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Less of Me, Prologue

health
In August of '05, my wife and I decided to look into gastric bypass surgery for me. I was initially resistant to the idea, but a couple of trips to the specialist changed my mind. One thing I just realized is that I should have been putting my experiences during this time HERE for those who might be thinking about it themselves. So I'm going to retroactively relate what I've gone through and continue through the process as I get closer to the surgery date.

Less of Me, Part I

health

I'm forty-one years old, I'm 5'10" and weigh about 280. In high school, I hovered around 180 and was very active--I lettered in swimming all the way through high school. Years of more sedentary living and having a wife who is an excellent cook (she's Mexican. They fry their ice cream for God's sake) have left me more than 100 pounds over my ideal weight.


I have you-you dieted for years. When I was at my utmost serious about losing weight a few years ago, I got down to about 220 and felt great. But to maintain that weight I was exercising twice a day, once before work and once after, six days a week. As soon as I cut back on that, the weight started creeping back on. With my schedule there is no way I could go back to that kind of routine again. I've tried a dozen diets since, the last being the South Beach fad diet, and it didn't do much for me. I know I can lose ten to twenty pounds before summer if I really burn myself out trying, but I also know it will come back within a year. And it will bring friends.


I carry my weight pretty well; on the occasions I have told people what I weigh, they were amazed and said I didn't look it at all (though I do look overweight--I hold no illusions about that). My main reasons for wanting to lose weight have to do with health and comfort. I sure would like to be able to tie my shoes again without feeling like I'm holding a pillow in my lap. Also, I now have to use a breathing machine at night due to apnea.


When my wife suggested looking into the surgery, I was a bit insulted. I always thought that bypass surgery was for people who weighed 500 pounds and had to use the little go carts in Wal-Mart to get around. Research indicated that the criteria isn't quite that stringent. They generally state that a candidate must be at least 100 pounds over their ideal weight (I make that just barely) and have other medical problems associated with being overweight (the apnea takes care of that). After consulting the specialist, I found out that most of the fears I had about the surgery were unfounded. This is not a new procedure; it's been around for about thirty years now, so the risks are pretty much minimized. I was also worried about excess skin, but the doctor said that I am young enough and small enough that my skin stills has the elasticity to snap back into shape with time after I lose the weight (which would not be the case were I a smoker).


So I decided we could the surgery. The next step was fulfilling the requirements of the insurance company, and that is a six month process.

Less of Me, Part II

health

I just got word from the doctor's office last night that I was approved for the surgery. I'm going in on March 21st and will be off work for two to four weeks. I'm shooting for two, as I cringe to thing how much my students will be behind because of all this.


Honestly, right now it must not be sunk in. So far I feel like I've made a dentist's appointment--it doesn't feel like a big deal yet.

What I have to expect

health

I just got back from signing the consent forms for surgery up in Erie. Along with being told again all the possible horrors that await me (my favorite being "dumping syndrome"), I got some real insight into the progress I should make.


According to the nurse, I could/should lose about twenty to thirty pounds in the first few weeks. By the end of May, I could be down a total of fifty pounds. By this September, I could be down to 190 or so.


But I'll pay for it up front, even if everything goes smoothly. I'm told I will be in a terrible amount of pain for the first few days. It seems that in order to move around in my gut more efficiently, the doctors will blow a large amount of gas in there to inflate the area. They'll get as much out as they can before they close, but they won't be able to get it all out, and consequently I'll feel a lot of pressure for a while as my body absorbs it.

 

Meh. To get down to 195 in less than six months, it will be worth it.

The new vitamins

fitness health
I started my new vitamins today. I don't really have to take these until after the surgery, but I figured I'd start getting in the routine. They're over-the-counter multivitamins, so it couldn't hurt to start now. The weird thing is that I have to take chewables from now on. The only chewable adult vitamins I could find were Centrums, which was a little annoying because up until now I've been taking One Source which are a bit cheaper. It's a little weird taking one-They taste just like the Flintstones vitamins I took as a kid.

One Week To Go

food health
I'll be on the table one week from tomorrow morning, and I'm now getting a bit anxious. I sitting here drinking a cup of coffee and realizing it will be the last one for a good long time. Friday I bought a bag of double stuff peanut butter Oreos because I doubt I'll ever have those again.

Cold Feet?

health
Less than 48 hours to go and now I'm getting nervous. The closer I get to this the more it sinks in that I am really, permanently changing my life in one fell swoop. This isn't a mole removal or a nose job-- they'll be cutting up one of my major organs.

289

health

Less that 24 hours away and the preparation begins. No solid food today--I have to do all liquids, and about 7 pm I have to drink a diaretic to clean myself out. My surgery is at 6 AM tomorrow, so Dolores and I are heading up to Erie about 4 in the morning. The surgery should take about 1.5 hours if all goes well, and I should only be in the hospital a couple of days. If all goes well. In any event, here's the beginning of the countdown. I weighed myself about a half hour ago here at home, and I weigh 289.

 

I will confess that I was weighed two weeks ago at the doctors office and it was several pounds more, but I going to go with this my official weight because a) I've been using protein drinks in lieu of breakfast and lunch for the last two weeks in preparation for tomorrow, and b) I'm going to be weighing myself on my own scale weekly, so it's best to use that as the initial frame of reference as well.

 

289

 

Let's really see how quickly we can get that sucker to go down.

Ugh

health
I just drank the diuretic. Ten ounces of the nastiest liquid you will ever be forced to drink.

I'm back

health
And I can say without a shred of doubt that that was the most grueling, painful and exhausting thing I've ever done to myself on purpose. I just got back from the hospital today after being in since Monday morning, and I am beat beyond measure. The act of getting off the couch and going into the kitchen has me sitting down taking a break for a few minutes. I'm not out of breath...I'm just drained. I'll write more tomorrow.