Sleeved Male - Age 51 - Low BMI - High Blood Pressure - Type 2 Diabetes GONE!

First, I wish to state I had been utilizing this website for over a year and decided that because few men tell their story here, I need to share mine.

Once upon a time...

There was a time when I was athletic. In high school I ran cross country/ tracking, was slim/medium built and by no means would be even considered overweight by any measure. During my early twenties being less active and working the midnight shift was weight begin to creep up gradually. Over the course of many attempts from liquid fasting, smaller portions, avoiding fried and fast foods, my weight continuously fluctuated with me always losing the battle eventually.

Fast-forward eight months before my fiftieth birthday it happened...excessive thirst. Made an appointment with my doctor and found out on 9/12/14 my Hemoglobin A1C has rose to 12.2. High blood pressure runs in my family regardless of weight, so being on medication for that was something I had already reluctantly accepted years ago. Type 2 Diabetes is not. I am not of aware anyone whose been diagnosed with this disease in my entire family. To say I was devastated would be an understatement and of course my doctor wanted to prescribe medication to control it. I simply told him to give me a moment to take control of this on my own,which respected.

I kept this as a secret, not even telling my wife who I have never hid anything from in our 20+ years of marriage. I began research on what to eat and not, joined a gym and my determination paid off. Four months later (1/22/15) my A1C dropped to 7.1 and my doctor was shocked. He advised that no medication is needed at this time and to keep doing whatever I started. I was extremely proud of myself and at that time I disclosed everything to my wife.

I've broken my journey up into smaller stories as I complete each segment so hopefully one part may help someone as many of the stories here have done for me.

After speaking with my doctor at my next  appointment, regarding my struggle of attempting to "handle" my weight on my own, I'd come to terms that I need help. He agreed to refer me to the bariatric division and that's where things got "real".

My insurance (BCBS) requires quite a few things before the file can even be submitted for approval. Due to my paternal grandmother (that was a little thing), having high blood pressure, my struggle to accept taking medication for took years. Now with me keeping my sugar level down enough to not be on an additional medication, I know as I get older this is going to get easier. I needed to accept that if I want to be around as a healthy old man, things need to change permanently. Now having two comorbities, even with a low BMI, I will be able to get an approval.

First I was required to attend a seminar and oddly I looked pretty skinny compared to mostly everyone there. I feel good that I'm handling this way before it gets as bad as many others that have the  tremendous burden of carrying extra weight. I research every single thing I do and with online medical articles, YouTube videos, RealSelf and multiple Facebook support groups that I'm active in, I'm probably more informed than many who decide to move forward with this decision. I'm known for being a bit over analytical so pretty much everything that was discussed at the seminar, I had confirmed with my own research prior to attending. It was a very informative meeting had I not started researching on my own.

Nervous but excited, on August 25, 2015 I had my first appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Eric Marcotte at Loyola Medical Center in Melrose Park, Illinois. Prior to seeing the surgeon, I was measured at every imaginable angle, my weight was taken. I was given a moment to ask questions and was told because of me controlling the diabetes in its earliest stage, already changing my eating habits and incorporating a regular exercising regimen, he is confident that I will be a success. He recommends the sleeve over gastric bypass because of my size. I also have no desire to have my organs rerouted and I prefer a more normal digestive system after surgery. With going to the gym, I focus on both cardio and weight training. My arms are paying off and getting big. Doctor said I won't lose them with weight loss. Very happy to know!

Height: 5'9"
Highest Weight: 266
Weight at appointment (8/25/15): 249.3