Da Shrinking Dawg Ramon

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Enough said.. I will work on a post about my near death experience for not taking my vitamins..  The short of it is that I fainted from low vitamin levels and feel into the Marina and nearly drowned..  Had it not been for brave people willing to risk there lives to save mine I would not be here.. Thank you to these men and woman..

Wow.. It has been a while since I updated so here goes the normal, MY BAD..  

 

I have been dealing with a lot of personal demons but I glad to say that I haven’t put any weight on..   I am trying to break the habit of smoking AGAIN..  I am doing good less than 10 cigarettes a day.. I am taking commit but they taste like $hit.. LOL

 

On the rest of the fronts.. I am happy to announce that I have been involved helping several people with their surgeries and they are doing great..   My boys Anthony and Eric are big losers.. I love getting updates from those I have helped..  It makes me realize why I do the things that I do like posting and answering emails.. Speaking of emails and private messages here goes the other normal saying.. I will get to them just give me time.. I am very bad about that along with the updating as you can tell.. 

 

I was sitting here the other day looking at pre op pictures and I firmly believe in having pictures as a motivator.. Nothing makes me realize that I never want to forget where I came from like looking at my pre-op pics..   I realize that I wasn’t living back then.. I was a prisoner of my own makings..

 

And now I see that I am still a prisoner of my own making..  But this is a better prison.. I made choices that put me there too.. I have made wrong choices but I have to realize that I have to live with my choices.. I have hurt some people through my actions and I think that I probably wouldn’t have been given the chance to hurt them if not for the weight loss..   As a warning to the new post ops you will be getting a lot of attention that you may have not gotten before so be aware that things may change in your life.. You just have to realize that you have to live with your choices.. 

 

That is the toughest part living with some of my choices.. But believe me not all my choices have been bad ones.. I have learned to never settle.. I have moved on from settled relationships.. I have had some people in my life that only took and took but never offered anything in return for the friendship that I offered..  I have to say that I am a taker too but I do my share of giving so it was time for me to cut the giving away to some people in my life..

 

Wow.. That took a lot of guts to write and post for the world to see but I feel that I have to put it out there.. I know that a lot of people go through stuff like this but few of us talk about it but what the hell my life is an open book..  I don’t mind talking to people about the crap that I have been through.. Some of you may wonder why I am putting this out there but if it helps just one person I am doing my job..

 

On a happier front, I am trying to attend a few support groups a month to let people know that this surgery can work if you work it.. I have to say that I am very proud of what I have done surgery wise.. I have maintained my loss, within 10 pounds, for almost four years.. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day and she said she couldn’t remember me being fat.. I was like are you out of your mind?  I couldn’t tie my own shoes.. I had to sit on milk crates because I was afraid that I would break the chairs that I had to sit on.. 

 

Be on the look out, on the Texas message board, for exciting news about the first weekend in May..   There should be something up soon..

 

I will close for now because many of you are probably floored that I updated my profile..  If you have any questions feel free to email.. I WILL answer them just give me time.. LOL..

 

PEACE

Well it’s about time I updated.. Well of course you know I have to start off by saying my bad..

So many things have gone on since my last post..

First of all Yvonne, Debra and I have started a grassroots effort to help as many people as we can with this journey called WLS.. We started a website, that is still under construction but it does look good, you can visit it at www.rydobesity.com stop by and take a look.. There are links on the page to email any of us so feel free to email if you want.. The great thing about the site is that it has both women and a man that are willing to help with you in anyway possible..

Next of course was some of the things going on with me.. Well June was a great month for me.. I got to speak in Austin to about 125 of my closest friends.. LOL. But I did meet some people there that are quickly becoming great friends.. Eli and Monica..

Another great thing was that I was featured on TLC’s Big Medicine.. I did filming for them in January and they were they there for my plastics.. BTW thanks to Dr. LoMonaco http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/plastic+surgeon+profile+John+LoMonaco+cqqm.html and http://www.drlomonaco.com/ and the great ladies in his office.. I have to say that if you need plastics this is the office that you want to check out.. Not only is his office staff very caring and affectionate they are easy on the eyes.. Oh yeah, Dr. L did a fantastic job on me.. His expertise is beyond comparison.. When it is time to get my chest done you can bet I will be going back to him and his office staff.. LOL..

