moterman
To all reading this, hello,
I want to thank you and wish you all the best in your adventure through life, be it wieght loss, work, relationships, addictions and withdrawll or life in general. A few things that have helped me are what follows in the opening few paragraphs.
Look about you, appreciate the abundance in your life. Know that God and the Universe will always reply to your needs.
(To me God equates with the Universe as He, Mankind and all of His creation are all that make up the Universe. God being the Supreme One and the Master of all the Universe.)
Be positive, choose your wants and needs wisely the Universe will conspire to give you what you what ask for!
Lonesomeness and adversity need not accompany you on your journey. You're not alone on this or any other journey as long as you're alive. There are friends out there, people you may or may not know at this time, people willing to help, support, listen and be at your side!
Life as it evolves consists of change. Don't be afraid, accept change as part of being alive! Friendships will change as your attitude and life change, this is inevetable. Look for and treasure lasting friendships during your journey and be of good heart.
Put the "Three C's" to work in your life, Conscience, Courage and Commitment. Attributes that will help and guide you in you're journey through life.
Visualize your goal, live your goal and achive your goal!
God's Speed on your journey. Be happy with yourself and let the Universe respond and fufill your every desire. Good health to you.
Thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoy your time here.
My name is Bob Flick.
I started writting all this in a log book when had I just turned 57 years old, Feb 2007. My highest weight was in March '07 at 444lbs. I was a BIG BOY!
On Jan. 18, 2008 RNY surgery was performed by Dr. David Suh.
I began the post your reading on 8/8/07
The written story begins: Feb, 07. with;
First of all let me say that I want this weight off so bad, I can taste it! And as I lose weight during my journey, nothing taste as good as thin feels!
I'm just a fraction under 6' tall. I've weighed a mnimum of 350 pounds since 1985. I maintained a full time job as a repair plumber, supported my family well and even had my own licenced plumbing shop for ten years. During that time, sometime around 1993 my blood pressure went up, my eyes blurred (badly) and I soon learned I had Diabetes. That was a wake up call. My entire family on my mother's side had the disease. That was the begining of my life changing journey.
I lost thirty pounds, the doctor was happy, I was happy. I soon put the thirty pounds back on plus a few more. We moved from Costa Mesa, Ca. to Riverside, Ca. in 1997. We gave up the business within a year of moving and I took a cushy job as a supervisor with a huge plumbing company. Talk about weight gain. I got so big that I had to move up the tilt steering wheel of a full size crew cab truck to get in the seat!
Life was good. I was stupid, fat and happy. Then my back went out, for the third time, I'm facing lower back surgery again. One of the biggest H.M.O's in California said it would take a while to authorize an operation and it might not do any good. Considering this was to be my third back surgery, they were right. After working and waiting for a surgery date for fourteen months, things got worse, much, much worse! On my last day of work I was told by the builder to leave the job sight, I was in such bad condition. Two months later I had the surgery. It didn't help. The fourteen month wait didn't help, Instead of L4-5 only, now the surgery entaled six disks from S-1 to L-4-5. Since then I've been living on S.D.I. and my wife has had to work full time. I got up to a big 444 pounds at my largest. That was March 2007.
I'd heard about WLS in 1993 and was sent a video tape. My insurance wouldn't cover the cost at the time. So here's how I got to point of waiting for a surgery date.
That big H.M.O. finally agreed to send me to a WLS class in 2004 after litterly begging for help. One very main thing to remember is that since 2002, I've been unable to drive. Nerve damage to my toes and feet, no feeling except pain. Can't tell if my feet are on the pedals or not.
Jan. 2004 I requested an appoint for the next WLS Class. April 2004, leap for joy, I've got an appointment for the first class in June 2004. I called the local Handi Cap Bus for a pickup according to their regulations and they don't show up! 
From now on they wll be referred to as the Short Bus or SB for short. Because of them (SB), I missed an appointment that took six months to get! They told me they were sorry. The next appointent was set for January 2005. I took a taxi and my wife picked me up after work. Taxi cost $25.00....one way! Short Bus costs $2.50 one way.
