July 30 2010

Today we heard from the office manager with the surgery center. She knows how important it is to get everything done prior to surgery in 1 day. She said she was getting on it so hopefully she can pull it off. My manager said she would work with me in anyway she can. So, the surgery is still on just a matter of making it all happen. On another note, I had to tighten my belt again. The is the new belt I recently bought. It is down to it's last hole so I will need a new belt soon. Making progress. I feel good about life and extremely proud of what I have accomplished.

July 29 2010

Not much new. Emily and I talked tonight and if we are going to go forward with the surgery we have to get is schedule soon. Tomorrow I am going to call the surgery center again. Honestly, I really don't want to have the surgery. I truly feel I can do this on my own. For example, tonight after swimming lessons we went out to eat at Lizzard Thicket. I really don't want to give that up. But, at the same time, the procedure will help me not eat everything on my plate. So, the drama is continuing. I will try to update tomorrow once I hear more from the surgery.

July 27 2010

Well, I had not planned to post every night but so far that is what is happening. Today was another eventful day but it was also a day of reconning. I had explained to the surgery center that because of the way my disability works I needed for the events leading up to the procedure in consecutive order and for the doctor to verify disability status for me. I do believe they tried but they were not able to get it done. It would not have been so frustrating except I had been told by office personel they could get this done and now it appears they cannot. I don't know if they will be able to do it down the road or if we may be looking at postponing everything until next year. Then will I have to go through all the pretesting again? What about the health care reform? How will that affect everything. Just so many questions. But, no matter what, I know God is in control. I know I have lost 41lbs. I know I can do this with our without surgery. But, there are bonuses with the surgery. For one, they will fix my hernia and put in a filter to prevent blood clots that will remain in the rest of my life. Those are bonuses that are worth while. So, the bottom line is I am on hold. In the mean time I will continue on this journey and continue to eat healthy and these changes will be for life. Finally, for today, we went out and had pizza for supper and I don't feel the least bit guilty!! Have a great evening everyone!

July 26 2010

Today was not a good day. Oh, don't get me wrong. I did well when it comes to my diet. For breakfast I had my protein shake and fiber pop tart the rest of the day saw 3 protein bars, one apple, one cup of yogart, one turkey sandwich and two more protein shakes. That is very good. But, dealing with the surgery center is proving to be very stressful. I explained I needed all the pre op testing done on consecutive days so I could start my disability. Needless to say they could not seem to get that straight. Then, I found out if the doctor approves my disability then it does not necessarily have to be consecutive days just that once I am out I cannot go back to work. But, I have to be under the doctor's care. Which will work since all of this is related and all the pre surgery issues do have to be addressed. I have to have an MRI of my legs to make sure I don't have any blood clots. I have to meet with the dietician again all though I am not sure why. I have already met with her and have the diet and have been practicing it. Then, I have to meet with the surgeon again even though we have already met twice. Then, they put in the filter to prevent blood clots. Which gets back to why do an MRI if you are putting in the filter??? Then, the procedure itself. I got so frustrated I felt like just giving up. I mean, I am doing well on my own. 41lbs is nothing to sneeze at. But, I have also done so much to get this done I hate to just give up. So, I stuck with it. I left several detail messages explaing if they are starting this process July 29 then that is when my disability needs to begin. The final message I received before the ene of the day is they are trying to start my disability August 5th!! If that happens, then I will have to start all of this all over again. I'm not sure how hard it is to understand these days have to be consecutive and once I am out I cannot go back to work or my days start over again. So frustrating. So, I guess we will see what happens tomorrow. In the mean time, I continue to practice good eating and food practices. And remain frustrated about the entire process.

Sunday July 25 2010

Good evening. I decided to start a blog about my weight loss journey. First, let me introduce myself. I am 47 years old with two children and a beautiful wife. I began gaining weight soon after we were married 10 years ago. Weight has been a constant battle for me most of my life. There were times I had it under control and other times it had me under control. I like to eat. I like to go out. I enjoy a good time. But, in March I decided I had to take control of my life. I weighed in at 346lbs and was rapidly approaching 350. The doctors told me if I didn't do something the next 10 years would be very tough on me. You see, I already had a heart attack and knew life was slipping away from me. I could not stand the thought of leaving my wife to raise our two children and I also could not stand the thought of my health getting so bad she had to take care of me as well. So, I decided to take control. I attended a bariatric surgery seminar and began a high protein diet. I waffled on which surgery would be best for me but in the end decided on the lap band. Since March I have lost 41lbs on my own but have decided to go ahead with the procedure. I feel it will help me with the rest I want to lose. I will post my thoughts and progress on this site and hope it will help others especially dads who need some help. Let's get healthy for ourselves but most of all for our families!