Andrew0929

I am an Enterprise Architect with 30+ years of software engineering experience. I work as a contractor and have been self employed for 18 years.

Congratulations!!! Amazing success and very inspirational.

Best of luck!! I'm sure you'll do fine.

Good luck!!

Congratulations on your success!! I'm still pre-op and need inspirational postings like yours to keep me motivated. Awesome job! Andrew

I got my fat butt out on the tennis court today after many years. Still pre-op but trying to increase my physical activity as part of a lifestyle change. Lost 6 pounds so far on my nut diet and trying to change my sedentary ways. I used to be pretty good and I think my wife was surprised that i was able to play as well as I did being so overweight. I'm looking forward to playing again and my game improving post op when I start shedding the pounds.

I know how you feel. I'm still in the middle of my pre-op appointments but am already freaking out about this. I've never had surgery so that's adding to it, but very worried about the potential complications. I keep reminding myself that my long list of comorbidities probably put me at higher risk than the surgery, but still scared as hell nonetheless. Hang in there. I'm sure we'll all be in a much better place post-op. Andrew

I still wonder if there is any difference between maintaining 5 years post op versus maintaining after losing weight without WLS. My hope is that there is still some significant restriction 5 years post op.

I had a full physical exam with my PCP today and discussed my plan to get the sleeve. He was generally supportive, as he's seen me go up and down on various diets and has had to increase meds along the way to deal with my diabetes, high bp, and cholesterol. He did encourage me to go with the sleeve over the band, if I chose to move forward with WLS. However, he warned me that he's had patients regain afterward. I think he was questioning my ability to limit my food intake and exercise, long-term, after the surgery. I'm actually very worried about the same. It would suck so much to have 85% of my stomach removed and then eventually gain all (or even most) of the weight back. If I can't do it now, not sure how I'll be able to maintain afterward, long-term, as the restriction subsides years down the road. I lost 120 lbs, 20 years ago, and gained it all back after about 5 years. My worry is that I'll repeat that pattern ....

Note to self. I didn't know sharting was a problem post-op.

My wife has the Same concern about my having the surgery. She's very worried about me leaving her after losing a lot of weight. She's only 20 lbs overweight and very attractive so not sure why she's so concerned. We have a good marriage but she's been bringing this up a lot lately. I'm hoping to have surgery around year end ...

I am craving the day when food is not do important to me. It seems to control my life now.

You've raised some valid issues. I know that my tolerance for uninformed advice is very low. I tend to be a '1 strike you're out' kind of guy so I'm probably best served by not telling many family members beforehand. I may loosen up post-op as it will be too late for them to talk me out of it.

I'm pre-op and also struggling with this issue. Have a large family (wife and I) and several that are very opinionated and love to gossip. I've told one close friend who continues to try talking me out of it and emailing info on new fad diets to me. Told one sister, brother, and sister in law and they were predictably supportive. I hesitate to tell my mom as she always has an abundance of bad advice, although she means well. I hate to hide this but I know I'll regret it if I fully disclose to all .

Still pre-op but I've given this lots of thought. I'm going to say ... I eat like a bird and run like a deer.

I'm in the same boat as many of the posters. First appointment with surgeon and nut done. Cardio and psych appointments in a few weeks. I know I need to do this but am freaked out about the potential complications. While I do have all the common comorbids, everything is completely controlled (with the help of 8 different meds)

My name is Andrew and I'm new to this forum .... I just attended my initial surgeon consultation, expecting to get a lap band. My surgeon is recommending the sleeve over the band, due to my BMI of 53. However he made it clear that he will support 100% with whatever decision I make. My hesitation is due to the added risks, especially after reading some of the nightmare stories in here about experiences of those with a leak. I know I have to do something, and although many have had positive results with the band, it sounds like it does require a lot of time with the ongoing adjustments and a reasonable chance of needing additional surgeries. I do know a few people with the sleeve and both are doing fantastic, so that is very encouraging. I'm just hesitant to set myself up for a procedure that could result in serious potential complications with a long recovery time. Hopefully I won't just put the subject of WLS aside, as I need to do something about my out-of-control eating and obesity. Thanks.... Andrew

Yes, I'm still moving forward with the sleeve. Had 1 NUT appointment and have my cardio and pysch coming up in a few weeks. Still a little freaked out by the surgery, but I'm moving forward nonetheless. Thank you for asking ... How is your progress coming along? Andrew

I'm still pre-op and in the middle of my NUT monitored diet, which is not working out well. I'm thinking of doing the 5:2 now, to get a head start on my weight loss. Not sure what the NUT will think, but I'm going to start doing it anyway ....

I'm 53 with high BMI (52) and have never had surgery. I have diabetes, high BP, sleep apnea and high cholesterol although everything well controlled. I'm so freaked out about getting a leak that I don't think I can go through with this. After reading the stories about this I'm not sure I handle that risk. I am self employed and being out if work for 3 months would ruin my business. I have a kid in college and family relies on me for income. I've read that my high BMI puts me at a higher risk for leaks. I'd like to lose before surgery but am having difficulty. So confused ... I know I need this .

You're right on all accounts and I need to keep reminding myself about the risk of doing nothing. By the way, congratulations on your awesome weight loss success! Andrew

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. After reading a bunch of postings from a few people that had leaks, I freaked out for a little while. I think I'm back on track now, as I know that my risk of doing nothing far outweighs my risk of a leak. In fact, upon coming home today had some recent lab results waiting in my mailbox, and they weren't good. I need this badly ....