tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54663621903913300512011-09-18T10:13:33.511-04:00My journey from morbid obesity to "normal" life.sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.comBlogger271100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-132008652287352542009-06-30T10:42:00.010-04:002009-06-30T12:41:57.264-04:00

Yes, unbelievable but yes - 9 months since surgery! It is very exciting the changes I have gone through. I too, like many others, still see the "old me" at times when I look in the mirror. Sometimes it doesn't register in my brain that I have lost over 100 lbs! I still get surprised every time I put on my clothes or try on new ones because I look at it and say to myself "that isn't going to fit

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-12425937557560665942008-11-25T13:09:00.004-05:002008-11-25T13:48:05.873-05:00

Two months went very quick! It seemed like FOREVER waiting for surgery to happen and now, I am already a little more than 2 months post-op! As I have said before in earlier posts, it hasn't been easy, but it has been worth it. I calculate my weight loss from my highest weight during this year since I signed up for surgery. I am now down 60lbs. That is amazing to me. It is coming off "effortlessly

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-85283359499413719982008-10-27T13:55:00.006-04:002008-10-27T14:18:08.662-04:00

Time flies when you are having fun, right? Well, as my journey progresses, I have stepped more and more away from the computer. That's a good thing though because that means I am doing other things. My latest diet phase was the soft solids phase. I can have anything (within guidelines of course) that is a soft consistency. Proteins are important and they have to be consumed first. I must admit, I

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-38391012461107784672008-09-30T14:12:00.005-04:002008-09-30T14:34:50.789-04:00

It keeps getting better and better! I am now 3 weeks out and down another 3lbs! I hit a stall just after that first week and the scale didn't budge (which I was told by the nurse IS normal). But today, when I weighed in for my nutrition appointment, I lost another 3lbs. So exciting! And to add to that excitement, we got a new "menu". I am now on to the pureed foods stage. I have more variety now

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-5796074322472368462008-09-25T19:01:00.004-04:002008-09-25T19:07:15.782-04:00

YES!! The drain is out! That pesky thing has been the source of any pain I have experienced since surgery. And now it is gone! I was so worried it was going to hurt taking it out but I didn't feel a thing! I felt the nurse tugging on the stitches as she was taking them out but there was no pain. I only felt the tugging, but I am apparently still numb in that area. I briefly felt the drain moving

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-59647063303096381712008-09-23T08:59:00.003-04:002008-09-23T21:06:12.615-04:00

Today is officially 2 weeks since my surgery. How am I feeling? GREAT!! I felt so good yesterday I actually WANTED to go for a walk. I couldn't believe it. My energy is definitely up from where it used to be and the drain isn't hurting me anymore. THANKFULLY this thing comes out tomorrow! I really surprised myself at the actual desire to go exercise. And it wasn't just a little stroll - no. I

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-2301049739665191722008-09-18T20:52:00.009-04:002008-09-23T20:53:19.211-04:00

I could never imagine thinking how WONDERFUL it would be to have low fat cottage cheese or yogurt, fat-free cream soups and puddings - but MAN! After a week of liquid proteins and nothing BUT liquid proteins and water, this is heaven!Today was my one week post-op nutrition class. We were given a new menu! The protein shakes are now the ones fairly similar to those I had pre-op (compared to this

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-3373437454301906492008-09-18T13:49:00.006-04:002008-09-18T20:50:33.804-04:00

Well......it's been rough to be frank. Hell week? Pretty much, but don't get me wrong, it is worth it. Don't take that statement as a reason to back out of surgery - not at all. It is part of the process and there is a VERY necessary reason for it. The first week post-op is meant for healing. I can't imagine coming home and damaging the tool that was just created for me and causing myself serious

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-61815910920958351872008-09-14T20:09:00.011-04:002008-09-15T14:19:51.546-04:00

As most in the WLS (weight loss surgery) Community refer to it, your surgery date is your re-birthday because you are starting over with a new life. You are beginning like a baby in how you eat. The phases are liquids, pureed foods, soft foods, then on to solid foods - just like a baby. So, Happy RE-Birthday to ME! How Did It Go?Everything went just fine. No doubt I still had fears every step of