Within the following month I changed my health care to Secure Horizons and moved to Beaver Medical Group (BMG) Two of the best decisions I've ever made! I was a assigned to Dr. Douty. Along with his nurse Hima, very possibly the best and most carring Doctor I've ever had! 
But now I'm waiting again. Jump (more like crawl) through the hoops, show you're serious and finally Dr. Douty puts me in the WLS program at BMG. The first class was January 2007. Low and behold.......my wife has a heart attack Jannurary 1st! I called Kayla and explanned and convinced her how serious I was to do this and was given a new appointment for Feburary. I got to that one. Not by the Short Bus, they couldn't make it, others with ADA cards took president over those with disability cards! Figure that out and tell me what's the differance. So I applied for an ADA card from the bus company and was told it would take at least six weeks to be approved, after Dr. Douty filld it out! In the mean time I'm calling friends for rides, every time I try to schedule with the Short Bus, no can do. Needless to say after explaining the situation to them and told basicly "too bad" I really learned to dislike them! You know that's way too kind, don't you?
So I'm getting to the required meetings by hook or crook, mostly friends, once in a while by shortbus.
I also have to enroll at BMG's Lite Weighs. A weight loss clinic and take weekly classes for six months. We can miss one class and that's about it! And I'm dealing with SanBernardino County's bus system, ie short bus. Their attitude is if you get picked up it's a good day, if not, it's a normal day, for them. That includes not picking you up after a drop off. Many times I've been stranded by them, left to find my own way home.
So begins my tale leading up to WLS. And I must admit that through it all, I learned, enjoyed, made lasting friends and it litterly gave me a new lease on life! All I can say is THANK YOU to everyone that gave me a ride, Thanks to the Doctors, nurses, instructors and all those who supported my decesion to have the surgery. My wife Marsha for her help and support and my sister Ruth, my own cheering section!
After a few weeks of Lite Weighs, I lost the first twenty pounds. While in the shower I notice that I'm moving easier and I'm more stable. I also noticed that I no longer felt as if I were going to die! I do believe I had hit bottom and finally "saw the light." I told Dr. Douty about all this and his answer was that maybe I was ready to die at that point! All further questions about losing the rest of the weight went away at that moment of truth! My point being to anyone reading this, listen to your body! Weight loss, drinking, smoking, drugs,etc, open your mind, listen, there will come a time! Don't let your habbits or an unhealthly life style control and possibly kill you!
I need to back up just a bit to Nov. 2006. As I mentioned, I have type 2 Diabetes. On or about the 1st of November, 2006 I walked into the open door of the dish washer, smacked my right shin. It was down and I was loading it. OUCH! Didn't think too much of it, a little sore, no open wound.
A week or so later we took a Fun Bus to Fantasy Springs Casino. I had my walker, all was going well. After lunch I noticed my pant's leg was wet. A sore the size of a half dollar had opened up on my shin and was draining "water." The ride home got a little miserable, it started hurting, like when you fell off of your bike when you were a kid. Got home dressed the wound, kept it clean, did all I/we could do and it's not going away! In fact at times it seems to be getting worse!
About the same time we had our "Day Out With Thomas" at the local railway museum. www.OERM.org. An old frind was there helping at our table and since we had seen him last, he lost a leg due to complications from Diabetes. He said he let a leg ulcer go and it had cost him his leg!
Off to the Dr's I go. Dr. Douty orders an X-ray and dresses the wound. The X-ray is negative, that's good! After repeated trips to the Doctor's and no progress, in fact at one point I had five more ulcers! Both legs were now affected. He sends me to Redland's Community Hospital, (RCH) to their wound center under the care of Dr. Fox. This too was in February, along with WLS classes at BMG monthly and Lite Weighs classes weekly and again no reliable way of getting to any of them!
I was able to get to Lite Weighs and RCH as both were on Mondays, weekly, with the help of a few very good friends. Mike Churchill, Keith Hartmen and Dave Millstead and my wife, were all kind enough to provide rides. I provided lunch and a few bucks for gas. And to all of them all I can ever say and give is my heart felt thanks, my praises and blessings. All of you helped me to save my life!!!!!! Thank You!
