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I was kinda worried how today was gonna go, but thank God it all worked out. My SIL made her famous cream cheese ball and I just put some on a stalk of celery instead of cracker. Turkey and a tossed salad for dinner, and I planned on a sliver of pumpkin pie but our Aunt brought a pumpkin pie trifle and it was all sugar free. I only had a half a cup of it. Just enough to enjoy but not too much. I am so glad I survived, and when everyone else was stuffed and actually hurting, I was content. Now I know I can do this! Thank you Jesus!

At some point about 2 hours before the surgery time, I sort of "accepted" that it was really going to happen. Of course I've been planning this for 6 months, but the entire process had gone so smoothly, that when the time came, I couldnt really believe it. And with my last minute nerves, I had visions the day before of backing out (see previous blog entry). When I arrived at the hospital 2 hours before surgery time, they got me back to the pre-op room right away. The nurse went through a checlist to make sure all paper-work was done and signed off by me and Dr. Pirrello. and checked my vitals. then another checklist to confirm which medications I was taking. Finally, another checklist to make sure I didnt have a pacemaker, hidden jewelry in weird (non-visible) places, metal hip, etc. After a few minutes, she gave me instructions to use the bathroom if I needed, strip all the way down, and put on these loooong white hose/nylons which are used to help prevent blood clots. So after I had put the very tight hose on (they are thigh - highs so being a guy I felt a weird and getting the standard hospital gown on, the nurse came back in and had me lay flat on the exam table while she put leg-length foam-straps covering the hose. I later learned that these foamy staps had little inserts in them that variably espanded and contracted to help control blood flow and prevent clots durning and after the surgery. The best way to decribe the action of these things is that they're like a combination of a message recliner chair like you see in Brookstone stores and a blood pressure cuff for the way it expands. Then she shaved my entire stomach which tickled like hell. I laughed uncontrollably and so did she. I soon had a fast visit from the anesthesiologist, my surgeon's assistant, and finally my surgeon. Each helped to relax me, but didn't really give me any new information. They're a very good team and I had always been impressed and appreciative of the time my surgeon spent explaining things to me. My pre-op office visit with my surgeon, Dr. Pirrello, the week before surgery was 2 hours long! He's great. Verrrry slowy I began to feel relaxed. Although no one had said so, I was sure they had started me on type of relaxation medication. Felt like a Valium or drinking 2 beers. I'm glad they did. Then they allowed my wife to come back to the pre-op room for a few minutes. By that time I was even more relaxed. But we spent a few minutes together talking, laughing and praying. Someone peeked their head in the door indicating that the time had arrived. It was time to head to the big show. At this point, my memory starts to go in and out a little. I remember (mostly) being wheeled into the operating room on the gerny then being laid onto another table with bright lights above. But again, it seemed like I was going in and out of consciousness. it was dream-like. I could hear several people around me, and also remember the anesthesiologist whispering to me from behind. I think she might have said "you're going to sleep now.", and I was out. Then they gave me the sleeve I presume I came out back into consciousness slowly, much as i had gone out. So I remember talking with my wife breifly, then I was in my hospital room in a bed. After that, I became fully conscious, but didnt feel any pain. More soon...

AMEN!

Why am I this heavy? How could I have let myself get this far? Why even try when you know you’re going to fail again? I can’t tell you how many times I asked myself these questions this week. I thought last week was an emotional week…..boy was I wrong. I think it all started when I thought about the 7 hour flight I have to do in about a week. I have to travel to Washington, D.C. for work and knowing that it’s going to be a hard trip is scaring me. Trying to fit into a seat that is made for someone half my size and sitting next to a person who is eyeing you because you are spilling over into their seat makes me want to cry. Knowing that you can’t go to the bathroom because they were apparently made for a Barbie! I have avoided flying for the longest time but this trip seems to be the hardest thing to try and get out of. After a really long cry and kind of beating myself up I decided that getting an extra seat would be a better solution. This will be my first time purchasing two plane tickets just for me but I know that I will be comfortable and there will be less embarrassment if I bought it in advance. Boy what a wake-up call that was…..oh the joy of flying. I know that there will be a time when I do fit in one of those seats and not have to worry about the looks and whispers. So I haven’t told my family except my sister about the surgery and I just found out last week that my mom is going to do the surgery too. It was surprising to hear this but no really because my mother and father have always bothered me to get it too. So one emotion I was not ready for regarding my mother getting surgery was jealousy. I am not a jealous person but for some reason I am now. I think the reason I am is because she doesn’t have all the restrictions I do because of my surgeon and insurance. All she has to do is try and lose 15 pounds then she will be able to get her surgery before they leave for Hawaii in April. Now I have to be on a 6-month supervised diet, work with a nutritionist, have a psych evaluation, and even then it doesn’t mean my insurance will approve. A friend told me that my surgeons are more detailed because they really want you to succeed in this process. Don’t get me wrong I am proud of my mother for doing this but I am just not ready to share this process with anyone. I know that I will get over this and I hope it is soon. P.S. I did get a call from the surgeon’s office and I have my first appointment on December 5th. I am so excited and I also was assigned the surgeon that I wanted . Thankfully being in D.C. for 2 weeks will help me get to this date faster.

