paul C.

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Current Goals
Current mood: optimistic

I just wanted to put out there for everyone to see and so it could hold me accountable. My current information and goals are
Starting Weight - 434 lbs
Current Weight - 383 lbs
Current Lost - 51 lbs

Weight Goals
375 lbs by Halloween (59 lbs total lost)
365 lbs by Thanksgiving (69 lbs total lost)
354 lbs by Christmas (80 lbs total lost)
350 lbs by New Years (84 lbs total lost)
334 lbs by Feb 22, 2008 - 6 month post op (100 lbs total lost)
299 lbs by Aug 22, 2008 - 1 year post op (135 lbs total lost)
234 lbs by Aug 22, 2009 - 2 year post op (200 lbs total lost)
This is where I would like to be ultimately. I know with lots of hard work the tool in place now (the band) will assist me in achieving not only this final goal but each of the others listed.

Thank you so much for caring about me to allow me to post these goals. I understand the weight may or may not come off like I want it to. I am also measuring as well. The inches to me are just as important as the pounds. I would be happy to lose many inches and maintain lbs. Ultimately I want both. I appreciate everyone of you so much in my journey. Some of you are very special to me and I do not want to begin to list because I know I will forget someone. If you think you are special to me please know that you are. If you do not know, trust me you are. If you need to hear it, please ask and I will be glad to share with you how special you are to me.

Much Love
Paul - The LBG

5:10 AM - 19 Comments - 30 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

My First Fill 10/10/07
Current mood: calm

   I went for my first fill today and here is my story......

I first had to go to the surgeons office to weigh and pay. More on the weigh in later.

I then had to go over to the hospital registration where I encountered one of the rudest ladies ever. I was then asked to sit and wait and at that time another lady invited me to come into an office to register. In very large letters (6" in black marker) it says SELF PAY PLEASE REMOVE INSURANCE INFO. This lady inquires about my insurance information and we once again say we are self pay. She proceeds to call the surgeons office to to get our precert for insurance. What a joke.

By the time I made it back to endo, everyone was waiting for me including Doc Houston. They instruct me to pull my shirt up and then lay on this tiny table. (Looked as though it was for someone who weighed 180 not 380.) Doc begin to tell me what to expect and we should be done in a few minutes.

I could tell by the facial expressions he was making something was not exactly perfect. He kept saying "It should not be like this", "we are normally finished by now chief", "port must have slipped way down with all of the weight loss", etc.etc. After sticking me 5-6 times and using a couple of different needles he let me know we were ready for me to stad up.

I stood up and walked over to the machine and begin to drink the most pleasant mixture of chalk and water I think I have ever had the opportunity to ingest into my system. (Just kidding for those who could not read my sarcasm) Doc instructs me to take a drink and I watch it go down, and he offers a suggestion that I take another drink but this time please make it a larger drink. (I take this to mean the first one was for not). I took a total of 4 drinks and then had water. Total fill was .5cc.

All in all it was not a bad experience, I think I was just in one of my pms moods as my wife would say. I kinda have had a sinus cold this week and she says I am a baby when I am sick. (thanks honey)

It is now been roughly 3 days since that fill and I really do not want to continue the doft foods for another 4 days. I understand there is a reason and for that I will do what he has instructed, but it sure does suck. I suppose this is why I kind of slowed down my weight loss over the 10 days or so prior to the fill. I am down to officially 383 which is 51 lbs less than  my start weight of 434. I was a little disappointed in the number, but that is 51 lbs in roughly 8 weeks. I dont  think i have ever been on a diet that enabled me to lose that much in 8 weeks.

Well enough about my first fill for now. Thanks to all of you for your concern and comments and most of all for being my friend. I hope you understand how much you all mean to me. It is so special to have a place where even though some of us have never met face to face, the unconditional support is always there. I still have not shared with many people here in Nashville (Family and Friends) about the surgery. Most just think if they think anything that I am just on another diet that I will be sure to fail.

Much Love to you All
Paul - The LBG

4:47 AM - 20 Comments - 34 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

10/06/07 Update on Life
Current mood: busy

Well it has been a very long time since I last posted. I have been mostly lurking and reading about all of you. As most of you know I have been asking for your prayers during the last couple of weeks. I am struggling with some extended family issues. Unfortunately those issues are completely out of our control. LaRhonda and the girls are fine. I am fine. I just hate that I have younger siblings who do not always make the best choices. The thing I am most worried about are my mom and dad. In the end it will all be ok. It is just the struggle of the moment. Mom and Dad, I love you.

