Nervous about he surgery but I Have exhausted all other means. Trying to decide between the Lap Band and Gastro Bypass. Have already started seeing my Preop Dr's

4/24/05 I met with Dr. Herron and had a great meeting. I was there about 2 hrs asking all kinds of questions. I left there with the list of Dr's I need to see and also some tests I need to have done. Was also told to stop smoking or else he would not even consider doing this surgery for me. Weighed in at 385 Lbs.

5/11/05 I went to see my Gasto Dr from my list and am scheduled for my Endoscopy on 5/19/05. I pretty excited to get the ball rolling. I also have an appt. with Cardiologist on 5/16/05. Moving right along. Listened to Dr. Herron and QUIT SMOKING on 5/7/05. (wearing the patch).I will update as things progress.

5/13/04 Thanks to my new AMOS Friends they recommended me a Psch Dr. in Wantagh I have an Appt for 5/23/05. this is the Appt that has me the most nervous. But Ill get through it

5/16/05 Well pigged out another weekend. (quitting smoking not helping). I have my appt. with the Cardiologist today. I hope I dont need to take another Stress Test but Im sure I find out today.

5/17/05 Today I went to My Cardiologist Appt. I thought I would get a quick EKG, my consent letter and one Dr. off my list. NO, Now I have to go for a 2 day Nuclear stress test on June 3 and June 10. Why cant anything just be easy for me once. Its so depressing to keep getting run around. I know hes making me get these test for my own good and family history ( MY brother died of a heart attack at 39) and he was skinny. I want to get done and get on the Losing side. Today I must say was not a good day for me.

5/19/05 Well 1 thing out of the way. I had my Upper Endoscopy today and I guess it went well. I have a slight hyetial Hernia. Which I was told is expected because of my weight but in no way threatens my Surgery (thank God). It wasnt as bad as I thought. I told them I had Sleep Apneas as my Board friends suggested so then didnt put me totally out. I felt some discomfort during and after the procedure but Im keeping my eyes on the Prize. A healthy future. Waiting for 5/23/05 for the first of my 2 Pschologist Appts. Wish me luck.

5/24/05 I was supposed to have the first of my 2 Psychologist Appt. yesterday but I had to cancel it seems my wife made plans for me that I was unable to break. THis led to a huge home fight. I explained to my wife that having this surgery is the most important thing in my plans right now and that having to cancel a Appt. sets me back about 2 weeks. Whatever I still have my second on escheduled for 6/3/05. Well some good news I received a call from the Radiology lab saying someone cancelled an Appt. for tomorrow at 2:30PM do I want it. After doing some cart wheeels I decided to accept it.

5/25/05 Completed my Sonogram at Zwanger in Plainview. I hope all is ok they do not tell you anything at the lab. Getting ready to go away for the weekend. (Memorial Day). Will be back on 5/31/05 I have my Pulmonologist Appt @4:00pm

5/26/05 Received a call from my Gastro Dr. saying all my results came back good and he is faxing the results as well as his letter approving me to have Surgery. Ya Baby!!!!!!!!

5/31/05 Met with my Pulmonologist Dr. Rabonowitz. He is very much in favor of me getting the Surgery. He took a Chest Xray which was good. I have a Breathing test on Thursday 6/2/05 and am calling later to get my date for a Sleep study. Moving right along my Journey.Also found out I need to have a Angiogram in order to be approved for my WLS so I got lucky. Someone cancelled for this Friday so I took it. Really Nervous about this one. More nervous then the WLS thats pending. What can I do I have to make sure Im ok. Well I cheated this weekend and Smoked like an Idiot. But I quit again today.Wisk me Luck!!!!!!!!!!

6/8/05 I went for my Breathing test on 6/2/05 and all was well. Im just waiting for my Sleep Study on 6/18/05 then I am done with the Pulmonologist. My Angiogram came back good YES!! My Cardiologist is going to send my Surgeon the paperwork in a couple week. I just need to schedule for a Pschologist. The one I was going to use cancelled on me 2X so Im gonna ask my AMOS friends for recommenddations. My next Appt. is with the Nutritionist on June 14.

