My story now appears on the University of Chicago website. Bariatric Patient Loses 300lbs, Gains Years and Quality of Life In 2010, Ron Garrison, of South Haven, Ind., reached his peak weight of nearly 500 pounds – and not for lack of trying to slim down. For nearly two decades the military veteran had tried […]

Florida Trip April 2015 These are pictures from our Florida Trip.  I hadn’t been to Disney since I was 13 and it was Latisha’s first time ever. We visited the Shriners International Public Relations Convention in Tamp Florida, Clear Water Beach, Downtown Disney, Disney Animal Kingdom, Disney Studious, Disney Epcot Center,and the Magic Kingdom. We […]

Cryptic Council Degrees Congrats to our newest Royal and Select Masters. Welcome to the Cryptic Council Companions! Now onto to Commandery.

York Rite Freemason I joined the York Rite in LaPorte on February 23, 2015 On Thursday April 23, 2015 LaPorte Council #32, Royal and Select Masters conferred the Royal Master and Select Master degrees on seven Companions from Elbert.H. Gary #103, Valparaiso # 86 and LaPorte #32. Congratulations to our newest Royal and Select Masters!

Shriners Installation I became a Shriner on 11/8/2014, I joined Orak Shrine in Michigan City Indiana.  The local temple of Shriners International.  Every Shriner is an owner of the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

Worshipful Master Griffith Masonic Lodge #735 Free & Accepted Masons for 2014 I was installed as Worshipful Master of Griffith Masonic Lodge on Friday, December 13, 2013 for the 2014 Officer Line. Pictured with me are my fiance Latisha, my mother Darlene and my Farther Arthur.

Well here is something I haven’t been able to do in over 25 years because of my weight.  Thanks to my surgery and the team at the University of Chicago I am now a volunteer fireman again.

Here is something I would have not been able to do prior to surgery.  I couldn’t fit in the seats at the stadium let alone climb to the nose bleed section LOL. Fantastic time that I will be repeating. %

I have been told and have heard people say you didn’t lose the weight surgery did it.  You took the easy way out. Let’s take a look at that myth and dispel it completely. The surgery is just a tool, like your diet and exercise program, though yes it gives you a big advantage there […]

Warning I am stepping up on my soapbox here and laying down some gospel so if you are easily offended then don’t read it. I am having an epiphany.  I have always believed that people are happy for others in their accomplishments and that mankind truly has love for their fellow people. That belief has […]

Had my postop checkup with the Surgical team on 2/13/2013. The team all agree I am one of their shinning success cases and have been put in touch with the marketing department who may use my story as one of their marketing cases and may be asked to start giving speeches and talks at their […]

I am feeling GREAT today for my lunch I went to Vanity Fair Outlet and got 4 new pairs of pants all 36×30 just to think in October 2011 I was wearing a size 64×30 OMG that is a total of 28″ or 2′ 4″ lost off my waist. MIND BLOWING!

Here is a picture of my Dad and I when I was installed on December 2012 as Senior Warden at Griffith Masonic Lodge. Dad got me involved in the Masonic Lodge in 2008 and it has been one of the best things I have ever done. I jumped into the Officers Line and am now […]

Here is a compare picture from my installation of officers in December 2011 and one from December 2012 I notice a slight difference what about you 🙂

Here is a nice representation. On the left a picture of me from 2006 on the right a picture from a few days ago.

I was looking at pictures this morning and found this one from July of 2011, so I had to take one from today to compare. Wow what an amazing journey this has been. A year can make a little difference. Thank you Dr. Prachand & The team at Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity […]

One year ago this week my life changed forever. Today is my one year anniversary of my surgery

Just put on a pair of my dads jeans to go work out in the yard. Get this 36×30. Wow big change from last year at 64×30 pants. That is 28″ for those of you non math people. Over 2 foot from around my waist gone.

I ran my first 5k today and finished in just over 42 minutes. Not bad considering last year at this time I couldn’t walk a 5k in 4 hours 🙂

Huge accomplishment as of this mornign I officially broke 200 pounds. Current weight 199. This makes a total weight loss of 266pounds!

As of today my BMI (Body Mass Index) is 29.1 when I started this journey I was at 66.7 which means I have lost 37.6 in BMI.

New pictures this morning weight 201 size 36 pants. Total lost pounds 264 pounds.

New pair of pants. Get this size 36 YES I said size 36 that means I am officially down 12 sizes or 28 inches from my waist. I have not worn a size 36 size I was like in 8th grade!

New weight as of this morning 203 which means I have list a total of 262 pounds in nine months.

Heading to University if Chicago this morning to see the team that saved my life. Can’t wait to see them and show them the progress I have made!

It is still hard for me to grasp that 8 months ago these pants not only fit me but were tight on me.

What a difference a year makes. My pressure used to be double this and that was on two medications.

This picture was taken before I walked the almost two miles for the parade. The first time I have been able to walk in the parade in my Masonic Career

New weight 215 pounds. I just weighed in at 215 pounds which means I have lost 249 pounds since October 28, 2010.