Lite Weighs was a very rewarding experance and through the coarse of the required six months, I lost fifty one pounds! My BP dropped more then 10 points and Diabetes Meds were cut in half! Thanks to Dr. Dunbar, Dr Phillips, Dr. Kramer and all who gave their caring best. At the end of the six months I was able to do some exercise, walk somewhat better and had learned and adopted a whole new LIFE STYLE, not a diet but a way of living. No longer living to eat but eating to live! What a differance! 
While attending LIte Weighs I became friends with a beautifil lady, both in body and soul, Frankie Clifton. What a help she's been! We've remained in contact through Email. She's that one person you meet in life that makes a diffenence! Thank you Frankie for being there!
The Wound Center at RCH was great! Michelle was my nurse through most of it and I trully consider her a life long friend and wish her well. Dr. Fox, what can I say but Thank You! My legs are intact, healed and never better!
BMG's classes ended after six months, Lite Weighs ended a month later and three weeks after that my legs were healed and I was relesed form Dr. Fox's care. Kayla signed me off as having completed all of the requirements for WLS. I'm on my way! Six, seven months does go by pretty fast, believe it or not!
In the coarse of required things to do, all of us had to attend at least one WLS support group. Mine being the Redlands group. WOW! After the required one time, I've never stopped going back! Yolonda Karnes is our leader, 8-1/2 years out and just a wealth of knowledge and pleasure to know and be around. Thanks for all you do Yolonda!
I' m ready for surgery! I can't wait! I' m going to the support group monthly and I just can't wait! As I was to find out, I will wait, along with everyone else. 
Trips to DR. Douty for a check up, EKG, Chest X-ray and an Ultra Sound. It all took time to schedule and most had to be to be done twice. At one point I had to pay 25% of the cost of a CT Scan. All were negative and finally I was cleared to have the WLS.
One more round of Labs, see DR. Douty and Dr. Suh one more time and attend the patient training class. The date is set for Jan, 18th, 2008 at 3:30 P.M.!
The day before surgery, I got a call from Dr. Suh's office. My time for surgery tomorrow is moved to 7:30 A.M., check in at the hospital at 6:00 in the morning. Off we go!
Surgery went well. Nothing that wasn't expected. I had Gas pains, clear up into my left shoulder. I spent the day in Recovery/ICU. My wife went to work around 11:30, the ICU was off limits at the time but she knew I was all right. I asked that if my darling Daughter showed up that she be allowed in ICU, I was lonely and and you can't believe how THIRSTY I was. She got there around 3:00 PM. What a beautiful sight! Ginger is the light of my life, she clears the sky of clouds and make the Sun shine were there was none!
She stayed untill 8:00 PM that night. Marsha came back after work and I met Dan, my night nurse. He along with everyone else at Inland Valley were just great!
Stomach finally started working, gas pains went away, had a bowell movment 
and was released on Monday with a liquid only diet until I met with Dr. Suh again on Thursday of that week. He put me on a soft food diet, white fish, tuna, mashed potatoes etc. Nothing like that first bit of real food!
I didn't know I could miss my dogs so much! Two Aussies. Toffy we've only had since December 07. Blu we've had since December 04. I missed him more then you can imagine! I came home, got in bed and he got in bed with me! Never left my side, never does! I think I love my Dogs too much, naw, can't be....how can you love something too much?
Feb 3, 08
Right now, as of Feb. 3rd I'm still on the soft food diet, will be for the ballance of two months. I didn't lose the twenty pounds the first week but I am losing about a pound a day. Can't complane about that! My short term goal is one hunderd total off by my birthday, Feb. 18th. What a present that would be!
Stick with me and we'll see where it goes. My goal weight was set at Lite Weighs at 225 pounds, I would like to see 198.
My next appointment with Dr. Suh is Feb 14th, 2008. I'll write more after that. Thanks for visiting!
2-5-08
The lowest incession is weeping. Went back to Dr. Suh's office this afternoon. No problem, no infection, keep it covered and clean and see him on the 14th as scheduled.
I/we went to the support group last night and I was finally able to announce that I'd gotten my surgery. I got up in front of the group, and just about couldn't speak. Emotions of happiness were overwhelming to the point that my voice cracked! I'll do better next time. There's so much to tell and still so much to learn! Thank you all, you have no idea what the 
group means to me.
