Well, after a 2 week wait to become verified, I figured my first order of business would be to come in here and introduce myself.
My name is Jason, Ill be turning 29 in June, and have a beautiful wife and 11 month old daughter. I started my weight loss journey nearly 3 years ago when I decided to go on a very strict weight loss regime, however like most others, noticed it completely failed within 6 months. I felt I was doing everything right, but after exercising 6 days a week for 2 hours a day (hour of cardio, hour of weights) only lost 20lbs in that time, and 3 inches on my waist. Naturally I was pretty discouraged and rebounded... I ended up at 484lbs at my heaviest. YIKES!
I did my best to avoid reflections, pictures, videos, etc. At family and social gatherings, I always made sure I was behind the camera instead of in front of it. I was completely ashamed. At this point I felt there was a real need for intervention, and spoke to my primary about weight loss programs. Knowing that there is a serious history of obesity in my family, I decided to enroll in the Kaiser OPTIONS program for Reux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, and I would be the 4th in my immediate family to have this procedure. I was very opposed to the idea of this surgery since I always felt that it was the lazy way out... I felt it was for those who were unwilling to make a lifestyle change. Boy was I wrong! IF there was anything that required a real commitment to a life style change, gastric was definitely it.
Now here I am today... I had my surgery May 27th, 2009. Not even 10 months later, I weight 269lbs and have lost 215lbs! I still have 40lbs to go to be my ideal weight. (at 6'4, 230 is my realistic weight). I always have people ask me what its like to not be able to eat like a normal person... this question has always baffled me as I can eat like a normal person "should" - We were never MEANT to be able to polish off 4 course meals at restaurants, eat gobs of sugar and desserts, or drink gallons of carbonated soda a week! I can eat all the fruits and vegetables I want, I eat a good 7 or 8 ounces of food at a time now, and dont feel like I ever had surgery in terms of eating habits. I do not feel handicapped, nor do I feel like I am missing out on life.
I actually feel sad for those who are so tied to food, that they feel they have to feel sorry for ME that I cannot enjoy a whole pizza, or half a cake, or gigantic bowl of ice cream loaded with toppings and fudge. Instead I have been out getting back into shape, running, biking, swimming, paintballing, etc!
So, now Im here to hopefully share my experiences and help those considering this track for their weight loss journey. Im by no means an expert on the subject, but have had plenty of good, as well as negative experiences with my surgery. Should anyone like to ask me any questions, feel free, Im very open and will tell it like it is!
Thanks for listening
Linear Mode
