Mark had gastric bypass surgery in December, and has been losing weight steadily ever since. He's had some ups and downs with side effects that caught us by surprise, but all in all, he's done great. A couple of weeks ago, he shaved off the beard that he had had since way before I met him. I'm still getting used to it, but he does look younger without it.

Here's a picture I took last week, in the driveway of the house we have under construction. He has lost just over 125# in seven months, the amount the doctor expected him to lose in a year.

What a wonderful accomplishment, Pam. You must be so proud of him and he of himself. He look great!

Tell Mark I might walk right by him on FUN, he looks so different! Wonderful accomplishment and I'm very proud of him. I liked the beard. :app:

PS, House looks great too!

Great job Mark!! :app:

Absolutely, I would not have recognized him! All the best to him on his successful journey!
Pam, your new home looks so pretty! Would love to see more of it.

Oh, I forgot one of the most important things. Mark hasn't had an insulin injection since he came home from the hospital. All of his medical "numbers" that were causing us such anxiety are improving drastically, too.

I'll throw some house pictures into an "album" in the next few days, and post a link. The ones I have right now would bore most people senseless, because I've kept them since we bought the lot. We are still a couple or so months from moving in, so a lot of things are left to be done. That's Mom's apartment behind Mark, in the picture, and the door to the garage to the left.

Wow - please send our congratulations to Mark on his weight loss and improved health. That's terrific!

Way to go Mark - what an accomplishment on the wt loss and the improved health. :app:

Pam your new home looks wonderful. I can't wait until our log home is only a couples months from being done...we are just in the framing stages right now but is sure is exciting to see it going up. Can't wait to see more pics! :)

Mark looks GREAT!!!

He surely does! Best thing is the important one about no insulin! Hopefully other meds will disappear as well!

Mark looks great and healthy! Congratulations to him. Looking forward to a photographic tour of your new home. Very pretty.

WOW Pam, I wouldn't have even recognized him! He looks terrific. Tell him he looks great!

Pam and Mark - wow! What an accomplishment. I recognize those friendly eyes. Look forward to seeing you in a couple of months. So glad the surgery has helped you gain in the health department.

Cheers, Anne

Healthy is the best thing!

Good for Mark Keep up the good work
Marty had the original form of this surgery when he was 39. He was 350 pounds at that time.It was over 30 years ago.He feels that it changed his life.With the method that they used then he didn't even have to watch what he ate.He stayed at about 200 ponds until this past year. Now that he is on dialysis he stays at 175.Dialysis has helped him by the way.I know that it sounds odd but dialysis has made him feel better.He is half the weight that he once was.He always says that if he hadn't had the surgery he would probably have never lived this long

Congratulations to Mark - that's some accomplishment!

Lookin good Mark, keep up the good work and congratulations on your accomplishment.

Mark looks great! So happy to hear no insulin!

Pam, Kudos know the success of this important "Mark" health project is based on the teamwork of both Pam & Mark...good job! Wes

Mark, Congratulations! That is not an easy surgery. Several nurses I work with had it. They look great now; but did alot of suffering. Several are getting the lap band now. Pam, post a before photo of Mark. I never met him and would like to see how much different he looks. He must feel like a million bucks. I can't even lose 40 lbs. and keep it off. Working the 12 hr. night shift in a busy ER; we are always snacking. There is never really anytime to sit down to a decent meal and relax. It is rush, rush, rush! Grab what you can and order out alot. I am so happy for you and know your health will improve tremendesly. Judy

Okay, here is a pic of Mark right after he had the surgery. At this point, he had lost like 35# because he had to go on an extremely rigid diet 17 days before surgery in order not to have to have a big incision.

Oh, My! He looks like he could be an older brother. What a huge difference. I sure this has been difficult for you both going through this. But, what a reward! Mark, you get the thumbs up!!!!! Judy

Pam, you must be so proud of him! What a great thing for both of you. The photos...worth a 1000 words!

Wow, Pam. I wouldn't have recognized him. It's not just how he looks that is great, it is his health that is important!!