I got several emails about the show.. But the main focus seemed to be the infamous pink fuzzy slippers..



People didn’t care that I had been cut all the way around but instead commented about the pink slippers.. Which made the decision to auction them off on eBay even easier.. I donated to money from the sale to my niece’s fund which benefits children with special needs.. As much as I hated to part with part of television infamy it was for a good cause.. A special thanks to the high bidder Sara M from the Texas Message Board..

Another great thing that happened to me was that I was featured in Obesity Help magazine.. I can not believe all the great things that have happened to me since the surgery.. I am blessed but the true blessing has been that through these two events I have been able to help even more people with this surgery.. I make sure and mention to all the new people that I meet about how I want them to pay it forward.. I can not stress how important that is for all of us in the WLS community.. Because of others that have gone before I was able to get where I am at today.. I tell people that I want to be the pebble that starts the ripple that starts the tidal wave of helping others.. I want my legacy to live even after I am gone.. MY BAD that sounds arrogant but I want to touch that many people.. And have them pass it on.. And just keep it going..

Another great thing that happened was meeting Marta or Martitalinda http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/martitalinda/ on OH.. Who painted a great picture of me.. 



She painted this just using my avatar.. This is a very talented lady.. I am lucky to have met her.. She, like me, is a crusader for WLS.. I am blessed to have met her and consider myself extremely lucky to have her as a my friend..

I will be attending the San Antonio OH event next month.. I am not speaking but I want to go and meet people and hopefully inspire someone along the way.. http://www.obesityhelp.com/events/uzone,events/action,event_details/?pkid=1801&key=05b9937043226a91c5dceef2d9e9911b if you get a chance to attend this or any other OH event please do so because you will leave feeling refreshed and ready to continue on this great journey..

Also on the interesting front.. I have been emailing several people during the last couple of months and am happy to announce that three of them have been approved for surgery since we began talking.. Anthony http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/puertorico1189/ , Lainyb http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/lainyb/ and Eric http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/poeticone/ . And for those still waiting to be approved don’t give up the fight.. Remember that nothing worth having ever comes easy.. And know that we will exhaust every source trying to get approval..

Last month I had the pleasure of attending an TMB dinner in Kemah and had a blast.. It was so cool to meet some new people and reacquaint myself with old friends.. On my profile you will see pictures of me on a ride with my best friend Debra..



She swears that she heard a high pitched scream coming from me but I still say it was the ride that needed greasing.. It had nothing to do with me being scared.. I promise you.. LOL.. 



A special thanks to Mel C, who let me ride down with her, and had to listen to me talk about myself all the way to and from Houston..

Also, I am not sure that many of you but I am a Great uncle/grandfather.. My oldest nephew D-Lo and his wife Jennifer were blessed with a bouncing baby boy Danny G. Lopez III or as he is known to us Tre.. Here is a pic of us.. 

Well until next time.. Feel free to email me.. But like I have always said that it may take me a while to get back with you but I will get back to you..

HERE IS A COPY OF THE SPEECH I USED IN AUSTIN.. THANKS TO OH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.. I FEEL BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE MY STORY.. I WILL UPLOAD THE VIDEO LATER.. 




First of all I would like to thank OH for allowing me to share my story with everyone here.. I find myself extremely lucky to have a platform to share with you all and hopefully provide some insight that you can use to help you through this journey called WLS..

 

Also I would like thank Dr. LaMonaco and the other sponsors for sponsoring this event.. Without the help of people like them these things would not be possible.. Sponsors, if you are here stand up and take a bow..

 

Also I would like to recognize someone that has put a lot of hard work into this event.. I know she doesn’t want to be recognized but she didn’t write this speech so she can’t change it. If you would please give a round of applause to fellow OH Texas board member Debra Flores.

 

This is the third time that I have had the great pleasure of sharing my story..

In fact I feel extremely blessed to have some of my best friends here in the audience and I hope to make them proud of me but honestly its not about making anyone proud but instead its about me hoping to relate with someone and make a difference in their lives, if I do that then I have done my job.