Here is a picture taken at our golf outing on Junes 2, 2012 just 6 months post op.  I am down to 225 pounds having lost 229 pounds and wearing my first pair of jeans in 20 years.  Size 40 I might add, down from size 64.

Just weighed in at 225 pounds, this means I have officially lost over 1/2 of my body weight.  I have lost 229 pounds since October 28th.  I am officially 1/2 the man I used to be 🙂

Went to buy new pants today because the ones from two months ago are falling off. I am now in a size 40 wow just six months ago I was wearing a size 64 now that is unreal. Also bought my first pair of jeans in over 20 years not that was and experience.

Well I have hit a Plato at 215 pounds lost. Starting to go back to the gym everyday now. Feeling great though and energy levels are still high so it is great.

Well I am almost weight as much as I have lost now.  I have almost lost 1/2 of my total body weight and let me tell you that is incredible.  I now weigh 246 pounds, starting from 454 pounds all of that just in 5 months.  This has been an incredible journey and it is […]

Here are a few pictures

Just weighed in at 249 pounds, this makes 205 total pounds lost so far.  Feeling great, and feeling like a new person.

I just weighted in at 256 pounds, this makes 208 pounds lost so far. This has been an incredible journey.

Just weighted in at 264 pounds, starting weight was 454 pounds, so I have officially lost 190 pounds in less than 4 months.  Thank you everyone that has been encouraging me and thank you Dr. Vivek Prachand for saving my life.

New pair of size 44 pants today far cry from the 64 pants I was wearing 4 months ago. That makes 20″ lost off my stomach!

Weighed in at 274 pounds today that makes 180 pounds lost in just under four months. Coming off slower now going to have to start working out more.

175 pounds lost as of today that is a normal sized man that I have lost. It also leaves me with just 105 pounds to go to hit my goal weight of 175 total pounds or 275 total pounds lost. And I am still only 4.25 months into this journey.

Just weighed in 286 pounds 186 pounds lost just under four months this has been such an exciting journey 32 more pounds to hit 200 pounds lost wow

Great visit with Dr Prachand today. He said I am doing a great job on the program and was impressed with the weight loss so far. Dietitian said every thing looks good and they drew labs to check my vitiman levels. Kathy forgot my blog address yet again, but Dr Prachand says he checks it. […]

Just weighed in at 298 pounds that’s makes 156 pounds lost and the first time in 20+ years that I have been under 300 pounds. I feel like a new man!

Just weighed in at 301 pounds.  This means in just over 3 months I have lost 153 pounds.  Feeling great and going to have to start buying cloths soon 🙂

Today is officially 3 months since my surgery and I weighed in today at 309 pounds, that makes 145 total pounds lost so far.

Just weighed in at 312 pounds. This makes 142 pounds lost since October 28. It isn’t even 3 months yet. I am just 12 pounds from breaking the 300 pound mark, something I haven’t seen in almost 20 years. God Bless the University of Chicago.

Just weighed in at 318 pounds. This makes 136 pounds lost since October 28. What a change. I am climbing 5 flights of stairs at work at least five times a day and feeling great.

130lbs down!!!!

Just weighted in at 326 pounds I am down 128 pounds so far every day I am getting more energy. I have started only using the stairs at work 5 flights up and down. I can’t wait to break the 300 mark getting very close.

Down 120 pounds feeling great

Just weighed in at 338 pounds that makes 117 pounds down

Here is a picture from our installation of officers taken on 12/9/2011 Double chin is almost all gone and gonna have to buy a new tux soon it is literally falling off of me. 3″ lost around my neck alone.

I just weighed in at 355 pounds this officially make triple digits. Yes 100 pounds gone in just six weeks. Feeling great and looking forward to the next 100 pounds gone!

Filter out and Ron is sleeping off the meds. He can’t get out of bed for a few hours.

Here are some new pictures taken today 12/3/2011

Just weighed in at 364 that is the lowest weight I have had in over 15 years. 90 pounds gone so close to triple digits I can just about dance a jig. Life is getting better each day and I finally feel like I can see Zachary graduate and maybe make it to retirement lol. […]

Had a great thanksgiving with the whole family here then kept my nephew Bryan and niece Serena overnight. Then kept Serena another night. Worked on Friday and got alot accomplished. Last night decided to try apple cider learned to much sugar in it and it purged my entire system. Well we learn from our mistakes. […]

Woke up to weigh in of 373 that makes 81 pounds lost so far. Had good weekend getting house ready for everyone for thanksgiving

Had two great days back at work. Yesterday I gave and got so many hugs my arms hurt. Today I got some tickets and projects done feels great to be working

One of my great nurses that always takes great care of me

Great visit with dr today. He said everything is looking great and put me on soft foods. Said they don’t need to see me back for 3 months. Appointment next month to check for clots and then schedule the Ivc filter to come out

Here are some pictures at one of my 1 week post operation visit.  

