Mike0918

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It’s January 31, 2009 and I have reached my first goal of 205 lbs. I am making this blog entry to help others who are in the process or considering the surgery. I had my surgery on August 25, 2009 and have lost 80 some pounds, the good news is that I am off my blood pressure medication, no longer have diabetes, workout at least 3 times a week either walking 45 minutes or lifting weights.  I have had only one issue which is hard bowl movements (which hurt and suck), but I am dealing with that by drinking more water and eating more fiber. Other than that I have had zero complications and can eat any kind of food which means I am not one of the 20 percent with dumping syndrome. However I did feel sick last week after eating a piece of chocolate cake so there is hope. I also have meet a goal by going skiing with my kids twice this year and had a great father son(s) time, well ok, I loved it…

I can eat more now than I could right after surgery so my stomach is growing. Since October I signed myself up to see a Nutritionist (Megan) and Behavior Specialist (Jane) at the Piscataway NJ Kingly Institute. I did this on my own because I was worried about being able to eat and it was the third great decision in my life (the first being marring my wife then having the surgery).  I split the visits so I see one every two weeks, which also means I get weighed in weekly. I am learning how to make good food decisions and eat a balanced meal. I am also finding my “old ways” starting to creep back into my life, but am working through them with the Behaviorist.

One of the big differences is that I now have control meaning the prior to surgery I would have to starve myself to lose weight. Where now I only have to “get back on the program” which means follow my diet and exercise?  I do get hungry, and make bad decisions but know that I have to maintain my weight and get back on the program. I feel completed to repeat what Jane tells me which is that you have to maintain the diet all the time, like you can’t take weekends off and go back to the diet on Monday because it sets up bad practices and can lead to failures. She is correct on this point. But she also says you can’t totally deny yourself either.  So for anyone considering the surgery, I highly recommend you find a nutritionist and Behaviorist and meet with them on a regular basis. I will not go through all of this just to gain the weight back as others have done. Mike

This was an e-mail I sen't to the peep's who were in the hospital at the same time 08/25/08 - I think it makes a great blog entry.

Christine and Jo,  

It's Mike (the other patient from St. Clair's) checking in on how you are doing. I am doing really good and will be down 40lbs for the month by Monday. No issues so far (I feel really lucky, but see below).  

First I think I found out something about the shakes. When I bought my first shake, I also bought a plastic cup called a blender (at GNC). I always used the blender to make shakes. However I forgot to bring my blender one day last week so I had to mix the shake by hand. OMG - it tasted horrible and made me realize that the blender mixes the protein so it doesn't clump up. I thought I would pass it on, because that may be the big issue....  

Also I did purchase 2 late phase starter kit from Smart Forme (the one the support group leader was talking about). It contains 2 drinks, a soup, 2 meals, four protein bars, soy nuts and some choc nuts or something.   The soups, drinks and meals are dehydrated so you only add water. I tried the chili the other night and it was ok to good. The chili was watery and needed to sit for 15 minutes to get all the dry food full. I think I am rating this higher than most because it is the most exciting food I have had in a month so anything tastes better if you know what i mean. I don't think I will have this when we are allowed real food, but who knows. I do like the idea that I can take these on an airplane for emergency food.... (the soups have 15g or protein)   The choc, peanut protein bar was staring me in the face and I had to try it (I am not sure it would be a soft food, but I talked my self into the fact that it was in a late phase starter kit). So last night I had the bar which was not too bad, it has some real chocolate but also a rice crispy type middle if you know what i mean. I did not get sick or throw up, but I felt really weird afterwards. I felt like I had to go to the bathroom but couldn't and was tired and almost ill feeling so I went to bed. I think it was the effect of the choc (even though there is extremely little) The bar has 160 calories, 100mg sodium, 115mg potassium, 15g carbohydrates, 15g protein.  

In each kit is a lemon drink mix and Peach Mango Drink mix each with 15g of Protein. I won't try these, so if either of you want them let me know and I can either bring them to the next support meeting (or my Doc's Appt is XXXXXX) or mail them to you.   



Oh yea, I wanted something really different the other day and went nuts. I took 3oz of Ricotta low fat cheese, a table spoon (maybe 2) of red Sauce and mixed it together. I then topped it with 1/4 stick of the Polly O 2% cheese and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. It looked funny but tasted like lasagna without the pasta.. I figured that it was 10g of protein but really the lot fat Ricotta 1/4cup is 10g and the string cheese is 8 (whole).  

So I am rambling on, but wanted to give you a food update. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going.  

Have a great weekend !!