An update

Sep 11, 2015

It's over 7 months since my last post on this blog. In three more weeks it will be one year since my sleeve gastrectomy. I have lost 92.8 pounds, and have gone from a 48inch waist down to a 35 1/2-36 inch waist. I haven't been this thin since high school--over 40 years ago. Better yet, my hemoglobin A1-C went from a 9.8 to a 6.7, and I am no longer on Metformin and insulin (formerly took30 units baseline)before meals. The only diabetic medicine that I now take is 20 units of Lantus at nighttime. My cholesterol is 72, my triglycerides are 35, and both the good and bad cholesterol numbers are well within normal limits. The doctor just cut my Lipitor dose in half, and we hope to discontinue it after my next visit (three months from now). That's the good news.  But there are still some issues. I am still unable to eat real meals. I can hold down only about an ounce or two of food at any given meal, and often still throw up after dinner. Probably trying to eat too much or still eating too quickly.It's funny, but the only meal that I can reliably hold down is Special K cereal. I can eat it by the bowlful… and I mean real huge bowls.

I am looking into this problem further, since the doctor thinks it may be a dismotility issue with my esophagus that is causing the vomiting issue. I need to schedule a test that involves them putting in a nasal gastric tube for about 1/2 hour so that they can measure the pressure that is being exerted when my esophagus tries to push the food down towards my stomach ( or what is actually left of it).I will let you guys know more as soon as I can schedule the test. Speak to ya soon.

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some good news

Jan 23, 2015

Hey guys: did my blood work last week before seeing the surgeon and my endocrinologist on February 3. My hemoglobin A1C dropped from 8.9 to 6.6 (WHICH IS ALMOST NON-diabetic), my cholesterol is 114, triglycerides are 115, and my good cholesterol is well within normal range. All my vitamin levels are fine. As of today, I am down 62.4 lbs since the surgery date of October 6, 2015. I finally gave in and brought some of the clothes that were too big on me now to a local tailor. She managed to "save" two suits, a sports jacket, four dress slacks and four casual pants. So i guess i now have a basic wardrobe....at least for a little while. Eating is still a problem for me, so I think its time to get a little counseling. There's a therapist at a local NJ hospital whose practice is made up largely of post bariatric surgeon patients. Why? Do we have issues?...LOL See ya soon.

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happy new year

Jan 07, 2015

hey guys. Happy and Healthy New year to all. New Years Eve was a tough nite. Wife and I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends before seeing the Elton John concert in Brooklyn, NY. Couldn't really eat much--one scallop and about a teaspoon of chicken pot pie, but definitely was able to drink enough. lol. It was a really great concert, and a really late night. Finally got to sleep at 4:45am, and i am still paying for the indulgence all of these days after. LOL. very well worth it! weighed myself this morning and i am now down 59+ lbs.

By the way, there was a new study that just appeared in the Journal of American Medicine yesterday concerning the very positive association between Bariatric surgery and long term survival. If you want to download it go to http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2088854. Read it. Very informative and very positive. Speak to ya soon. 

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additional weight loss

Dec 29, 2014

hey guys, my gastric sleeve surgery was done on October 6, 2014. Just weighed myself this morning, and I have lost exactly 56 lbs to date.Thankfully, I am a tremendous hoarder, and I don't throw out much--including clothing. I'm now fitting into pants and shirts that I outgrew probably close to 10 years ago that I have rediscovered in my closet. Luckily, jeans, mens dress pants, and shirts rarely if ever go out of style.Not that I could ever be accused of being a fashion plate of America. LOL. speak to ya soon  

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Survived

Dec 27, 2014

I did manage to survive the Christmas holiday dinner.I was able to hold down one fried mozzarella stick, three teaspoons of wedding soup, less than a quarter of a stuffed mushroom, and about 2 spoon full of shrimp ratatouille. I really hate eating now. There really is no enjoyment in it al all. It  feels that I am just eating to survive..and I don't like that feeling at all. I am really having trouble with the psychological aspect of the post surgeryMy guess is that after the New Year I will be looking into seeing a psychologist. At a recent support group that I attended I met a psychologist whose practice specializes in the counseling of bariatric surgery patients, and I think it might be a good idea if I meet with her.

Friday night was also pretty difficult for me. One of my closest friends(who happens to be a food addict--but a real skinny one) recently turned 60, and his wife and kids decided to throw him a surprise birthday party. Of course., it had to be in a great Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village. All night long all I heard was "pass me that plate, Lance". A night of total torture!! I was only able to eat 2 small pieces of hard cheese, a small mozzarella ball, one piece of fries calamari, and about 1 ounce of chicken Marsala. So disappointing. But it was a great celebration night, and I was really glad to be a part of it despite the limitations. Speak to ya soon. 

