So I have been lurking for almost a year but decided today to share and if it helps inspire even one person I will be happy. I am a 6'1" male approaching 50. After playing 3 sports in high school at a relatively muscular 220 pounds--the weight started to pack on after I graduated from college and my activity level decreased.

Come 30 years later and by 2014 I had all of the typical problems associated with being way overweight-hard to do stairs, my knees ached, no energy, etc.. I decided to take the step and go find out what this was all about. I went to a free seminar in my area in January 2014 thinking about the band but came out an hour later knowing that the sleeve was going to be right for me. Went through all the rest of the prep last spring--Upper GI, ultrasound, psychiatrist, nutritionist, cardiologist to name most. My pre-op, day before liquid diet, weight was 371. I had the surgery at the end of May 2014 and took my first walk 4 hours after getting to the recovery room.

Since that day I have never looked back. Sure it hurt a little at the beginning and getting used to knowing what my new stomach tolerated was a little bit of trial and error. But I immediately felt that this tool was invigorating and I was going to do everything I could to use it to be successful. I now know how to eat so much better, haven't had a diet coke since May 9th ,2014 and eat almost all Protein with an occasional carb here and there (I'll still have one slice of pizza once a week for dinner). I know it is a lifetime journey and not a sprint but I am having many non-scale victories which inspired me to share. From tightening the belt on the airplane, to being able to walk into any store and buy clothes, to the occasional compliment--it has so been worth it.

Today I went to the gym and without even thinking an hour later I had burned off 500 calories by riding 15 miles on the bike--unheard of a year ago. So in a little over 8 months since surgery, this morning I weighed 253 pounds for a 118 loss since last May. I know I still have a ways to go, but I feel great.

So again, if this helps inspire anyone, I have been glad to share.

Thanks,

Charlie

Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story. I should be sleeved pretty soon, possibly end of Feb or first of March. I was advised by the psych to have realistic expectations, and would I be ok if I could only lose 80 pounds. I said, well, I'd be much more comfortable for sure, and more active. So, in my mind I am saying, no, I need to lose 120 pounds, but 80 is a great start. But I won't settle for 80.

Charlie, thank you. I'm thinking hard. Scared to death as I am desperate to get my life back, but terrified of "giving up food." I laugh because I'm willing to do ANYTHING to lose weight (um.... except stick to a diet and exercise regime).

Truth is, I hurt inside and out. Walking around in the am hurts my feet and back and knees. I'm too easily winded, I feel bad and I look bad. Depressed. I feel better, for a few moments, when I eat. Then I feel even worse than before. It's the classic scenario. I can only enjoy sedentary activities, and I feel guilty and ashamed of myself all of the time. I have no wear-withal. I've been overweight my whole life to one extent or another. Who am I if I'm not ?

I appreciate you sharing this as well!

Thanks Charlie! I have my surgery this Tuesday and I am nervous, anxious, and excited. I feel all these emotions running through me and I know if I don't do this now I never will. I am trying to keep my faith and courage up to defeat the other negative responses I am feeling. I want to be healthier and have a "second" chance so to speak at life. I have MS and stress is my trigger and I just needed some reassurance that I will be ok and I will get through this as others had. God Bless!

Thank you for sharing

You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your story with us. Keep up the great work!

Great story, Keep up the good work. Its posts like this that ease some of my fear and anxiety about being sleeved (2/17 is my date). My story is similiar too yours, it's been a long journey but I am ready. I too can't wait to shop for clothes at "normal" stores and get on an airplane and not worry if the belt will fit, or one of my most embarassing moments not be too big to ride an amusement park ride with my kids...

Keep up the good work.