Hi I am new too and just want to say congrads on the weight loss. So excited to start working out. Haven't had a follow up with surgeon until 11/29. He's on vacation. I had surgery 11/3/12. Need some advise. Anna

Im sorry I didnt see this til now! All the things you are feeling are so normal! We all worry that we wont stay on the wagon after, and we will all fall off at some point. the great thing is we learn to get right back on and not let guilt send us into a downward spiral. also when you do slip, its much less because we dont have room or we dump. I know you've been working hard on your preop stuff and I know you'll make your goal and get a date! Relatioships are hard, and this process puts stress on them. Joel and I seperated for half the summer as I was preparing for this. It helped us both realize how much we love and need each other. After telling him that I needed his support unconditionally and needed him to get involved and go to group and appointments he is beginning to understand the role of food as an addiction. Never being overweight, he didnt get the internal struggle we have with food. grioup is helping him get it. I hope your hubby comes around and gets positive and supportive for you. Losing weight has improved our intimate life not only because I have lost weight, but because I have gained confidence. You will too and I hope it helps your relationship. I do agree counseling would help too. Maybe go sometimes alone and sometimes together. If you were best friends before you can get back there, as long as youre both willing to try. Love you girl! See you monday!!

First off I had my seminar this week. It was nice meeting the surgery team. They are nice but also really funny. That’s a good sign because I love to laugh…who wouldn't I should be getting a phone call from my surgeon to set up an appointment this week. I’m excited and can’t wait for that phone call. Luckily I have another issue I’m taking care of (PCOS doctor appointments). Plus keeping busy with work has helped. Not sure how I’m going to handle 2-4 weeks away from work. One thing you should know is I love what I do and the people I work with. I know, it’s crazy but I do . One thing I didn't expect so soon was all the emotions I felt this week. I know that your emotions will be up and down but I didn't realize it would be this soon. During this week, around 2-3 days, I was feeling alone. I’m single at the moment and all my family lives 300 miles away. I go to doctor appointments alone, figure out meals alone, and feel pretty much alone. Some might say this is ideal for this process but I really have mixed feelings about that. It’s funny because I have felt alone before but not like this. Today has been a good day, actually yesterday was too. They say you need to take it one day at a time but I have come to the conclusion that I need to take it one hour at a time. Need to work myself up to that one day but until then I am good with taking it hour by hour. I’m so proud of myself thought because I have really started watching what I eat. Cutting out soda and sugar has been going good (even with Halloween I was good – no candy!). Trying to get in the protein and veggies but the carbs thing has been hard. I have to try because I want to get ready even though I am probably 6-9 months away from surgery…but this will be a large part of my success. One last thing (I promise), I bought the Weight Lose Surgery for Dummies book and I have got to say it was the best thing I could of done. There is so much info in there and I feel a little overwhelmed but a good overwhelmed. I have a feeling I will be caring this book around with me everywhere and know it will be my companion for a while. I do recommend this book to anyone who is starting or even close to surgery date. Well another week down and many more to go. Understanding this process is like a roller coaster ride….you will have ups and downs but in the end you will have a smile on your face and on your way to a healthier you.

Hi there Ana. I had trouble with Okra. I think because it is so fiberous. I am introducing foods slow and easy and eating very slow and controlled and not drinking during meals. I had a turkey meatball with red marinara and I think the sauce was too acidic for my tummy. Figure my new stomach is learning as we go so I am just really going to introduce new foods slowly and carefully. Congratulations on one month post plication! I think this past month was the hardest part!

Well it was my first weekend of soft foods and I got a chance to see if my body was going to reject anything. I ate rather well. Friday night I had 3 ounces of Cod that I prepared. Saturday I had an egg with reduced fat cheese and it was wonderful. Sunday I tried Tuna and it did not sit so well with me. It had quit sitting well with me prior to this diet and it again gave me a tummy ache. I made tuna salad and it was good but I think I got over full because I was a bit uncomfortable. Not drinking while eating is very very hard. I would suggest practicing that before the surgery if you have time. It is so typical to drink a lot while eating. I am very thirsty after eating. I am tolerating grits with no problems at all. Actually everything I have tried has been ok. I just can't eat a lot at once which is what this procedure is supposed to do for you. I am very satisfied off one packet of instant grits. I used to eat 2 or 3 packets as a meal. I am very content after breakfast this morning. I really don't think there are going to be a lot of food issues which makes me very happy. I am keeping my caloric intake at about 800 and I am very pleased with how full I am. This week I am going to start exercising. 30 mins a day on the treadmill. My current weight is now 262.5. I am hoping to loose at a rate of about 3 -4 pounds a week and I will be thrilled. My protein intake is not so great so I do need to work on that. I have to get in 80 grams of protein a day! If anyone has any protein ideas I can use I will take them! Thanks and Happy Monday to everyone (: