Here I am...AGAIN...embarrassed, disappointed, and ashamed...but I am starting anew.

By background:

I was always very active for most of my life (farming, basketball, weight training, intramural sports, and high school/ college marching bands) and at 5' 11" tall, I weighed between 165-185 pounds during my "lean" years. BUT about 12 years ago that all changed. I started packing on the pounds due to various physical and emotional reasons.

I tried countless diets, exercises, pills, and weight-loss fads, but to no avail. The number on the scale kept rising. I don't know what clicked...maybe it was being diagnosed with the beginning stages of Congestive Heart Failure...but sometime during the middle of 2010 I took the plunge and had Lap-Band weight loss surgery on November 3, 2010. I worked hard to lose the weight with help from the Lap-Band, exercise, and the support of my wife, friends, and extended family. I did great and lost 115 pounds within 2 years...

Unfortunately, the weight loss didn't last. I began to develop ulcers and other gastro issues and began to gain weight back (even though I had good restriction). I eventually had to have the band completely emptied...which resulted in me gaining all of my weight back (and more).

So, here I am...AGAIN...

I am currently in the process of having the Gastric Sleeve revision surgery. I have gone to another seminar, filled out all of the necessary paperwork, turned in medical records, and have my nutrition and mental health evaluations scheduled for next week. So, I should be having my surgery sometime in the next 4 weeks or so...fingers crossed.

I want to zip-line, go on hikes, ride in airplanes, and buy whatever clothes I want (and not be limited by the poor selections in Big & Tall sections). I have a lot more living and dreaming to do, so I am ready to do the work to lose the weight again.

Any support and advice is much appreciated.

Thanks for listening.

It seems like a lot of people regain their weight after the band. I wouldn't blame yourself so much. It's not your fault the success rate of that type of surgery is poor. I wish you all the best and you should be proud of yourself for keeping in the right direction.

Thanks so much for the support and vote of confidence bellabloom. I really appreciate it!!!