Another small update

When I was in Mystic a few months ago I went to the aquarium. In the gift shop they had buy one get one on shirts. So I bought one 3x and one xl. 

Today I tried on the xl and it fits well. Such a happy update. 

Still here

Been very busy with this thing called life it gets in the way of everything. Still losing and down to 288 not coming off as fast as I would have hoped but it is still coming off. 

I am amazed at how much energy I feel. I don't see it on a daily basis but when I think back to what I am doing today vs six months ago I really feel awesome. 

I used to nap all the time on weekends but now I rarely do that anymore. I am finding that I do not need an extension on more and more flights and it is easier to get my laptop out on a plane now too. 

 

 

Been a while but still here

Its been a busy time lately. Well where do I start. I have been able to fly without seatbelt extensions for the most part lately. I have noticed different models of planes where I need them sometimes.  I have surpassed the 300 pound mark for the first time since High School I believe it was, and am continuing to drop so its been a fun ride so far.

Clothing (Now this has been Expen$ive). Today I bought dress pants that were size 46. When I first had the surgery I was size 56 so WOW. '

I have been walking more and more, and my knee does not hurt much anymore YAY however my back has been acting up fun fun.

I saw the doctor for the 3 month anniversary and he is thrilled with the progress I am making. Baby steps and I promise to update the blog more often.

Flying Free

Saw the doctor today and I have been cleared for the following:

• Fly (Which I have done already shhh)
• Eat real food
• Go to the gym

I am back to normal YAY!!!!!!!!!

I went to the supermarket and got some cold cuts and low carb wraps and had 3/4 of a tiny wrap for lunch. The real meal I wanted was a turkey burger, so we went to GM Burger Bar in Massapequa to have a real Turkey Burger, PS I have enough for dinner tomorrow night as well WOO HOO. 

Another milestone

Another milestone. I am currently on a plane flying home from a work trip and for the first time in I don't know how long I did not need a seatbelt extension. Granted I am in first class so they might be a bit bigger here but still I've always needed one in first class too. Just really excited. 

 

A Mystical weekend away

Well four weeks out today and still on soft foods I went away with the family for the weekend to Mystic, CT. Finding foods was challenging but not impossible. The first day for lunch we went to a restaurant where I had a turkey sandwich and just ate the turkey off of the sandwich. 

For dinner we went to a restaurant and I had a bit of salmon that looked like I barely touched it, since I was in a hotel I didnt take it home with me. The waitress asked me if everything was ok and I said it was great but I had surgery and am limited. 

Breakfast in the hotel I had some scrambled egg, for lunch I had a diner chicken salad sandwich that I picked off the chicken salad and had a side of cottage cheese which worked fine. 

Dinner was a bit of an issue in the fact that I didnt get to eat until about 8:30pm which is late. I meant to have a protein shake on the ferry but I forgot my backpack in the car and couldnt get back to it as I couldnt open my trunk of my SUV without hitting the car in back of me........ I did have plenty of water during the days and on the boat as well. Dinner was a diner tuna salad platter. 

I also got plenty of walking during both days. Oh and it was over 90 degrees with heavy humidity BOTH DAYS :)

Other than the high amounts of mayo (and bits of celery and onion), I think I did ok for the weekend. 

Broke a barrier today

For the first time in over ten years I have broken the 340 pound barrier. I cannot tell you how giddy this makes me. 

I have had a few people ask me how painful this process has been. My response to them has been two to three days of hell and a lifetime of fun. 

Yesterday I started on puréed foods. I made a disgusting looking but pretty decent tasting meal of chopped turkey meat ricotta and tomato sauce. 

Starting Monday I will start on soft foods. That will be a fun. 

Doctor

Saw the doc today and he cleared me to drive. Good thing since I've been driving since Monday anyway. Went back to work yesterday, easy to do since I work from home. Doc said I can start Puree this week and soft foods next week!!!!

He said I am progressing nicely, and down 24 since the last time I saw him and 19 since I got home. Wow I am impressed with myself as well........

Big day

So I woke up this morning with a foot cramp and a dry mouth. Sounds like I am not drinking enough even though I am drinking lots of fluid not sure what is gong on. Going to up the fluid intake today and see what happens. 