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-12607216276144683182008-09-03T12:04:00.003-04:002008-09-03T12:09:22.519-04:00

I bet you are thinking of the song by Europe released in 1986, right? For a little nostalgia, check this link for the music video. Boy, those big hair days were something weren't they? Men with hair like women. Some of them you wouldn't have been able to tell the difference from behind! Back then, I am sure there were men that took more time styling their hair than I ever did. I wouldn't doubt

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-3431262017640341882008-09-03T12:01:00.002-04:002008-09-03T12:04:09.790-04:00

Tuesday, September 2nd was my FINAL pre-op weigh-in on this Optifast diet. But it's not over yet! Sadly, I didn't meet the full weight loss target they wanted - 13lbs. I missed the mark by 6lbs but what else could I do? Completely starve? If I had ever had success with diets, I wouldn't be having this surgery. I expressed my concerns to a couple of the staff and they told me everything would be

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-84702952569492123582008-08-13T13:33:00.006-04:002008-08-13T14:24:54.375-04:00

Think Thinking can get some people in trouble (me being one of them)! But seriously, when it comes to weight loss, thinking is a HUGE part of it. We tend to "think" we are hungry when we really aren't. We eat out of boredom, depression, stress - emotional eating. Food is a comfort. Food doesn't talk back (well, unless you have indigestion). Food is always there when you want it. But, FOOD is the

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-20301526438490022422008-08-13T12:42:00.014-04:002008-08-13T14:17:42.898-04:00

My surgeon, Dr. Bour, requires a 4 week liquid diet prior to surgery. His first choice in protein shakes is the OptiFast 800 supplement. I have heard many complaints from other patients that this shake was not good. Some didn't like the taste, some said it was gritty. To my surprise, they are really good - REALLY! It comes in 3 flavors - chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. There is a powder form

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-69271861790376863812008-08-11T19:12:00.002-04:002008-08-13T12:41:57.404-04:00

Monday (8/11) was my first of many pre-op appointments - my EGD. I have never had this done before so I only knew what I had researched online. It didn't look too bad and others that told me about theirs said it wasn't bad either, but until you do something yourself, you don't always know what to expect. Overall, no, it wasn't bad. I was still nervous as heck! I couldn't sit still while waiting

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-76964662712431236722008-08-08T14:35:00.002-04:002008-08-08T14:38:45.097-04:00

Sadly, due to unfortunate monetary issues (basically the fact that I don't have any), I no longer get to train in martial arts. My daughter continues to train and absolutely loves it. If anyone is looking for a place where their children (or themselves) can get in to an activity that develops the mind and body, martial arts would be my highest recommendation. Hopefully, the opportunity to

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-15820732780451981822008-08-07T09:38:00.005-04:002008-08-07T10:09:31.172-04:00

This website, ObesityHelp.com, is a wonderful place to go for support and information. Since March I have visited this site daily to read about others' successes, view pictures of results, read message board posts and even posted my own questions and responded to others as well. It is truly inspiring to see the wonderful results of these brave individuals and read their stories as they traveled

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-63423667785411473302008-06-25T14:35:00.002-04:002008-06-25T14:50:46.160-04:00

As the wait goes on and on and on, it is hard to keep inspired sometimes. You know something great is coming but getting there is torture! Time has gone fairly quickly since getting my approval. I was approved on June 5th and here it is now June 25th but we are still over 2 months away.....11 weeks to be exact. Don't get me wrong - I am not saying I am not looking forward to the surgery or

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-37141271585451063042008-06-11T10:40:00.006-04:002008-06-25T14:35:33.086-04:00

FINALLY! I HAVE A DATE!Well, not a "date-date" but a surgery date! To my surprise (honestly, as a pessimist, I was expecting to hear "no"), my insurance company approved me for bariatric surgery. I got the call Thursday (June ) informing me of their decision. I knew going in to this that they would likely approve the surgery because it wasn't an exclusion in my current policy. And as long as I

