Since having this surgery October 13th I have lost 63 pds and feel great. People that did not know can not help but ask how I have lost the weight. I have no trouble explaining to them the struggles I have gone through my whole life. Those of you that have had the surgery and those thinking about it all have let FOOD control us and our lifestyle.

It is crazy to look back and see how our everyday lives were centered around food; what we ate, when we ate, when are we eating next, and how hungry we are. The only way to become satisfied was to eat and eat and eat some more. Post op the same questions are asked but different amount of food is needed to become satisfied and full. Sometimes it is even a struggle to remember to eat, because I do not find myself thinking about food like I did pre-op.

At this stage of post op, I am excited about adding in different proteins and vegtables and fruits to my diet. I know how full I get on the little amount of protein, but I am still looking forward to trying new things.

I have recently started adding in Bananas and Peanut Butter to my Whey Protein Shake. This is so satisfying with that ice and Skim Milk. It is more satisfying then eggs that I alternate.

I have started to eat few different soups also - mostly chili for protein and still enjoy beef and chicken bouilon. I love shrimp and immitation crab meat, and all of the frozen fish.

I have only had a two problems with " throwing up" and that was due to drinking too soon after finish eating and or not chewing food good enough. My Dr. says it is okay to drink fluids (Water) until you eat, but to wait 30 minutes after before drinking again. I must remember to chew well and slow. Really not too big of deal as you are retraining yourself on how to eat.

One of the struggles is just to remember to take the vitamins. I am taking the fusion berry vitamins and my taste for them has become better. At first I felt like gagging, but realized I will need these for the rest of my life and it is a good thing, and they do start tasting better.

I guess before I get to far off of track I want to explain the header of this "Are you ready for this lifestyle".

I struggled enough with weight issues and being a "yo yo" my whole life. I came to the realization that this surgery is not a "cure all" but a TOOL to help me succeed. I know myself well enough that being compulsive, as most of obese people seem to be, that I would eat and still eat and eat some more. It did not matter if I was hungry or not, If I was bored, watching TV, or drove by a McDonalds, or just felt like it I was going to eat.

I came to the realization that I have lost the weight before but it was too much of a struggle to try again, when I already new the end result; I would gain it all back and plus 10. I could not do the exercise as I was too out of shape and not motivated. I was diabetic, high blood pressure, high choles, fatty lipids disease, sleep apnic, and one step away from a heart attack! Something had to be done and my Dr. suggested lap band or some form of the WLS. I checked into it researched it and went to seminars etc... To me it was all about timing and a GOD thing. Don't get me wrong I had second thoughts, sought out counseling, talked with many people and had many opinions, but ultimately this was decision I prayed about and felt it needed to be done, so I would have a future. It was the Sleeve I felt was going to work best for me.

Right now I have lost 63pds. I started @ 330 on October 13th and weighed earlier this week 267. I was in size 48 pts and now in 40 and 42's. I have started exercising and doing P90X and amazed I can make it through an entire work out. So the lifestyle change has advantages and I was ready for the physical change, but pre-op I was also ready mentally.

This surgery is a tool that has helped me and could also be the answer for you. One must research, ask the questions, follow the guidelines of the diet, be ready mentally, and do it for the right reasons. I am writing this to share so others can have a better understanding and know that if obese you are not alone. There are many choices for you, but you have to find what will work best for you.

To let you know, although I am still in the early stages post op I am excited about the future and the benefits from this surgery, # 1 reason is being HEALTHY! Now I can spend the next 40 plus years of my life, GOD WILLING, doing things I was not able to do the previous 42 years because of being obese! Each day is NEW and I LOVE IT, and MY WIFE and DAUGHTERS do too!

Thanks for reading!

Dennis P. Clark Jr.