101 lbs gone. 50 lbs to go

Sep 24, 2009

It's been a wild ride for the last 4 1/2 months.  I got sleeved on May 8th, went on a 3 week motorcycle trip from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Sturgis, SD (and 17 other states over 7800 miles) only 2 months after the surgery, went to Disney World twice, and dropped from 346 lbs to 255.  It took me 6 months to decide that the VSG was right for me and I am glad I did.  This has been one of the best decisions I have made.  Anyone thinking about it should take their time, do their research and talk to as many wls patients as they can.  What pushed me over the edge on my decision was the fact that everyone I talked to that was self pay at Cleveland Clinic Florida was opting for the VSG over other surgeries.  

Before and After
1 mile on treadmill was 18 mins before and 10 mins now
Resting pulse was about 80 before and is about 56 now
Waist was 46" before and 36" now (probably a 34 because 36 is getting loose)
Shirts were 3X before and 1X now

My energy level is through the roof.  I can now keep up with my 2 yr old daughter.  She loves to go swimming and watch me run on the treadmill from the tot room in the gym.  It's always funny watching her mock me running through the window.

Things I learned along the way:  
DRINK WATER If you don't get at least 60 to 80 ounces a day you are going to stall.  No doubt about it.  Everyone stalls and everyone seems to freak out about it.  I stalled twice.  A 3 week stall and a 1 week stall.  To be honest, I wasn't drinking enough water.  If you are not pissing once and hour, you probably aren't drinking enough.  If it's not clear you definitely are not drinking enough.
HEARTBURN  If you are feeling hunger pains, it's probably acid.  After my prevacid prescription ran out, it took me two days to figure out that I still needed anti-acid.  I started using Zantac Maximum Strength 150.  That does the trick for me.
EXERCISE You should be exercising at least 3 times a week.  Sure, people go for a walk (which is fine) but I am talking about exercise.  Don't know what I mean.  Watch the biggest loser and see how soaked in sweat they get?  You don't have to go nuts, but that should motivate you to go sweat your ass off (literally).  My exercise of choice now is running a mile.  And I hate running.  But I am challenging myself to run a mile faster and faster each time I go.  I started at 18 min and within a few weeks I am down to 10 min.  Every now and then I do strength training, but lately I have been focused on getting my cardio in.
FOOD Guess I am lucky here.  I only barfed once.  I must have ate a bit quickly because it got stuck, got the foamies and went to the bathroom to force it back up.  Within a few mins I was back at the table and remembered to chew this time.  Pretty much eat whatever.  Still stick to the protein first and rarely eat fried food.  About the only thing my sleeve doesn't like is sausage (like the jimmy dean patties).  Tried it once and my stomach gurgled for about 25 mins.  Didn't make me sick, but felt like crap.  Love the low cost of eating out now.  Most of the time my wife, daughter and I share an entrée and still have left overs.  Also learned that it's not cool to bend over to pick something up after eating...don't squeeze the banana.  Got a bad case of hiccups doing that once.
NSVs Brought my daughter to the movie theater the other night to see Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs.  Sat down and it hit me.."wow I have a lot of wiggle room in this seat".  Same goes when I go to a restaurant and sit at a booth.  I look down and think this is going to be tight, but after sitting, it's not even close.  Can't wait to fly home for Thanksgiving and see how much room I have now.

Luckily I haven't had any rude comments about having WLS.  I don't hide it at all.  I told everyone at work that I was having it done and had nothing but support.  I could really care less if anyone had been a dumbass about it, but I guess being 6'2" and a former bounty hunter/bail bondsman helps suppress stupid comments.

Still have a little ways to get down to goal weight, but I'll get there.  My goal is to get it done by the end of the year.

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