ObesityHelp.com: Making the Journey Together
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Mine (2)
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Goals

have a family picture taken, and not be ashamed

Category: Other   
44 People
 in progress, 
5 People
 achieved this

Regain confidence in myself, especially at work

Category: Career   
0 People
 in progress, 
1 Person
 achieved this

Fit comfortably in any seat I choose (lawnchair, movie theater, airplane etc.)

Category: Emotional Wellbeing   
203 People
 in progress, 
38 People
 achieved this

Have more energy

Category: Health   
25 People
 in progress, 
9 People
 achieved this

ride a roller coaster with my children

Category: Friends and Family   
7 People
 in progress, 
2 People
 achieved this
Surgeon Testimonial

Osvaldo C. Anez
First impression: Competent. a little quaint
Later impressions: He instills confidence, having done this surgery thousands of times
Staff: Very nice, very good, very supportive
What should patients know: He does RNY only
Aftercare: Structured, staff is available to help
Risks: I was informed of risks, but with thorough pre-op testing and with Dr. Anez I was not concerned
Overall: Very qualified, very efficient, very good
Better: Surgical competence is outstanding; bedside manner is adequate; The PA (Tiffani) excels in caring and communications.
JoeBear's Blog



Dec 2007 - 5 Month Post-op
on December 8, 2007 9:19 am

I haven't posted in quite a while. I will try to post at least monthly.
I am 5 months post-op and now weigh 310 lbs, down from 384. BMI is 38.2, down from 47.7. While weight loss tapered off a bit after 3 months I am seeing gradual decreases, and am working to improve my exercise habits. 

Highlights from the past few months:
  +  I am now "merely" obese, instead of "extremely" obese.
  +  I have reduced 7 or 8 inches in my waist. Still punching holes in my old belt, but may get a new one for Christmas.
  +  I fit in normal seats. This is fantastic!!! I first noticed this the at my son's HS auditorium and could hardly believe it. Then I experienced this in an airplane last week and was very excited.
  +  I have gained a lot of confidence at work. I am taking on more leadership responsibility, which I used to avoid.
  +  I have greatly reduced my anxiety meds. My doctor is very pleased.
  +  I am going with my wife to a Christmas party tonight - the first one in many years. I feel comfortable in public.
  +  I am happier.
  +  I am sleeping better
  +  I have more energy.
  +  I actually enjoy fruit.
  +  I haven't eaten any sugary products and have no interest in them (well, except for 3 bites of apple pie at Thanksgiving).

Enough for now.
Joe Bear

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Back to Work
on August 17, 2007 7:01 am

I was back at work half days this week and half of last. I think I am ready to resume full time activities next Monday. I know it will feel strange as I have only worked 2 full days in the past 2 months, with surgery, recovery, vacation, pre-surgery tests.

Weighed in at the doctor's office this morning. Lost another 6 lbs. Total loss since surgery (5 weeks ago) is 39. This is going slower than I had hoped, but is steady progress. My calorie intake has been low (600 to 800 cal per day) and I have been swimming, but I think I need to do more walking.

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Grateful to my employer
on July 30, 2007 11:59 am
Great news. My employer has reinstated 53 hours of vacation that I had been forced to use at the beginning of my WLS. 

As I stated in an earlier post, my employer of 29 years changed their sick leave / vacation / PTO policy 10 days prior to my WLS (on 11 July). The result was that I had to take vacation for the first week of absence from work (along with another day and a half for pre-op testing) because sick leave was no longer available. Last week, while I was still away from work post-op, my employer reinstated my vacation hours, effectively delaying my transition to the new policy.

Needless to say, I am very grateful and view this as an additional investment my employer is making in my WLS. Thank you.
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"You moved too soon"
on July 28, 2007 9:47 am
In the words of Arnold in "Twins", I broke rule #1, I moved too soon. After losing 28 lbs in the first 11 days, I was looking forward to going back the Dr in another 11 days to see my progress.

However, against my better judgement I decided to go the Dr. today and check. I had gained 2 lbs. Oh well, my Nut said I should use a tape measure to measure progress, not a scale. Also said that the 28 was water weight anyway. I will stick with the plan, of course, and the inches and weight will come off in due time.
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Staples removed
on July 23, 2007 3:51 pm

The doctor removed my staples today. This was my first chance to step on a large scale since surgery. I have lost 28 lbs. Woohoo!!

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My Story

I have been a big guy for as long as I can remember, weighing 210 when I graduated from high school, and 220 when I got married at age 21.  After I got married my weight started increasing about 8 lbs per year, although with diet and exercise I could lose 10 or 15 lbs when absolutely necessary. Thirty one years later I am tipping the scales at 384 (when I can find a scale that can handle my weight). The past 15 yrs I have half-heartedly tried various weight loss programs, but I never really stepped up and made a serious commitment to lose weight.

At age 52 I have decided that I want to be active and enjoy life again. I want to be the husband and father that I could be. I want to live to see my grandchildren. And I want to be healthy enough to be able to give back some of the love and blessings that I have been given.

I am having WLS on 11 July 2007 and I commit to losing 140 lbs (and keep it off).

JoeBear, 8 July 2007

 


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