Well the scale has finally started to drop again.  Down to 383 this morning.  That makes 71 pounds total lost so far. Go to see the doctor tomorrow and hopefully get released to go back to work.  Sitting at home is driving me nuts lol.

Relaxing at home watching football. Had a great time at cousins open house last night. All that food around and I didn’t over eat nor cared about it wow is that different.

Stopped into my doctor to have my pressure taken today.  I took myself off my blood pressure medication almost 2 weeks ago.  It was 137/73 doc says stay off them I don’t need them any more. Weight is stuck around 390 for 2 days but that is normal. Feeling great, this thanksgiving I will be […]

Here are a couple pictures from today anyone notice a difference?  

It is surreal 67 pounds in just over a week after 3 years of working so hard trying to lose it. I am feeling better each day, more energy and just generally feeling better. Only complain I have right now is my stupid heals as it is almost winter time my heals crack and they […]

401 Today, guess I need to walk more.  Getting ready to head out for a long walk anyway, gonna see how far I can go.  Had a good day yesterday Charles my friend came over yesterday and we did some work on websites. Feeling really good glad to see each morning, everyday is a gift […]

Today’s Weight 404lbs!!! Had a great day yesterday took Zachary to school and got to pick him up also. Then we had Paul, Renee & Phil come over, then Jim & Dana stopped by also.

Tomorrow will make my 1 week mark since surgery.  I was pleaseantly suprised to a 412 lbs weigh in this morning. That means in less then 1 week I have take off a total of 42 lbs, this is so unreal to me. Feeling great and melting those pounds away 🙂 Love you all

Taken this morning

What a difference a simple bed and not being woke up every hour on the hour to be poked and proded makes.  🙂 I great night sleep I feel so refreshed today.  Woke up to a 418lbs wegith in.  So in 6 days that is a total of 36 lbs gone.  18 lbs and I […]

I am home and getting all settled in and comfortable

Heading down the toll road to Indiana windows down wind blowing in my face bad dog is back and feeling no pain

Waiting for the doctors to release the orders to cut me loose. I am so ready to get out of here. The service has been great but the healing doesn’t begin till you get home. I miss my son more then I though possible.

So the tube is out no blockages we are starting on clear liquid for dinner and purée for breakfast then heading home around lunch time. So very happy to hear dr Prachard say those words. Will be home soon and back to my new self soon

With the tube in I was finally able to get a full nights sleep. They are going to do an upper gi soon to try to explain all the vomiting. As long as there is no blockage we will try taking the tube out and lowering we bipap settings and try working on getting me […]

Ron slept wonderfully last night. He feels much better. There is a debate going on between the residents and myself about why he was vomiting for over 24 hours. Their theory yes I did say theory is that his Bipap caused his vomiting and there was never an obstruction. However none of them can tell […]

Ron just woke up from a quick nap and told me to blog that he feels like is going to live through this now! 🙂 and smiled for the first time since Friday!

Finally got the NG tube in place no more vomitting! Yay!

“epic” fail with the NG tube insertion. Ron couldn’t tolerate the NG tube in his nose, didn’t even get to the throat before he said no bleeping way. Nurses are calling the Dr. to see where we go from here. We will have round two with the NG tube in a few minutes.

Ron vomitted all night. Drs are working on trying to see what’s wrong. Labs X-rays and tons of meds. I’ll keep everyone posted. Ron is tired and very frustrated.

Poor guy is getting sick. Dr looked at him and said that his stomach looks bloated. Took away clear liquids, back to nothing by mouth. 2:30am Update: Ron is still getting sick. I’m frustrated. The resident is consulting the senior resident. I asked for the surgeon to be called but there is resistance to that […]

Ron was up walking. Still having nausea but feels slightly better after being sick. Two bites of jello staying down so far. He’s resting after a short visit. Blood pressure still high.

Ron’s cath is out. He sat on the side of the bed. Clear liquids have been ordered. Challenges are still nausea and high blood pressure. He can have 30 cc’s of broth per hour. I wish he was goofing around a little more.

Spent much of the night fighting increased blood pressure and horrible nausea. A few hours of sleep. Hopefully the drs will be here soon.

Ron is sleeping soundly. Of course the countless intrusions will happen but I think by morning he will want to do some walking.

Hello everyone! I am alive an awake. Thank you all for you prayers

Ron is still in recovery

Ron is on his way to recovery. Dr. Said he did great! Complete DS Officially in recovery room now 🙂 2:28pm Hours today sitting in the waiting room.

The first part of the surgery is complete. They just finished the gastric sleeve. They are getting ready to do the switch. Update: still in surgery Update: still in surgery-1:22 Update: they are closing him up now. Then recovery.

The procedure has started.

We walked in and he got all dressed in his fancy gown, cap, and socks. The Drs asked a million of the same questions then anesthesiologist said they were going to do an awake intubation. They got the IV going gave him some meds gave him a lidocaine lollipop and took him to OR. They […]