DaveS
3rd year anniversary
May 11, 2007
3 years ago today, I was laying on a surgery bed reflecting on how my life would be different...I didn't even come close...I remember being so nervous...What if I didn't make it, would my kids be cared for... Well I made it through surgery and physically, I feel absolutely great... A lot has happened in the past 3 years, both of my parents passed away within 6 months of each other, I got divorced and all of that was within my first year and now I have my children full time...Do I regret having the surgery? Absolutely not. I am down 115 pounds and maintaining...I wouldn't mind losing some more weight, but I think for that to happen, I will need a tummy tuck. Unfortunately, I don't have enough skin sagging for insurance to pay for it.
Before surgery I weighed 290, by the way, I am short 5'7, so my fat was in my gut, today I am still 5'7 and weigh 175. I used to wear XXXL shirts, and 46 inch waist...Today I wear, a medium/Large shirt, and 34 inch waist.
I want to thank my best friend Gail who is 4 years out, with out her, I am not sure what would have happened during my first year of surgery.
2007
Apr 06, 2007
Ooops, I think the last time I updated my profile, I said I was going to update it more and that was in 2006.
04/07 - What has been going on with me? Not a whole lot, I moved to a town home in February. If you ever think it is a good idea to move in the winter, speak to me about it. Actually, it wasn't that bad. I can't believe how much stuff I had accumulated at my apartment in two years.
I am coaching my youngest daughter in hockey. I just love skating. It is so good for you and for me easier then say running...As far as working out goes, well I told you I skate. : ) Need to get more active, will probably start this spring if it ever warms up...Before surgery, weather never affected my moods, I can't say that now. : )
Still not dating, tried online and that doesn't appear to be the ticket for me. Who knows maybe my luck will change.
That's all for now.
04/07 - What has been going on with me? Not a whole lot, I moved to a town home in February. If you ever think it is a good idea to move in the winter, speak to me about it. Actually, it wasn't that bad. I can't believe how much stuff I had accumulated at my apartment in two years.
I am coaching my youngest daughter in hockey. I just love skating. It is so good for you and for me easier then say running...As far as working out goes, well I told you I skate. : ) Need to get more active, will probably start this spring if it ever warms up...Before surgery, weather never affected my moods, I can't say that now. : )
Still not dating, tried online and that doesn't appear to be the ticket for me. Who knows maybe my luck will change.
That's all for now.
Me
Nov 13, 2006
Feb. 19,2004 - I just found out from the Bariatric nurse that my insuranced approved for me to have Gastric By-pass. I then scheduled an appointment with the Surgeon for 3/8.
March 8,2004 - Met with the Dr. I had to be there at 9 AM, met with one of the nurses that gave me a booklet to read to get prepared for the surgery, then I met with the doctor around 11 AM. I got my date May 11th. I could have gone sooner, but May 11th just feels right. It is after my daughters Golden Birthday. She will be 8 in May.
I also found out that I have to stop smoking 4-weeks before surgery. April 1st is my stop smoking day. The doctor gave me a perscription for Zyban to help me quit.
March 18,2004 - I had a gallbladder ultra-sound. The technician said it looked fine. I have never had to hold my breath and exhale so much before. I have a meeting with my dietician, a physical and then surgery.
March 29,2004 - Met with my dietician, she told me I have to go on a high protein liquid diet the first of May. What is she talking about? I think I can handle a liquid diet after the surgery, but before, I am not sure about it. I e-mailed her and she said that it is new and everybody hates it but she says that the liquid diet will reduce the fat around my internal organs which will help the surgeon not move my organs as much, which she says is a good thing. Well, with that being said, I guess I will have to suck it up and go for it.
April 1,2004 - Happy April fools day. I think I must be a fool for trying to quit smoking. I was doing great until I went outside to get lunch from work. Everybody smokes. I can't believe how bad I want a cigarrette. Jeez, I guess I am more addicted to smokes then I thought. I just need to get my mind off of smoking...
April 15,2004 - 2-weeks of non-smoking and it is getting easier each day. I went off the Zyban, it made me too edgy. Now I am doing it cold turkey and I feel a lot better. 27 more days until I go under the knife. I have started having my last foods I will enjoy. Last weekend, I had Ben & Jerry's ice cream - Phish food. Next week we are going to have Steak. I am sure I will be able to have steak after the surgery, but just not as much.
