Fresh Start

Week 6 - Down 50!!!!!

2010-12-01T17:10:00.000-08:00

I weighed in this week at 325. That is a total of 50 lbs that I've dropped. People are really starting to notice my weight loss. Also, I had my 6 week follow up with Dr Myers today. Everything is still going as planned.

Week 5 Progress Report

2010-11-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm five weeks in and still going strong. I weighted in this morning at 331, that puts me down 44 in total and 29 since the surgery.

I still continue to test the waters in terms of what I'm able to eat. I have found that I can handle soups and chili's without being blended. I just have to go slow and chew, chew, chew. I did try eggs a second time and again, they did not sit well. I don't know if I ever want to eat eggs again after these two attempts!

Several people have started to comment about recent weightloss. That always makes you feel good!

Week 4 Recap...

2010-11-15T05:18:00.000-08:00

Week 4 included some up's and downs.

Lets start with the downs.... On Wednesday, I was rushing around and didn't get a chance to make my morning shake. Then, on the way back from Dr Myers office, I thought I would grab a quick bite to eat. I think to myself, I should be able to eat an egg without any issues....WRONG!!!! I stopped by McDonald, got a biscutt egg and tossed the biscutt. After eating the egg, I start to fell a lot of tightness in my chest. About 40 minutes later, the pain gets much more sharp. I end up leaving work and no more get down the road until I have to pull over and purge it all back up. I think I'm done with eggs for awhile. Also on the down side, I was crazy busy at work this week and didn't get a chance to go workout. I will make a point to get in there and hit it extra hard this week.

Now, for the Ups....The Dr. visit on Wednesay went very good. No issues. I continue to feel very good. I've found that I can brown hamburger then put it in the food process and then mix it with sloppy joe mix for a very good meal. I've also found that tuna salad goes down very well. I weighed in this morning at 336 lbs. That is a total of 39 lbs lost and 24 lbs since the surgery. I still have 3 days until the 1 month mark of the surgery so I would like to drop at least one more lb to get me at 40/25. I'm sure I can do it......

Weekly Weigh-in - Week 3

2010-11-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

I weighed in this morning at 342.5. That puts me down 32.5 lbs in total and 16.5 lbs since the wls.

First Dr Appointment

2010-10-28T02:34:00.000-07:00

I had my frist follow up Doctor appointment yesterday and I received a clean bill of health. Everything was well ahead of schedule. My overall blood pressure was 123 / 83 which was a great improvement from presurgery. In addition, he cleared me for all activities that I would like to do (weight lifting, golf, etc.) He has been very surprised with the results of surgery using the robot and at how quickly patients are recovering from surgery. I had also asked him at what rate I could expect to loose wight He said that most patients typidally drop around 20 lbs per month for the first 4-6 months. In my case, with my height and build, he would expect that I could drop about 30 lbs per month in that same period of time.

This morning I weighed in at 347 lbs. That is 27 lbs total and 12 lbs since the surgery.

Back to work!

2010-10-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

Today marks the one week mark and I'm already back to work. It actually went really well. I didn't have any problems getting all of my protein in as well as all of my water. I had a business lunch, but ahead of time I looked over the menus and planned a soup that I could order. All in all, I'm very pleased at how things are going.

My new Love

2010-10-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

I found a fantastic smoothie recipe and I'm making it a regular part of my liquid diet.

Peanut butter Cup Smoothie!
8 oz skim milk
1 TB peanut flour (you can find it in the baking section at Trader Joes)
1 TB sugar free vanilla syrup
1 Scoop EAS chocolate whey
5-6 ice cubes

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Weighed in this morning at 350lbs. I think I feel up to start doing some walking exercise today.

Morning Weigh In

2010-10-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

I Stepped on the scales this morning at 351 lbs. That is 9 lbs in the last 5 days and 24 lbs in the last 2 weeks!!!

Lesson Learned

2010-10-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

OK, I learned a big lesson yesterday regarding protein. I had drank a couple of EAS Myoplex shakes and after that I had a VERY hard time drinking any water for the rest of the day. I started to have a "Oh my God,what have I done" moment. Later I started thinking about it and I did acme reading and I think my issues was with the type of whey I was drinking. Many of the whey products are concentrate. These types are slow digesting and I think I just stayed very very full all evening. I should have been drinking isolate whey instead as it is much faster digested. Today I have not had any issues at all as I started out with a protidiet drink and then a light yogurt thinned down with skim milk.

Day three

2010-10-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to feel a lot better. Much of the soreness is gone and I've been able to get some protein in me. I've found that EAS Myoplex frozen taste really good and goes down easy the only thing I've had issue with is water. I must still be drinking it too fast. I think I'm going to try and go out for a short walk around the neighborhood later this afternoon

Reflection of a big guy

2010-10-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

Why is it that people feel it is acceptable to openly discuss my size. Even a casual stranger will toss out the occasional "big guy" when addressing me. Ya know when you are already ashamed of your size the last thing you want is for someone to openly address your size.

Being large is so openly humiliating. Recently,my wife and I were at a sporting even and while sitting in the folding chair it and I collapsed to the ground. There was a group of guys that just kept laughing and laughing. I was dying inside. I would say that was my most humilating moment being large. That was much worse that booths at restaurants, tight airplane seats and roller coaster rides that you just learn to avoid.

I'm so excited for a new chapter in my life!

Evening of the second day.

2010-10-19T17:10:00.000-07:00

I was released from the hospital today and I'm very glad to be home. Dr. Myers gave me the all clear to transition from a clear liquid to a full liquid Diet. So far, all knave been doing has been protidiet. Honestly, these things taste pretty good.

I have found it very difficult to get all of tts required meals and drinks down. At this point, my little pouch is just to small to hold it all. Hopefully tomorrow, I will be able to get all 75 grams of protein in me.

Before picture

2010-10-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

I'm alive!!!!

2010-10-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

I did it, I'm alive!!!! The surgery went just fine. I'm glad I really followed the pre diet because I think that helped with such a smooth operation. The operation itself lasted about two and a half hours. It has been twenty four hours and I have not had a single dose of pain medicine. I'm laying Herr in bed hoping that Dr. Myers stops by soon and let's me go home soon.

Today they have had me siping water every fifteen minutes. I'm able to get one ounce down during that period of time. That is not very much at all. I've found that if you swallow even the slightest bit of air then it is very painful until you are able to burp. Also it's not easy to burp but all in all I'd say it's been very smooth for the first twenty-four hours.

The Dawn of a New Beginning

2010-10-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will mark a new day for me. At 6:00 am, I am to report to Riverside Hospital for Gastric Bypass surgery. For the last 7 days, I've been on my pre-surgery diet. It was a liquid based diet limited to 650 calories per day. In the last 6 days I have already lost 15 pounds! I weighed in this morning at 360 lbs.

I have been fat for as long as I can remember. I've tried every diet imaginable but the weight remains. My knees hurt, I'm now pre-diabetic and my blood pressure is high. I have come to the realization that I must make drastic changes or I will not be around to see my son grow up.

About six months ago I began this journey with Dr Steven Myers at Fresh Start Bariatric and they have been great. They offer a very comprehensive program covering all aspects: Physical, Emotional, Diet and exercise.

Wish me luck tomorrow!!!