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merry christmas

Dec 24, 2014

hey guys, it's been 7 days since my last post. Merry Christmas.This is my first Christmas post surgery, and I know that it will be a little strange. As all of you know, I've been having major trouble holding down most meals, so this holiday will probably be quite difficult. We have a tradition in my family for Christmas eve--every member of the family is responsible for cooking a different part of the meal. Tonight my son-in-law Sean is cooking the appetizers--fried mozzarella sticks; My daughter Dylan is making Italian wedding soup (with sausages); My son Ethan is making huge stuffed Portabello mushrooms (stuffing of onions, scallions,garlic, spinach, and goat cheese); and my wife is making a ratatouille with tons of vegetables, and either lamb,shrimp, or pasta. That was made especially for me, since I can probably/possibly hold down at least that part of the meal.Thanks Deb, I really appreciate the thoughtfulness. As you can see, I am not responsible for making anything for the meal. I keep claiming that I am on" injured reserve".

..Too much delicious food, and I guess that I'm going to have to pick and choose what I will eat. With my limited ability to eat, there looks to be enough food to last me at least 4-6 months. LOL. Anyway, this past Monday was 11 weeks since the surgery, and I am down 53.4 lbs. Speak to ya soon. Happy holidays to all.  

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amazing weight loss

Dec 16, 2014

This past Monday was 10 weeks post surgery..and the weight loss is amazing. I am down 50.4 lbs so far. I realize that much loss is absolutely unreal for me. However, if you have been reading my previous blog posts, you'll know that I am still having trouble holding down many meals. As a result, I imagine my total daily caloric intake is probably quite small. I would guess that I am probably living on between 500-600 calories each day, and this is not really enough to sustain me. I am totally exhausted by mid afternoon, and usually have to grab an hour nap to try to regain some energy. Several times since the surgery, I have fallen asleep at the wheel while driving home, and have just missed getting into some serious car accidents. I will be discussing all of this with my surgeon and dietician in my next meeting with them in about 3 weeks. I'll fill you in. Speak to ya soon.

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something very positive

Dec 14, 2014

Last night we had 45 people (family) for a holiday dinner at my home. Two of the guests were my niece and nephew, Frank and Stephanie. Frank's mom, my sister-in-law, Maryanne, passed away last December. It was a tremendous loss and sadness for my entire family. She was only 62 years old when she died. Basically said, she died of obesity and almost every obesity related disease that you can imagine..uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, constant neuropathic pain, asthma and other breathing problems, hypertension,cognitive impairments due to three strokes suffered during the last 2 years of her life. As a result of the last stroke of her life, she was actually carried out of the temple during my daughter's wedding ceremony. My niece and her daughter Danielle is expecting her first child in the next 2 weeks, and Maryanne will never see and enjoy this grandson. Due to her obesity, Maryanne had suffered unbelievably during the last 10 years or so of her life.

 

My nephew Frank and his wife,Stephanie, of course saw this happening, and both of them made the conscious decision that they would do something about their own obesity before they started to get obesity related illnesses like Maryanne. Both had the sleeve gastrectomy done about a year and a half ago. Frank plateaued with his weight loss about 4 months ago at 105 lbs and Stephanie plateaud at just about the same time at 130 lbs. At the time of their surgeries, Frank and Stephanie were in their late 30's with two children. I saw them last night for the first time in about a year and couldn't believe what I saw. They look unbelievably fantastic, and both of them said to me that they feel rejuvenated and healthy. In fact, they look much younger (like in their 20's). They both ate and drank in moderation, and it was great to see. I spoke to both of them, and they both hope and pray that the surgery will enable them to avoid getting the dreaded diseases related to obesity, and will enable them to lead healthy lives. I wish them well and love. It is truly a success story!! Speak to ya soon.  

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getting tired of this

Dec 11, 2014

Hey guys. tried something a little different for dinner last night. Unfortunately, the same result. Had about 1-2ozs of broiled chicken and I had it with about 2 teaspoons of a Costco product-Quinoa salad with artichokes and hearts of palm. Took about 10 minutes to eat it, and about 10 minutes after I finished I started to get that feeling in my throat. Threw up for the next 2 hours. This is getting totally ridiculous. I am totally exhausted--probably because I am holding down so little food that my caloric intake is probably between 500-600 calories each day. Good for weight loss, but not good for energy. Its getting really dangerous. I am so tired by the time I leave work at night, I am starting to fall asleep at the wheel while driving home. And it happens at least two nights each week. Gotta figure something out real quick. Keeping the car windows wide open and drinking a cup of coffee while driving home is not helping at all. Any suggestions? Speak to ya soon.

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cheated

Dec 07, 2014

Hey guys, back again. got to admit that I just cheated a little. Not what you think. I have been checking my weight on Monday mornings, but I got the sudden urge to do a quick weight check about 1/2 hour ago. Tomorrow will be 8 weeks since my sleeve surgery, and I am now down 46 lbs. My wife has also been keeping track of some other measurements ( again, not what you think). Since the surgery, I have lost 1" in the biceps ( so I'm not a weightlifter), 1" in my neck measurement, 6" across the chest, and 5" in my waist. My clothes are now pretty funny to try on--all my pants are totally swimming on me, and you can fit another person in with me in my shirts. Luckily, as my wife says, I am a ridiculous hoarder, and I have a closet full of clothes that I had formerly outgrown. Not any more! Old jeans never go out of style, and I now own three "new"/old pair of jeans, and two suits that I never thought that I would ever fit into again. Funny even my underwear is getting too big (Hey no snide comments). Still having trouble eating, but I'll get into that a little more later this week. See ya soon

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Oct 08, 2014
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