WCarter
My name is Wallace (or Junior to my friends) and I've been a big guy all my life. In elementary and middle school I was somewhat pudgy and lovable but in high school I either slimmed down or got so tall so fast that my body LOOKED slim. After high school, I began working in the real world and kept the pounds off nicely. But eventually I wanted to make more money and have benefits, so I became a prison guard. I didn't realize it then but prison guards have a lot of down time and just about every officer fills the gaps with food. So, not being one to be left behind, I started packing on the pounds too. That was nearly 13 years ago. Today I'm nearly 500 pounds.
My weight is now affecting every aspect of my life, from sleeping to romance to job performance to spending time with my nephews. Friends and co-workers suggested various diets over the years and I tried them all. I'd notice a little difference but I'd always fall off the wagon and pack on more pounds than I lost. Finally, I read a blog of someone who had gone through GBS. I was intrigued so I started doing research. I started thinking that GBS was such a drastic measure and I could just lose the weight on my own. Oh, I was so wrong. First of all, being as big as I am, I can't exercise like I had when I was younger. Secondly, I had developed some bad eating habits over the years. And lastly, I wanted to be able to go to my favorite steak house and order a 16 oz. New York strip when I wanted one.
Then one day I woke up and I could bearly move. My knees and back were screaming at me and they were saying I needed to lose weight. So I spoke to my doctor about GBS and she wanted to know why I hadn't asked sooner. She set up an appointment with Dr. Lord at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL and Dr. Lord told me like it was. I needed this surgery to live. I already have high blood pressure, apnea, depression, joint pain and a family history of diabetis stacked against me. So, I finally decided that the alternative to NOT having the surgery was far worse than not having my favorite foods.
I'm nearly 6'9" and I carry my weight well but it's just too much.
