Had my visit with my PCP today.....first a little background.

I see my PCP every 4 months...used to be every 3 months, preceded by complete lab workup 1 week prior to each visit, for the last 5-6 years!!!

...reason was, we were desperately trying to get all my medical issues under control...everything was completely out of whack...and each visit he would adjust or change all my medications trying to get thing in balance...when one thing was brought under control, another thing would go off the scale...all the while my Diabetes was getting worse and worse....while all this was going on, Cardiac issues were discovered and I had to undergo cardiac surgery...

Seemed like there was no hope, and I could read the frustration in my Dr....knowing that other complications were to develop.....

Fast Forward.....as a LAST RESORT...I had Lap Band surgery 3 yrears ago...I did not like the idea, but I wanted a "Cure All" to my many medical problems...

Today...all my blood work is right down the middle NORMAL !!!....and that is without the help of any drugs...I am no longer taking any meds, other than Cardiac Meds which I will for life because of Heart Attack....

My weight has not changed in 2 years, and fluctuates within the same 5 lbs...today was the lower end of the 5 lbs making it that much more sweet!

My weight is the same as it was in High School, over 40 years ago!

My Dr. said when he saw my name on the chart, it drew an image of who I was...but when he walked in the exam room, he thought either I was the wrong person, or he was in the wrong room...took him a minute, and he said it "Blew his mind" after he put 2 and 2 together...

THE ONLY Blip on the radar, was my Fasting Glucose was HIGH, and my A1C was at the top of normal...he laughed it off, said after the holidays with all the partying and alcohol, whose blood sugar isn't going to be high? He would think differently of me if it wasn't (a Joke)

Now everyday I can pat myself on the back, after getting on the scale or putting on normal fitting clothes, etc...

BUT THIS....This makes it official....I have been examined and tested medically, and have passed the test!!! I am Bonifide!!

I have my annual Nuclear Stress test in March...I CAN'T WAIT!!! I had them talking around the office last year...This year I'm gonna show them what this 62 year old man can do....I have been running my butt off - LITERALLY...5 days a week......my PCP says considering the strides I have made, I should ask to be taken off the Cardiac Meds...I'm not your usual cardiac patient....

My visits to the Bariatric Center are pretty much the same....they ask me one question.."Any Complaints?" I say "No", they weigh me in, then it becomes a 1 hour social visit with the staff talking shop.....I go back in May, and I think as an inside Joke, I'm going to bring them a couple dozen do-nuts for the break room....

Days like today...it just cannot get any better than this...what can happen that would be better??? It is a confirmation that everything I have gone through, and everything I am currently doing has been "Spot On"..at least for me...I would not, and will not change a thing....this type of affirmation will carry me for quite a while....

I am also on firm footing not to let the Negative Naysayers get to me....no possible way am I going to get sucked down....

I will NEVER make excuses or back down from what this surgery has done for me...never rationalize it away, never make it more difficult then it actually is, only confusing and clouding the issues.....

I'm happy right where I am at....and I have no intention of ever changing that no matter what others may say....they have their success stories, I have mine, and that's all there is to it....Happy happy, Happy....Everybody's Happy.

i HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBTS.......I'M WALKING ON AIR....

PS; I realize that many, the majority, of people here are just starting out, so I know I have to be careful of what I may say so as not to mis lead anyone....all I can say is follow your Dr.'s advice, and learn to THINK about what is happening.....and ask WHY....

Edited January 9, 201412 yr by B-52

Well let me be the first to say WAY TO GO.. i can feel the emotions in your words, the joy, the relief and even the laughter. I am so very excited for you. I love reading your posts and advise and am very glad that you are willing to post and share with us all your success and joy.

KEEP it up you are an inspiration

WAY TO GO!!!! I can see you beaming all the way here in North Carolina!

This is why I chose this journey...this! I have my annual physical with my PCP next week. I'm so excited I'm giddy!

Thanks for always stating it like it is! Your posts are motivating and inspiring. Keep on keeping on

How in the world , just to start off being a cardiac patient , meaning having a heart attack and being diabetic , did they approve you , as I would love for my Mother to be able to get her head in the game, as she likes to do dishes by hand and my Mother and I are only 16 yrs. apart, she has AFIB and is diabetic , she likes to do dishes by hand but when she is doing them she gets really winded and now she is thinking of getting a walker she is to young to be having all these complications , besides that I would love to have her around a bit longer than expected , but the way things are now it doesn't look like it , well I just thought I would ask how you got approved before being banded and to say I am happy for you that your health is so much better,

Congratulations B-52!! Inspirational story indeed..

WTG B-52! Thanks for continuing to post your positive experience and story. Congratulations on your health and best wishes for continued happiness.

This is a very insperational post. Thanks B-52!

How in the world , just to start off being a cardiac patient , meaning having a heart attack and being diabetic , did they approve you , as I would love for my Mother to be able to get her head in the game, as she likes to do dishes by hand and my Mother and I are only 16 yrs. apart, she has AFIB and is diabetic , she likes to do dishes by hand but when she is doing them she gets really winded and now she is thinking of getting a walker she is to young to be having all these complications , besides that I would love to have her around a bit longer than expected , but the way things are now it doesn't look like it , well I just thought I would ask how you got approved before being banded and to say I am happy for you that your health is so much better,

It was because of my co-morbidities that quickly qualified me.....of course I needed clearances from all my Dr.'s including my Cardiologist....

I would catch my breath just carrying groceries into the house.

Way to go B-52!!!!

Thats was a awesome appt! Im sure they will love those donuts!! You are such a great motivator!

Congrats B-52, you are an inspiration!

How in the world , just to start off being a cardiac patient , meaning having a heart attack and being diabetic , did they approve you , as I would love for my Mother to be able to get her head in the game, as she likes to do dishes by hand and my Mother and I are only 16 yrs. apart, she has AFIB and is diabetic , she likes to do dishes by hand but when she is doing them she gets really winded and now she is thinking of getting a walker she is to young to be having all these complications , besides that I would love to have her around a bit longer than expected , but the way things are now it doesn't look like it , well I just thought I would ask how you got approved before being banded and to say I am happy for you that your health is so much better,

Actually the more crap you have wrong with ya the better chance of the surgery approval being a medical necessity. I was 488lbs and had no co-morbidities (aside from sleep Apnea) and I was denied on my first attempt. It wasn't until my Surgeon flooded the insurance company with documentation did I get approved. You would've thought being 488lbs would have been enough for them but NO.

Yippee! What a great moment to have the doctor do a double-take. You have turned your life around -- so happy for you!

Love this story! I love how you remember the old you and do not take the new you for granted. That makes your hard work and success all the sweeter!

Thank you for being such a strong and sane support system on this forum.

Always glad to read your story. Congrats to being healthy.

B-52 that is awesome!!! You are an inspiration to us all.