Greetings from another Newbie

[beachbum13 2]

I have been big my whole life but I have always been active. Until my 40's. I always played sports and have a physical job. But then age & injuries ended my sports day and a promotion at work meant sitting on my butt. I slowly started to gain weight. I did the Atkins diet and had great luck. I got down to 280 and I was hiking, kayaking and felt great. Then summer happened. It's a busy time with work and I started putting the weight back on. Then my mother got sick and was in the hospital for 6 months. By the time she went into hospice I was spending 18 hrs a day in the hospital. Vending machine Snacks and hospital food. Next thing I knew I weight 370lbs!

Last year I tried Weight Watchers and lost 35/40 lbs. Then I hit a wall. 2 months no weight loss. Summer came and back to the rat race and off WW. I only put a few lbs back on and seem to level out at about 340. Then this past December we went to Disney World with the kids. (18,19 & 23yrs old) My back problems & foot pain really took their toll. It was there at Disney I decided enough was enough.

The beginning of January I started the process. The I got the flu and was sick most on the month. I started getting my clearances in Feb and was schedule for late March. Only problem is my pulmonologist would not sign off. Three sleep studies later and a breathing machine for my apnea & I was cleared at 3:30 the day before my April 25th surgery! I have a few health issues that have played in to my Lap-Band decision. Type II diabetes (major factor in my mothers passing), sleep apnea, high blood pressure & cholesterol. And my back is shot. Surgeon told me that I'm going to need surgery at some point and that I need to lose weight or my rehab will be brutal. And losing weight may put it off for a few more years.

Things seem to be going as planned. I have no major complaints. I miss certain foods. Big time. I still get hungry more than I would like. Going through some major lifestyle changes. My girlfriend and I love to go out to eat! We live in NJ just a short drive from Atlantic City and dozens of world class restaurants!!!

A couple of weeks ago a had a bit of a set back. We went to a VIP party for the new Atlantic City Margaritaville. Open bar and free food all over. While I did ok with the eating I had a lot to drink! I paid the next day as my stomach let me know that I screwed up. I gained three pounds and did not lose any weight for a week. Lesson learned. A good friend who had the surgery a year ago told me that once I get my first adjustment things are going to change and my reaction to something like that will be more immediate. I hope that I have learned my lesson!

That's the Readers Digest version of how I ended up on this journey. So Thursday I have my first adjustment and another phase of this journey will begin.... :-)

[KAATNS 1,473]

Welcome and best wishes!

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

Welcome to the journey. There are a lot of hear with similar stories. Keep the faith!

[jfc193 718]

welcome, first off your are not alone and your experiences are very similar

keep your head up and stay on track, if you get off track get back on track. Most of my weight gains have take place when I stay away from this board.

[labwalker 1,177]

Welcome aboard! We need a few more "guys" on her, the ladies have us outnumbered! I think many of us have our bad days when we cheat... getting right back on track is what really counts.

[Quahog 134]

Welcome! How about walking that beautiful boardwalk(as far as you can) to make up for any dining/drinking? Jealous you are so close to such beautiful scenary

[taylor1989 131]

Good Luck on your journey

[beachbum13 2]

Thanks everybody. Wish I had known about this site months ago....