mstratto

[u][b]Story[/b][/u]
Upon puberty my body started to change (like most of us!), but I started to get wide and tall. I was always "big" which was quite acceptable given existing gender norms being a masculine young man. Nicknames like "moose" were commonplace. I struggled with the size issue both emotionally and physically, but my weight remained in control [u]until[/u] college. I ballooned from 220 to 290 during my undergraduate years. Once I got to my masters and doctorate programs, that continued all the way to 364. Comorbidities such as high blood pressure and cholesterol seemed to get out of control. Food became a stress relief. I once again attempted to diet - through the years I was most [i]successful[/i] with low-carb diets, but they were never sustainable. The lap-band decision was made in mid-2007 and after 6-months of low carb living, I lost 50 lbs in prep for the procedure. Expectations were/are everything - I thought I'd lose more than 30 lbs post procedure, but it didn't happened. The frustration led me to eating poorly once again and I have had the problem of "control" since 2008. Up and down; up and down. I'm back at my pre-Lapband surgery weight. My new surgeon has decided that the bypass is likely going to be the best tool to help me lose and maintain. He's discouraged (as are his patients) by the band. Some have had success and I won't diminish their excitement/pride, but for me it hasn't done what I wanted nor expected. A new journey is about to begin. If I want to change my life, I can and will. In addition to therapy, I'm hopeful that the bypass will be the tool to help.