Brian66

Congratulations Tiffykins! You look terrific and you are an inspiration to many people. Thank you for all the valuable information that you have researched and shared. As I look toward surgery at the end of this month, it is wonderful to know that it can have such a dramatic and powerful influence on your life! Brian

Congratulations! It sounds like you're doing great! You are an inspiration to those of us waiting for surgery! Keep us posted. Brian

Christie, That is awesome news! Keep up the good work! The pre-sleevers out there like me need to keep hearing stories like yours to keep us motivated and confident during the pre-op process. Keep us posted. Brian

I was really glad to see this thread today. I am hoping to be sleeved before the end of June and I really had mixed emotions watching the finale last night. On one hand, I was impressed by the amazing weight losses, buy, on the other hand, I found myself feeling guilty and ashamed about seeking out WLS -- after all, if they could do it, why can't I? Of course, I realize that The Biggest Loser conditions are not realistic for most Americans. After all, not everyone can make working out and weight loss a full time job. Ultimately, I know that the sleeve is the tool that I need to make my journey, but I still wonder if there will be some people out there who say, "Why didn't he do it the old fashioned way - with just diet and exercise?" That 60% figure is very interesting. It would be great to find out the true numbers behind the show. Tiffykins - once again, I admire one of your posts. I've never thought about the exploitation involved in this show. It seems like the fatter the contestant is, the more they are encouraged to bare it all in front of the cameras. It definitely causes me to think about whether I want to continue watching this show. Thanks for listening. Brian

Congratulations! I am eager to start swimming again once I have my surgery (hopefullly in the latter part of June). I have always enjoyed swimming as my preferred form of excercise and even completed the swim portion of a triathlon team in 2007. I specifically asked my doctor about how soon I would be able to get in a pool following surgery and he felt I would be ready in about 3 weeks. Brian

Great job, Angie. So glad to hear that you are doing so well! Brian

Glad to hear the surgery went well and that you are doing ok. Looking forward to hearing the details of your recovery.

Edie, Good luck to you -- it sounds like you are doing well. I haven't been sleeved yet, but I am hoping to having the surgery in the next couple of months. I am a single dad to three kids and I feel lilke I am doing this for my kids as well as myself. I am also hoping that I will be able to teach them a little bit about nutrition and responsibility regarding food as I take this journey. Keep up the good work!

I hope things went well when, and if, you told your mother. I told mine last night and it went much better than I thought it would. It's amazing how we can build these things up in our mind, isn't it? I was so afraid she would be nervous and upset about me going for the surgery, but she is completely supportive, although naturally concerned. One bit of advice. Try to share as much information as possible with her to show her you've done your research. My surgeon provides patients with a Patient Handbook. My mother was able to read all about the doctors' qualifications and I think it put her mind at ease that I have put a lot of thought and research into my decision. Good luck! Brian

I've been reading these boards for awhile now and decided that it is time to introduce myself. I am a 43 year old male and a single dad to my three children. The last five years or so have been really difficult. My beautiful wife was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive abdominal cancer in November 2004. After two years of intense treatments (including two stem cell transplants), she lost her battle to the disease and died in February 2007 at the age of 41. My kids were 12, 7 and 6 at the time. I've spent the last three years helping the kids cope with the loss and making sure they have what they need. They are doing pretty well, I think, but I feel like I've just been existing. I've always had a weight problem and have probably gained about 35 pounds over the last three years. As a result, my health problems have become worse -- high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, back pain -- you know the drill. Worst of all, at 44 years old, I feel like a 90 year old man. I am about 5'11" and weight 300 which gives me a BMI of about 41. I initially consulted my surgeon about RNY, but he introduced the idea of the VSG, which sounds amazing to me. I was never very comfortable with the whole concept of the intestinal bypass and, as a single parent, I am eager to reduce the risk of surgical complications. Anyway, I'd appreciate any words of advice or encouragement you might have for a newbie like myself. I am basically at peace with my decision to have the surgery, but, of course, I worry about complications and the possibility (however remote) that my kids could be left without a dad after losing their mom. The only thing that keeps me going is the fact that if I don't get rid of this weight, I might not be around for them either. Anyway, thanks for the valuable information so far and I look forward to making this journey with you. Brian

Thanks for all the support. It feels good to have a place to go with questions and concerns. I think that has been one of the hardest parts about making this decision is not having my wife here to discuss it with. Of course, I have a lot of nervousness and fear, but I think that is natural and I really do believe in my heart that this is the right decision for me. I don't have a date yet as I am in the process of getting all my pre-surgical testing done. I will definitely keep you all posted. Brian