Work is slamming right now which is a good thing. We have surpassed last years revenues and have three months to go. We have struggled the last three years andas the Director of Finance it is a nice change to finally see profits soaring. We have grown from 11 to 18 employees this year. We could use a few more but the learning curve is such that I think some of the guys would pull their hair out if we brought on any more new guys. My two assistants are God sends. I feel blessed each day they arrive back at the office.

My wife has been so very supportive of me over the last 8 weeks. She has been supportive the last 13 years but seems like even more so these last 2 months. She is my rock and even though I try to tell her often I want to take this opportunity to publicly say THANKS and I LOVE YOU.

The girls, Cayleigh and Emma Grace. What can I say? They mean the world to me. They are the two biggest reasons I ever proceeded to have the surgery. I want to do the things they want to do. It is amazing how much more energy I have now than I had 2 months ago when starting my preop stage. We play and run around all the time. I wish I had their energy but for now I am satisfied with the extra energy I have today compared to July. Tee loves you girls, not a little, but lots. They will understand what I mean.

Now onto the next piece of this blog. The lap band and weight loss. It has been 45 days since my surgery and things are going ok. I have very little restriction but the good news I go in 4 days to have my first fill. Back to liquids and should have some restriction so the weight loss should pick up again. I am not sure exactly how much I have lost but figure it to be somewhere in the 50-60lb range. I do not think the scales at home match up with the ones at the Dr office. I am not that worried about the number of pounds but the inches seem to be falling off as I am now wearing some pants which are 2 sizes (4 inches) smaller than those I was wearing before surgery. The measurements say I have lost a total of 33 1/4 inches since surgery date. These are mostly in chest/breast, waist, and upper arm areas.

Thank you all for your emails, messages, comments over the last couple of months. I plan to blog again next week after my fill.

Lots of Love
Paul - The LBG

7:49 AM - 17 Comments - 23 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Post Op Dr Visit
Current mood: ecstatic

Today was the day for my first post op visit with my surgeon. I had my surgery a week ago yesterday.

Today is also the day I get to start on blended food. Wow, the past 10 days of liquids has pushed its limit. It has not been bad, but lets just say I have a wonderful wife.

Now to the important news......drum roll please.
The LBG is down 37lbs, yes thats right 37LBS since his preop consultation when he weighed in at a staggering 434lbs. Weight today was 397lbs.

Dr Houston was very pleased with everything but wanted me to be sure to get my protein in. This week was hard enough to get 64oz of fluid in let alone an additional thing of protein.

All in all I am very happy with the progress. I understand I need to take advantage and get it while I can. It should slow down some, but with exercise and low calorie intake I should continue some form of loss.

Thanks for all your help and support during this process. I have made some really great friends here on myspace. I have some special friends I would like to thank, but am afraid of leaving someone off so I hope you know who you are. I think I have told most of you at least privately.

Much Love
Paul - The LBG

4:08 PM - 31 Comments - 39 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Surgery Experience
Current mood: accomplished

Woke up really really early. We were suppose to be at the hospital at 5:30 and the procedure would start at 7:30. We arrived a few minutes after like 5:35 and signed in. We sat there until 6:10 to be called back. I had a wonderful nurse, Laura, who was extrememly funny. We cut up with each other and she basically calmed any fears I had at this point. She was great. She even asked my wife if she could give a married man a hug. I could have had any admintting nurse but I got Laura. Lucky me.

By 7:00 I was moved to holding where there was some confusion as people were looking for Dr Dyer patient for a gastric bypass and kept asking me if I was that person. Luckily he finally showed up. I met with like 7 deifferent people in holding who verified my name, birthdate, doctor, and partial history. Made me feel a lot better. I remember being wheeled into the operating room and lots of people running around talking. The nurse anesthetist says she was going to give me something, and next thing I know I am in recovery.

Kim, my nurse in recovery says I did great, but I did not joke around with her like I was with my new nurse. She was very kind and supportive and even came by to see me on Thursday before I went home.