 

Well, a little about myself, I am 40, wow, never thought I would live to say that. My journey began at almost 500 pounds. I was 36 pounds short of a ¼ of a ton.. I was 37 when I made the decision to change my life for the better in fact it will be three years on July 7th.. And three years that I wouldn’t change for the world.. I have learned so much in that time and I hope to share some of that knowledge with you today.. By the way, my name is Ramon aka Da Shrinking Dawg Ramon on OH.

 

That is one of the names that I have been called.. I say one of them because I have been called a lot of things. Not all of them good but hey, I earned those names too.. But to be honest I am a little fond of Ramon..

 

I know that after the last event I got an email from a lady that called me arrogant and cocky.. I am by no means saying that I didn’t earn those names too.. She made reference to the fact that I only hung around my friends,. I emailed the lady back and explained that it all wasn’t cockiness but instead a lot of it was insecurity.. So I would also like to add misunderstood to the list of names I have been called.. I say misunderstood because I did hang out with my friends a lot that weekend because of my insecurities.. You see I may have lost almost 300 pounds but I will forever be the 500 pound man in my head.. So by all means if you want to talk to me after this is over please approach me.. I am not that arrogant and cocky..

 

Another thing that I have been called is an inspiration that is a big word for such a small-minded person like me to fill. To be honest I am not sure how I feel about being called that name, but I will say this, if that is how you feel then I hope to inspire a few of you here today..

 

But just remember that deep down under all this I am still Ramon..

 

Believe me it has been one hell of a trip. A lot good, some bad, but over all I would do it over again tomorrow if I had to I just pray that I don’t have to. I have been through a lot with this surgery.. The one thing that probably stands out the most and isn’t talked about much is the emotional affect that this surgery.. My old support group leader Dr. Joel Marcus probably said it the best when he told me that they do surgery on your stomach not on your head. No one told me that I was going to have to be prepared to kill my best friend.. Not literally but as an obese person my best friend was food.. If I was happy, I ate sad I ate, angry I ate.. If I was awake, I ate. As pre-ops you need to be prepared for that.. And at the first sign of needing help don’t be afraid to ask because there are all kinds of help out there..

 

I talked about doing my job earlier and that is one of my four rules that I try to live my life by daily.

 

1. Do Your Job, that is self explanatory, no one likes to see an unfinished job even in the job is something as simple as getting your water in or posting on the OH board then that is your job and do it.. One of my daily jobs is posting a Grateful Post on the message boards just to remind myself to be grateful daily..

 

I know that I am grateful that one OH member did her job.. I was in my third month of my six month diet period and ready to give up. Because I just found out that I had to lose an additional 24 pounds in order to have the surgery Laproscopically. At the time I was teaching and the kids wanted to get on the computers but I told them the only way they could get on would be to look for profiles of people that had lost at least 150 pounds.. Well one of them happened to find Yvonne’s profile where she said she would answer

questions about WLS.. Well, unbeknownst to Mrs. McCarthy I sent her an email with the stipulation that if she answered my email within 24 hours I would have the surgery and if not I was going to back out.. I informed the kids of this and as a group they told me I was out of my mind for allowing a stranger to decide one of the most important decisions of my life but I had faith in her to look out for me.. But in all honesty I was just looking for an easy out.. Well as fate would have it, she was at her computer that afternoon and I got a reply in less than 10 minutes.. That was truly an email that changed my life.. So now I thank her for the surgery on the good days, but on the bad ones I blame her for it Yvonne I love you..

 

All that you are, all that you have, all that you know can work together to bring about the most treasured dreams You are never too old, too young , too feeble or too uniformed to make a difference.. The only thing that can truly stop you is you.. But only if you listen to the insecure posturing of your ego.. Choose instead to listen to your heart, which tells you what you know you must do..

 

Find real joy in following your purpose Do your job. Find fulfillment by being the positive helpful person you are meant to be.

 

2. Failure is not an option. If I don’t do my job then failure is very possible. I know very few people that enjoy failure. .. In fact I have a bracelet that was given to me by my nephew’s girlfriend that says this and I have yet to take it off since she gave it to me.. Also I will never forget the day that my grandfather died.. I took my grandmother in to see him and she told him that it was me and he said that he knew it was me and He looks good doesn't he.. Here is a man that with literally one of his last breaths on this earth took the time to mention me and how good I looked so when I think of that moment. I know deep down I can’t fail..