2-6-08
I think I've hit a plateau, I'm holding at 368 for the last four days. Drinking all of my water, vitamins, protean and eating. Hope it goes away soon. I still want to try and get to 344 by 2-18-08. I'll take what ever I get! Even at three pounds a week, that's 150+ in a year. Who couldn't live with that?
2-14-08
I went ot Dr. Suh's office today. Weighed in at 359. Can you believe it? Losing a pound a day! He's allowed me to go to on to normal foods except beef, pork, breads, rice and pasta and no grapes. The veggies have to be cooked. Had a small amount of chicken and green beans last night and OH was it good!
My birthday is four days away on the 18th. I hope to be 354 by then. 90 pounds off in a year is real good and maintaining the pound a day weight loss is GREAT!
2-17-08
One day before my birthday. I can deal with being 58 years old. Weighing only 356 pounds is better. 354 by tomorrow? Could be, keep a good thought, visualize, be happy and thankful for the abundance that you've got. Know that the Univerise will respond!
2-18-08
I MADE IT!!!!! I'm at 354, 90 pounds by my birthday. WOW! two days shy of a year for the total program. Happy Birthday! And a pound a day since surgery.
2-22-08
Had visit with Dr. Douty today. WOW! He cut all my meds in half! Next visit is in four months with labs.
3-05-08
Went to the Redlands support group last night. This is always a pleasure, so much support and good people! I would have liked to have gone to the City Consul meeting but the support gorup is more important.
I haven't used my walker for a month and I'm walking everywhere! It hurts at times but everyday is better then the last!
3-11-08
I hit one hundred pounds off today! what a great and wonderful day! Been on a plateau again or maybe the weight loss has slowed a bit but this is GREAT! I can't tell you how much better I feel. I see daily changes in my body. I'm even considering going back to work this summer. Don't know what I'll do or what I can do but someway, somehow. I would like to voluteer my time to childern at risk or Redlands Community Hospital. I can't think of a better way to give back for the abundance that I've got!
My next goal is get on my scooter (motorcycle) That should happen this week. I need to mount new side mirrors, neighbor said he'll give me hand.
I've been on our H.O.A. board as Vice President since the 1st of Jan. '08 Being able to walk has really been a blessing! We have a major electrical and repaving project coming up shortly and considering I'm the person with construction knowledge, I get to check the job out and meet with the City inspectors. So all of this is working towards an end that not only will help me but all of the residents in our community. This is trully a blessing in more ways and touching more people then I ever imagined!
What a day! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 
Don't be affraid to ask for what you need and want, the Universie is trully abundant!
"The Secret"
I've been on a plateau for the past week. The pound a day has turned into a pound everyother day.....that's all right! I lost four more pounds this week and they came right back! Lots reasons, I'm not worried. In fact I'm so happy my wife is getting upset with me. How's that?
I'm in 50" waist pants, 3X shirt and 13 M shoes. All down from 62" pants, 5X shirts and 14XXX shoes. How can I not be happy?
Tomorrow's a new day and I know my body has to catch up. Also exercise is adding mussle weight. I do set ups and walk a lot.
Tomorrow, the 18th of March is two months out! A total of 100 pounds off, pre and post. I've got nothing to complain about! What a truly GREAT Gift! Thank you!
March 18, 08
I got on my Scooter (big scooter, small motorcycle) and I have to admit, the first 100 yards or so were a bit rough. I haven't riden since before my last back surgery in 2002. Couldn't swing my leg over the saddle or heel-toe shift then. So it's been a while. Anyway, get my nerve up, feet up on the pegs and off I go! Wow! Wind in my face! Bugs in my teeth! Again! Good thing I've got a full face sheild, no one could see the tears of joy. And I'm not ashamed.
I get back about an hour later, didn't really go anywhere, just around the neighborhood. My wife and the neighbor across the street are ready to start calling hospitals to see if I'd been in an accident! Nope.