So far I am impressed with the results. About 19 pounds down from coming home and 13 down from surgery day. Cannot wait to see the results continue. 

Fourth of July

Yesterday was the fourth of July, and we celebrated the way anyone does BBQ, Fireworks, etc. WAIT? did he say BBQ?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Yes he did. Just because you cannot eat normal food (yet) doesn't mean you cannot attend a BBQ. BBQ's are meant to be enjoyed with the company, the food is an added bonus but still not the main focus of a BBQ.

Yesterday we went to two BBQ's. I spent the majority of the time at the first one indoors since I did not want to push myself, oh yeah and its where my friends were :). Had a bunch of laughs for a few hours.

The second one I spent outside making sure I drank enough and had the stuff I bought with me at both BBQ's.

Then come the best part of celebrating out nations birthday. Happy Birthday USA which was watching fireworks. That part was completely AWESOME.

I've learned you do not need food to enjoy yourself, just make sure you have great friends, enough water to keep you hydrated adequately, you can enjoy anything anywhere.

Treated myself

Wow today has been pretty busy. While we took Maddie to karate I decided to treat myself to a barber shave. I've never actually had one before but wow it was amazing. 

Bought tickets to the BFG movie today and will be going this afternoon. I am sipping a chocolate shake and planning what to bring to the movies to ensure I stay on track for my requirements. 

My goal is to eventually ride a bike in the park although this may not happen until next year I will do this. 

Happy Friday

Well it's now Friday and I'm doing better each day. Went out to get some protein shakes and to the supermarket today. The hardest part is remembering that I need to be constantly sipping throughout the day. I've been able to get it in and today has been no exception. 

Going to a couple of bbq's hopefully depending on the weather. But it all depends on how it feels. 

Second day home

Well today was a bit more pain but I also did not take any pain meds today. Baaaaad idea I will definitely be taking them tonight. Also started the full liquid diet today and have had protein shakes, yogurt smoothies and plan on either soup or pudding later....

Trying to get 2,000 steps in today but it's been harder due to having to sit for a half hour to have my meals. I will get them in. 

First day home

So today was an interesting day I felt a bit of pain, but did plenty of walking indoors. Doc recommended I do 1,000 steps inside but I've done over 2,000 so far. 

The most important things I have been told is to walk, and make sure I hydrate and I have done both today. 

Tomorrow is another day but I think I did well today. 

Been a couple of days

Well I am home. The first day felt like I was run over by a semi. Yesterday was a mini van, and today I think it was a yugo or a Prius. 

Trying to get my steps in and my liquids that is what I am working on today. 

 

It's here

The day has come. I am in pre surgical now. I honestly do not know how I feel right now. So many emotions.  

Last day before surgery

This morning I am at my daughters karate tournament. A few things going through my mind such as looking at 4 year olds doing physical things I couldn't even think of right now. 

Maybe this time next year I can do some of the things I see here. NO I am NOT signing up for martial arts. 

Anyway after we are done here I am not doing much the rest of the day. I plan on getting rest as I'm thinking I won't get much real rest the next 48 hours. 

2 days to go

2 days to go. We took a trip with my cousins to the aquarium. I had my cousin Rob take a picture of me for a before picture

 

3 Days to go

3 days to go. Today I have been busy wrapping up work stuff since I will be out for a bit. All for a good reason. Went to lunch with a customer and I then realized that there is no way I would be able to eat this whole salad after the surgery.

The countdown continues and I will be here every step of the way.

4 days to go

Saw the surgeon yesterday all is set to go. I have so many thoughts going through my head right now anxiety, excitement and outright scared. I know this will be fine but it's still surgery.  

Back on Track for good

Well I am back with this blog. This time it will be a bit different as on Monday I go into the hospital for a Gastric Sleeve surgery. This is a bariatric surgery that will force me to lose weight as 80% of my original stomach will be gone.

You might ask why I elected for surgery after all these years..... The reason is simple. I was trying the Weight Watchers Simply Filling technique a couple of years ago and realized that I did not know what full was anymore. I then realized that surgery was not a crutch, but rather a reset button and a tool in the toolbox to relearn how to eat and how to eat properly.

So feel free to stick around as I will be blogging the process. THIS TIME ITS FOR GOOD.