SMP1126

When I'm in the shower and I look down and I can see my...... Well, you get what I mean :-) Sent from my iPhone using VST

I've decided that I was going to attempt to start a blog to use as a sort of open online journal / diary of how I got here and what I'm doing or not doing to contribute to my weight loss success or lack thereof. If this helps anyone who takes the time to read it, great. Some of you might find it a good read or facinating, or humorous at times or maybe inspirational or a source of motivation, while others might find it to be a boring bunch of crap. Either way is fine with me. I guess if I'm going to do this, I might as well start at the beginning, or at least what I consider to be the beginning. I was born and raised in Connecticut in an Italian household where food was more than just sustanence, it was a means of showing love, gratitude, hospitality and probably a million other things. As soon as you walked in the door, my grandmother would see that as a signal to head for the fridge to find something, anything....even leftovers to spring on you. And God help you if you said no thank you or "I'm not hungry". To Gram (as I called her) everyone was ALWAYS hungry, or was supposed to be! If you were a friend, she'd just ignore you as she was preparing something for you to eat (I always thought she did this because if you said you didn't want anything, she figured you just didn't know what you were talking about....of course you wanted to eat!) and if you were family, you might get a slap across the back of the head, followed by a meal in front of you and a "shuddup and eat". One thing which we seemed to always have was gravy (we NEVER called it sauce) and meatballs, whether fresh made, which was every Sunday, or leftover. Sadly, Gram passed away in 1984 at 76 years old, but I swear to this day I have never tasted better meatballs by anyone, including myself, who was taught by her how to make them, or any restaurant EVER! She even taught me how to make homemade pasta, including ravioli, from scratch. I can remember clearly the day before Easter in 1983. We were in her kitchen until 2 in the morning making dough, rolling dough, making the ricotta filling and making the ravioli and cavitelli for tomorrows Easter dinner. We'd lay them out on a sheet on her bed to dry so we could cook them the next afternoon. I was the one grandson (she had 6 of us who all lived either on the same street or around the corner....a REAL Italian neighboorhood!) who took an interest in how she made stuff, and to her I was gonna be the one who took over after she couldn't do it anymore. Little did we know, she would sadly be gone the following year. Let me say here, even though I haven't yet mentioned my mother, she was no slouch when it came to cooking either....after all, she was Grams daughter and she was right in there with us most of the time, and her "gravy" was the best! My mother and father (he was Irish) were divorced when I was 8 and my sister was 2, and we were raised by my mom and Gram. I don't think there was any joint custody in those days...the kids always went with the mother and personally, I am glad it was that way. So, as I mentioned earlier, we had relatives all around us so no matter whose house you went to, there was usually something waiting for you to fill your face with. If I went around the block to my aunt's house to see if my cousins could come out and play, the usual answer was, "Sure, but get in here and eat something first". As a teenager, our Sunday routine was 9 o'clock mass, then home for some fried meatballs (they were always fried in olive oil, never baked) of which a 1/2 dozen or so were left out for us while the rest went straight from the frying pan to the now boiling pot of gravy to finish cooking. Some already browned Italian sausage (or sau-seege) as she called it was also left out. Me and usually one of my cousins would wolf those down with a couple of cups of coffee before heading out to the Italian bakery for some fresh Italian bread and grinder rolls. We loved this because the bread and grinders were always right out of the oven! We didn't even mind standing in the line that formed outside the bakery and sometimes halfway down the street because we could smell the bread and socialize with the other kids and neighbors who were in line also. (It wasn't just OUR Sunday ritual!) Then, after a stop at the Italian import store for some pepperoni, cappicola, provolone and whatever else Gram, my mother and aunt wanted we'd head back home where we would immediately start tearing off hunks of that fresh Italian bread and dipping them in the gravy until we either got yelled at for almost eating all the bread (after all, it was for Sunday dinner for the family) or chased out of the house by Gram or my mother wielding a wooden spoon at us like it was a broadsword. There was one thing about my childhood which wasn't so idyllic as far as food and eating go. There were a few things I wasn't particularly crazy for like homemade soup, canned asparagus, and over easy eggs for example. I can remember being around 10 or 11 years old, and perhaps younger when I was "forced" to eat that stuff. I'm 56 now so we're talking about the early to mid 1960's here, in a household where you ate what was put in front of you. We were by no means even middle class then so the menu wasn't very diverse and you didn't waste food because; one, we didn't have the money to cater to everyones particular tastes and two, according to them wasting food is a sin. So, not only did I have to eat this stuff (funny how in later years I grew to love homemade soup, grilled or sauteed asparagus and eggs!) but I had to finish everything in my bowl or on my plate. As if that wasn't bad enough, there was a little timer on the kitchen stove which they would set if I seemed to be stalling with my food. If that timer went off and I wasn't finished, they would REFILL MY PLATE AGAIN! Now, on this point I want to be clear. This wasn't done out of any type of abusive mean behavior, it was because they wanted to make sure I ate because believe it or not, I was a skinny kid. But this instilled 2 things in me which would become demons of mine later in life: 1. Eat everything on your plate. 2. Eat it fast. Next Week - Teens and 20's - Sports, Late Night Eating and a Wife

I would not give my earlier reply if the person asking is your mother!....sorry about that!