6/9/05 I received a call from The Sleep Study Center saying they have an opening for tonight if I want. it. Duh!! Needless to say I am going tonight. This helps I just cut ! week off my time YA Baby!! In the home stretch now.

6/10/05 I had my Sleep Test last night and it didnt go very well. I was up the whole night and to boot I am at work today because my partner is out sick. Im trying hard to keep my eyes open. Well 2 Appts left until Im done. 1) 6/14/05 with my Nutritionist and 1) 6/23/05 with my Physcologist. I am

6/13/05definitely getting excited. Talked to my Surgeons assistant yesterday and he said my Goal of Mid July is very possible based on the papers he has already.Keeping my fingers crossed and cant wait to join the losers club!!

6/14/05 Well today is my Nutritionist Appt. I was supposed to see my Psch dr. on 7/23/05 But I got a call saying he wont be in so they changed it to the 6/28. !@#T. Oh am my mad. They dont care to them its only a week to me its 2 weeks behind this puts me. I cant wait until this is over.

6/15/05 Well Nutritionist is done. She said she will fax my consent letter tomorrow and that another thing off the list 1 Dr. left then its wait for approval and a date

6/20/05 Today I have a follow up with my Cardiologist. He wants to see the spot where I had my Angiogram done. He told me that he sent in my consent letter so the last thing I need is a Psch Letter. I have an APPT> for 6/28/05 at 12:30pm. Hopeing to have Surgery some time in July. Ill keep my fingerws crossed.

7/11/05 Havent updated in awhile. OK, I have completed my Psch DR. I have completed all Testing however, Received a call from my Pulmonologist that he wants me to take another Sleep Test before He gives me his Consent Letter. It is Scheduled for tomorrow at 9PM. I was so mad at this hear I am thinking I am all done and BAM not I have to take another Test. The Sad part is that a friend of my I was talking to about WLS Surgery started about a Month after me and he already has a Date of July 25. I am SICK TO MY STOMACH. I feel I used all the wrong DRs. I have been getting jerked around from the beginning. I should have just used all my Surgeons Drs but I didnt want to travel into NYC so many times so instead I get JERKED!!!!! I am having a real bad day and I just want to crawl in a hole and die there.

7/27/05 Well I was just reading my old Journal and see how I really was down and out. Alot has happened since my last post. I have been approved for Surgey. My Pre-op date is August 4, 2005 and my Surgery date is August 16, 2005. I am so excited that I am done. I cant wait to be on Losers row. Its been a hard Journey but I need to take my life back. Both for me and for my family. I promised my 2 girls that I would be Skiing with them in January and I intend on keeping this promise.


Things I want to do:

1. Ski with my daughters in January
2. Fit on an airplane without an extension and half my wifes seat.
3. Go to an amusement park and fit on the rides with my Girls.
4. Get in shape to play Softball again with friends.
5. Go to GAP Store and find my size.
6. Rip up my Big and Tall Man Credit Card.
7. Look and feel normal not that Im being laughed at.
8. No more fat jokes.
9. Food no longer controlling my life.
10. Try hiking (always wanted to)
11. Live a healthy life and live to see my kids get married.
12. Coach my daughters Soccer Team

8/4/05 Went for my Pre-op Surgery and met Surgeon. HE told me I need to lose 20 lbs before he will operate on me. He rescheduled me for 9/6/05. I wish I knew I had to lose weight. Well I didnt have to but I gained 20 lbs by quiting smoking and know I have to lose it. Another delay Oh well. Here we go again.

8/11/05 Well received another call from my Surgeon that my Surgery was changed to 9/7/05. No big deal. Not really feeling good today. I have a head cold and a stomach ache I have been using the Mens room all day. Also feel like I need to vomit. Also I read the post about Cesar L. I was so sad and infact getting very nervous. He had basiclly all the same medical issues and weight as I do. Im alittle Apprehensive right now. My wife is scared to death. I shouldnt have told her about Cesar. Im allitle confised today in one breath Im ready for Surgery and in the next breath Im like maybe I should try to loose it myself again. Dont know Il post again soon

8/15/05 Hello all Well so far Im down 13 lbs. I need to loose 20 lbs by 9/7/05 or my Surgery will be Postponed again. Im pretty confident I will make my weight. Getting excited and anxious all at once.

