Officially Not Fatty Matty

I’ve been put under probably 12 to 15 times in my life and to be honest I enjoy the experience. I go into each one with a sense of wonderment and try to really experience the moment of going out and waking up. I know the aftermath might not be great, the pain afterwards is not fun in some cases, so I’m not minimizing that, but the experience of going under... that moment where you feel it happening and you know in a blink you’re going to be waking up in a different place and time is fascinating to me. I understand it’s scary doing something this big and this new and everyone approaches these differently from different perspectives. Try looking around the room at the equipment and wonder what it does, or look at the people and ponder their role in making sure everything goes well for you. I guess what I’m rambling about is this: you’re going to go through with this regardless, so don’t let the unknown of the experience overwhelm you. Go into it with curiosity and a sense of wonder. I’m a big chicken with a lot of new things, so it’s not like I’m some zen guru... but sometimes when I’m nervous about something I can catch myself and pull myself out of it this way... when I’m scared the moment is in charge and it’s big and scary and overwhelming, but if I catch myself and start thinking about how I’m feeling or get curious about this new experience it flips it for me and I’m in charge and I thrive off the novelty.

Good luck! I’m a little shy of two weeks post op but so excited for the future. I hope all goes smoothly, but even if it doesn’t I’m confident you’ll find any bumps in the road well worth it in the end!

12 days post op. Was going mental on the liquid diet plan my dr put me on. Noticed my wife’s post op plan from a different doctor had some significant differences.... so I googled a bunch of post op diet plans and hit the personal jackpot with the Mayo Clinic... puréed egg salad allowed... two small spoonfuls filled me up (first time I’ve felt full) and for the first time in since preop felt normal again.. stayed full feeling for well over an hour. it’s not like I picked one from Dr. Nick, so I don’t feel too cheaty. This was yesterday and today I’m back to liquids only but it really did a good job resetting myself mentally. No idea why I’m sharing this.....

Had my vsg on the 12th with Dr Galileo Villarreal in Nuevo Laredo. Everything went well, a few trying times with pains and hiccups (hate how I can feel them about 4 seconds before they hit), but so far all pretty positive. Down 8 lbs in four days since surgery, 21lbs since I started preop on June 1, getting my fluids and protein in so far. Energy level is very low but I’m only at 180 calories a day at this point with the protein powder added to Gatorade zero, I’m guessing that will improve as I add some blended liquids next week. Still happy. To be honest the worst part of this is boredom. I didn’t realize how often I would go to the fridge and grab something just because I was bored. I have no desire to eat, i just get that momentary “let’s go see what there is in the fridge” thought that lasts a second before I realize that’s not me any more.

Time for another update. VSG on the 12th in Nuevo Laredo with Dr Galileo Villarreal. Feeling pretty great all around. The five hour drive home yesterday was a little rough, the bumps weren’t an issue at all, just the time sitting still (with some walking breaks). Woke up this morning with left arm pain that was so bad I convinced myself I was having a heart attack... did some deep breathing exercises and walked it off and that’s gone now. Drinking fluids no problem. Not much pain any more except when I hiccup or my tube formerly referred to as a stomach contracts to empty, slight pain from the hernia repair still. All in all really happy with the outcome. Only had a 7 day preop diet starting on the 5th but I’m down 18lbs since then. Super excited about the future, can’t even imaging what I’ll look like with a skinny face :) oh and I’m already not thinking about food constantly. it’s weird.

Update: surgery went well according to doctor. Had a hernia that was repaired. To be honest I’m in a lot more pain than I thought I would be, all centered on my stomach. I can feel the gas pain in my shoulders but it’s not bad at all compared to my stomach / diaphragm. So so thirsty. Waiting for ice chips. Happy I did it and I know it’ll get better. Just having a hard time right now. My girlfriend is here with me and is beyond supportive and I feel so lucky to have her in my life. Will update again in a day or so. Thank you all.

Heading to Mexico this morning, surgery tomorrow (12th) if all goes as planned. 7 day pre-op went well, 12.6lbs down. Ready to get this done. Will update when ready. Thanks all for the support!

I’m scheduled for June 12th so no photos... yet. I just want to say all of you look so amazing! I can’t wait to post some pictures myself. No exaggeration, I only own black dri-fit shirts (3xl so the “fit” part isn’t really accurate) and it’s the only thing I’ll wear. My kids can’t remember me wearing anything else, so much so the jokes about it died off years ago. One of the things I’m most looking forward to is some color and variety in what I’m comfortable wearing.

I’m scheduled for June 12, can’t wait. Hitting some stores tomorrow to pre test some different protein solutions. Mostly worried about water intake. I drink between 1-2 liters of water a night in my sleep. Since I was a child I can’t fall asleep unless I have water next to me. I drink large gulps in my sleep so I’ll have to make some changes to ensure I don’t do that.