My response would be, "If I could do that, don't you think I would, genius?"

I had my surgery performed by Dr. Kim on June 25th at Baylor Trophy Club. As far as pre op diets go, he does want you to choose from 2 different protein drinks: either Opti Fast or Bari Essentials. I chose the latter because it contained less sugar and quite honestly, it was delicious. I asked why we were limied to just these choices and he told me that these 2 proteins were the most efficient at shrinking the liver pre surgery, which is a very important issue. Prior to requiring this, he had patients coming into surgery with various stages of liver shrinkage which caused some issues, so this is a way of "standardizing" the results. I am 4 weeks out and I can honestly say I have not yet had any difficulties whatsoever. Surgery was a breeze, I was discharged the next day and I was able to walk a mile and a half a day after that. No pain meds needed at home, I can drink the necessary amounts of water (64-80oz) with no trouble and I have no issues with reflux, taste changes or getting the required amount of protein. Long story short, it feels like I never had an operation. I highly recommend Dr. Kim from my own personal experience, and if you have any questions at all, please feel free to message me. Good luck! PS- I have lost a total of 37 pounds in 4 weeks...11 from the pre op diet and 26 post op.

I'm not sure if Heparin would've caused it, you might want to ask your Dr. Heperan is a blood thinner and I was told this was an actual anesthetic to relieve discomfort because this was where the stomach was pulled out and it would've been more painful without the numbing med.

Did your surgeon use sutures or staples? Mine used staples, and I have to say they were much more comfortable than sutures. No pulling feeling at all.

I too had some pain from the large incision as well as a bump and numbness for about 2 weeks after surgery. At my 1 week follow up, I was told it was normal because I was given a strong numbing shot in that area (internally) during surgery and it was just now beginning to wear off. It's possible you were given the same thing. The bump also went away within a few days of that visit. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I know what you mean! I'm in Texaa too (Carrollton) and a little cooling off, or just a breeze once in awhile would be nice. Sent from my iPhone using VST

You look amazing! Congrats on an incredible transformation! PS- 34C's are just fine! LOL Sent from my iPhone using VST

Start of challenge - 219 7/16 - 211 7/23 - 206 GW - 180 Cardio 5 days per week min 80oz fluids min 50g protein So far, so good!

Right now, IMO your biggest concern should be YOU! Don't stress over what he does or doesn't do, he's an adult too and he's gonna make his own choices. Sometimes, you need to focus inward and take care of yourself. Once that is well underway, you can at least then try to understand what's going on in his head.

I too was on Metformin 500mg twice a day. Then, after my sugar levels and A1c went wild, my doctor switched me to Victoza (non-insulin diabetes med) injections once per day. My sugar levels remained in the mid 200's. I was sleeved on 6/25 and took my last injection the day before as I was not allowed to take it the day of surgery. I have not taken any diabetes medication since then and my levels are consistently in the 80's and 90's. This surgery will most likely prove to have similar results for you as well. Good luck!

I think too it's about recognizing how we got to where we were and learning how to make good choices. For example, I was a night binger.... I'd be pretty good all day but if I stayed up watching TV, I'd raid the fridge and cabinets like there was no tomorrow. So now, instead of 6 string cheeses, a sandwich and 1/2 a bag of chips and a couple of Coke Zero's I'll have 4 oz of cottage cheese or a coupl of sugar free Popsicles and I'm good to go! I had this procedure because I hated myself for what I became, and now I'm learning to love myself for what I'm becoming! Good luck and God bless! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I too am a side/stomach sleeper, but I was able to sleep on my side the 1st night following surgery while still in the hospital. After being discharged the 2nd day, I slept on my side at home and on my stomach within about 3 days. The trick for me was to position myself VERY SLOWLY. The hardest part was getting into that position, but once I did I was able to sleep pretty comfortably. Don't be afraid to try it, but just remember to go slow! Good luck Sent from my iPhone using VST

Rex Ryan had a lap band procedure. I was reading about it on ESPN.com yesterday. Also, I'm a life long Jets fan( don't know if that's a good thing or not! LOL) I was a bit surprised he chose that procedure, and I wouldnt be surprised if he becomes a revision candidate in the years to come Sent from my iPhone using VST

I am nearly 4 weeks out and I can tell you it definitely gets better. It seems as though it gets better every day in fact. All my struggles were worth it as I saw my sugar levels drop from the mid 200's to the 80's and 90's with no meds and my BP today was 117/76. And you know what? I dont even miss food! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hi all Sleeved June 25th! SW- 232 CW- 209. (and feeling great!) Sent from my iPhone using VST

My wife was with me, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Even though I was the one having the surgery, both of us are going to be affected by it. She was supportive of the decision and even more so after going with me. This is something we're going through together, just like every other life experience we've shared. And I am so grateful to have her right there with me!

I agree 100%Congrats!!!