Aaron O.

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My BMI is now 29.8, down from a starting point of 46.  At my height, the line of demarcation between the obese and overweight categories is 29.9.  That means I'm no longer officially obese and am now just overweight!

My dream goal is to reach 178 and be officially "normal."  While I still am going to shoot for that, I'm beginning to think that if I don't reach that, that's ok with me.  While I only have like 36 lbs to go, the weight loss has really slowed down and it will be pretty hard to achieve that.  I know plenty of people that look really good who I suspect would be classified as "overweight" by the NIH or whoever puts together the BMI scale.  It seems a little unrealistic if you ask me. 

My dog is a loser too.  That is not good, because he didn't need to lose any weight - he's lean and muscular for a little guy.  Last week we went to the vet for his annual shots and he is down 1.5 lbs, from 19 to 17.5.  That's actually a lot if you only start out at 19.  I have to take him back in two weeks to have a growth removed from his gums.  I hope it is nothing serious. 



UPDATE: 2/22/08  - Well, on our last trip to the vet barney was down to 15.2 lbs.  But, the good news is the vet says the scale has some issues.  Also, he had a benign tumor removed from his gums which might've been affecting how much he was eating, so everything's cool now.

UPDATE: 4/29/08 - Barney is now back up to 18.5 lbs.
 

1/21 - 50 min fast walk
1/22 - 40 min stationary bike
1/23 - 40 min bike
1/24 - 15 min (too cold! brrr!)
1/25 - 0 min Bad!!!
1/26 - 60 min bike
1/27 - 30 min bike

Week 1 Total - 235 min

1/28 0 
1/29 30
1/30 40
1/31 45
2/01 0
2/02 60
2/03 40

Week 2 Total - 215 min

2/04 45
2/05 30
2/06 45
2/07 60
2/08 60
2/09 0
2/10 45

Week 3 Total - 285 min

2/11 30
2/12 0
2/13 0
2/14 45
2/15 0
2/16 30
2/17 60

Week 4 Total - 165 min (I sucked this week.)

2/18 40
2/19 40
2/20 30
2/21 0
2/22 60
2/23 0
2/24 60

Week 5 Total - 230 min

2/25 0
2/26 30
2/27 0
2/28 30
2/29 30
3/01 80

I had my two week follow up this morning and all went well.  The fact that I've lost less since surgery than I did in the pre-op diet period didn't concern the doctor.  He also assured me that the hardness under my largest incision is normal.  He prescribed some vitamin supplements to start taking. 

The dietician recommended another whey protein to mix in my food when I told her so far I've only been able to get in half the protein they recommend.

This evening I had my first experience with dumping.  I almost puked, but found that if I make myself cough, it caused me to burp which relieved some of the pain in my throat and upper chest.  It was over in 20 minutes.  I think I might've tried to  eat too much too fast.  I was overly concerned with trying to eat more protein.  It was tuna salad and I also probably need to giveit more time in the  blender.

I just got back from the hospital and will write about the experience later on when I am more up for it.  I'm feeling much better than I expected though.

So, I'm very close now.  I am in the middle of the all liquid phase of my pre-op diet and feeling surprisingly good.  The other day I took my dog out before work and it was a beautiful day and I just felt the best I've felt in a long while.  

Since the start of the pre-op diet I've lost 13 lbs and counting.  Now the thing is that I keep asking myself, if you can loose this much on this diet, why do the surgery thing at all?  Why not do it the "right" way?  Are you sure you want to make such a drastic change that will affect the rest of your life?  

Each time that thought pops into my mind I force myself to get realistic.  I've known that I can lose weight by dieting - I've lost substantial amounts on three or four occasions.  But the point is that it never stays off.  I always plateau and give up and then end up heavier than when I started. The surgery will help me make a permanent lifestyle change.  That's what I need.

So, I went to the hospital this morning and had all my pre-op tests and pre-admission registration stuff.  First I got to do the whole drink barium while getting x-rayed test.  It was cool to see the image of your stomach on the screen, but the barium was not pleasant.  Next was an interview with the anesthesia nurse and an EKG and blood draw.  I was really lucky and the nurse got blood on the first try - I've not been so lucky in the past. 

Today begins my 2 week pre-op diet.  I don't know what was worse, the barium  I drank or the first slim fast shake I drank!  Blech.  Oh well, I figure I should get used to sacrifices and not complain too much.  

Last night I went to a progressive dinner where you go to several different people's houses and have a different course at each house.  I agreed to go before I had  scheduled the tests so I only drank water.  Someone commented to me,  "Aaron, you have such discipline to be here while we're all eating."  First of all, obviously I haven't demonstrated that much  discipline in my life just by the fact that the surgery is necessary.  However, I do know about myself that when I'm really determined,  I can be very disciplined, so I'm trying to use that compliment as motivation over the next few weeks and going forward.

I was scheduled yesterday for 10/8.  I have my tests and start my 2 wk pre-op diet on Monday morning. 

I met with doctor O'Bryan monday and he gave his approval.  Said I was a perfect candidate.  Now I have an appointment with Dr. Lynch and a nutritionist on Wednesday.  Don't really know what to expect.  I just know I'm going to take a long list of questions.  The biggest mystery to me now is how quick it will be between this next appointment and the actual surgery. 

Just an update.  I decided not to interview with the other company and stay at the company I am at.  It feels good to have that weight off my shoulders.  Thursday I filled out the 3 different tests for the psychiatrist (one had over 300 questions!).  It seemed like the majority of questions were trying to identify 4 types of people:  bi-polar, suicidal, ocd, and those with delusions of grandeur.  I answered the questions honestly and am not worried because I don't think I fit any of those descriptions.  Now I'm just waiting for his office to call me and set up my 1 hr appointment.  

The one thing I sort of worry about is that the fact that I took anti-anxiety mediction for general anxiety disorder a couple of years ago. I learned to use several coping/relaxation techniques while I was taking medication and have since discontinued the medication.  If anyone has had the same issue, I'd like to hear if/how it affected your psych evaluation.