Question; can I document an entire six months as it happens? The only way I can tell the journey is as it happens.

How I got here; Hi! My name is Johnnie, and I am morbidly obese, and I am also a food addict. 27-years ago, I was a dope smokin, cigarette puffin. soon to be alcoholic. This is when god sent me one of his purist angels, we will call her Elizabeth. This angel accepted me for who I was, but loved me for who I am. When my destructive lifestyle began to corrupt her, she gave me an ultimatum; lose the pot, or lose me... I cannot have both. 27-years ago I quit the destructive habit of smoking dope. Elizabeth and I were also married.

Retaining the other two bad habits of smoking and drinking, I had also started to pack on the pounds. My married weight some 27-years ago fluctuated between 195 to 200 lbs. Over thsee years I tried the Atkins diet, which worked initially, but not before the steadily gaining back the weight. Fast forward to 2002, my weight blew up to 260 pounds. This was also the time my doctor started me on my first of many high blood pressure meds. At this time I also wanted to quit smoking, so my doctor prescribed Welbutrin, and within a month I became a non smoker. This about the time that my drinking got worse, and my weight started to soar again. A brief try at Atkins again proved futile, as my metabolism was not as young as it used to be.

At 300 +/- pounds in 2008, I quit drinking and started dieting again; this time it was the 1600 calorie diet with a daily dose of Phentermine. I managed a measly 50lb loss, before reversing direction. I tried Phentermine a couple more times, and even tossed in the 1200 calorie diet. Nevertheless, my weight was now getting out of hand. I have been plagued with plantar faciitus, sore knees, accompanied by a (un-)healthy dose of low self esteem, it became clear, I need help.

2017 arrived, and I decided to change occupations. In April I started a new career as a professional truck driver. I do not need to describe a truckers lifestyle, accept to say, 2017 was not my best year for decision making. July I came off the truck with a kidney stone. It took 2-attempts to get the stone out, but that little bugger came out. Three days after the last kidney stone procedure, was rushed to the emergency room and diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli (blood clots). It was deduced that I got deep vein thrombosis from the truck driver life style, producing the clots that nested in my lungs. Weight in July and August was 298.

I should note here, that through all of the years I also suffered from acid reflux, which I treated with baking soda and water. But the acid reflux became severe about 5-years ago, before I managed to get a grip on it. I have been reflux free for the last 4-years. This was about the time I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and put on the CPAP machine.

If you skipped ahead in this story, just know that I suffer like so many here, with many of the issues surrounding those two nasty words; Morbid Obesity.

Elizabeth, has never left my side, she has been my rock, my angel, my best friend for life, even now more than ever! With my background story out of the way, I can begin my journey now...

I have been following your story and can relate completely with the 6 months and they do go fast. On top of the time going by quickly all the tests required, Pysch analysis, Nutritionist counseling, and weigh ins it is enough to make you crazy. Now I do not want to alarm you but has anyone (your family DR or Surgeon) mentioned about losing too much weight in the 6 months before your surgery? This happened to me and it took 2 months for the insurance to approve my surgery with the help of a letter from my kidney DR saying the surgery was medically necessary. Just be careful as my Surgeon's assistant said 1-2 lbs can mean the difference between being approved or denied at the end of the 6 months. I mean that was a stressful time for me to think I did all that I had to do, and then I may be denied for being too good of a patient. Thank the lord It all worked out.

And this time. Dragon64, maybe you'll find a good PCP with a nice,office staff. I'm sure there are plenty in Alabama, and even in your town.?

On 7/6/2018 at 2:38 PM, Kevin M said:

I have been following your story and can relate completely with the 6 months and they do go fast. On top of the time going by quickly all the tests required, Pysch analysis, Nutritionist counseling, and weigh ins it is enough to make you crazy. Now I do not want to alarm you but has anyone (your family DR or Surgeon) mentioned about losing too much weight in the 6 months before your surgery? This happened to me and it took 2 months for the insurance to approve my surgery with the help of a letter from my kidney DR saying the surgery was medically necessary. Just be careful as my Surgeon's assistant said 1-2 lbs can mean the difference between being approved or denied at the end of the 6 months. I mean that was a stressful time for me to think I did all that I had to do, and then I may be denied for being too good of a patient. Thank the lord It all worked out.

