I don’t want to spend too much time reliving the past. But, I think you should know what lead up too me having Gastric Bypass surgery on Dec. 31, 2013. I like to call this time; Before Gastric Bypass or BGB.
I was always a heavier person. I played lots of sports from the age of 4-17. But that didn’t stop me from slowing gaining weight through out those years. Maybe it was my eating, maybe it was genetics, or maybe I wasn’t active enough. But, I did play football, snowboarded, and played baseball throughout high school and still gained weight.
So, then I started college at the University of Idaho, joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and had a great ole’ time partying and eating the worst diet you could ever imagine…lots of pizza and old fashion cooking from our fraternity chef, Carol (RIP). Combine that with eliminating almost all physical activity for 5 years and bam…I am walking around well over 300 pounds.
I graduated college, moved to California, and just like most of you have yo-yo’d from diet to diet, from weight to weight…bouncing between 300-360 for the last 10+ years.
I knew I was unhealthy, but I still wanted to believe my years of being an athlete had bought me more time before I need to start facing reality. I was wrong. A few years ago I went to work one day and had a little chest pain, dizziness, and felt like I was going to pass out. This was D day. This is how I found out I had Diabetes. The scare was not a heart attack, not a stroke, I don’t even know what it was.
But, the result was;
Nurse: “Lonnie, you need to take control of your Diabetes”
Lonnie: “That’s funny, I didn’t even know I had Diabetes”
That is how I found out.
No, pre-diabetic early warning…no nothing…full on Diabetic.
After that I went on a full health checkup and found out I had Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and had a sleep test to show I had Sleep Apnea. The sleep apnea doctor said my sleep apnea probably accelerated my diabetes and high blood pressure. That is why I didn’t get the early warning. The same sleep apnea doctor told me I need to have Gastric Bypass right away…he said it will save my life. I looked at him like he was crazy and told him I will get my health under control myself.
I started doing a little research on Gastric Bypass surgery about a year ago. Nobody could explain why the surgery was the closest thing to a cure of diabetes than any other option.
Until July 28, 2013 I read this: How Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Cure Type 2 Diabetes?
That day I started the process of getting approved for gastric bypass surgery.
On Dec. 31st, 2013, yes, New Years Eve, I had a successful gastric bypass surgery.
I created the Diabetes Diet Journal to share my experiences and knowledge with you. I am a regular guy, I am a very honest guy, and I will tell you exactly how it is. So, you can read my path, my experiences and this journal will hopefully help you decide if this is the path for you.
In the process I will do my best to explain any medical jargon in the best way possible, because I don’t understand half of what some of these articles and doctors say. I will spend the time doing research to understand a topic to the best of my ability, then I will spell it out in the simplest way I can. I will also review anything and everything health and diet related…I am honest and opinionated. I hope these reviews will help you decide if you should spend your time and hard earned money trying these products out yourself.
Anyway, I guess that is it for now…I really hope you subscribe to this journal or at least check back with me periodically. I also love feedback, never hesitate to give me your opinion, I take your suggestions very seriously and am not easily offended…so don’t hold back…because I wont.
Good luck on your journey to good health.