Funkle_joe

Hi, my name is Joe or as my niece and nephew call me, Fun-nkle Joe :)
 
I am 47 years old. I am married and we have a wonderful 8 year old daughter.
 
Was searching topics about after bariatric sleeve procedure on Google when I found BariatricPal. 
 
Back in 2002 through 2005 I was very fit (weighed around 225) and was doing really well with exercise and eating. In 2005 while traveling I kept experiencing really bad migraines almost every day. When I returned from my trip, I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I was put on two medications to start. Within two months of being on these medications, I gained 25 pounds. I was then put on two cholesterol medications because my cholesterol was high. I gained another 20 pound around 6 months after taking those. My desire to workout was gone. My metabolism had slowed. All I did was focus on work, hanging out with my wife and child and not really doing anything to lose weight at first. I now weighed more than I have in my life at 314 pounds. 
 
In 2009 I tried Weight watchers. I was able to bring my weight back down to 290 pounds. When I couldn't break the 290 barrier, I gave up on Weight Watchers. I tried a few other diets but settled in at 305 pounds.
 
Last summer I weighed 306 and was told that I was now Type 2 diabetic. I was put on a another drug. I decided I would look at bariactric surgery for help. I attended a seminar at Duke University Hospital. I liked what I heard and scheduled a consult with Dr. Jin Yoo. We settled on the sleeve procedure and on November 5, 2014, I had the procedure. Other than when I was born, I have never spent a night in a hospital. The procedure went really well. I was uncomfortable for most of the night, but they told me if I was able to get up and walk around I would be able to go home the next day. I was walking the floors of the hospital at 3AM! I got to go home at noon the next day. 
 
I am being 100% honest when I say that my experience has been nothing but fantastic. I followed everything Duke Bariatric told me to do.I eat what I am supposed to eat and I exercise like they told me to. By Christmas 2014 I was down to 255 pounds from 299 on surgery day. Today I am back at my 18 year old self's Coast Guard weight of 215. My muscle tone is great. I am wearing clothes I bought back in 2002 when I was fit. 
 
Following the Duke plan, I eat 6 meals a day and maintain about a 1200 to 1400 calorie diet a day. I eat mainly fish for protein and a lot of fat free yogurt and nuts. For carbs I eat whole wheat toast and I enjoy whole grain graham crackers.
 
I enjoy reading what others have experienced here on BariatricPal and have gotten some really good tips about different foods to prepare. Some I like and some not so much, but being able to try new things is part of the journey. 
 
One last thing I would like to share is that back when I was fit in 2002, I was able to do a tandem skydive. Now that I have lost enough weight to do another tandem skydive, I plan to do a jump over Lake Mead in Las Vegas this summer. I am looking forward to it!