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-80811368781870617512008-05-13T11:24:00.004-04:002008-06-11T10:39:44.110-04:00

Well I have one week (OK, two classes to be exact) of martial arts training under my belt (no pun intended) and I am so excited! It is hard work already just getting in to moving more again. After being so lethargic and, quite frankly lazy, even the simplest of moves can take the wind out of me. I knew I was out of shape but come on!My trainer Josh is nice to work with. I like his encouragement

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-68781833303526263582008-04-30T15:49:00.003-04:002008-04-30T16:34:10.352-04:00

Awesome day today - truly awesome! I haven't been this positive throughout this whole experience. What's different? I met one-on-one with Dr. Bour, my bariatric surgeon today! This is one of the "final" steps on the path to surgery. There are still more to go, but this one means I am REALLY close now!I like Dr. Bour. I have heard from some other patients of his and not all of them thought he was

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-59081799552244846522008-04-29T11:31:00.005-04:002008-06-25T13:59:48.706-04:00

All my life I have been interested in Martial Arts - karate, kung-fu, TKD - you name it, I have been fascinated by it! As a teenager, I even participated in some classes. Unfortunately my life wasn't too settled at the time and I was unable to continue and get anywhere above a white belt. But I loved every minute of it! I have a cousin, Preston, who was a kung-fu black belt. He even taught his

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-27621097210214316782008-04-28T09:19:00.008-04:002008-04-28T11:17:26.550-04:00

I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted. Life sure has a way of slipping by before we realize it. Anyway, the clock is ticking and I am getting closer and closer to surgery. I have had a few pitfalls and hurdles along the way since my last post almost 3 months ago, and I am still in disbelief it has been THAT long. In this time, I have reconsidered having the surgery at least

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-42068033795676248892008-02-05T13:31:00.003-05:002008-02-08T13:42:49.191-05:00

Call insurance to verify coverage - Check!Schedule and attend info session - Check!Schedule enrollment appointment - Check!Complete enrollment paperwork - Check!Attend the 1st of 10 support sessions - Check!Attend my nutrition evaluation appointment - Check!How awesome is this! Now that I have gone through all the above, I am on my way and so very excited. My next three months are planned out -

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-32545415785873393322008-02-05T13:31:00.001-05:002008-02-07T13:32:33.418-05:00

Insurance - before doing anything, I called my insurance to see if weightloss surgery was an exclusion as it always has been in the past. To my astonishment, it wasn't an exclusion! For once in my life I finally have insurance to cover weightloss surgery. Can you imagine how ecstatic I was hearing the customer service representative say it is covered? I wanted to tell the world! So now that I

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-72775803460347099562008-02-05T13:30:00.001-05:002008-02-06T13:48:16.855-05:00

The first step is to acknowledge the problem regardless of what the problem is. Of course it wasn't hard to figure out - I have dealt with it all my life, reminded daily, even by the minute - I am obese. More importantly, I am morbidly obese.Wow - morbid. I can die from this.It's hard to wrap my mind around it at times because I have lived with it for so long. I have always had the thought "It is

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-39882042955092941552008-02-04T20:51:00.000-05:002008-02-05T13:28:15.115-05:00

My life has revolved around food. American culture ties food in to every occasion. We have an abundance of food every where we turn. The convenience factor is certainly my downfall. There is a drive-thru restaurant on every corner. After working all day long (in an office, sitting down, in front of a computer, in air-conditioning - feeling sorry for me yet? Of course I am being sarcastic here....

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5466362190391330051.post-35685883515985287562008-02-04T20:21:00.000-05:002008-02-04T20:51:37.570-05:00

.....begins with just one step. Yes, we know this saying well and it is very true. Anything we endeavor upon begins with that one step. Sometimes easy, sometimes hard - no matter which, we just take that one step and we are on our way. And so begins my journey - I am on my way to weightloss surgery.

sbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08362603741277911491noreply@blogger.com0