 

One of the things that I want to share with you today and hopefully you will take this to heart. Is that if you wake up thinking you are going to have a bad day. Rarely will you disappoint yourself.. One of the most difficult parts of any accomplishment is allowing yourself to do it.. Once you fully begin to allow yourself to take the necessary actions the results begin flowing to you with ease.. Your ego promotes the false idea that effort and challenge are things to be avoided.. In reality, effort and challenge enable you to create great value and bring immense joy to your life.. That is why I like to remind myself not to sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.

 

3. Failure sucks I feel so strongly about this that I have an F and S tattooed on my leg.. I have a daily reminder to not allow myself to fail.. People sometimes ask me how I keep from failing I promise that I don’t have a magic cure but I will tell you this¦. The key to success is not cutting corners.. I reached my personal goal in 15 months and have remained there or below ever since.. Try not to cut corners in your daily life This includes cheating on your exercises Having those peanut m&ms or any other way you might find to cut corners’’ Along those lines I want to remind you to set goals for yourself .. But don’t set unrealistic goals remember that we didn’t get where we were or are overnight.. I promise you I didn’t wake up one day and look in the mirror and say wow I added 250 pounds over night now that will I do.. In fact, I want you all to set a goal and try to achieve that goal plus 1% that can mean all sorts of things like getting your water in or maybe exercising.. But I promise you that that 1% will slowly add up and give you sense of accomplishment.. Accomplishment is something that comes easily if you allow it.. From the inside out, you are meant to create..

 

4. The one that keeps me motivated the most is NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM as a pre-op I hated pictures but that is one of the best motivators you can have.. Because I look back at some of the before pictures that I have and I never want to go back there so I try not to fail… If you are starting on this journey please take pictures so you can look back on those days you feel like doing nothing.. And get motivated..

 

When I show people my before pictures they are amazed and ask me how I was even living at that size I tell them that I wasn’t living.. Just surviving and not even a good life.. As an obese person most of us are known as the jolly fat person but that is just our way of covering up how we really felt alone, lonesome, and left out..

 

One of the ways that I helped myself deal with the obesity was alcoholism.. I am very pleased to tell you that I let that addiction go over 12 years ago..

 

Addictions take every shape and form.. Most of them aren’t as blatant as my alcoholism.. When the owner of the beer store, who has a son that you are putting through college, tells you that you have a drinking problem then and maybe then it is time to sit back and think about it.. I can tell you this though no matter how much someone tells you that you have a problem it won’t do any good until you decide that you have a problem.. Because, you are the only one that can make yourself quit.

 

Not all my addictions were out in the open like my alcoholism.. I was a master at hiding one of the worst addictions I ever had I am about to open up here and you just don’t know how tough this next part is going to be.. Because as obese people we put up walls to protect ourselves because of lack of trust.. The bad thing about being a man is that some men are really good builders so it took a little bit longer to kick this wall down.. But because this conference is all about helping others I am going to put myself out there.. I hope like hell you all don’t judge me.. But here goes.. For a year and half I struggled with an addiction to pain pills.. This was one of the toughest parts of my life.. Because I had a friend, and I use that term loosely, that would provide me about 150-200 pills a month. I had security knowing that every 13^th of the month that I would be getting a Fed-Ex

overnight package with my monthly supply.. But I should use the real name for her.. An Enabler..

 

Around that time a special person came into my life.. After working on tearing down walls with each other I confided in them my pain pill addiction.. About three months into the friendship they shared their concern with the abuse, when they had witness first hand when I had what I would call a rainbow night.. In case you all are wondering the term comes because I would just take multicolored pills and have rainbow night.. I am very glad they did confront me, but like I said earlier they could have told me until they were blue in the face but until I wanted to make a change it wouldn’t do any good.. But I saw myself going down the same road I had taken with the alcoholism and it wasn’t a pretty road..

