What a roller coaster.

Here's an interesting thought I never thought I'd have: What if you lose 50 lbs in a month. Your back no longer hurts, you feel more alive than you have in forever, and everyone is proud of you. Except your surgeon.

What if you were honest with your surgeon and told him you had had a bad week that including some cheating? His response: I'm the only person he's ever had that's cheated in the first month (at least that had admitted it).

What if 2 months out you are approaching 80 lbs post surgery loss and are dreading your surgeon appointment because you know you've not lost enough?

While I feel my surgeon is awesome. I've had some decent sized hurdles. I was out of work for almost 8 weeks, Chicken, turkey and almost all fish make me throw up and have the foamies to the point I can't eat them, and my gout still hasn't went away ( not to mention my feet are seriously pissed off that I'm trying to stand on them for hours and hours at a time while still being on the wrong side of 450.

Now, with that being said.. HOLY CRAP I'VE LOST ALMOST 80 FREAKING POUNDS!!! Who gives a crap about the rest of that stuff. :)

So I finally got tired of my ankle and went to the Dr. over it. It just so happened on the day I went to the Dr., my other ankle started hurting. The doctor took some blood and low and behold, I have gout. Good times I guess. Besides medicines, the best treatment for it is weight loss, so I guess it picked a bad time in my life to decide to show itself.

On the diet front, things are going okay. fluids are almost there and protein is there. I've had a stall for the last 5 days or so, and it seems to have been related to the 5 calorie minute maid lemonade drinking I've been doing. So I've switched back to water as of yesterday afternoon to see if I can break the stall.

As I sit here laughing at the fact that I'm going to cheat for dinner, I find some irony in it? I bet you're wondering what I'm going to cheat with aren't you? Candy? Pizza?... Try pureed chicken :)

I start pureed on monday, but for my protein intake, I want to at least try it watered down and soggy. As I sit here today thinking about 3 weeks ago, cheating would have consisted of McDonalds or Chinese. It's a big step, but one that I didn't even realize I was making. There's an icecream cake in the house from somewhere, and I could care less. What a weird and rewarding experience this has been.

I had the drain out yesterday. I expected much worse. For those of you that have one and are awaiting it to come out, look forward to that moment. My side is already feeling better from it.

How's 29 pounds in 10 days sound? I agree. I'm pumped. Now to see if I can stay off the scale. I'm addicted.

I'm still not getting all my protein and water in, but it is getting better every day. Weird to have to tell a 500 pound guy to consume more, but that's all I hear. :)

Okay. for those of you preop here's something to consider and it needs to probably be weighed into your planning. I don't have the money for it as I had to leave my job to do this, but it's so worth it to me. (I'm guessing it's offset by the eating out that's gone.

Depending on your surgeon/insurance:
Arixtra blood thinner- Retail- $629.53 After insurance- $168.00

Prevacid Retail- $173.99 After insurance- $119.35

Ursodiol Retail $141.99 After insurance- $73.65

Vitamin Regiment- ~75.00 a month not including protein powder