VA_Bill
I'm 56 years old. I was an average weight in high school (about 170lbs). I joined the Air Force and traveled a lot. I spent 20 years in the service and steadly gained weight. I had to fight hard to stay off the "Fat Boy" program. A program designed to keep a fit and thinner service member. It wasn't do the lack of exercise. We ran often. When I retired in 1991 I was 210lbs. I reptured both my patella tendons in Oct of 91. I was in a wheel chair for about 7 months. My knees have never been the same. I had trouble walking so I didn't get a lot of exercise. I quickly gained weight. I tried several diet programs but without the exercise... No luck. Now with the added weight my knees still give me problems. I'm at about 325 lbs and have HBP, diabetes, swelling of the legs, acid reflux and sleep apnea. Being retired Military I have TRICARE and live near Portsmouth Naval Hospital (PNH). My PCP (at Ft Eustis) referred me to PNH for Gastric Bypass Surgery. I've been on the waiting list since Feb 07 and should be called within the next few weeks to continue the process.
My brother (2 years younger) has the same problem I do with weight. We both started gaining weight at about the age of 40. I'm looking forward to being able to get away from most of the medications I have to take along with the insulin I take once a day. Being able to sit in an airliner seat without 'squeezing' in will be nice. Living a longer, happier and healthier live will be great. Everyone I have talked to that has had WLS has said it's the best thing and would do it again.
