2 Weeks

My first fill is in 2 weeks. As I mentioned in an earlier post, hunger had really started to kick in. Well that has leveled off a bit and while I'm still eating more than I eventually will, I'm not starving by any means. And, I'm starting to fill up on less food again which is SO welcome. In 2 weeks, my hope is that my first fill is a success(it can take 2 or 3 to get it right), because if so, the weight loss will return in a big way.

What an emotional ride this has already been. I almost hesitate to share too much because it makes one so vulnerable. Some things should be kept secret, right? Of course, this is just mind manipulation to entice people to ask me to share:) What I will say is this. Most days, most of the time I am optimistic, energetic and encouraged by so many people close to me. That said, there are still so many reminders of how big I am, and how I'm perceived by some because of that. I've thought a lot about past relationships the past couple of days. Even the ones that didn't end so well. The main thought or feeling is not regret or bitterness. It's actually an awareness of how much I appreciate every beautiful girl I've dated who gave a very overweight guy like me a shot. The ones that didn't just think I have a "good personality" but also made me feel like a handsome guy from the chin(s) up who needed to lose weight for my health rather than only seeing a fat guy. Whatever wrongs that may have been committed(which I have documented in numerous songs:)) they are forgiven for that very reason. Hopefully my wrongs are forgiven, too.

I'm hearing Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias in my head this very second.

Ode To Bandster Hell

Until my first fill I am ready to kill
and eat everything in sight
Chicken skin, beef, pasta as well
Add mayo. And I don't mean lite.

So please adjust me sooner than later
Dr. Malley I beg this of you
I have healed so quickly No longer am I sickly
All day I just chew chew chew

Welcome To Bandster Hell

That is the term used by many new "banders" to describe the intense hunger they begin to feel between being healed and having their first fill. For 3 days now I have felt increasingly hungry and am eating more because of it. Obviously that scares and frustrates me a little because I don't want to gain any weight back during this period. What is comforting is to read other blogs and posts and various lap band sites and learn that not only is this normal, it's a good thing and part of the process. Let's face it, I didn't lose 40 lbs in 3 weeks because of my new lap band. I lost so much weight due to a mostly liquid diet, and now that my stomach is no longer swollen, that means I have healed very well from the surgery, and that the opening from my pouch to my bottomless pit is wider than it will ever be for the rest of my life. During these few weeks I am prepared(still disappointed because I am human) to gain 5-10 pounds as it would be impossible to go from eating 800 calories per day to roughly 1700 a day and not gain back some water weight. The true weight loss will come once my band is adjusted/filled to where it needs to be. On that note, I'm learning that can be tricky and may require a few fills to get it right.

This "easy way out" sure is harder than I thought:)

So I guess November will be more about adjusting to solid foods, healing, increased exercising and continued healing. Hopefully a couple rounds of golf, too. I've already decided that I have 13 years to bring my handicap down from about a 12 to scratch and play the Champions Tour. I suppose a back up plan would be wise!

13 Days Post-Op. May the Exercising Begin. Slowly.

Nothing strenuous for 4-6 weeks. OK. Since even putting my socks on has long been strenuous, what exactly can I do??? Not to mention a still painful right knee. I hope with everything in me that I don't need a knee replacement someday. I love walking, but walking makes the knee pain much worse. Hopefully as the weight comes off that changes. It is somewhat debilitating. I CAN ride my exercise bike and put in a good solid 5 minutes this morning. I could have gone a little longer of course, but don't want to disrupt my continuing recovery from surgery. I plan to ride the exercise bike at least 5 days a week, getting up to 20-30 minutes a day, and then adding some light weightlifting on my bowflex. Hopefully my umbilical hernia isn't made worse by weightlifting.

Stay thin, kids. While I have no life threatening comorbidites, years of stress on my joints and muscles have taken their toll.

In terms of how I feel, lets put it this way. I'm the most energetic, the most happy 200 pound overweight guy on the planet. Bar none the greatest decision of my life. I feel outstanding. 

First post-op appopintment. Down 40 pounds,

Appointment went great. No major issues post surgery other than a lovely UTI. For a few days I felt as though I was peeing blades, or glass, or maybe ethanol. One and a half days of meds and already feeling much better, so no big deal there. Dr. Malley was excited and pleased with my weight loss, and the fact that I'm feeling so well. I echo that.

I actually am able to eat solid foods now. Am enjoying the things I'm able to eat and in the amount I'm allowed to eat them. Less and less do I feel like tearing into something and scarfing it down like I was so accustomed to doing. I really worried about this pre-surgery and even the first few days after. It's not like I was frustrated that I couldn't indulge EVERY meal, just the occasional meal. But somehow this whole eating less, chewing more, and stopping when I'm full has turned out to be a much easier transition than I thought it would be. Losing 40 pounds so quickly doesn't hurt.