Me.
As many of you know last year on Sept 21st I took steps to prolong my natural life. No, at that time I wasn't dying. Nor was I in any ill health. I was (still am in my mind) obese. I've never referred to my self as obese before. This is the first time I've ever referred to myself in that fashion. Simply because I never FELT like it. On that day, as many of you know I had weight loss surgery. And since then my life has been somewhat different..
At my heaviest I maxed out around 410 pounds. The night before surgery I was down to 395. It was a scary thing to decide to have weight loss surgery and it was a long journey JUST to get to the surgery date. As I reflect back on that day (an I do that a lot) I realize that, making the choice. Was the EASY part.
Yes deciding to have my first MAJOR surgical procedure in my 34 years of existence one week before my third wedding anniversary was the easy part. Cause everyday after that its been a constant struggle to do the "right" thing. Albeit a struggle, it hasn't been a bad struggle. On the days where my stomach isn't in knots cause I didn't eat or ate the wrong thing those are the great days. Everything else falls in the middle. Establishing a diet that is fulfilling and nutritious has been a journey. And I'll admit I've learned a lot. I've had a great support base (which is a HUGE help). The internet has been a wonderful resource as well. But most importantly I had to help ME.
Deciding to have this surgery was a decision I made for me. I made the decision to have it for my wife. I didn't want to leave her too soon and let some other undeserving bastard marry her after I was dead and gone. One one only needs to love one undeserving bastard in a lifetime and I'm hers. I made the decision to have surgery for my family. So that they wouldn't regret having lost me too soon to something preventable. I made the decision to have surgery out of love. So yes I made the decision for ME.
It wasn't until AFTER the surgery that it hit me the impact my decision would have on others. Not just those closest to me.
Contrary to popular belief I'm a reserved individual. I do cut loose more often than not but I tend to be the in the background type. I didn't want folks to look to me for inspiration. I'm no model of success. I'm screwed up in the head. I'm human, no better nor worse than anyone else. Yet with this "selfish" decision I've become an unexpected inspiration to others. So with that I'll say this.
No matter HOW you do it. Do it for you. Be selfish. Losing weight isn't easy. Hell it's not meant to be easy. Its a damn bitch. Having weight loss surgery, for all of us who've done it, its the end of THAT line. We've done everything else that has been asked, suggested or demanded of us while on THAT LINE. We made this decision for one last shot at a different life. I won't say better, just different. So now I'm on a different line. And I'll ride it till I see where it takes me.
Thanks to all who've commented and congratulated me on my journey. To me I'm still the fat guy in the corner with the smart remarks. You guys have actually helped me realize that I have done something truly remarkable.. in under 11 months I'm down to 205 as of two weeks ago. Its scary to realize that I've lost the equivalent of a grown man in body weight but I have.
From what I've been told my journey is not normal. And I'm also sure I'll gain some weight back. Which a few pounds upwards isn't a bad thing. Just not too far upwards.
May 2012 |
May 2012 |
Sept 2012. 1 Week Post Op |
March 2013 |
April 2013 |
April 2013 |
July 2013 |