid ED.

Ok its almost been a year since surgery. 17 days shy. As of today I have officially broken my 180lb goal. I feel great look great according to everyone else. But heres my issues.

1. I dont feel skinny at all. When I look down I still see all the excess skin and it just makes me upset. Hopefully this year most of it will shrink back up so it dont look so bad.

2. I feel weak compared to presurgery. I just dont have the strenght that I use too.

3.memory retention was shot during this first year postop. Now my head is clearer but I have developed scatterbrain due to my energy level. I multitask so much it isnt funny.

4. My endurance level while working in the heat is limited to 4 hours/day. Anymore will probably send me to the hospital for dehydration.

But other than that I am 100% satisfied that I did this. On another note randomn women are more receptive when I speak to them. Kinda pisses me off though. Well with all that said this has been a journey that I should have done sooner but I didnt know about the godsend Jerusalem hospital in tijuana, mexico. I ran across them by mere chance and it definitely was worth it.

BTW gall bladder issues cleared up all on its own. Doc said they have a few small ones but if they dont act up well leave it be but if they do we will pull it. Plus I drink an apple juice everyday. I have read on multiple natural remedy websites that this helps soften stones.

Looks like I went to school in texas with all my spelling errors hahaha

Why are you mad at us Texans lol?

Lol not mad at texans. I laugh with yall cause yall know what I am talking about. I use to work for Texas Crewboats out of Freeport and I swear every one of them spelled foil like this Fiol. I literally had to ask what it was cause I thought they forgot some letters or something. Cant knock texas cause yall got it going on.

Lol I was just kidding :-) Some of these Texans really can't spell, read or write.

Hey

lol

Actually that is very true

We speak well with other Texans but we sound like doh doh's to others.

Loved reading your weight loss story all in one spot. Congrats! Thanks for the incentive!

Lol not mad at texans. I laugh with yall cause yall know what I am talking about. I use to work for Texas Crewboats out of Freeport and I swear every one of them spelled foil like this Fiol. I literally had to ask what it was cause I thought they forgot some letters or something. Cant knock texas cause yall got it going on.

Cracker head now thats texan.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using VST

Capt Derel...you're energy levels sound really low and that can't be enjoyable. Are you eating really low carb? Or had your blood sugar checked lately...hypoglycemia maybe?

Go for it. U won't be sorry!

Capt Derel...you're energy levels sound really low and that can't be enjoyable. Are you eating really low carb? Or had your blood sugar checked lately...hypoglycemia maybe?

Sorry been offshore.

Low carb? Well it depends. I usually hit between 100-200grams per day just cause I am trying to STOP losing.

I have never been diabetic but I am going do my one year checkup pretty soon.

The way I feel at work has to be from depression cause being stuck out here SUCKS!!! Lol

At home I am different. I get up everyday at 6am and by 0730 I am out and about and stay busy till 2000hrs. Its like I cant stop.

One day I had my trucks interior stripped out next day building shadow boxes in my besroom then painting next I am building a speaker box and amp rack in my truck then gardening then working on my father in laws shop. Its kind of like I developed ADD at home. Out here theres no where to go.

It might just be cause I hate the cold weather and I like to hibernate. Winter time depression.

Were you referring to the 4 hrs endurance while working?

Exercising to me isnt physical labor. Never has been. I judged this by digging a trench, shoveling gravels, post hole digging fence posts. Pre surgery I could do this all day. Now after 3-4 hrs I reach a point where I know I have to stop. I think its the dehydration kicking in cause I try and drink but I ultimately end up throwing up cause I cant drink enough in a 15 minute period to make a difference.

I know going back to framing is out of the question. And I am an excellent carpenter. I have built many million dollar homes.

I can barely drink 3 bottle of h2o daily. Thats a big problem to me. Its either drink or eat. Otherwise its a full time job just eating and drinking lol

The struggles of VSG lol

Wow just read your journey, you look amazing!

Were you referring to the 4 hrs endurance while working?

Exercising to me isnt physical labor. Never has been. I judged this by digging a trench, shoveling gravels, post hole digging fence posts. Pre surgery I could do this all day. Now after 3-4 hrs I reach a point where I know I have to stop. I think its the dehydration kicking in cause I try and drink but I ultimately end up throwing up cause I cant drink enough in a 15 minute period to make a difference.

I know going back to framing is out of the question. And I am an excellent carpenter. I have built many million dollar homes.

I can barely drink 3 bottle of h2o daily. Thats a big problem to me. Its either drink or eat. Otherwise its a full time job just eating and drinking lol

The struggles of VSG lol

The good news is, you will be able to get back to framing soon. It does pass and you will get stronger and stronger and able to endure more physical activities.

hey Cap'n D! So glad you've lost all the weight you wanted to! Congratulations! You HAVE to drink more fluid. Period. Sip sip sip sip sip all day long. You will feel a thousand times better. Trust me :-)