Told my kids about the surgery, they don't understand, but that is ok. Sam my youngest said she can't wait for it to happen so she can visit me in the hospital. You just gotta love the simple minds of children.
5/7 - 4 more days until surgery. I am as ready as I have ever been. This high protein diet isn't terrible, but it is an adjustment. I haven't been able to get my brain to realize that even though I am not chewing, I do get full. Full is probably not the right word, I am not hungry but I am not full. Somewhere in between. I probably won't write again until after the surgery. See you on the loser's side. That is such a corny statement.
6/16 - Wow, I haven't updated my profile in a while. Well I made it. I am 5-weeks out and have lost 40 pounds, 7 inches off my waist, 3 - 4 inches off my neck and arms and thighs. I am feeling better now that I am getting closer to eating real food. I have noticed lately that I get tired after working out hard. This is also my 2nd week back to work. Last week I only worked 3 days, which was good, but this week when I get home I just want to take a nap, but I know that I have to work out, so I fight my desire for a nap and work out. I am now falling asleep around 9:30. Hopefully, I will be getting more energy soon.
6/21 - Not much going on. Here is my weekly update: I am down 45 pounds and slowly but surely I am starting to get more energy. My dietician wasn't happy with me, I told her I had peanuts and sun flower seeds. You would have thought I told her I had cake and ice cream. Oh well, I have since stopped eating those and I continue to work out. Best compliment was on Sunday. I came out of the bathroom with out my shirt on and my 8 year goes "geez dad, you are losing a lot of weight" best fathers day present I could have asked for. When she notices it, it must be big changes. Have a great week.
7/12 - I just celebrated my 2 month Post Op and I am down 54 pounds and I just did my bmi check and I am overly obese. That is down from morbidly obese. I have lost around 9 inches around my waist. Instead of a full blown SUV tire I am down to around a spare tire around the waist. :) Still learing to eat (I have also learned how to throw up with out using fingers), and working out a ton. That is it for this months update.
8/13 - Wow, I can't believe it has been 3 months already. I am down 70 pounds. :dance: I weigh less then my drivers license says (I don't think I have changed the weight on it for 9 years). I look nothing like my picture I took of me before surgery. I am eating normal food. I think I am eating too much and I am trying to correct that, but I am still losing weight (around 3 - 5 pounds a week). The only problem I have is that I now have psoryasis(sp). My scalp has dried out and is flaking. Anyone else have this? I am trying a shampoo to hopefully correct this but I am not a big believer of this yet. I have gone from a size 42 waist down to a 36 inch waist. I may be able to wear 34's, but I haven't tried that yet. 36 inch pants are very comfortable. All in all I would say this is one of the best decisions I made. I have a ton of energy. I have done more around the house this summer then I have in two years and I am not tired of it yet.
9/13 - 4 month update. Down 80 pounds only 56 pounds to go until I reach goal. I have noticed that I think I will need some ps in the stomach area, but not too much. I can eat anything and unfortunately I have started drinking again. Not too much, but drinking. I need to update my pic in the upcoming weeks.
10/5 - WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I now am under 200 pounds. Ok, I am at 199, but that is below 200. I haven't weighed this less since 8th grade. I have also started wearing size 34 pants. I can't even remember the last time I was in 34's.
1/10/05 - Hey gang, just wanted to send a quick little update on me. 8 month ago today I had the surgery and what a long strange trip it has been. I am happy to report that I am down 100 pounds. 100 freaking pounds, I can not believe. I used to wear my pants below my belly because my belly was so big, and now, I wear them where you are supposed to. For my dress pants, I used to wear a size 52, but today I wear a size 34. I went from a XXXL shirt to a large comfortably. I have a few mediums that I can wear, but the larges fit more comfortably. A lot has happened in my personal life and it is only going to get worse, but I know the decisions I am making are for the best. 30 more pounds and I will be at goal. Ok, if I lost only 20 more pounds I would be happy, but gotta have a goal, right?
