JJLESLIE

I was born an average sized baby. Regular weight. Regular height. Enormous hands and feet.
"Uh oh..." the doctor said to my Mom "He's going to have to grow into those..."
By the time I was 3 years old, I was the height and weight of an 8 year old. I continued growing, entering high school at 6'9" tall weighing 225lbs. 
Big and gangily, doctor's encouraged my parents to get me into athletics that did not involve a lot of running or heavy contact. At the age of 5, I joined my first swim team, and I have swam competitively ever since. By college, I was swimming 4-6 hours a day, 6 days a week, with 6 hours in the weight room over the week. But, I had a problem. I was never able to lose weight. I grew into a 7 foot tall body, and my weight would fluctuate between the offseason (350lbs) to in season (275;bs). Most of that was from bad nutrition. Bad eating habits. And a massive calorie burn. 
I have never been an inactive person. But, several injuries post college slowed me down considerably, and the bad eating, and other issues caught up with me. At one point, I tipped the scales at 495lbs. I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, and blood tests that would scare anyone.
I tried diets. I increased my activity level. I started long distance swimming. I took spinning classes at the gym. I walked.... And my body rebelled. I got my weight to 420lbs and there is stayed for nearly 4 years of struggle.
I got tired of having health issues I was only treating, not curing. I was tired of having weight that would not come off. I was tired of watching my body fall apart. 
I was in the perfect situation where I was an ideal patient for a lap band. The Bariatric Program at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston took me under it's wing and lead me down a path to getting the surgery.
6 months post surgery, I am at 365lbs. I have not been this weight in 10 years, and I am feeling immensely better.
I am more physically active than maybe the average bariatric patient. I compete in long distance swimming races, and train outside several times a week (even in cold New England winters), I lift weights for 1.5 hours 3 times a week, and I am taking up kayaking, walking, and thinking about a triathlon. I don't believe that those exercises are impossible for someone with the size. It's helping me build muscle while losing fat, and creating a more balanced weight loss. I've extended myself further, creating a standing desk at work to keep me up and moving. And little things like that in between.
My blood pressure has come down to normal. I can take naps on my side without a CPAP. I look and feel better. 
But, I still have questions. And need support. It's another 110lbs to my goal weight.