Lloyd S.

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Well, after being sick last week and dropping 10 pounds in that week.  I haven't lost anymore in 6 days.  I suppose that my body is recovering, but it might be that I'm just eating too well.  So, I decided that since my youngest daughter needed a new bicycle, that I should get one too and start riding.  This should be some good exercise.  I included a picture in the Photos section.  It's a nice bike.  I road it this afternoon with my girls. It was the first time riding a bike in years.  I can feel it now.  I bet I will feel it more tomorrow.

My current weight is 385 and my BMI is 58.5

I had my third checkup last Tuesday (6 March).  Everything is going very well.  I weighed in at 402.9 pounds, 67 pounds since the surgery.  The doctor says that I'm doing great and I'm now going to have to get some blood work to check on how I'm doing vitamin wise.  Last week was a busy week for seeing doctors.  I also had an eye exam on Monday and a root canal on Wednesday.  Surprisingly the root canal was painless, except for holding my mouth open for two hours.  

The new milestone is that I have broken the 400 pound barrier.  I weighed 399 this morning.    I still find the weight loss kinda hard to believe.  I look in the mirror and I see me from about 10 years ago.  Kinda freaks me out a little.  But, I'm sure I can get used to it.

Well,  It's been two months since surgery and I have lost 56 pounds.  At times I think the weight loss is going too slow, but when I look at what I lost over the two months and I'm just amazed.  At this rate by four months out I'm going to be down 100 pounds.  I haven't weight that little in 10 years!  I'm also going to have to dig out some old clothes.  Everything is getting baggy.  What a nice problem.

This was my one-month appointment and my second post-op.   I weighed in at 427.9 pounds.  I’m down 41 pounds since surgery and 74 pounds since July 2006.  Dr Teel said I am doing well and he said I could start exercising more, as long as I don’t overdo it.  I told him I wanted to start swimming and he said it was a great way to get exercise.  Now, I just have to do it.

Went to see the Surgeon three days ago for my fist post op visit.  I was down 11 pounds.  The J-Tube did not come out so easily.  At first he tugged and nothing.  Kinda painful.  Well he got to talking and I relaxed then he just came over and before I new it he pulled on it and it popped right out.  YEAH!.  He suggested that I use neomycin on my JP tube hole and on the new J-Tube hole.  Hopefully they heal soon.  My incision line is looking great and the steri-strips still haven't fallen off.  The other great thing is that I don't have to wear the binder anymore. 

Each day keeps getting better on getting the food and water in and my energy level keeps improving.  I'm down to one pain med before bed since laying flat still hurts.  As of this morning I'm down 17 pounds.

Outstanding.  That is the best way to describe how things are right now.  I'm way down on pain meds now, about two a day.  The really bad pain in my left shoulder is now nearly gone so I can more easily type.  I'll try to document some of what went on for the surgery, but It is late and I'm still not 100%.  

Had the surgery on 20 Dec at about 0830.  Pre surgery went well except for the PICC line placement the day before and puting some very foul tasting paste anesthetic.  Met the anesthesiologist, DR Cardone.  Who I'd seen messages online about.  He had the DS about three years ago.   After talking with him, I don't know what they gave me but I was OUT.  Next thing I know I'm in recovery and then in a room.

I was up and walking that evening.  By day three I was feeling pretty good, but I still had not farted.  No real food until then.  That night I had some bad gas pains, morphine didn't even help.  But finally on day 4, gas and a BM.  The next day, Christmas Eve, I went home.

So far each day gets better and easier.  I hope that continues.

My surgery is in three days and to be honest, it really hasn't sunk in, until today.  At church this morning, I was sitting in the pew with my two daughters on both sides of me.  They were giving me hugs throughout the service.  Then we came to sing, "Hark the herald angels sing".  I about lost it.
I watched the end to "It's a Wonderful Life" on TV last night.  It is my favorite Christmas movie.  If you have seen the movie you understand the connection.  
As much pain and suffering I've had from being overweight, I have had a Wonderful Life.  The risk of the DS concerns me, but more for my families sake than me.

I’ve had my Pre-Op tests all done on 7 Dec.  It was a busy morning:

0630    Admitting

0700    Taken to Ambulatory Treatment Area (ATA) room 17

            Changed into a gown, kept shorts on

            Urine Sample   

Blood taken

            PICC Line Ultrasound

0800    Chest X-Ray

            Upper GI

            Ultrasound – kidney, liver, spleen, etc

0900    EKG

            100 Questions

            Given Binder

            Signed paperwork

0930    Dressed

            Spirometer breathing exercise – bring back on day of surgery

            Breakfast

1000    Meet with Dietician

            Meet with Exercise Physiologist

            Meet with Nurses

1230    Heading Home

 

On 12 Dec, I met with Dr Teel and discussed the surgery.  He asked a bunch more questions about me and my family history.  He said that he would meet with a cardiologist on the 13^th and if they agree, then I’m on for the surgery.  I called today and talked with Dr Teel’s assistant and I learned I’m a go for surgery.  A week to go!

My wife, Kris was getting very anxious about my upcoming surgery.  It's coming way too fast for her, until she was driving and crying when she heard on the radio...

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see,
there will be an answer. let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me,
shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

YIPEEE! 
I call the insurance company at 4pm today trying to find out what is going on with my approval, when my cell phone rings.  It's Jennifer form the surgeon’s office and she tells me that I'm APPROVED!  I was stunned.  I told her, "Well I guess I can hang up the other line now." We talked about my insurance expiring in January and she says she will try to book me on 20 Dec.  She says that it's not for sure, she has to check with MVH and that she would call me back in a 1/2 hour.  After the longest hour, she calls me back and said she was talking with my insurance company again.  I'm set for the 20 Dec at 8:15am with Dr Teel and United HealthCare will pay 100%.  If all goes well, I will be home Christmas Eve. 

Excited, eager and anxious