So, I have been on a "diet" for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I had some success, but then one or two meals would ruin it and I would be back at square one. I was "fat" in high school, but I've gained over a hundred pounds since then. 7 years ago I got diagnosed with diabetes. So as a nurse I know that being 388 pounds and already a diabetic my future was not looking bright. I have a loving wife, and 3 amazing children. I want to enjoy life with all of them in the fullest. If I was going to lose this weight the old fashioned way I would have done it by now. Since that isn't the case, I looked into surgery. My wife is also a nurse and was working at the VA, we had their great insurance and was able to get the surgery covered. Had to switch MDs and hospitals half way through, because out of network costs are very different than in network costs. I Had the Sleeve done at Baylor Scott and White Dallas by Dr. Davis and couldn't be happier with their team. The nutritionist is awesome and the nurse practitioner is a wonderful woman who goes above and beyond to get her patients the best care for them. The whole team has been very helpful and knowledgable. They call me back the same day and answer emails promptly for all the questions I had. Pre-op I was 388 pounds. I did the protein shakes and crystal light diet for 14 days prior to surgery, thought I was going to eat my own arm at one point, and lost 27 pounds. So on surgery day I was down to 361.4 pounds. Surgery went very well, I woke up in recovery in pain, and nauseous. Two medications in my IV and all that went away. I sat up and burped like six big man burps and didn't need my pain pump again the rest of my stay. They did keep me overnight, and I had IV fluid going in the whole time, which was good because I wasn't ready to get all my liquids in yet. I walked regularly and did that breathing thing while I was there. Incision pain was mild discomfort, a couple of the incisions were tender, but I was absolutely amazed at how smooth the recovery was. I had seen several friends recover from gastric bypass and this was SO much better than what their's was. I have been on full liquids for a week, which includes the creamy yogurts (I hope), Oikos Triple Zero and Dannon Light and Fit Greek are my best friends, I have been able to get my 70 grams of protein in by having 4 servings of yogurt a day. Making more time to focus on liquids. I weighed 353 this AM, so I am a little bummed I didn't lose 10 pounds the first week, but that may be because I am not walking enough yet. I was able to return to week the day after I got out of the hospital, I have been very blessed by this entire experience. I look forward to the journey ahead, and highly recommend Dr. Davis and the staff at Baylor Weight Loss Surgery Center Dallas. I have no idea why they list him in fort worth, he is right off of US75 (central expressway) in Dallas. Updated on 5 Jan 2016: Starting weight 388 Surgery Weight 361 2 Week Weight 347 MD said I am healing well, cleared to get in the pool. Advanced my diet to soft foods, cottage cheese, tuna, salmon, eggs and ground meat! Staying very atkins, paleo-ish. Can have soft cooked veggies that have no skin or seeds. I am worried about the gas effects. mainly just getting in my protein and fluids. Feel great, was told I have a neck today. Found a support group on Facebook, so that will help. I have a big question, I am diabetic and not taking meds, is there a chewable multivitamin that doesn't have sugar as the first ingredient? Only time my sugar is up is right after I take vitamin, so I need a better one. Will try and find a photo to upload, was at a funeral this weekend, so I have a good one. Updated on 15 Jan 2016: It is a Great Day! I finally weigh less than 340. I have been stuck at 341-344 for over a week. Thankfully I am in a support group, I am not alone in the "stall", if not for them I would have lost my mind. Even more exciting to me, I was able to get my boots on!! haven't been able to get them on in years. And I had to put a new hole in my belt! And a shirt that just before surgery was fitting so bad I was told by my wonderful wife to not wear it to work, (it is a work polo) now fits loose! People have been telling me they can tell, but this morning I was able to really tell and that is SO EXCITING! On Monday I will be 4 weeks out from surgery, will try and put real deal progress pics up. Thanks for letting me share Updated on 20 Jan 2016: So, I switched insurance on 1-1-16. The new people I knew