Positive WLS NSV

[B-52 7,113]

First off, I'm 64 years old, and had Lap band procedure coming up on 6 years.

Prior to that, I was morbidly obese, diabetes, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, etc, etc, you name it, all out of control.

Was seeing as many as 4 different Dr.'s all on a 4-month schedule.

I was so out of shape I would become short of breath and need to rest doing the littlest things like carry groceries into the house.

My PCP simply and straight forwardly stated that if I did not do something, specifically lose 50-80 lbs, I will not be around much longer. I should think about my family, etc, when I am gone.

I told him, yet again, that I have tried every diet under the sun and was never able to keep it off. All diets started out good, but then I back slid and ultimately complete failure.

I went for a stress test, and they found blockages in my arteries, which resulted in angioplasty with stents. It was then they discovered an area of my heart muscle was damaged which was a result of a Myocardial Infarction. They asked me when did I have a heart attack? I said never.

They said Oh yes you did, a quite serious one...However it was silent which is very common for diabetics.

Back to my PCP...suggested as a "Last Resort", I go for WLS. Which I did.

WLS was 100% successful for me, once I got past the initial stages it became the easiest thing I could have ever done.

Lost all my excess body fat, became a gym rat. I don't count calories or anything similar to traditional dieting. With the band I am forced to eat less so when I do eat I just make sure it is something as healthy as I can put together. Always focusing on the Protein.< br />I indulge in things that are usually a hot topic here...point is, I'm not a glutton so a little here and then works just fine with me.

Fast forward to a few days ago....went in for my scheduled Nuclear Stress test. Other people in the waiting room had O2 with them, were using walkers, etc...I came looking like I just came back from the gym knowing I would be running on their treadmill.

Through every phase people would comment how good I looked and I surley worked out.

One TECH wanted to know what my workout routine was.

On the treadmill, where they take it to a high BPM (stress), they had me running at a good clip...I was also carrying on a normal conversation the whole time. Then they inject the isotobe and take pictures of your cardiac arteries

First time I had one of these it didn't take more than a brisk walk, and I was so out of breath I could not speak.

My cardiologist called me later and said I passed with flying colors..everything could not look any better...Perfect...

This is what WLS did for me...literally saved my life. Turned around my Coronary Artery Disease, not to mention reversing my diabetes and everything else I was plagued with.

I'm 64 years old and am the weight I was when I played football and ran track back in HS 45 years ago.

I am at an optimal body fat %, (don't care about BMI's) cannot lose anymore because there is nothing left to lose.

Wear normal clothes right off the rack, or order online without any worries, never short of breath, and I feel like I'm 30 years younger and can do anything.

Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up.

I read posts on this forum all the time about people complaining about this and that, or having fears of failure only a year or less into it...

People, PLEASE get over it....stop the whining!!! This thing DOES WORK...don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the big picture..like the rest of your life!!!

Ok, off my soapbox.

Thank You

[Torriluv87 300]

Wow that's an amazing story. I love reading about people's successes. It really helps put things in perspective. My sister is all about numbers and how much do i want to lose and what not. It's nerve wracking talking to her because I'm focusing on mental and physical health. Numbers are nice but they never helped me in the past. Just made me crazy. I want to be strong and healthy. Im only 29. 9 days out of surgery and while weight matters i want to know im doing the best thing for my HEALTH. It shouldn't always be about a number on the scale.

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[DeletedMember 715]

If you don't mind sharing, what is your BF %? I am trying to figure out when I'm "done" and should move into maintenance and I'm focusing on BF% as my metric.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

@@B-52

You are truly an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.

[cdsjjotn 516]

Love your story! You are so right , this does work, but people need to want to change their life. I never comment on the whiners, they shouldn't of had the surgery if they weren't going to commit!

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[Rosey posey 176]

B52 yours is a great story, you went from a tanker to a fighting jet! Wowee! Only hope someday my story will be as good.

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[LisaMergs 2,854]

Excellent work on your part, and an inspiration to many here. I hope those who need to read this, do.

Congratulations on your hard work and dedication. May you live the long life you've worked so hard to achieve!

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[Healthy_life2 8,319]

@@B-52

Amazing NSV to get out and kick ass in life. Your health and fitness level always keeps me interested in what you are doing to keep yourself in shape. Love your posts.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@@B-52

Thanks for sharing, I always respect your posts and comments.

[Noname22 175]

What an inspiration, thank you for sharing this post. Congratulations and a big pat on the back to you!

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up.

It's all wonderful. Your being a volcano-tamer is the cherry on top - in two senses of the phrase. Being four years your senior, I'm also liking the population stats on the climb.

[shedo82773 1,236]

WELL, I was going to post my NSV's too. Your post was so inspiring. I am 60 years old and had my RNY on July 2, 2013. I lost 132#'s in 6 months. I am 5.4 and I got down to 117#'s, but I felt like HELL my Surgeon and my PCP got worried because they thought I was losing muscle. So I did end up gaining 8#'s. You would be amazed at how much better I felt after just those 8#'s. So now I weigh 125 and have maintained this weight for 2 and 1/2 years. So now amoung many NSV's let me say I was on insulin with pills to try to correct my Diabetes. I was so insulin resistant that my PCP wanted to throw up his arms and give up. I took 12 different meds, now I take 4 no Diabetes meds at all and 1/2 of my blood pressure medications. I just can't get around stress. ( BTW if someone knows how please let me know) I am now able to exercise. I do have health issues still FIBROMYALGIA and ARTHRITIS. But I NOW can walk 4 to 5 times a week and 4 to 5 miles each time. AWESOME STUFF!! But one of my favorite NSV's was when my 9 and 11 year old grandkids came and set with me in my recliner and FIT with ROOM TO SPARE!!! So Precious!! There are so many others but I will stop now. LIFE is so much sweeter now!!

[cdeisroth 420]

This is one of the most inspiring stories I have ever read on here. I had my RNY this year at 34 years old. I did not have many health issues; mild sleep apnea, pre-diabetic, and a resting heart rate of 94. I was right on track to be where you were in 20 years. I'm down 107lbs since March and 18lbs to goal and after reading your story feel even more confident in the decision I made to have surgery. Thank you for sharing!

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Edited October 15, 2016 by cdeisroth

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@B-52 - Just saying man, two years ago you were a very calming inspiration before surgery. Your story keeps me thinking about what can and should be. For any newbies, please feel free to share about your formally thick medical files. That one always makes me smile.

[FunkyMunkyBrat 205]

@@B-52 - Just saying man, two years ago you were a very calming inspiration before surgery. Your story keeps me thinking about what can and should be. For any newbies, please feel free to share about your formally thick medical files. That one always makes me smile.

Ha! Mines extensive, I'll wait till I'm sitting in front of my laptop instead of on my phone LoLbs

Munky

Edited October 15, 2016 by FunkyMunkyBrat