Sunday my daughter called me and asked if she picked me up at 6:30, would I look at the urinal in the Men's Restroom at their church. Sure, I'll be ready tomorrow (Monday) at 6:30. So my wife leaves for work at 6:00 AM. I go out in the garage with her and decide I'll wait for Ginger out there. At 6:45 I called her cell....no answer. Call her house, I get a, "Hellro?" "Ginger, you're supposed to be here at 6:30." The answer was a sleepy, "6:30 tonight Dad!" Opps! Now what to do?
I know, I'll go get some breakfast at Denny's. It's cold, so I went in to get my leather jacket. The one I find is a 2X jacket that I'd bought when I was working. It was on sale at the time and it never did fit me. Figured I'll try it. IT FITS! Zipps up and fits! So off I go to Denny's, right on by the local one a mile away.....off to Redlands! Gloves, helmet, jeanes, leather jacket, I'm ridding again! FOR REAL!
Have breakfast, more to take home for the dogs then for me! Only have the eggs! And since surgery I really love eggs!
It's 8:30, I'll go to BMG and see if I can see Dr. Douty and find out something about this plateau. The girl at the appointment desk, Trina had her WLS two days before me. Se gets me in to see Dr. Douty at 9:00. It's good to have friends!
He checks me out, B.P and weight. We talk it over and he takes me off the Attenotol. I thought I'd have to take that forever. Nope, no more! He says, "you'll start losing now!" Thanks Doc!
Then acoss the parking lot to see Kayla in Education. It's been six months since she had seen me. She's impressed, one hundred pounds off, looking so much better and even ridding my bike. See asked me if I'd speak to the next group in about six months. I sure will! Got three hugs too. It's turning out to be a VERY GREAT DAY!
Over to RCH to the Wound Center. I stop at Reception and ask if I could back to the Wound Center. The girl looks at me and says, "do I know you?" Yes, I was here every week for over seven months. She asks who I am, I tell her and see can't believe it!
Back to the Wound Center. Michelle recognizes me and starts crying.
See thought I'd never come back. All the nurses come over, massive amounts of hugs! We all sat done for half an hour and talked. Said good bye, one last hug from Michelle. Then I went to apply at their Volunteer Services. Still waiting for an answer on that.
Now over to Lite Weighs. Everyone, Doctors and Instructors can't believe the change. Shook hands, hugged, talked and just enjoyed a great visit with the people that helped save my life! Dr. Phillips said it's results like mine that make it worth what they do.
I stopped for gas on the way home, $2.00 to top it off!
April 18, 08. Today is three months out of surgery. I weigh 327. I'm five pounds away from half way to my goal weight of 198!
I'm ridding my bike. Working in the yard. Walking, with a cane, no more walker! And I'm happy beyond all belief! I've truly received a grand blessing from the Universe! My life has chaged in ways I could never have imagined! My back and legs still hurt but are slowly getting better. I can reach all of me, put my socks on, by myself, and watch as I change daily! My size 50 pants now fall off without the belt! I can wear a size 2X tee shirt now! And I'm barly half way there! I'm totaly involved in the HOA as a Board Member. It's givin me a reason to get out of bed in the morning! It's great to be alive and it's great to be alive again!
I'm sad at times for all that I'd missed by being so heavy. Think about it, family, friends, the cost, my health and what would my wife, childern and family had done if I had died? I will see this through, to 198 pounds if I only lose a pound a month! or less! I will prevail! With the help of God and the Universe I'll see to it!
Yesterday, a greater at Wal-Mart who hadn't seen me since before my surgery ask me if I needed a cart to ride. I don't use those too much any more. I said, "no not any more, how do I look?" He looked and said he didn't know me! He hasn't seen me for a while but he does know me. I showed him my driver's license and he couldn't believe it! As we left the other greeter who has seen me make the change said if she hadn't seen me do it she wouldn't believe I was the same person! About the best compliment I could have gotten!
So that's where I'm at, Friday, April 18, 2008, three months out of surgery! And my wife has started her classes for WLS at that big HMO. She's got seven done all ready, nineteen to go. We'll be romping through the tullips together this time next year!
The weekend is here, lots to do. My oldest son and his wife are coming out Sunday to help in the back yard and put up a new shed. We've got other things to do also plus this computer has been sick. And just it's so good to be alvie again! THANK YOU!!!!!!
