It has come time to write down my experience with weight gain and weight lose.

For over 15 years I have struggled with weight gain. Of course as a young man I was thin and fit, when I got married I was 180 pounds. Life, as they say, has a way to sneak up on you and by the time I had been married 18 years, had a daughter and numerous career changes and moves, I had ballooned to 350 pounds.

My doctor told me that because of my morbid obesity that I had cut short my life by 10 to 15 years. I have obstructive sleep apnea. My blood pressure readings were in the 150-160/100 range. My cholesterol readings were in the 400’s. My blood sugars levels were near 200 every day, every time I measured it. I was slowly eating myself to death!

Finally, something stuck me. Something had to be done. The decision was made to have a Gastric Bypass procedure. First let me say, anyone considering this procedure, please note that it is not a cure. It is not the easiest thing to live with either. You still have to change your attitude towards food. You can’t hang on to food as a crutch, pacifier, soother, companion. You have to make fundamental changes to your lifestyle to make it work.

On January 21, 2006 I had the opportunity to regain my life. To start the long and arduous process of gaining back those 10 to 15 years I had lost. Within the first two months I was down 50 pounds! It was incredible to step on the scale each and every day and see pounds less than the previous. Of course it wasn’t easy (I will save these descriptions for other entries). During the time of the most rapid weight lose you have to train yourself to eat much less, and better also. I had help, the people at Charlotte Comprehensive Weight Loss especially Dr. Omar Danner, had classes and group sessions with other patients that help ease the transition to a healthier lifestyle.

By the time I had reached the 100 pound weight loss milestone, I had already started riding my bicycle and doing other forms of exercise. I was eating much healthier and just all around living better.

As of right now I have lost a total of 145 pounds. according to my doctor and Dr. Danner, I should try to lose 10 more. My obstructive sleep apnea is much better, even to the point of being able to rest a night or two without the CPAP machine. My cholesterol readings are under 100, my blood pressure is in the 120-130/70’s range and my blood sugar readings range from 90-120 even after a meal. All without the aid of medication!

I have my life back.