8/22/05 Well so far Im down a total of 16 lbs. I need to lose 4 lbs in 2 weeks. (not worried). Starting to get a little nervous. Surgery is coming up soon. Trying to spend alot of time with my Girls before Surgery. I cant wait for it to be over with and Im on the Losing side.

9/1/05 Hello Im starting to get nervous now. My date is coming up in 6 days. This will probably be my last time posting until after my Surgery. I love all my AMOS friends and I hope to speak to you all soon. Please keep me in your prayers as Im am very nervous right now.

9/5/05 Ok so Im starting to freak out. Getting very nervous. I am on my 2 day liquids only so thats not helping any. I just want to stay in bed and sleep. Im losing it. cant sleep with the dam Cpap and Im just very anxious right now. Hopefully all will go well with my Surgery. Im just nervous. I need to survive for my wife and kids. i know when its over I will feel better but right now Im going NUTS!!!!

9/7/05 Well its 9AM the morning of my Surgery. I am relaxed right now. I have put it in Gods hands. i kissed the Kids Goodbye for school and told them I will see them in a few days and I will. I wont break this promise. Im leaving my houe in about an hour. So I got to go and take a Shower now. Wish me Luck folks.

9/11/05 I am finally up to posting. I am doing very well and feel great to be on the Losing side. I am still very sore at times but I feel each day I am getting stronger and stronger. So far, No problems at all. I am on Stage 2 Puree the hardest part is trying to eat all the Protein they want me to have but Ill keep trying.

9/12/05 I am now at 384lbs. My hoghest weight before Surgery I was 405 So I am down about 23 lbs ths far. I am still very sore and trying to get used to my new stomach.

9/16/05 Ok Im now 1 week Post Op and am feeling good. Im still sore in the area to the left of my stomach but Im doing well. Im not getting enough protein though. I cant seem to get close to 60G a day. I dont think I hit 60G in a week. Ill keep trying.

9/29/05 I went for my 3 week check up at my Surgeon. My starting weight was 407. my current weight 348. I am down a total of 59 lbs already. i still get very sore and I also feel nauseaus alot.

10/17/05 Well Im 1 1/2 months Post op and feeling good. Im down to 328. Thats 79 lbs lost YEA. I had a problem last week with vomiting so I had to get scoped. They found that an Ulcer was blocking my pouch so they scoped it open. Im on Nexcium right now and I feel much better. I have to be scoped again in November but overall I feel great.

11/9/04 I weighed myself this morning and I am down to 313. thats 94 lbs gone from me forever. Yea for me

2/28/06 Oh God I finally am able to get on the site. Hi everyone I now weigh 244 I have lost a total of 163 Lbs in just over 6 months. I went from a 58 waist to a 40 waist.

3/6/06 I went to my brothers Engagement Party this weekend and I saw friends and family that I havent seen in months. They could not believe how much weight I lost and they all said that I look awesomw and about 10 years younger. I must say I felt awesome. Its amazing how much more confidence I have in myself and my abilities. The one thing I am noticing at work I hear rumblings that I have an attitude. Well I dont. I let people step on mne for years because I had no self asteem and now that I feel good and defend myself all of a sudden I have an attitude. Its hysterical people love you when your down but if you defend yourseld they dont like it. Oh well they will have to learn to deal with it.

3/9/06 Well I weighed myself this morning and I am down to 238Lbs. Yes I finally broke the 240 mark. I was stuck there for a couple weeks. I am going to call my surgeon today to set up my 6 month check up. I was supposed to go 2 weeks ago but I had a family emergency and had to cancel. Also I have been alittle nauseus lately and will mention it to my Dr. Overall I feel great. I just have been very busy at the store. I have been working from 5AM- 10PM 5 days a week right know so I am exhausted!! Everytime time I say Im going home to mget some sleep something comes up and I cant get out. Oh well thats all for know