The Story of Brian

[Brian88ss 59]

My name is Brian at my heaviest in my life I weighed 360 lbs I currently weigh 295. Since graduating High School in 1986 my weight has been up and down ( sound familiar) out of high school I weighed 250 lbs so I've never really been a "small" guy and have never seen a doctor that was satisfied with my weight. Now with type 2 diabetes and blood pressure issues (which both are controlled) and the dreaded sleep apnea machine. I was faced with the fear of possibly shortening my life and not being able to spend the best years to come with my wife and family. Also watching what I thought were healthy people around me not much older than me kick the bucket was weighing in on me (Nothing like a funeral to make you do a little soul searching).

So I had been talking to my primary care Dr about the surgery for about the last year and a half, but didn't have the courage to admit to myself that what I was doing wasn't working and I needed something "MORE" than just pushing the plate away. Then love of my life stepped up to be ( unaware to her) an inspiration to me and had the sleeve surgery because she was fed up with the chronic low back pain she was having.

After seeing the amazing results of her weight loss September 22 2014 on her 40th birthday I sprung the news that I had made an appointment to go to my first lecture and module one for weight loss surgery. Little did I know the long journey ahead and that it would take almost a year later to actually get on the surgery schedule. Along the way I've had several hurdles to jump (as I'm sure most everyone does) all the conversation my DR and I have were not exactly what my Insurance was looking for we DID NOT have enough conversation about "diet and exercise" for it to count for my 6 months D&E counseling they required.

So back to the drawing board. No matter how pissed it made me that all the discussions we had didn't count it really worked out in my favor. For at least the last 8 months I have been blessed with the knowledge I received from the 12 support local support group sessions and the awesome insight that this forum is making available to all that is open to reading and supporting other patients posts. (Drum roll please) if your curious to my date (since I've been rambling on) it is June 15th 2015 and it can't get here fast enough. As I am typing I'm doing my 2 week pre op diet, and thoughts of changing my mind run rampant through my head. It doesn't make a person feel and better when "some" people you talk to about your surgery don't get it.

For some reason it's like they think that this is something that you've just woke up one morning and decided I'm going to have weight loss surgery because it's so "easy" (yeah right I've seen what my wife has gone through I assure you it's not) or some doctor is coercing you into it. Here what I say to you not under standers " Drink a big glass of shut the HELL UP!" This is my life, and this is for ME and only ME to make my life better. I say there are two kinds of people out there that don't understand our need for the surgery. Those are the people who have never had issues with there weight and the people who haven't realized they have issues with there weight. I WAS one of the latter but no longer, as of June 15th 2015 my wife and I will be able to start a new long life together. That is my story thanks for caring enough to read it.

God Bless to Everyone having Weight Loss Surgery and Great Things to You All in Your New Beginnings...

Thank You for Your Support in Advance...

[kken247 2]

Go for it Brian. Your decision for surgery is all about you and your family. I wish you well and much success on your journey. I'm one week post-op and know that this is not an easy decision. Good luck and God Bless!

[nervous nana 98]

Thanks for sharing your story. I share many of your concerns as well. That's why when we become weak, it is so great to come to this site and lean on one's all with the same goal. I wish you the very best. Look forward to following your journy. Hopefully I will be having the RNY in Sept.

[ryn2bthin 87]

Keep up the great attitudes everyone! You each are amazing at taking this life changing step. You are right it's not easy, but i promise you it is worth it. I am sixteen months post op bypass and life couldn't be any better. Just remember everyones experience is different so don't get caught up in what you think normal should be compared to someone else. Reach out to different groups on here to get great advice that worked for them. It helped me and continues to help.

Best wishes to each of you!

I'm here if you have questions