Acts20.com

Many of my friends on the net and Facebook have asked me why I’m having gastric sleeve surgery. I told them that I’d let them know by at a later date. It took a lot of prayer and work to get myself to the point where my insurance would cover most of the procedure. It’s a life changing procedure that will cause me to eat a certain way for the rest of my life, but in my opinion, it will be worth it in the long run.One friend accused me of vanity. He said that I’m doing this for cosmetic purposes. Let me deal with that first. I’ve never been what people would call good looking. Plain old average in every way, I guess. I’ve always tried to be attractive by trying to dress neatly, be cheerful, and treat others with gentility and manners. When I gained weight, I’ll admit that I didn’t like how I looked. It’s not that I looked uglier than normal. It’s that I looked unhealthy. When the procedure is complete, I’ll be no more attractive or unattractive that I ever was. But I will look healthier, feel better, and as God wills, live longer. Vanity as far as trying to look like a “pretty boy” never entered into it. After all, I’m a realist. Ha ha.Another friend says that I must be weak because I won’t lose weight by diet alone. To that, I say that I am pretty much an expert on diet. I’ve been on many of them. I’ve been on Atkins, South Beach, Deal a Meal, calorie counting, and every fad that has come down the pike. I’ve lose and gained weight. In one program I lost nearly 200 pounds and felt good. Wrinkled, but good. Ha ha. But I’m a pressure and crisis eater. With the pressures of pastoring, job, losses of family due to death, and other things, I started eating. Needless to say, eventually, I gained all I had lost. I was angry with myself and ashamed that I’d let it happen again. At this stage of my life, I know myself, my abilities, and even my myriad of weaknesses. That’s why I have come to the decision to have to operation. It’s been a long journey this year. After meeting initially with my physician and surgeon, I decided to take the jump. Prior to surgery, it was necessary for me to dedicate myself to a charted diet plan. The Weight Watchers program and phone app worked the best for me. I was able to record my food intake and chart my progress. I’ve lost weight with this program, and it’s now time to take the next step. For those who have asked the simply “why” with no accusations of vanity or weakness, the best answer I have for them is that I looked ahead and saw my own future. Sitting in my favorite buffet, I looked around. All across the restaurant I saw fat people. Fat, just like me. Not pudgy, overweight, or pleasingly plump. Fat people. When their body became too large to walk comfortably, the would wobble up with their canes for another third plate of food. I saw fellow fat people riding those motorized wheelchairs to the buffet lines and quite frankly, their bottoms flowed over the seats and were hanging down. I looked at a picture someone had taken of me. (I hated having my picture taken). I saw a man who was fat. I was on the way to the cane, the buggy, and the grave. I know we all die sometime, but I had no intention of dying as the creature I was becoming. Something had to be done.So this Monday, December 4, I will be undergoing a gastric sleeve procedure. I’m in good health. No high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart trouble to hinder my recover. I’ve already lost nearly 80 pounds and feel much better. I’m looking forward to the months to come. I joke about the liquid diet. But honestly, it’s not been that bad. I will be on it for a while following the procedure. Then I will begin a process of eating very pureed food. Some of the foods I’ve loved will be off my menu forever. But I will be a healthier man. Not more handsome or ugly, but healthier. Ha ha. I want to live longer to serve the Lord, love my wife and family, and maybe even teach my grandchildren (when they are born) to fish. All I ask for during this procedure is your prayers. Pray for Carol, also, as she will be “nursemaiding” me through this

I have seriously considered some type of gastric surgery myself. Statistically, as I’m sure you know, very few ever lose weight and keep it off for good by means of diet and exercise alone. It’s possible to do so, of course, but for all intents and purposes, is practically impossible.

I work in the surgical area of our hospital, and this type of surgery is done almost every day. Most are very successful, and the main ingredient of success (from my view) is having the commitment to keep with the foods you're supposed to eat. My sister and several friends have had this or similar procedures done. This type of surgery is much safer than it used to be, as well, and most people have it done for health reasons...to improve their health or to prevent more health problems (diabetes, etc.) It will very likely extend your life. It is best to choose a surgeon who has done a lot of them (as with any surgery.)Will be thinking/praying for you, Rough! I admire your commitment to this. You should do very well with it More of Him...less of me.twitter.com/camiracle77www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name

I have not had the surgery so I have no firsthand experience and have to rely on what I know of others who have done it. One lady I know is doing very well with it going on about 3 years now. She hated it at first but I think she's gotten used to it now. It certainly made a big difference in her life.

Sounds like you've got a couple of rotten friends.

Very proud of you my friend. I have a dear friend who did this, had a problem for awhile. We are now separated by a thousand miles, but the last picture he looked great 'health wise', I love him like a brother. His reasoning was mucy like yours. It worked for him. It will work for you! Love you my brother and yes, of course you will be in our prayers.BTW. Thanks for the explanation and update. I must say amen to DD's comment. But you always have those who think they can be inside your skin and walk a mile in your shoes.Praise to your Carol, I think she is a tough lady, you will probably need that. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Bump!