Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I'm not entirely sure how I found Bariatric Pal's website - I think it came up when I was initializing a new smart phone I had purchased after I lost my cell phone somewhere in the process of checking out of the hospital from my gastric bypass surgery. I think this is a wonderful meeting place to share experiences with those who have made the journey or are about to.

The last milestone I passed was my 6 week follow up with my surgeon and am down about 50 or so pounds and maybe 66 pounds from my highest weight ever. I spent a year researching the surgery and consulted with 3 different surgeons before making my selection as well as the final decision to undergo the surgery.

I spent that much time because at my present age of 63 I have fought this battle since the age of 6 or thereabouts. I was teased in grade school for being fat and have gone through multiple weight loss and weight regain cycles in my life. All of those weight loss/regain cycles were all just emotionally driven I came to eventually realize - I never "dieted" as much as I just followed patterns of abnormal emotional overeating followed by a period of emotionally fueled abnormal purging (diet/exercise) with corresponding fluctuations in body weight. Of course the trend has always been on an upward trajectory.

I eventually came to realize that the word "diet" is one of the most bastardized words in the English vocabulary, where it has come to mean patterns of abnormal eating behavior with its attendant body weight fluctuations. The reason why "diets" don't work is that long term success requires mastering that most difficult of all of human behaviors of "moderation", which I realized I lacked without some kind of unusual help.

I became interested in the surgery as a solution to this lifelong struggle when I noticed a co-worker losing over 100 pounds so I struck up a conversation with him about it and he said he underwent the gastric sleeve operation. I consulted with a surgeon shortly after and he said "don't base your decision on what soemone else did" - he then went on to recommend the bypass based on my health history and present state of health. He finished by saying that the bypass was more durable for long term success (based on my circumstances only).

I was on Metformin and simvastatin and 3 different blood pressure medications as well as Alopurinol to control excessive uric acids (gout). One year ago my physician put me on Qsyemia and my weight dropped from my highest weight ever of 350 pounds to about 310 but then came a cruise and it was back to the races on a weight regain spree. My weight shot up to 340 pounds when I sold a Harley Davidson motorcycle and used the proceeds to pay for the surgery.

It is the smartest thing I have ever done for myself. I am free of all the emotional demons driving my appetite. I no longer feel that compulsion or emotional addiction to food. I am feeling lighter and am exercising again and my first labs after the surgery were right down the middle of the fairway. I have quit the metformin and am looking at the hypertension meds next. I still use a CPAP intermittently but I think I will quit snoring once my weight drops below around 225.

I can't say enough good about the support and control I have gained and got my life back in control. I have a great wife, and great home life and career - I had so much going for me and I was ruining it being as usual my own worst enemy.

This is the greatest journey of my life - I know I will never look back again on a 50+ inch waist and 300+ pounds on the scale. I've still got a long way to go but I am on the cusp of being able to shop for clothing in more widely available sizes - II just could not be happier with the results.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What a wonderful back story- thank you for sharing and welcome to the boards! You'll find all kinds of opinions and advice from us here- all you have to do is ask! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What a wonderful journey. Good luck, and I wish you continued success.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@mdnitschke, thank you for sharing your story. You obviously made the right choice, but as a dedicated rider myself I hope you get on another Harley soon. :) Yes, I obviously keyed in on the most important bits! I am having surgery in a week and can't wait for next riding season without the knee pain and hip pain caused by all this extra baggage.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I actually did get another Harley. I sold a tricked out Road Glide Ultra that I owned free and clear so I sold it to pay for the surgery and at the same time got a pretty sweet deal from an HD dealer on a leftover 2014 Softail Deluxe, and then qualified for .99% financing, so I essentially borrowed the money for the surgery from HDFS at a very reasonable rate and got a newer, lighter and more maneuverable bike for my in town riding which was what I was doing mostly. I wouldn't be without a ride. Post Christmas update: the wife got me a hot leather jacket in a much reduced size and it fits!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@mdnitschke, I love that you "essentially borrowed the money for the surgery from HDFS" and got a new bike to boot! That's awesome! It's got to be hard to downsize from an Ultra, but the Deluxe is a great bike. I'm on a 2014 Switchback right now, but I've got my eye on a 2015 Softail Deluxe this coming Spring! I trade mine in every year (I work for HDMC), and I've been camped out in the Dyna family for 5 years. I mostly just use it for commuting and day trips, so the Dynas have been good to me. Still, I am looking forward to being able to handle a bigger bike and longer trips.

Congratulations on the new jacket! I hadn't considered that there will be all new riding gear in my future. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • 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!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×