4/12 - Wow, I guess I haven't updated my profile in a while. What is new? Ok, the good news first: I am down 10 pounds since my last update and only have 15 more to goal. I started out with a size 52 waist, and now I just bought a pair of jeans size 32. A little tight, but wearable. I was wearing a XXXL shirts, now can wear mediums/large. Now the not as exciting news-I moved out of the house on 3/1 and live in an apartment. I am about 6-weeks from being divorced.My house has been up for sale for about 6-weeks and a lot of showings but no offers, a little depressing.My mother died last Friday. Meaning I have lost both of my parents in a 6 month time frame. Physically, I feel good, mentally, I am going through a lot now, but I am trying to keep my motto going - "one day at a time"...
8/11 - I can't believe it has been 4 months since I last updated my profile. Here is a quick update. I am the same weight I was as of 4 months ago. I haven't been working out, but plan to in the near future, but I have to admit if I didn't lose another pound I would be ok with that. 110 pounds is great and I have kept it off. I am planning on going to a plastic surgeon sometime this fall to see if I can get a TT. I do believe if/when I have this surgery, I will feel so much better about myself. I still see myself as fat, maybe not as fat as before but fat none the less.
What else is going on with me? Well, just got back from vacation. I spent 9 days in New Hampshire and Vermont. A special friend of mine went out with me and the kids and we had a blast. I am from VT, so going back "home" was very nice. I love the mountains...When we were in VT we spread my parents ashes, which was nice because I think I needed the finality...My divorce still isn't final yet, but I believe it will be the 29th of this month, which makes me very happy. Me and my ex have actually started getting along, which I am sure my kids appreciate. We can have a conversation with out the tension being there. Other then that not much is going on, work is hectic, but manageable...I am learning to deal with the loneliness when my ex has the kids which is nice. It is a huge adjustment from being with someone for 12 years to being all alone for nights at a time. Hopefully next post I can say I am working out, losing more weight. I would still like to lose around 20 pounds even though everyone keeps calling me skinny... Until next update, have a great one!
1/5/06 - Happy New Years to everyone. I can't believe it has been 4 months since I have updated my profile. Let's see what has gone on since my last update- Hmm, think, think, well to be honest not much has gone on. Not sure if I put in my last post but I am officially divorced. Yay for me. I can hold an actual conversations with my ex with out feeling like I need to pull my hair out...The kids are adjusting...My oldest is going through 4th grade and it has been a long school year, but after working with her, I am starting to see some improvement so there might be hope. Nicky just finished basketball and had a really fun time playing. It is amazing how much better she gets each year. She is also getting tall...I am guessing in the next year or so she will be taller then me. My youngest daughter is playing Hockey. I am coaching her team and this is the first time that I have coached an all girls hockey team. If you have ever played hockey, it is night and day with boys and girls. Don't get me wrong, I am having a blast, but it is different. Work is going well. We don't have any major projects, so this year is going to be relatively quiet, I hope.
My last post I said I was hoping to start working out and lose 20 pounds...Well let's just say that hasn't happened yet. I tell people that I want to lose some more weight and they ask where I would lose it and that I am skinny enough. My friends are still telling me that I look thinner each day. I wish I could see it. I still see myself as being fat. Not as fat, but fat...I went for a TT consult and after they told me insurance wouldn't pay for it and the cost for a TT was a little more expensive then I expected. It kind of took the wind out of my sails, but I need to see a couple more surgeons to see if they would recommend the same thing and to check out their costs.
My 2006 resolution is to have a less drama filled year. I am actually thinking I can make this happen. My divorce is over, the death of my parents is getting easier to handle each day, work is good, kids are good. I just hope I can slide through this year and have fun. I will try to update my profile more... : )
March 8,2004 - Met with the Dr. I had to be there at 9 AM, met with one of the nurses that gave me a booklet to read to get prepared for the surgery, then I met with the doctor around 11 AM. I got my date May 11th. I could have gone sooner, but May 11th just feels right. It is after my daughters Golden Birthday. She will be 8 in May.
I also found out that I have to stop smoking 4-weeks before surgery. April 1st is my stop smoking day. The doctor gave me a perscription for Zyban to help me quit.
March 18,2004 - I had a gallbladder ultra-sound. The technician said it looked fine. I have never had to hold my breath and exhale so much before. I have a meeting with my dietician, a physical and then surgery.