I was never warned about losing too much weight, I was told not to gain anymore weight... As it stands, I am 39 pounds from any chance of getting my surgery cancelled. I want to lose as much as I can to lower my set point, iwth the goal of getting me closer to my goal weight, which ultimately 185 to 195. Truth be told, I would rather lose the weight on my own, and never need surgery. But too many past diet failures have led me to where I am at now, the six month march to surgery, and a new healthier me.

6 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

And this time. Dragon64, maybe you'll find a good PCP with a nice,office staff. I'm sure there are plenty in Alabama, and even in your town.?

Alabama definitely does not have a shortage of doctors, I'm sure there is a physician just waiting for us to call. Until this current doctor, I had ran through a couple, including a woman doctor. Nothing against woman, she just had a problem giving me the "yearly male check-up" if you catch my drift... thank goodness to, as she had some serious finger nails. Ok TMI, sorry, but these things are important. I need to find a new doctor with who has nothing but my good health in mind. First thing firs, I need to get through the next 3 visits (including today), then I can put this doctors office behind me... without burning any bridges, just in case.

1 hour ago, Dragon64 said:

Alabama definitely does not have a shortage of doctors, I'm sure there is a physician just waiting for us to call. Until this current doctor, I had ran through a couple, including a woman doctor. Nothing against woman, she just had a problem giving me the "yearly male check-up" if you catch my drift... thank goodness to, as she had some serious finger nails. Ok TMI, sorry, but these things are important. I need to find a new doctor with who has nothing but my good health in mind. First thing firs, I need to get through the next 3 visits (including today), then I can put this doctors office behind me... without burning any bridges, just in case.

Seriously, I'm shocked at how many people who have to touch other people for a living have long fingernails!

July 9, 2018 Family Doctor Visit (5 of 7)

Stats:

Weight: 289.0

BMI: 40.3

The visit went well as could be expected (no bridges burned); I only managed 3 pounds lost, a far cry from the 14 pounds lost before my last visit. But then I still have well over a 100 pounds to go to reach my goal weight. My blood pressure is remaining at a good pace at 124/67, and I am feeling better and better everyday.

Since my last visit, I had a birthday, and my mother surprised me with a copy of P90. This is an exercise program put out by Beach Body, one of many programs that they put out every year. Although I am struggling a bit due to my size, I am attempting to exercise per the program outline on the videos. Those downward dogs can be a bear...

Diet remains the same, in that I am not really dieting. I buy from the edges of the grocery store, and I cut my portions. I will admit though, that after 3 weeks of giving it all that I have got, I can not get used to black coffee. I have added creamer and that pink packet stuff back into my diet. Shame me, I do, but that is like "liquid Jesus" to me at 4:45AM every morning.

More about the doctors visit; the doctor himself did all of the duties of his nurse: he weighed me, took my blood pressure, and checked my temperature... it seems that his nurse, found a better place to work. I don't know if she left based on how the office manager treated me, but she is gone. Coincidentally, a co-worker stopped me in the hall at work today to tell me that I was looking fit & trim (yes, totally made my day). I told him about my journey to lose weight, and explained my recent experience with my doctors office... he proceeded to tell me that his wife used to work there and quit on account of the office management... go figure. We exchanged pleasantries, and parted ways, I could fill in the blanks. Small world.

Congrats on another 3 pounds the "hard" way! Everybody hits slower and faster loss periods and it will continue after your surgery. Just all part of the game.

Lots of us use vanilla protein shakes (I use Premier Protein) as a coffee creamer. You can sweeten your coffee and feel virtuous at the same time!

Back to my coffee dilemma; adding Sweet'n Low back into my diet was not a smart move, and would be considered a small step backwards in the march. My sweet cravings begun to return, and I was getting a little edgy as my wife would put it. I stopped all sweeteners again, and boom! Nearly 3 pounds gone this week alone. I am currently at my lowest weight in nearly 9 years now. Luckily, with the slip backwards with sweeteners I only maintained the weight, I did not gain any back.

The march goes on!

And I'm still over here on the sidelines urging you forward, a cup,of less-sweet coffee in hand. You are going to make it and do it really good!☕?

