Paul Gubrud

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Today is the one-year anniversary of my RNY weight loss surgery.  As I reflect on this past year, I can’t help but look back on my journey to better health as if it were an expedition down from a metaphorical mountaintop.  The mountain’s name was Obesity, where the summit was cold, dark, and lonely.  The air was thin at the top and it was difficult to breath.  Life on the mountain was becoming miserable.

I spent many sad years on Mt. Obesity, but I had become comfortable there so I was reluctant to leave, though I tried many times.  I didn’t realize how unhappy I was.  But, I also knew that somewhere there was a bright and warm valley where I could find better health and happiness; it’s just that I could never seem to find my way.  I tried different trails but they always brought me back to where I started.  Eventually I gave up looking for the green valley and accepted the fact that I would be condemned to my prison on Mt. Obesity for the rest of my life.

Then one day I discovered there was another path to the valley.  The sign at the top of the trail said “WLS Trail à”.  The trail appeared steep and dangerous and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take it; but given the choice of a slow death on Mt. Obesity or living to see my grandchildren grow into adults, I chose to follow the WLS trail.

The going was slow at the beginning of the trail as I was unsure of my footing.  There were many boulders to go around and ravines to cross, but I was able to negotiate them and I kept going.  Before I knew it I came to another sign.  It said, “Point of No Return – Last Chance to Turn Back”.  From there I could see that the trail was much steeper and it disappeared into a fog.  I stood at the “Point of No Return” one year ago today and wondered if I should continue down the trail.  I was scared, but I was excited too.  I wanted to get down from the mountain so I kept going.

I started down the trail slow and carefully.  There were still many boulders to go around and ravines to cross but there was always someone there to guide me.  Other guides showed me the path ahead and helped me when I stumbled.  Soon the path became smoother and well traveled, the air warmer and the sky brighter.  I met many other travelers along the way, some were ahead of me sharing their FARTs and giving me the encouragement to continue; others were behind me asking for guidance.  We were all happy to be on our way down from Mt. Obesity.

For my brothers in the locker room who have been there to guide me and support me on my journey this past year, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Sharing the journey with you has meant a lot to me.

For my brothers coming down the trail behind me or just starting your journey, I’m proud to hold my lantern high to light the trail for you.

God bless all of you.

May Your Lantern Burn Bright,
Paul

 

 

 

It was one year ago today that I first started my journey to have weight loss surgery and regain control of my health.  And what a journey it has been!  It has been the second most important decision I have made in my life and I have no regrets whatsoever.  I tell that to everyone whenever I get the chance and I’ve only had a few people ask me what the most important decision is.  I pause, smile broadly, and tell them, “Asking Denise to become Mrs. Gubrud.”

It was on January 6, 2006 that I first started thinking about WLS after listening to a discussion about it on a local talk radio show.  I had never given it much consideration before nor did I know much about the surgery.  I started looking into it that same day and by the next day had convinced myself that WLS was right for me.  Looking back at it now, it seems time has flown by, but I remember how slowly time passed in those pre-op days as I was jumping through all the hoops to get a surgery date.

When I started on this journey I read everything I could find on the internet about the surgery and the weight loss process.  One of the first things I found was Basil White’s account of his WLS.  It is a must read for everybody considering it, especially men. Then I found the personal profiles on the Obesity Help website, and through them I found the Men’s Message Group.  It has been, and still is, a source of information and encouragement for me.  It feels like home to me and I’m glad I can contribute and help others.

From January 6^th until I had surgery on April 6^th was exactly 3 months.  That is amazingly fast after reading about some of the experiences others have had.  In 90 days I did all of the pre-op testing, got approved by the insurance company, scheduled a surgery date, and had the pre-op physical required by the surgeon.  I did not have to undergo tests for sleep apnea, take a psych test, or visit a multitude of specialist like some people do; nor did I need to do the six month medically supervised diet.  I was lucky I guess.

Here are some of the changes that have happened to me over the past year.

When I started my journey I weighed at least 331 pounds, probably more.  When I stepped on the scale this morning I weigh 216 pounds.  I’ve lost about 115 pounds, but I still have a ways to go. 

 

My BMI was 50.3, today it is 32.8.  I’m still considered obese, but I’m no longer super or morbidly obese.  I’m looking forward to breaking the 200-pound barrier, and then I will be simply overweight.  After that, who knows?