March 29,2004 - Met with my dietician, she told me I have to go on a high protein liquid diet the first of May. What is she talking about? I think I can handle a liquid diet after the surgery, but before, I am not sure about it. I e-mailed her and she said that it is new and everybody hates it but she says that the liquid diet will reduce the fat around my internal organs which will help the surgeon not move my organs as much, which she says is a good thing. Well, with that being said, I guess I will have to suck it up and go for it.
April 1,2004 - Happy April fools day. I think I must be a fool for trying to quit smoking. I was doing great until I went outside to get lunch from work. Everybody smokes. I can't believe how bad I want a cigarrette. Jeez, I guess I am more addicted to smokes then I thought. I just need to get my mind off of smoking...
April 15,2004 - 2-weeks of non-smoking and it is getting easier each day. I went off the Zyban, it made me too edgy. Now I am doing it cold turkey and I feel a lot better. 27 more days until I go under the knife. I have started having my last foods I will enjoy. Last weekend, I had Ben & Jerry's ice cream - Phish food. Next week we are going to have Steak. I am sure I will be able to have steak after the surgery, but just not as much.
Told my kids about the surgery, they don't understand, but that is ok. Sam my youngest said she can't wait for it to happen so she can visit me in the hospital. You just gotta love the simple minds of children.
5/7 - 4 more days until surgery. I am as ready as I have ever been. This high protein diet isn't terrible, but it is an adjustment. I haven't been able to get my brain to realize that even though I am not chewing, I do get full. Full is probably not the right word, I am not hungry but I am not full. Somewhere in between. I probably won't write again until after the surgery. See you on the loser's side. That is such a corny statement.
6/16 - Wow, I haven't updated my profile in a while. Well I made it. I am 5-weeks out and have lost 40 pounds, 7 inches off my waist, 3 - 4 inches off my neck and arms and thighs. I am feeling better now that I am getting closer to eating real food. I have noticed lately that I get tired after working out hard. This is also my 2nd week back to work. Last week I only worked 3 days, which was good, but this week when I get home I just want to take a nap, but I know that I have to work out, so I fight my desire for a nap and work out. I am now falling asleep around 9:30. Hopefully, I will be getting more energy soon.
6/21 - Not much going on. Here is my weekly update: I am down 45 pounds and slowly but surely I am starting to get more energy. My dietician wasn't happy with me, I told her I had peanuts and sun flower seeds. You would have thought I told her I had cake and ice cream. Oh well, I have since stopped eating those and I continue to work out. Best compliment was on Sunday. I came out of the bathroom with out my shirt on and my 8 year goes "geez dad, you are losing a lot of weight" best fathers day present I could have asked for. When she notices it, it must be big changes. Have a great week.
7/12 - I just celebrated my 2 month Post Op and I am down 54 pounds and I just did my bmi check and I am overly obese. That is down from morbidly obese. I have lost around 9 inches around my waist. Instead of a full blown SUV tire I am down to around a spare tire around the waist. :) Still learing to eat (I have also learned how to throw up with out using fingers), and working out a ton. That is it for this months update.
8/13 - Wow, I can't believe it has been 3 months already. I am down 70 pounds. :dance: I weigh less then my drivers license says (I don't think I have changed the weight on it for 9 years). I look nothing like my picture I took of me before surgery. I am eating normal food. I think I am eating too much and I am trying to correct that, but I am still losing weight (around 3 - 5 pounds a week). The only problem I have is that I now have psoryasis(sp). My scalp has dried out and is flaking. Anyone else have this? I am trying a shampoo to hopefully correct this but I am not a big believer of this yet. I have gone from a size 42 waist down to a 36 inch waist. I may be able to wear 34's, but I haven't tried that yet. 36 inch pants are very comfortable. All in all I would say this is one of the best decisions I made. I have a ton of energy. I have done more around the house this summer then I have in two years and I am not tired of it yet.
9/13 - 4 month update. Down 80 pounds only 56 pounds to go until I reach goal. I have noticed that I think I will need some ps in the stomach area, but not too much. I can eat anything and unfortunately I have started drinking again. Not too much, but drinking. I need to update my pic in the upcoming weeks.
10/5 - WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I now am under 200 pounds. Ok, I am at 199, but that is below 200. I haven't weighed this less since 8th grade. I have also started wearing size 34 pants. I can't even remember the last time I was in 34's.