Tuesday 4-30-08
Went to Dr. Suh's office this afternoon. Weighed in at 320! Which puts me two pounds past my half way point.
May 07, 08 I've lost five pounds since my visit to Dr. Suh's office. I'm at 315. Can you believe it. I don't remember being this weight. I'm running out of clothes to wear!
Last night was our support group. What a pleasure! Antha came in with a huge bag of men's 2X clothes. Just in time! Took a few things, no need to be greedy. Besides I rode my scooter and could only get a small amount in the carrier.
Yollonda always provides good topics. If you don't learn something, your not there! Again, thank you Yollonda.
Tomorrow is another new day. I look forward to each and every day and I'm thankful to be alive! Thankful to everyone that's helped me and thankful for the abundance in my life!
June 1, 2008
Weighed myself today and I'm to 309. The weight loos has tappered off but i'm still losing, still about two pounds a week. After all I've lost 135 pounds total, 85 since surgery on 1-18-08. That comes out to twenty pounds a month. Makes me happy!
I'm finding new issues to deal with. I have what I call eye hunger. I see or remember something that I liked to eat and decide I want to have some. I can't remember the taste, it's all visual. Then when I try it, I don't like anymore. Strange.......
Sex is another problem, everything is working now, including the desire. The problem is my wife doesn't have the same desire. Give it time.....Thirty eight years of marriage, we'll work something out.
I need to get back on my reading program. That helped a lot. I gave the "SECRET" to my wife, she hasn't looked at it, let alone read it, now I can't find it.
And, to add more problems, she's been working half days since last October, 07. We're almost out of money. That's a bit bothersome. She's been applying for full time work but that may take some time. And the owner of her company won't compremise and let the other office employees share in time off, she's the only with her hours cut and she's the senor employee. The problem is she doesn't wag her ass like the 24 year old girls do! Then he's cut everyone's health insurance. What was $100.00 deductable for hospital, now is $3000.00 for hospital. She want's to get WLS surgery done, about three months to go and we don't have $3000.00. We'll see.....never give up.
And, I've got a serious problem with my right eye. Not a cadarac, problems under the cornia. I'm having a hard time reading and my depth perception is impaired. So.......
Tomorrow's a new day, each day holds it's own treasues.
Nothing to worry about, lots of things to think about.
June 17, 2008. Had labs done for Dr. Douty next week and went back to see Dr. Rimmer about my right eye. Decided on surgery. Right now, I need an eye patch and I don't want ot be a pirate!
I'm down to 303 pounds! 103 to go to goal. I'd like to be down to 298 by next Thursday when I see Dr. Douty. That would leave 100 pounds to go! Set the goal, visualize the results and obtain the goal! 298, here I come!
I've been of off all my meds for at least three months. Blood pressure is below 120/80. Blood sugar is always around 80 - 90.
My weight loss has tappered of a bit but I'm reshapping. That's good thing! The flab is going away. That awful roll we all get below the belt line is the worst, but it's shrinking, slowly but surely. Everything else is keeping up. And that's not bad!
If I never lost another pound, maintained at 300, I would consider all of this a success! And I would do it again in a heart beat! All I can say is thank you for my success, my new found health and all of the abundace in my life! The Universe has truly answered my prayers!
Never give up hope! Visualize the things you need. Belive you will receive what you've ask for. Don't be affraid to ask, the Universe is truly abundant!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008. Ive been stuck at 303 pounds it seems like forever! Up - down, up - down. This last week I actually stayed at 303, no ups! Then this afternoon at Dr. Suh's office I'm at 295! Eight pounds over night! So, when you figure it all out, I'm still losing 2 pounds a week, by hook or crook! I'll take it!
We've been busy doing audits. Some take a few minutes, others may take an hour or more but then there is the computer time. The report to write, forms to fill out. The one we did Saturday took four hours on the computer! As we get better at them I'm sure the time will lesson. It's good to be doing something again!
Thursday, July 24, 2008. Tomorrow is our 38th anniversary! I didn't schedule any jobs for today. Wife wouldn't let me!