Hey so I’ve been following you and wanted to check in and say hi I’ve gotten my surgery date already it’s set in the remaining days of the hot August sun best wishes. Btw @frust8 we’re close to wash other like 8 days I’ll be your Ginny pig ok

Dragon64...I know exactly how you feel. I have the same problem. I find myself questioning if I am doing the right thing. Am I going to be able to do this? It is very frustrating I have to keep telling myself I can ( I hope).

And I question the decision daily; Just this past Friday (7/20/2018) my mother came over to watch a movie with the family. She brought MceeDees for everyone except me, I had a home made grilled chicken chef salad. Any way, my mother, who is a 10-year veteran of gastric by-pass, managed to finish only half of a small burger, and maybe 1/3 of the medium fry. 20-minutes into the movie, she starts to drop off to sleep... she has a bit of narcolepsy. Suddenly she wakes up, apologizes for falling asleep, and then begins to take a sip of water... she caps the bottle, just before her eyes go wide, and all of the color drains from her face... a very eerie sight to see. She starts fanning herself and chanting "Do not pass out, do not pass out..." I managed to get her a 5-gallon bucket just in time for her bring back up the water she just drank. No food thankfully, just the water. Apparently, she has these episodes a couple times a week... sometimes she still passes out, even after expelling the "what-ever-she-ate-or-drank" She was quite embarrassed, but we all handled it well without panicking.

Saturday my wife had a heart to heart with me, pleading her case again that she does not want me having the surgery, if I have the possibility of going through the same stuff myself... I told her, that until I get used to the "new me" I will probably have my own episodes.

This week has been busy; first off, I had a scare Sunday afternoon, while experiencing a sharp cramp pain in my right calf muscle. Further signs led me to believe I was experiencing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots in the legs. As described early on in this thread, I was diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs), caused by DVT's. So I spent yesterday in the ER, only to find out that what I was experiencing was a deep muscle pull... a heating pad last night alleviated that discomfort.

Also yesterday (Monday), I had a much sought after NSV, in that I am now wearing a size 46 pant. At the start of the march I was stuffing myself into a size 52, now I am comfortably wearing a size 46. To that, I have dropped 48lbs from 325 to 277.

The date escapes me at the moment, but visit #6 is later this week, so more when I know more.

Edited August 7, 20187 yr by Dragon64

Congrats on 48 pounds the "hard" way! That takes real dedication. And size 52 to 46, Terrific!

Glad your trip to the ER turned out to be relatively minor. So scary!

On 7/24/2018 at 12:36 PM, Dragon64 said:

" I managed to get her a 5-gallon bucket just in time for her bring back up the Water she just drank. No food thankfully, just the water. Apparently, she has these episodes a couple times a week... sometimes she still passes out, even after expelling the "what-ever-she-ate-or-drank" She was quite embarrassed, but we all handled it well without panicking.

Saturday my wife had a heart to heart with me, pleading her case again that she does not want me having the surgery, if I have the possibility of going through the same stuff myself.

I have never thrown up and I'm a year post-op. I've heard bypass patients sometimes throw up, but I don't think I've heard of this being common among other WLS patients. I do get diarrhea if I eat too many sweets, but that's it. I can't imagine passing out. I can see why your wife was concerned, but I don't think passing or throwing up are the norm.

August 9, 2018

Stats:

Weight: 279.4lbs

BMI: 39

Note: These are my current stats based on my recent visit to the doctor; the Ticker in my signature indicates an "empty nude" weight just after waking up.

My weight loss surgery story has come to an end. I have have been wrestling with whether or not I could actually go through with surgery or not, and I have decided to cancel any further pre-op insurance screening visits. The decision does not come easy, and it was not made alone. My wife and I have talked at length about how I truly feel deep down; that I can do this weight loss ordeal on my own, surgery is just not for me. While at my doctors visit yesterday, he gave me a little extra time to talk about it, and he now believes I am seriously committed to getting healthy. He believe that I have made the right decision, and he has offered to doing everything in his power to help me succeed. My next visit will be a full physical, which I have to have yearly anyways (prostate and all), followed by visits to the hospital provided fitness center. For now, diet will remain unchanged, as my doctor feels the slower loss of weight is the better approach to maintaining my weight in the future.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement on this short march, it has been greatly appreciated. I wish you all the best luck on your own weight loss journeys, and that everyone lives a longer, healthier and happier life. Take care and God bless!