Pat was my nurse for the first day. At first we kinda bumped heads. She was doing things I was not in the mood to hear about. But after my wife (who is an nurse) calmed me down, Pat and I became very close. Pat had gastric bypass 5 years ago and obviously understood what was going on. THis eased my mind knowing that the person aking care of me understood and had compassion.

Unfortunately I was unable to void as of 6:00pm and they had to do an in/out cath. This may have been the worst part of my whole experience. By 6:00pm I had been up walking the halls multiple times trying to relieve some of the gas.

Dinner was served and it sucked. Broth, Tap water with crystal light, decaf tea.

By the time my night nurse came in I was well on my way to being ready to go home. I wanted to give her an easy night because I figured it would be easier on me. I was able to void on my own, thank God. I did not take but one pain dose, and I only called her because my iv emptied and was beeping. Can't sleep like that, you know. I walked a couple times during the middle of the night.

Breakfast was served and it sucked. Broth, Tap water with crystal light, decaf tea.

The next morning I waited on Dr Houston to see me which he did around 9:30. He said everything looked goood. The surgery was successful. The nausea I was feeling was normal. He made sure I understood liquids until I see him in a week.

I finally left the hospital around 11:00 and we made a few stops before ocming home, I do not remember them, but LaRhonda says we did. Once home, I slept most of the day and night.

I will hopefully post more soon.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT, COMMENTS, MESSAGES, PRAYERS, WELL WISHES. IT TRULY MEANS A LOT TO ME.

Much Love
Paul - The LBG

5:31 AM - 15 Comments - 26 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Preop Clear Liquids

This was not near as bad as I had thought it would be. I was a little tired and did not have much energy, but overall popsicles and water were not bad for 2 days.

The emotions were really beginning to take their toll during these two days. I tried to stay really busy, but every once in a while my mind would begin to wander. Thanks to some of my online friends for bringing me back to reality.

I beleive it could have been the hardest. Knowing I could have eaten anything I wanted but stuck to the clear liquids was pretty tough. So glad I had instilled the descipline to make it through those 2 days.

Many thanks and hugs to those who have helped.

Much Love
Paul

5:26 AM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Surgery Approaching
Current mood: jubilant

So I start my preop CLEAR LIQUID stage tomorrow. Today is my last day of real food for sometime. I am so excited and beginning to get a little anxious. As I have mentioned before I am at peace with this decision, I think it is just the whole "general surgery" that has me a little anxious. Obviously they are going to take really good care of me on the OR table, but things happen.

The Hospital has cashed their check, the Anesthia group has cashed their check but the surgeon has not cashed his as of friday. I began to wonder why that is. I had to drop it off two weeks ago.

I thought about being bad this weekend, but even trying to eat poorly has sucked. We had Wendys last night and I could not eat it all. (just a double stack 1/4lb $.99 and small fry) Must be a mental thing because I do not feel a port under my skin yet.

I have told a total of 10 people other than my great mySpace friends. Those who know are supporting me like you would not believe. I have still not told any of my family. I just do not want them to worry about things. I am pretty confident my parents will support us in this decision, but others I do not know. We are having my moms family (4 brothers and sisters and their families) to our home today to celebrate my moms birthday. So a house full of people who have no idea about surgery and lots of food. These are same people who will be wonderring why I am not eating a full plate or a second plate etc.

Enough rambling for now. I will post again tonight or in the morning as the CLEAR LIQUIDS start.

Thanks to all of you for your support. I am not sure if I could be where I am today without the help of food, stress, food, struggles, food, emotions, food, and last but not least FOOD.

Seriously, I do want to say a great big thanks to all of my online friends for your support of me. You have no reason to support me with your motivational comments and emails but you have chose to embrace me. I have a love for you all that I hope someday you will realize.

Much Love
Paul - The LBG

6:08 AM - 15 Comments - 18 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Surgery Approaching
Current mood: anxious

Some of this was posted on a forum and I thought I would expound on it via my blog.

I am quickly approaching my surgery date. It is currently scheduled for Aug 22. Beginning the preop diet was rough when you try to get in your "last chance" meals. I have decided not to worry too much about those meals and I have lost 13lbs since starting it. (last weigh in)

Fortunately with everyones help I have gained a much better understanding that I am not necessarily giving up that "favorite" food forever, even though after surgery it may no longer have the same effect for me it does now.

