Been MIA for a while.

[rhipsher]

Been busy the last five months. I made a major job change. Doing the same thing I've always done. Just much happier where I'm at now. I also had to do something about my health and weight. I know Glenn & Marry and Jerry remember how big I was at Coreys two years ago. I just couldn't bare to look at the pictures at the gathering anymore. It brought tears to my eyes. I could not even fit in those little 90 ZR-1 seats anymore so I just parked it. Turned out the lights and forgot about it. Going into surgery was a little scary for me. I just didn't know what to expect. Or if I would regret it after. Well I'm here to tell you that it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. These are some before and after shots. The new and improved me pics were taken this easter sunday morning. And this is the first time I've even looked at the Z in about 4 months. I fit in those seats with room to spare now. I don't have to take blood preasure pills anymore either. Plus I miss talking to my brothers.

Me just before surgery.


Me today.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Wow!!!! You look great!! Now get in that Z and drive!!! You need some permagrin to top it all off!!!!

Welcome back.
Congrats on getting healthy. Something I need to do myself.

[Dynomite]

SUPER

Great to see ya back

[FU]

You a handsome guy there Rick ! Congrat's ! I missed your laugh's.

[vilant]

Congratulations. That's incredible, you don't even look like the same person in the before and after pics.

[jimmy b.]

Rick its great to see your back! I hope you didn't lose any humor with all that weight you lost, but you gotta tell us what you did to lose that much in only 5 months. good work

[rhipsher]

Thanks. Since my wife is an RN she has killer insurance and I'm on it. The gastric bypass surgery runs about $100k. The yearly deductible is $1,000. Since my wife had the same proceedure done six months earlier the deductible had been paid for the year so it was free for me to have done. They put me through a phsych evaluation. And numerous blood test for three months. I crossed my fingers when the test results came back. I was hoping I didn't have cancer or anything I didn't know about wrong with me. So when the doctor came in to read me the results he said my red blood cell count is normal. My white blood cell count is normal. I don't have any signs of early diabetese. I don't have cancer. I'm HIV negative. I don't have gastritis. EKG normal. He said other than me having hypertension I'm the healthiest fat guy he's ever met and he's done 500 of these surgeries without any complications. He told me once this is done there is no going back. He said that you'll never be able to eat a seven course meal ever again. Those days will be over. I said that it was a small price to pay. Lets do it doc. The surgery was done in one hour and 40 min. And I was off work for two weeks recovering. It was so painful just trying to get up and walk. I was so swollen. They made 6 incisions and the stitches itched so bad. Twice a day my wife had to give me heprin shots in my stomach to keep guard against infections. And I was prescribed big bottles of 7.5-500 liquid Hydrocodone. That was some good stuff and made the pain go away immediatly. My wife and daughters took great care of me. I wouldn't have been able to get through it without them. God bless them. Now I'm at the point where I can eat anything. Just very small amounts. I've probably saved over $1000 a month by just not eating out everyday for lunch. I pack lunchmeat, yogart, jello and that does me until I get off work. Then have a little something when I get home from work. Although I do enjoy going out to dinner with the family my wife and I are done eating in about 2 minutes and just sit around waiting for everybody else to finish.
I'll be going back to the gym here soon. Just the act of loosing all of the weight is great but I still need to get myself and my core in good shape. Plus it just feels darn good to work out and keep all the moving parts in good working order.

[jimmy b.]

Thank You Rick for sharing this with us, I know a few folks including my wife that have had the band surgery but did not lose the weight that fast. She had the option to go the route you did but decided not to. Again I commend you and give you credit for the nerve and will power to do it...jimmy

[tf95ZR1]

I'm very impressed. What a change!
What do your kids say/think about their
"new" parents?

[USAFPILOT]

awesome Rick...helluva change!