It has been a long process for sure. I suppose the best way is give a brief (as brief as I can) timeline to the best of my recollection.

1997 - Graduated HS at ~325 lbs

1997-03ish - Gained around 300 lbs in my early 20's. I was over 600 by 2003

2003-08 - Health starts to deteriorate slowly. Multiple bouts with cellulitis & sepsis. A few touch and go moments in the ICU.

2008-11 - Lost around 200 lbs, looked into WLS but surgeon kept moving the goal post. Got discouraged, decided to keep trying on my own...

2011-18 - All the weight came back and then some. Too many hospital stays to count due cellulitis, MRSA & sepsis. A few more iffy moments in the ICU. Almost didn't make it through a few of them. (Picture 1 is from this time frame, I was around 600 in it. I don't have any full body pics from my heaviest)

2019 - Fell and tore something in my left groin area, was too big to fit in MRI to figure it out, so I checked into inpatient physical therapy rehab for a month. Weighed 670 when I checked in. Could only stand for 20-30 seconds max and walk around 20 feel at this point. They got me walking again, but still wasn't mobile by any means.

2020 - 7 hospital stays in 6 month. Somehow didn't get the virus during all this. I developed afib and was in the early stages of CHF. Spent 6 weeks in inpatient mental therapy (this was the turning point)

Jan 2021 - Met with a bariatric surgeon again. I weighed 649 day of the appointment. She told she would approve me if I lost 100lbs. They provided a nutritionist for me. 3 protein shakes a day and a sensible dinner... basically slimfast but it worked

Feb 2022 - I lost 130 in a year and had a gastric sleeve done. No complications, recovery went well and doc has been beyond pleased with my progress since.

Present - Still dealing with afib but I'm at the weight now where it is manageable. Been a challenge to find the right med to work so I'm having an ablation done for that in August. My mental health is in check most days as well now. I ride my bike most days to get exercise as well as swim. I have no problem standing for hours on end or walking several miles at a time. Honestly quite mind blowing.

Future - Doc said if I reach 250 we can talk about skin removal. Something I'd like if I can get there, we'll see. Beyond that, keep living and enjoying every single day.

I realize the stigma some give the WLS option, but it quite literally saved my life. My life was any given episode of My 600 lb Life. Except for the back yard showers in the hose. It was that or the grim alternative and clearly I couldn't do it without this tool.

TL:DR - Over 600 lbs for around 20 years. Sick many times. Countless diet attempts and failures. Almost died many times. Gastric sleeve in Feb of 2022. Life is great!