Hello everyone. I am not, necessarily, new to this site. I have been reading many of the forums and topics on here since May of 2012. I would have to say thank you to everyone for the great encouragement to me and those that have questions or needs. I am 41 years old, husband of 20 years to my best friend and father to 4 awesome children. I started my journey on April 15, 2012 with my initial information appointment at my surgeon’s office. After that meeting I knew that this is what I was supposed to be doing. My recorded weight at that visit…400 pounds. One advantage that I had throughout this whole process is that my wife and I did this together. I had my surgery on June 8^th 2012 and hers was the following week. Within hours after my surgery I was up and walking. I was, and still am, motivated to make this work. I have never been at a healthy weight my whole life and struggled with Yo-Yo dieting continuously. So walking was a must, even if my feet and knees disagreed. I was so excited about having the surgery that I walked a lot. I did not have any pain or discomfort issues. I was able to keep down all the fluids that I was supposed to have and then was released a day early due to the fact that I was doing so well. I am blessed to continue doing well on this journey. I am currently at 250 pounds. My surgery weight was 385. But I am going by the highest recorded weight for a total loss of 150 pounds this far, but 135 pounds since the surgery. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel great and look forward to maybe encouraging someone else along their journey.

Thank you for sharing. Sounds like you really have this down. Wishing both you and your wife the very very best.

Hello everyone. I am not' date=' necessarily, new to this site. I have been reading many of the forums and topics on here since May of 2012. I would have to say thank you to everyone for the great encouragement to me and those that have questions or needs. I am 41 years old, husband of 20 years to my best friend and father to 4 awesome children. I started my journey on April 15, 2012 with my initial information appointment at my surgeon’s office. After that meeting I knew that this is what I was supposed to be doing. My recorded weight at that visit…400 pounds. One advantage that I had throughout this whole process is that my wife and I did this together. I had my surgery on June 8[sup']th[/sup] 2012 and hers was the following week. Within hours after my surgery I was up and walking. I was, and still am, motivated to make this work. I have never been at a healthy weight my whole life and struggled with Yo-Yo dieting continuously. So walking was a must, even if my feet and knees disagreed. I was so excited about having the surgery that I walked a lot. I did not have any pain or discomfort issues. I was able to keep down all the fluids that I was supposed to have and then was released a day early due to the fact that I was doing so well. I am blessed to continue doing well on this journey. I am currently at 250 pounds. My surgery weight was 385. But I am going by the highest recorded weight for a total loss of 150 pounds this far, but 135 pounds since the surgery. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel great and look forward to maybe encouraging someone else along their journey.

Big DaddyJ, I am so glad you posted. Welcome to the group, you are doing terrific.

Your post is so encouraging to me! I too have a good amount of weight to lose and just reading your story has giving me the determination that I too can succeed. I know everyone is different and everyone will have their own numbers, but reading your story is so encouraging. Congratulations to you and your wife for doing it together!! You are my motivation and inspiration now!! (-: God bless.

Hey BigDaddy... you are awesome It's nice that you had your wife by your side so you both can get healthy together !!! good luck

You have motivated me to keep moving even if I'm tired and plain just don't want to. Congrats on the new direction you're headed and doing it side by side with your wife.

Happy Friday!

Surgery 7/25/12

The old saying us nothing to a will but try, many people give up but u didn't and that's wuz up. Your story about u and ur wife amazing encouraging. Welcome to the forum.

Congratulations BigDaddy and Ms. BigDaddy and welcome to the forum!! Great job!!

Congratulations on the weight lost.