1/10/05 - Hey gang, just wanted to send a quick little update on me. 8 month ago today I had the surgery and what a long strange trip it has been. I am happy to report that I am down 100 pounds. 100 freaking pounds, I can not believe. I used to wear my pants below my belly because my belly was so big, and now, I wear them where you are supposed to. For my dress pants, I used to wear a size 52, but today I wear a size 34. I went from a XXXL shirt to a large comfortably. I have a few mediums that I can wear, but the larges fit more comfortably. A lot has happened in my personal life and it is only going to get worse, but I know the decisions I am making are for the best. 30 more pounds and I will be at goal. Ok, if I lost only 20 more pounds I would be happy, but gotta have a goal, right?
4/12 - Wow, I guess I haven't updated my profile in a while. What is new? Ok, the good news first: I am down 10 pounds since my last update and only have 15 more to goal. I started out with a size 52 waist, and now I just bought a pair of jeans size 32. A little tight, but wearable. I was wearing a XXXL shirts, now can wear mediums/large. Now the not as exciting news-I moved out of the house on 3/1 and live in an apartment. I am about 6-weeks from being divorced.My house has been up for sale for about 6-weeks and a lot of showings but no offers, a little depressing.My mother died last Friday. Meaning I have lost both of my parents in a 6 month time frame. Physically, I feel good, mentally, I am going through a lot now, but I am trying to keep my motto going - "one day at a time"...
8/11 - I can't believe it has been 4 months since I last updated my profile. Here is a quick update. I am the same weight I was as of 4 months ago. I haven't been working out, but plan to in the near future, but I have to admit if I didn't lose another pound I would be ok with that. 110 pounds is great and I have kept it off. I am planning on going to a plastic surgeon sometime this fall to see if I can get a TT. I do believe if/when I have this surgery, I will feel so much better about myself. I still see myself as fat, maybe not as fat as before but fat none the less.
What else is going on with me? Well, just got back from vacation. I spent 9 days in New Hampshire and Vermont. A special friend of mine went out with me and the kids and we had a blast. I am from VT, so going back "home" was very nice. I love the mountains...When we were in VT we spread my parents ashes, which was nice because I think I needed the finality...My divorce still isn't final yet, but I believe it will be the 29th of this month, which makes me very happy. Me and my ex have actually started getting along, which I am sure my kids appreciate. We can have a conversation with out the tension being there. Other then that not much is going on, work is hectic, but manageable...I am learning to deal with the loneliness when my ex has the kids which is nice. It is a huge adjustment from being with someone for 12 years to being all alone for nights at a time. Hopefully next post I can say I am working out, losing more weight. I would still like to lose around 20 pounds even though everyone keeps calling me skinny... Until next update, have a great one!
1/5/06 - Happy New Years to everyone. I can't believe it has been 4 months since I have updated my profile. Let's see what has gone on since my last update- Hmm, think, think, well to be honest not much has gone on. Not sure if I put in my last post but I am officially divorced. Yay for me. I can hold an actual conversations with my ex with out feeling like I need to pull my hair out...The kids are adjusting...My oldest is going through 4th grade and it has been a long school year, but after working with her, I am starting to see some improvement so there might be hope. Nicky just finished basketball and had a really fun time playing. It is amazing how much better she gets each year. She is also getting tall...I am guessing in the next year or so she will be taller then me. My youngest daughter is playing Hockey. I am coaching her team and this is the first time that I have coached an all girls hockey team. If you have ever played hockey, it is night and day with boys and girls. Don't get me wrong, I am having a blast, but it is different. Work is going well. We don't have any major projects, so this year is going to be relatively quiet, I hope.
My last post I said I was hoping to start working out and lose 20 pounds...Well let's just say that hasn't happened yet. I tell people that I want to lose some more weight and they ask where I would lose it and that I am skinny enough. My friends are still telling me that I look thinner each day. I wish I could see it. I still see myself as being fat. Not as fat, but fat...I went for a TT consult and after they told me insurance wouldn't pay for it and the cost for a TT was a little more expensive then I expected. It kind of took the wind out of my sails, but I need to see a couple more surgeons to see if they would recommend the same thing and to check out their costs.
My 2006 resolution is to have a less drama filled year. I am actually thinking I can make this happen. My divorce is over, the death of my parents is getting easier to handle each day, work is good, kids are good. I just hope I can slide through this year and have fun. I will try to update my profile more... : )
