Paramedic Chris Conner's job is a lot easier now that he is down to 189 pounds, from his highest weight of 345 pounds three years ago. Abbi Overfelt | The Robesonian
Chris Conner reached 345 pounds before he decided to go under the knife for lap band surgery. | Contributed
LUMBERTON Chris Conner is half the man he used to be.
The 49-year-old now weighs 189 pounds, down from his heaviest at 345, when he realized his 46-inch-waist was becoming a burden.
Conners size, and the sweat constantly pouring from his body, made his job as a paramedic nearly impossible. He was tired of the excessive perspiration, tired of downing medicine for his high blood pressure and cholesterol, and tired of wondering if he was on the same path of his father, who died of a heart attack in 1991 or his mother, who died of a stroke in 1989.
Three years ago, Conner decided to downsize.
Me and a bunch of friends went to Carowinds, and I couldnt fit on any of the rides, he said. Everyone else had fun, and I love roller-coasters. That was when I finally made the decision that somethings wrong here despite the fact that I sweated a lot, that I tired easily, that Id wake up in the night short of breath that trip to the theme park was a big eye-opener for me.
Conner had been on a diet roller-coaster for much of his life, going through depressing periods during which he would lose weight and then quickly gain it all back. His struggle is not unique; according a recent study, nearly 41 percent of the countys adults 37,000 people are obese, ranking Robeson worst among North Carolinas 100 counties. Obesity was a major factor in Robeson County ranking No. 2 in the state in another study of the unhealthiest countes.
Ive tried about every product and every weight-loss product that is known, Conner said. Thats why I went ahead and chose the lap band.
Conners uphill battle to weight loss became a downhill slide after he attended a seminar on the lap-band procedure.
Continued here:
Man living large after successful weight loss
