Finally reached my target weight after losing 179lb. Some progress pics included :-)

Well I finally made my target weight. It has taken me 78 weeks, during that time I have holidayed twice and had open heart surgery. My starting weight was 23st7lb (329lb) today I passed my goal weight of 10st12lb weighing in at 10st10.5lb (150.5lb).

About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with congenital heart failure and was told I needed open heart surgery to replace my right ventricle valve and to repair my triscupid valve. At the same time I was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and sleep apnoea. This was on top of the arthritis and gout that I was constantly suffering from. At the point of discharge from hospital after a 29 night stay I weighed 19st7lb (273lb) and was told that I needed open heart surgery but they would not even consider doing it until I had got my weight down to a maximum of 15st (210lb). For the next 2-3 years I completely ignored everybody's advice including the heart consultant. By this time I had ballooned to 23st7lb (329lb); on one of my regular visits to the cardiac ward my consultant came straight to the point and told me I would be dead within 5 years and I had to make a choice. I have to admit it felt like a challenge and I still ignored him for a while. During this time I was getting constant gout attacks and if it wasn't gout it was arthritis; one morning I woke up and thought to myself "I can't do this any more" and made a decision that day to change.

15 months later after beating the diabetes (now gone) and the sleep apnoea (I no longer sleep with a papa machine) the gout has totally stopped bothering me, in fact this was the first major health milestone for me. More importantly for myself I had my open heart surgery done 13 weeks ago and now have a new heart valve. I weighed 12st7lb (175lb). I have today finished a physiotherapy course at the QE hospital in Birmingham cardiac rehabilitation suite.

I have no wise words of wisdom for you, we all have our own paths, it does seem to me though if I can do it with all of the problems I have faced then I think most of you probably can do it. :-)

A few photographs of my progress

Probably at my worst weight. I'm not really sure as I refused to weigh myself around this time. If I didn't know my weight then it didn't matter

By this point I had lost 5 stone (70lb) and was feeling rather happy with myself. 10st (140lb) lighter and I was starting to think I was getting on top of this thing. Thats a 10 stone lost certificate in my hands from my slimming group

This was a fun day as I recall, probably 3 days after having my heart surgery, the smile may have been the effect of the morphine ;-)

A few weeks ago weighing around 11st (154lb)

A couple of days ago weighing probably the same as I do today

I have created a photobucket slide show with a few more photographs if anyone is interested in seeing a few more between stage photographs

http://s1359.photobucket.com/user/Zezelryck/Weight loss progress/story

One other thing to mention. When I was ill I was on many medications. Metformin, Spironolactone, Bumetinide, Ramipril, Gliclazide, Pravastatin, Colchisine and a few others I cant remember the names of. Today I am absolutely free of any medication other than an advised 75mg daily Aspirin and my multivits. Life is looking positive for me. Time to go in to maintenance and I am under no illusion that this could be even harder than any challenge I have faced, but I think I am up to it. I'm always looking for new inspirational friends who log daily and are committed to a healthier lifestyle. If you fit the bill send me a FR with a message. :-)