Last winter I was wearing size 52 pants with the stretch sides and 3XL shirts.  Today I’m wearing size 40 pants and large shirts.

I used to hate shopping for clothes.  I could never find anything that looked good, fit, and was reasonably price.  Clothes shopping always reminded me of how fat I was.  Now its fun to find nice clothes that fit; and are on sale to boot.

Today I am wearing my wedding ring.  I haven’t been able to wear it for years.

Sex was good before I lost weight.  Now it’s better!

I was taking medication for high blood pressure before surgery.  Today my blood pressure is normal for a 52-year-old guy.

My cholesterol levels were getting dangerously high before surgery and I was on medication for that too.  I was a walking heart attack waiting to happen.  Today my cholesterol levels are as health as a twenty-year-old’s.

My PCP said I had metabolic syndrome and was pre-diabetic.  I was told that if I didn’t lose weight it would be only a matter of time before I had diabetes.  Today my blood sugar is normal and healthy.

Last year I snored all of the time.  I probably had sleep apnea but was never tested for it.  Now my wife says I sleep like a baby.  I’ve noticed it too.  I wake up every morning feeling refreshed.

I used to have to pee several times a night and often “dribbled”.  I attributed it to my age.  Now I pee just once at night and don’t have as much of a dribbling problem.  My prostate has been checked and I have a clean bill of health.  I don’t know how it is related to obesity, but losing weight seemed to make a difference.

For years I have experienced leg cramps in the middle of the night.  They went away almost immediately after surgery.

Acid reflux used to be a frequent problem and I was never far from a bottle of Tums.  Now I take them for no other reason than as a calcium supplement.  Heartburn is a thing of the past.

Sex was good before I lost weight.  Now it’s much better!

Before surgery I farted quite a bit.  Now I fart even more… but I enjoy it.  That’s not to be confused with the FARTs (Fabulous, Awesome, Remarkable, Terrific), which I have also experienced in abundance.

If I walked up a flight of stairs last year I was huffing and puffing.  Now I can run up stairs two at time and not get winded.

I used to avoid walking whenever possible.  I enjoy it now.

My knees and ankles used to ache if I was on my feet a lot during the day.  I haven’t felt aching joints in many months now.

I hadn’t seen the “Little Guy” in years and had a hard time playing battleship in the toilet.  Now… guess what? 

I used to get red faced and struggle to tie my shoes every morning.  Now it is easy and I can tie my shoes standing up.  

And as far as energy, you guessed it; I used to get tired rather quickly.  Now I’ve got more get-up-and-go than I did 20 years ago.

Sex was good before I lost weight.  Now it’s great!

Before I could, and would, eat anything I wanted in large quantities.  I can still eat just about anything I want but I’ve learned to make healthy choices.  The quantity is much less too.

I used to practice “plate management” to see how much food I could fit on a plate.  You guys know how.  You make a dam out of the meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw around the edges, then heap up the middle and cover everything with gravy until it almost overflows.  Now I used a salad plate.

I have been expelled from the “Clean Your Plate Club”… but our dog appreciates it.

I used to love to cook and I still do.  It is fun to figure out how to make nutritious, healthy, and tasty foods that everyone can enjoy; but I have found that it is also somewhat challenging to cook for two rather than a crowd like I used to.

I used to love to eat.  I still do, but now I eat to live.  I still like all the foods that I always have, plus a few new ones (Brussels sprouts, beets, rutabaga, etc.).  It takes much less food to create a satisfying meal now.

Last year at this time I was spending more money on food than on clothes.  It seems like it has been the other way around since my surgery.

I used to sweat all of the time, but not anymore.  Today I get cold rather easily.  This seems to be getting better with time.

On the down side, before surgery I rarely had constipation problems.  Now I have to be careful to eat the right foods to avoid constipation, but this too has also seemed to get better with time.  I also have learned to like the taste of Milk of Magnesia.

Did I mention that sex was good before I lost weight?  Now it’s… terrific!

God has been good to me.

What a journey this has been!  Thank you to everyone in the locker room who has given me advice and encouragement this past year.  And for you guys just starting your journey, don’t get discouraged when you hit a bump in the road.  They are inevitable, but the trip is well worth it.

May Your Lantern Burn Bright,

Paul