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My home
life was stressful at the best of times, as my father was a
chronic alcoholic, and my mother fought diligently to try and
keep the family on an even keel, through good and bad times
which included financial lows, constant bickering and physical
and emotional abuse.
As my two
older brothers reached their mid teen years they were both
thrown out of the house by my father as he perceived them as a
threat to him. I on the other hand was always the “stout”
little guy who did not cause him any rivalry. My emotional
comfort became food of any type and quantity.
At the age
of thirteen, my mother and I left the family home and struck
out on our own. We barely managed a very basic existence, as
she was now the sole provider having to pay our way through
life as it existed.
Through my
school years, I was always the heaviest in my class, never
sports minded as those activities were far beyond my
capability, and I often faced the cruel wrath of fellow male
students in the classroom, change room, and in social
gatherings. Once again, food was always my comfort, and the
cafeteria was a safe haven to hang out.
I moved to
Victoria in 1975, met and married my wife in 1976 and we have
two wonderful daughters born in 1979 and 1980. I have always
been amazed at how well I turned out and know that it is
through the grace of God and much prayer and constant faith,
that life has been good to me.
After
years of diets, and weight losses and gains, my family doctor
recommended that I look into gastric bypass surgery when I
tipped the scale at 417 pounds, and I was put in contact with
Dr. Bradley Amson. My first visit was in September 2003.
Consultations every three months, brought around a whole new
mind set for me, and I knew that having the surgery was not
only life saving for me, but I would be embracing a whole new
life style leading to a more productive, energetic and thinner
way of living.
My surgery
date was finally set for November 2006 and I was now 371
pounds, and my life has taken a wonderful turn for the best.
My weight is decreasing more than I ever thought it would; I
am happy within myself again, have more energy, and a new
outlook on life.
I can look
at retirement in two years time, and I know that life is only
going to get better from this point on. I would personally
like to thank all those who have touched my life through this
weight loss surgery journey, and especially Dr. Amson for his
patience, perseverance, guidance and belief that one can
indeed have a life changing experience.
To date, I
have lost 70 pounds since my surgery in November 2006. My new
motto is “Onward and Downward”! |