I have not even missed those Chocolate Ice Cream filled from Krispy Kreme. haha

I am looking for any additional support that may be out here. I am 98% confident in that I am making the right decision. However there are these little pieces which put doubt in my mind.

I am attending my first REAL support group here in town tonight. The last one as a preop guy. I am anxious and excited about meeting new people who are in Nashville who have been through this process. (Dont worry, they can never replace my MySpace support--You guys are AWESOME)

As a self pay patient, I have dug deep into my mental makeup to be sure and I am confident in my decision, however there are those few items of risks that keep popping up.

I truly feel for those of you who do not have a support system as I have. My wife (is a nurse) is 110% behind me, my best friend (is a MD) is 110% behind me, and then all of you. My heart goes out to you guys who have struggles from your support persons (family and friends).

Well enough rambling for now.

Much Love
Paul
The LBG

6:34 AM - 10 Comments - 18 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Pre-Op and Dietician
Current mood: refreshed

I had my visits for my pre-op work and dietician meeting yesterday. Oh yeah, I also wrote a couple of checks. Surprisingly they were a couple of the easiest checks I have ever written. (that is saying alot comeing from Mr Tightwad himself)

My day was going awesome especially after getting on the scales and noticing I was down to 425.2lbs (Yes Sir, almost 9 pounds since starting my preop diet last week)

I made it all the way through to get my blood work done.....Right arm, no blood. Left arm, no blood. Finally she took it out of my left hand. I felt bad for this lady. Either she sucked or my veins were doing the white coat syndrome and hiding. Needless to say as I type this morning I am a little black and blue.

I am all set to go now, just wainting on my day to come. Two weeks from tomorrow (Aug 22).

Thanks again to all of you for your support. It makes it so much easier knowing I have hundreds of strangers pulling for my success.

I still have not shared but with only a handful of my family and friends. I have not even shared with my parents. Am I wrong? I just do not wish to add any additional worry on them until after the surgery. I know there are risks, but I am confident in my surgeons ability. For now I am keeping it on the down low as my friends teenagers say.

Much Love
The LBG

5:19 AM - 11 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Chattanooga Trip
Current mood: tired
Category: Travel and Places

We took the girls (16 months and 28 months) to the Aquarium in Chattanooga this weekend. (Friday & Saturday) Wow, was it busy. The oldest one had a blast just as she did the last trip. The youngest one is still a little too young to enjoy it (this was her first trip. She slept through part of it.) The previous trip there I was only considering the LB. This trip as I am ready to embark on this new part of my life I really noticed a lot of different things.

I was able to be defiant in my "travel munchies" (car treats) These consisted of lots of water and sugar free fruit chews. Previously these would have been lots of coke (2-3 cans each way) funyons and candy bars.

I was able to really notice how limited I am and the space I take up as a big guy. The looks one gets may be mostly mental, but it sure does seem like I get a lot of looks. I just wonder what is going through their minds. Is it "Wow, that guy is fat?", or "He sure must be lazy", or "I feel sorry for those kids",  Often times I want to answer the question for them when they do their double take. I think maybe I should say something because really I am nothing more than a sarcastic smartalic child at heart.

Amazingly I did not have to use my inhaler once during this trip after we left the house. This has to be because of the daily walking we have been doing. It is amazing how just a little bit of walking has assisted my lungs. I was very thankful to not have to use my inhaler even though we were sure to bring it. The last trip we did not have it and had to pull some strings to get a prescription transfered from Target (already closed in Chattanooga but open in Nashville) to Walgreens. Thanks to my lovely bride who is a nurse and once worked at CVS and Target pharmacy. Evidently this is a big no-no. Since it was not a narcotic I guess they sided with her pleas of help.

One other thing I realized this trip was how hotel rooms are not very good for two little girls to be closed up in. I can only imagine the pain caused in the rooms next to us. Our oldest had nightmares or something and was up at least twice screaming. (10 minutes each) The youngest one did not want to go to bed and cried herself to sleep (10 minutes worth).

I cant wait until the next trip because I will be going from the other side. (Surgery scheduled August 22)

Till next time......

Much Love
The LBG

5:00 AM