Decided I had to do something.

I went to meet with Dr. Kuhn in Dallas on May 31, 2012 and pushed them and my insurance to get this done fast. I had work issues and if I did not get it done quickly I would have to put it off for 4-6 months. Since I had made up my mind I was going to do it, I was not going to let the insurance company or anyone else slow it down. I got the doctor's scheduler to put me down for the 14th (although she said we will never get approval in time...). Pushed my insurance hard. United Health Care - only fair to name them because they came through. I had my approval by the 7th (a world record I am told).

I started my liquid diet on the 8th, a Thursday. I suppose it is appropriate that I admit that on Tuesday I killed so many chickens at Buffalo Wild Wings that I am pretty sure it was a felony. Then on Wednesday in order to say a fond fairwell to food I had a fine filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, a nice wedge salad, and this humongus peach bread pudding with Jack Daniel's sauce. I say that so you will understand why I was able to lose 10 pounds before surgery. All those goodies are a long way from that yummy pre-surgery liquid diet. And I will admit during that last week I did have a cool malt beverage or two (hey, beer is a clear liquid!!).

Before surgery I drank a good amount of beer. I have not had one now for 25 days and I will admit I do miss it, but no where near as much as I had feared. I might be able to have one, but I am using my surgery to explain why I ust have tea at BWW now. Eventually I will have beer again, but for right now I have a very convenient excuse and I am using it.

So far so good - three+ weeks out and feeling pretty good. My biggest fear was not being able to drink while eating and that is a problem. I used to drink 32-48 ounces of liquid with every meal. If not, I'd get the hiccups. So now it is really hard. When I take even small sips with food it doesn't go down all that well. But it is getting better. I had a hiatal hernia fixed at the same time, so that is likely part of it.

I am a bit disappointed in my pounds lost, only because I lost so much at first, that when it slowed to a safe and normal rate, I was (and am) wanting more. I have lost about 8 inches from my belly already and that just rocks. But I figure with beer and all I was eating about 3000 to 3500 calories a day and sometimes way way more than that. Now it is 600-1000 per day. My expectations were/are a bit unreal - I know that - at the rate I was losing I would have dissappeared about August 12th. But when you make the change, and I have made huge changes (no beer, back to jogging, eating so carefully) I wanted instant results - which is likely why diets did not work well for me. I have not eaten one piece of anything bad at all in 25 days. And, in all honesty I would run over a nun for a few french fries, but I am so motivated that I really do not want the calories right now. With the sleeve I will have plenty of time to eat what I want down the road. For now I have to get my lifestyle changes a bit more ingrained.

Did everyone get to enjoy the gardenhose down the nostril until it hits the balls of your feet and then swallow 10 gulps of Galveston Bay salt Water? Boy that was fun. All kidding aside, my urologist doesn't scare me that much. That was as yucky and experience as I can remember. But it did locate the hernia pre-surgery and that was good.

I was out of the hospital the next morning and really felt pretty good. I had a drain and that was a drag. No pain involved, it was just a dangling clear turkey baster of yuck right there all the time. I think only doctors should see stuff that is supposed to be on the inside. I do not need a little tube with me draining out into a little looking glass. I was grossing myself out.

So that is a bit about me and my start. Thanks for listening.

Congrats on getting it done so quickly! Next time you are able to chicken it will only be a misdemeanor. Lol.

Hi SpecialK and welcome to VST. You will live it here. Everyone is so supportive and helpful.

Do you live in the DFW area? If so, we are starting a support group of DFW sleevers and right now we only have one guy, DadTo2 (Eric). If you'd like to be part of our group, send me a pm with your first name and email address. We would love to have you.....I'm sure Eric especially.

Best of luck to you on your journey!

OMG you are so funny. Thank God it doesn't hurt to laugh anymore. Yeah the drain sucks. Several times I had to talk myself down from freaking out and ripping it out. Thanks for sharing and the laugh!