 

With the new found confidence that I had gained I decided that it was time to fight the dragon.. As an addict that is one of the toughest things you will

ever do is facing your addiction.. But SIN LUCHA NO HAY VICTORIA which means Without Struggle There Is No Victory.. But ladies and gentlemen let me tell you I am a street wise person and I have been in some tough fights but no one told me that this dragon was a Playstation dragon because you know what it never dies.. It is a daily struggle.. Just like life.

 

I will never forget the first time the 13th rolled around after I got rid of the enabler.. It was one of the loneliest days, because I didn’t have my security blanket but it was also one of the most rewarding days in my life because I had taken the first of many baby steps to being sober.. It has been almost a year since I’ve done that.. And although I had plastics and would have been able to get whatever I wanted I still have one of the original bottles of pills given to me..

 

I am by no means an addiction therapist but I would like to share a few lessons learned along the way.. When you have an addiction and you think you are about to relapse.. Think about this.. One is too many and a million will never be enough.. Another great observation along those same lines is the train story.. It states that if you get hit by a train it isn’t the caboose that kills you, its going to be that first car that’s hits you that does the job.

 

Whatever your problems may be, you can always find something or someone else to blame but there is nothing of real value to be gained by doing so.. Certainly there are many factors that influence the events and the outcomes in your life.. The best things to focus on however, the things that you can control.. This, brings me to another favorite saying of mine.. I can’t control other people’s actions but instead the only thing that I can control is my reactions.. Resentment and anger will do little more than waste your time and could likely make you do things that you would only hurt yourself.. Building an elaborate case of blame for what has happened will drain your energy and leave you no further ahead than when you started.. I remember getting angry at someone and just saying to hell with it, I will just get drunk but things didn’t change.. Instead maybe I should have tried forgiveness.. Even though someone else may be to blame, consider the freedom and power you have when you take responsibility for your own situation. When you focus on blame, you position yourself as a helpless victim.. Choose instead to take responsibility and you’ll live you life on your own terms so basically I guess instead of blaming my enabler I should have said physician heal thyself..

 

Wow I hope that isn’t too much to ingest but just know that it is wisdom that had been to hard to come by.. One more thing though.. Please remember to always pay it forward.. That is an important lesson that I learned early in my journey and I want to make sure that you take that away with you today..

 

I want to share a video of my journey.. Believe me when I say it has been a long strange trip.. And I hope you enjoy the Ramon Lopez Story in pictures..

 

In closing I want to touch on self esteem. Believe it or not I myself have suffered from low self-esteem. If you go away from this conference remembering anything, this is what I want it to be. 1. Nobody holds a high opinion of a man who holds a low opinion of himself.. And last but not least I want to share the famous words of a great friend of mine who reminds me when I am feeling down and low to get my shoulders back, chest out, and keep my head held high.. Please keep this in mind as you continue on with your daily life. May God Bless you and PEACE.

Here are the links to a couple of video blogs that were taken of me in Irvine.. I hope you enjoy and don't laugh at the voice.. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIReNgJwfG8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwg6_338OJc

PEACE
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Wow, I can’t believe it has been almost a month since the Irvine Conference and I am just now posting.. I guess I am still on the high that I got from there.. I mean from the minute I got to the hotel to the time I left I felt like I was “King for the day.”

I mean from the time I walked in to the hotel lobby a lady recognized me.. I thought that would be cool if I were in Texas because a lot of people know me but Hell I was in California, at a national convention, and people were asking me if I was Ramon? So needless to say that it stroked my ego not that it needed anymore stroking.. That brings me to a point.. I hope that I didn’t come off as an arrogant jerk, like some people have said about me in the past, because believe me it isn’t arrogance it is that I still see myself as a 500 pound man and I like my security blanket of my friends.. So if I didn’t talk to you it wasn’t that I thought I was better than you it was simply that I still have a hard time adjusting to idea that some people respect me or look up to me.. I know that I post a lot on the board but that is behind the screen so I don’t have to face people.. LOL But by all means, feel free to email me but as I have stated several times it may take me a little while to email you back..

Well Friday night after we landed I went to Karaoke with the group and had a blast.. I even had the nerve to get up there and butcher Margaretville.. My apologies to Jimmy Buffet.. It was so cool to meet some of the people that I had seen on the California board..