excluded bariatric surgery, but I did not expect them to exclude my follow up appointments. I thought a Doctor visit was a doctor visit. But no, I am looking at just under 200 bucks a visit. Gonna still make most of my appointments, but they won't just be "hi, I am doing ok" see ya in 6 weeks kinda visits. Weight this AM was 338. Been bouncing up to 342 and back down, realized I was grazing. Started my second full time job on the 4th, the reason I mention that is because I have found that when I am stupid tired I make stupid food choices. Ate an extra meal, don't drink enough... Yesterday, my son got in trouble at school. Why did I "have" to eat 10 chicken fingers? Anger/emotional eating? At least I knew what it was, and felt stupid while doing it. Didn't stop me from doing it though. So at just over 4 weeks and a day shy of a month out, I am working really hard on my "triggers" and other food addiction behaviors, because without fixing them I will be doomed. But progress, not perfection is what I aim for, taking it one day at a time, and faking it till I make it. Tools I am using to help with the behaviors listed above, scheduling my meals. I work 2 jobs, so every 6 hours is 4 meals a day, 5am, 11am, 5 pm, sleep, 11pm. repeat. getting between 1/2 a gallon and a gallon of crystal light in every 24 hours. I buy a gallon of water and put 2 packets in it, so I measure correctly. Been trying to exercise more. Doing a bodyweight routine at the jobs, and filled 2 of my empty gallon jugs with water to use as weights. Still need to up the cardio. Sure wish I would have won that Billion Dollar Powerball. Thanks for letting me share Included 2 better before pics Updated on 1 Feb 2016: Starting weight 388 Surgery Weight 361 4 Week Post 347 6 Week Post 333 Cleared for real foods, including green vegetables. Need to start exercising, which brings me to my only problem per the MD. I now work 2 full time jobs, 10-6 and 8-5. So on days I work both I get 3 hours sleep in between. The MD says that a lack of sleep will impact my weight loss in a negative way. I have been using MyFitnessPal.com to track my meals, and just bought a food scale this weekend. Also I read that this is a low carb, high fat, high protein diet. I have not been getting much fat, so I have added bacon and eggs for breakfast, and an avocado with my tuna. Had to adjust a few things to keep the calories right, but the protein stayed fine. Hope this helps my body adjust and start dropping pounds at a better rate. Been using Facebook support groups, it is very nice to know that at any given time on this I am not the only one experiencing the different things. Also a friendly place to get new menu ideas. Updated on 21 Feb 2016: HW: 388, SW: 361 CW:331.4 So, it is 2 months today, have been stalled again. But I think that may be more my addict behavior than anything going on with the sleeve. Every time I get below 330 I get freaked out and eat bad for a couple days and get back to 330-331. Doesn't make sense when I say it, think it or type it, but it is what it is. I am trying as hard or harder to figure out why I eat (and why I cheat on my diet) than to lose the weight. Getting to the root cause will ultimately determine my long term success or not. Anywho, Thanks for reading. Updated on 24 Mar 2016: Sad times. First the good news, I had lab work done before my 12 week follow up, and the numbers were great. Been taking my vitamins and it showed. HgA1c was 6.5 with no medications, MD advised me to exercise more. b12 and vitamin d were great. Then bad news. I gained 1.7 lbs that month. But that wasn't a real surprise. I have been having some definite eating issues, related to the mental issues that got me to this point in the first place. Yesterday was a good day, had 2 protein shakes and a bowl of salmon salad. lost a couple pounds. So far today is going to be a good day. I am back to AA 101, "take it one day at a time" "let go and let god" "fake it till you make it" "Face Everything And Recover (FEAR)" these things worked 17 years ago this month to help me stop drinking, and by golly they will work to stop overeating. I just gotta work it cause I'm worth it. As far as diet plans go, after some experimenting I have found that less than 1300 calories, 100 grams of protein, and less than 20 grams of sugar is the area I need to stay in to be healthy. I Track everything on Myfitnesspal.com which helps. I am Optilias on there if you want to see. April is going to be my month for a big goal met, I can feel it. (got to get under 300) CW:327
