Shace

Well, something has started happening to me the last few weeks... I get angry REALLY fast. My patience has dropped with people, places and situations. Water off the back used to be my way... But lord, I'm even getting on my own nerves these last few days with how bitchy I have been. I'm sure I'm dealing with not having my usual outlets... I can't over eat for fun... I don't smoke anymore... I don't drink... My mind knows the facts, but I have yet to find a way to get it out. I go to the gym daily, and that doesn't help... I do the sauna, whirlpool and steamroom..nothing. I'm to the point I might have to get high class hookers to beat the anger out of me. I'm going to try hiking tomorrow, even though I really hate nature and don't wanna do it. I've also thought about taking up a new activity like going to a gun range. Maybe high class hookers? I will say, I have been very lucky since the surgery. I have not had any troubles at all with my stomach. I don't get sick and I eat exactly the amount I should. I have been very strict with giving up all the bad stuff.... no carbs except for veggies, no only decaf coffee and tea... Protein first and then veggies and I've pretty much been stuck on half a cup at a sitting. I don't really snack, because I have to really work on getting all the water down everyday. I'm also off all meds now except for one for blood pressure, which is fine with me! I used to be on WAY to many pills every single day. One a day is so much better. I just wanted to vent about my anger and high class hookers.

I've noticed, for myself, my body literally stops losing weight for two to three weeks and then I lose a lot in a week... Start and stop.... so, I stopped weighing myself as much. I only do it once a month. I've relied more on clothing sizes to mark progress. "Can I get in this shirt yet? Nope... not yet"... few weeks later "Hot damn, I am in that shirt! Time to weigh myself." I have to mentally keep my mind out of that crazy space where I'm watching numbers.

Let me just say... I was big and bad going into this. I was in control of my two week diet before surgery... no cheating... picture of strength.. I was ready. The day of surgery, I was big and bad again... Let me tell you, when I came to after the surgery the nurse laughed at me because she could tell I skipped the silly talking a lot phase and went straight into "I'm gonna puke... what the hell did I do?" phase. I felt horrible that first day. Yesterday morning when I got ready to leave I was feeling OK but the minute I was in the car riding home I became SUPER nauseated. So what I'm trying to figure out now: Is the pain I'm feeling gas? Am I drinking my sips to fast and to big? Is my pain med making me sick? I kept reading about all the gas issues, but I don't know if that's what I'm feeling or what... TMI time... my poor roommate had to hear this, but I went to the bathroom cause I just thought I was going to die and ended up passing gas like an Olympic champion. My roommate literally ran to the door and asked if I was OK and I was screaming "Thank you Jesus." I didn't even get near my Protein or Water goals today... Every little thing I drink makes me feel bad. However, this morning (25th) I'm handling water better and I'm even having hot herbal tea right now because my sleep schedule is F'd up. Any comments about your experience with the first few days would be greatly appreciated!

Well, I'm 10 days post op... and after those first few days of pain, I actually started feeling better around day 4. At day 10, I feel kind of normal again. Have not had any reflux issues... or heartburn... or throwing up. Nadda. Knock on wood... I'm currently on the puree diet. I'm starting to believe more in the constipation issues I've read about folks having... It is REAL! lol... A lot of the times I have this feeling like I could drink or eat like I used to... I can go through a bottle of Water pretty fast without issue. I know all that is in my mind, so I'm not testing the theory with my tummy. I'm keeping up with my water and Protein... with Premier Protein shakes being my life saver. I bought a crap load of Isopure drinks in various flavors and I just couldn't drink them.. That sweet metallic taste was nasty. Premier chocolate goes down nice and easy. Will have my first check up with my doctor on the 16th. Was 404 on the 1st of December and today I'm 369!

I'm currently in the middle of my two week diet before surgery. The center that is performing my surgery sets you up with an eating plan with Meal Replacements they prescribe... Plus a sensible high Protein with vegetables meal... Like an expensive version of Slim Fast! My LORD am I hungry. It wasn't as bad last week while I was at work, because I stay busy... but, this weekend has been torture. I'll make it, however. Eye on the prize. I've finished getting all my supplies for the surgery and at least the first three weeks after surgery. It's funny, because all these folks who have been so supportive this past month are starting to freak out on me and I think they want me to freak out also... I'm gonna smack the next person who tells me, "Well, if you can do this two week diet.. why don't you just keep doing it and lose weight?" I'm going to smack them on both sides of the head, I tell ya. But, I'm still looking forward to the surgery. It's like a big jumping off point! Had to rant.

Well, I've researched the gastric sleeve for over a year now. I kept thinking that I could lose the weight on my own.. I'll start any day now... Blah blah blah... next think I knew, I was over 400 pounds... bad knees... hard time getting up from a seated position... blood pressure up, sugar was high... and I was taking 8 different meds twice daily. Nope, this isn't working. So, I went to the Bariatric Weight Loss Center at Trinity Hospital here in Birmingham Monday, October 27th. I almost ran out of there two different times. But, the doctor and nurses gave me information on top of information on top of information! So much stuff I didn't know about the operation. I was in.. The operation is what I want. They let me know that they would get some information from my primary doctor and talk to my insurance and we would see where we were at by Wednesday. Next thing I knew I was scheduled to come in Friday to my the endoscopy performed and the EKG! Also, my psychiatric evaluation is scheduled for the 12th of November! Insurance was on board and not making me wait 6 months. I had no flippin' clue it could go this fast! So... now I know the surgery will probably be the first or second week in December. Part of me is scared that I'm gonna frack it all up and mess up the diet... Part of me hates waiting... All in all, I'm a bundle of nerves. My goal is to be healthy. I don't want to be on pills to stay alive at 41. I don't want my knees to hurt every time I stand up. These are my goals. If I by some chance end up a fashion underwear model along the way, so be it. This is part of my story that I wanted to get off my chest tonight. I have never been so looking forward to a clear liquid diet in my life.

You will love Birmingham. It's a big city that doesn't feel really big. It literally is one of the prettiest places to live. I moved away back in 2007 and missed it so much, I came running back in 2011. It's a nice central location to get where you wanna go... three to four hours to the beach... three to four hours to Nashville... two hours to Atlanta. Can't beat it with an ugly stick.

Congrats on making the decision! I'm in the same boat with ya, bud. Made the decision to have the surgery just this week. I have not been the least bit shy about letting folks know and BOY do they let me know what they think real fast. But in the end I'm doing this for me, so I just smile and walk on. Good luck for both of us on our journeys!