Well then came Saturday morning.. Too early for me if I might add.. But you have to remember I was still on Texas time.. I just loved meeting the various vendors and all the wonderful people of OH.. I mean to actually meet some of the people that you have only seen on the boards for on the site. I was just in awe of meeting Ronda, Nikki, Rusty, Tammy Colter, Bo McCoy, Jackie Guerra and other OH staff members.. Oh how could I forget I actually got to spend about 30 minutes with Eric Klein talking about what I thought OH needed.. Who would have thought that they would even worry about spending time with a small town Texas boy..

Well the breakout sessions were amazing.. A lot of great information.. I helped Yvonne www.yvonnemccarty.com with her presentation and was just in awe of her amazing session.. We share a lot of beliefs and so it is easy for me to relate to her although we are so different.. Please check out the website she created for us and the third member of our Team Debra who also helped with her presentation.. I know that I would be in a totally different place without these two wonderful women in my life.. I love you both so much..

Well this is where it got interesting.. Because Tammy and Ronda both told me that I needed to be at the closing remarks but I was very tired and seriously gave thought to skipping it but since the asked, well told me to be there, I thought I had better be there.. Well there was a reason that they wanted me there and I had no clue what it was about.. Well after they recognized the sponsors and a very more deserving volunteer.. Jackie start talking about an OH member that had worked really hard supporting OH and helping others.. I was thinking this sounds like a good person.. I had no idea whether she was talking about a male or female because she kept saying them or they but even if she had said him there was no way in hell that I would ever know that it would have been me.. Well she continued saying that if you didn’t know this person that you soon would because they were about to be on a reality TV show and then the moment of shock.. She said I would like you all to help me recognize my fellow Mexicano Ramon Lopez.. Well needless to say I was shocked.. In fact, I let a cuss word slip and to those who heard it I apologize but it caught me totally by surprise.. I mean think about it.. Here I am at a national convention and they are recognizing me.. How did I go from being a 500 pound man to being recognized in Irvine.. Well I can tell you how.. Lose 280 pounds.. LOL.. But really, I have worked hard at supporting OH including starting what I call the Grateful Post.. I post on the Texas and Main message boards, a few things that I am grateful for every weekday although I may have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find something I know there is something to be grateful for everyday..

What I loved about the recognition is that they realized that there is no way I could have done it alone.. They recognized my best friend Debra by saying that they know behind every man is a great woman and that woman is Debra Flores.. And they could not have been any more right.. I have blessed by having Debra as my best friend.. She has taught me so many great lessons in the last year and half that I have known her.. Chest out, shoulders back and head held high.. And she has taught me that I never have to settle again.. And who would have known that we would have become such good friends after I ignored her emails for over a year.. LOL.. Sorry Debra.. But just know that you are a very special friend and I love you for all that you have done for me..

The only let down of the recognition was that Yvonne was no where to be found.. She was my mentor and not here to enjoy my moment in the spotlight but there was a reason.. I talked to Tammy about being sad about her not being there but she told me not to worry that they had a plan for her too but I couldn’t tell Y about me being recognized.. Well it was hard as hell but I managed not to say anything.. But I did ask them if there was anyway I could film something for them to show to her since I had to leave early the next morning and I would not be there.. Well they managed to get it done.. And they showed it the next day after she got recognized.. I felt like someone that had won an award and wasn’t able to make the ceremony but I needed to let her know just what she meant to me.. I tell you that I am so blessed to have her in my life.. And I have to send out some props to her husband Kevin that doesn’t mind coming home and finding another man in his house.. LOL. Just kidding.. He knows what we mean to each other and I am lucky that he is understanding..

Well this brings me to my personal highlight of the convention the 80‘s dance.. I call it my personal highlight because I know that there is no way in hell that I would have done this three years ago.. When I attended my first convention I was pre-op and so worried about how I would fit in, but they made me feel at home, well needless to say I didn’t have that problem this time.. LOL.. Debra and I had planned and changed our costumes so many times but it turned out that we made the perfect choice of costumes.. She went at the Prom Queen and I was her nerd.. If you haven’t seen the pictures that have surfaced just click on my profile (pictures that I am in) or that of just about anybody that was there because apparently there were a lot of pics taken that night.. I know that there was no way I would have been able to do it because I would have been embarrassed but things have changed so much because of the people in my life.. Debra, I owe the nerd costume to you and just so you know I was so proud to be your nerd..

Well Sunday morning was so sad because I had to leave early and not attend any of the convention that day.. But as I flew back to Texas I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was to have been in Cali with all the wonderful people of OH.. Please come to Texas in June for our convention.. http://www.obesityhelp.com/events/uzone,events/action,event_details/?pkid=203&key=48a29d2873366eeae344509d691106e1

I will be speaking at this convention but by all means that is just one of the reasons you need to be there because of course there is a great party afterwards.. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/TX/postdetail/237817.html?vc=0 You all can come help me celebrate my 40^th birthday, which is on the 16^th, but who better to celebrate with than a bunch of friends.. I hope to see you there..

PEACE

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Well hello April.. Wow this year is flying by.. Or maybe it just seems that way because so many things are going on in my life right now it isn’t even funny..

Of course, I have written about the TLC show and in all reality I just see this as another avenue to hopefully inspire others on this crazy journey called WLS.. I am just awestruck when I look back on the couple of years of my life..

In fact, another thing that is happening is that I get to share my story again at the OH convention, in Austin TX, on June 23^rd. This will be my third time to share my story and I am stoked.. I love helping others.. I know that I have to pay it forward just like I had it paid to me.. To get more information just click http://www.obesityhelp.com/events/uzone,events/action,event_details/?pkid=203&key=48a29d2873366eeae344509d691106e1 here. If you have never been to a convention you need to go, there are so many interesting speakers and I know that this one will be special because my angel, on Earth, Yvonne McCarthy will be speaking..

Also I will be attending the National OH Convention in Irvine CA. next week. How awesome is that? Yvonne will also be speaking there too. To read more on this click here. http://www.obesityhelp.com/events/uzone,events/action,event_details/?pkid=202&key=43328d224538827bac6df1f187398ced But one of the cool things is that Debra, Yvonne and I will all be in the fashion show on Saturday night.. Never in my life did I think that I would be brave enough to do something like that and especially not in front of a lot of people.. If you get a chance come see us..

I was in Houston last weekend for a check up with Dr. LoMonaco and I am happy to say that things are going very well with my recovery. In fact, I am now in a medium binder and wearing a size 34 pant, down from a 68.. There is still a pooch belly that comes from the swelling that might have been caused by working out too soon and not following the rules so I may have to have that removed.. Also I can wear some medium shirts but due to the MOOBS (man boobs) I still wear a large most of the time.. We even discussed possible taking them off in the next year or so..

Another great thing that I have been blessed with is a great Dentist down in Houston that is helping get my teeth cleaned and straightened out. His name is Dr. John Barras DDS. His url is www.johnbarrasdds.com please go visit him if you are in Houston or surrounding areas and need some dental work done. I know that as obese people, one of the last things we think about is our teeth and allow them to go neglected.. But if you stop and think about how important they are to us we need to make sure and keep them in good shape.. You would be surprised just how many things can go wrong due to neglected teeth.. I was shocked to find out that you could actually get bacteria in your blood system through your teeth.. I know that I neglected my teeth for several years and now I am paying the price because I will have to go see Dr. Barras several times to get all the work I done on mine completed.. But to be honest I don’t mind visiting him because his staff is excellent and his “bedside” manner is great..

If you have any questions feel free to email me at [email protected] or send me a message through OH.. It may, no I better say it will, take a while to respond but you will get a response..

PEACE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well I got a tattoo to commemorate my surgery.. It is an angel with the words “I’ll Still Be Here” above it.. The meaning of it is because I know I had some angels watching over me and of course my saying.. I got this great tattoo at 713 Tattoos in Houston.. The URL is http://hotrodtattoostudio.com/ They are

currently redoing the website so when I get the new URL I will post it too.. I still have some touch up to do on the tattoo but here is a pic of the tattoo right after it was done..

I am a very spiritual person when it comes to my tattoos and I would never put anything on my body that didn’t mean something special to me and believe me when I say that this tattoo is very special.. There are four reasons that this tattoo is very special and the people that this affects will know why.. Thank you very much for all your help during my surgery.. I will never forget you all. Just know that I will pay all your efforts forward..

While at the tattoo shop I met, world renowned tattoo artist, Nate Beavers who is interested in having the gastric bypass surgery and I am going to make it a point to help him get this surgery.. To read more about Nate check out his web sites.. http://www.natebeavers.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/nb13

Also, I have been so lucky while down in Houston.. One of the things that I loved was when Joni took Debra and I to see George Strait. I have been a huge George Strait fan all my life and this is the first time to see him in concert.. How lucky can one man be.. Women in tight jeans and George Strait.. Oh by the way, George’s jeans were pretty tight too.. LOL..

I go back to work next week and it will be interesting to see just how things go now that I have been gone about six weeks.. It should be interesting.. BTW I got another speeding ticket, so if any of you want to donate to the “Leadfoot” fund feel free to email me for the address to the judge I have to pay..

PEACE

Well the surgery from the doctor’s point was very successful. They removed 20 pounds of excess skin , 15 from the front and five from the back.. Just simply amazing.. 

But from my point it was not as smooth, due to my inability quit smoking, I ended up in the ICU on a ventilator. PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU, IF YOU ARE TOLD TO STOP SMOKING BEFORE A SURGERY PLEASE STOP. I almost paid the ultimate price because I was stupid and didn’t do what I was told.. This so hard for me to write because I know a lot of people think highly of me and here I am almost dying, and robbing others of my knowledge, due to addiction.. I went in the OR smiling and the next thing I know I wake up coughing up blood and on oxygen.. I remember talking to my sister in law and telling her not to bother coming up because I was going to be alright not knowing what I had been through..

When I woke up the next day my family was here. I didn’t know why until they told me I was in ICU.. I remember being moved and a guy saying “it doesn’t look good for this guy does it.” That isn’t something you want to hear on your way to the ICU.

But since I am writing this it turned out okay.. I am here in Houston recovering.. I have to say that I have been so blessed while I am here.. Thanks to Joni for the morning Starbucks.. And words can not express the way I feel about Debra who has opened her home up to me and has taken care of me.. The Katy Krew came and spent some time with me at the hospital. My roommate Kelley and her husband Brian came and spent the weekend with me when Debra went to Jenn’s wedding.. I am sitting here writing this just crying because I am so lucky to have all these wonderful people in my life.. I failed to mention Yvonne but girl you know I love you.. Thank you for all the posts on the board and of course the calls and emails.. I hope to soon be back to my old self..

Well to be honest I was already back at the old self because I fell while doing laundry and luckily didn’t rip anything open.. I am doing extremely well.. In fact I have to say that although it wasn’t painless I have done a lot better with the pain than I thought I would.. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am scared of getting to like the pain pills too much but I have taken less than a bottle and for me that is damn good..

A special thank you goes out to Dr. LoMonaco and his staff for all the wonderful aftercare they have provided.. I am just blessed to have such a wonderful staff looking after me..

What a good group.. Front Sally, Ramon, Patsy. Back Cynthia and Dr. LoMonaco.



Jill from Dr. L's office.. I am sorry you weren't in the first pic..

PEACE

Well what can I say.. I have been on an emotional roller coaster today.. I went to the hospital today fully prepared to have my surgery.. I went through all the phone calls and saying I love you’s but due to unseen circumstances my surgery was postponed.. I know that they say everything happens for a reason so that is how I am looking at it..

I called my mother and was crying so hard because I just can not see having her lose another son but she assured me that things were going to be alright.. I went to church with her Sunday before I left and they prayed for me and I am at peace with this surgery.. The only thing that stinks is that the filming crew from TLC caught me on film crying.. There goes my tough guy image that I have tried to build..

Luckily for me I had some great friends here with me to help ease the anxiety.. Plus a good breakfast didn’t hurt.. I was hungry since I didn’t eat anything since midnight and it was 10 before I got released from the hospital.. I know that tomorrow will be another day and we will go on as scheduled..

PEACE