Pre-Surgery

The following was actually my first write-up related to the surgery.  It was written shortly before my actual surgery took place.  As a requirement of winning the contest, we are to submit a monthly write up of our experiences and progress.  I've decided to include it here as the obvious next step in the chronology to which I've put forth in this blog to date.  I should be up to date to my current status within a couple more posts.  I thank you for your patience along the way.  I hope you have found this blog informative and maybe even a little inspirational.

Thanks,

me

Excited and over whelmed!  What can I say?  I won, but now what?!  It has been an incredible ride really.  I've celebrated with family and friends and feel very humbled by the outpouring of support from everyone.  So many went the extra mile for me during the campaign, that it would be impossible for me to thank everyone here, but rest assured I appreciate you all; it was a great team effort.  I would like to briefly offer special thanks to a few.  First and foremost to the Palms of Pasadena, Dr Jessee, and the wonderful folks at Allergan as well as anyone else responsible for donating the Lap Band, facilities, and their time and talent to make this contest a reality.  This is an incredible opportunity especially for those of us that are insurance challenged.  Thank you to my family and friends for their votes, campaigning, and support.  Humberto, Jen, Pedro, Deco, Higor, Mo, and Monica thanks for the Facebook blitzkrieg!  Maria Irene and Our Lady of Fatima church congregation in Hartford thank you for your prayers as well as your votes.  Special thanks to all the teachers who helped get the word out to the next generation.  Thanks to Michelle, Beef's, and all the bikers and truckers out there who took my campaign on the road.  Thanks Dad for spreading the word to all those I didn't have contact info for.  Eric, Paula, Paul, Haley, Jen, Monica, Kayleigh, Humberto, Ilene, Suzy, and my beautiful wife Heather thank you for being my foot soldiers and spending countless hours passing out cards, fliers, and the like to the masses; it is no easy task to approach strangers to solicit votes.  Extra special thanks to Paul for being the guinea pig and showing me how successful you can be using the Lap Band as a tool in creating a new healthy reality.  Now it's my turn.  God bless you all; you may very well have saved my life.

Now it's time to get serious and get down to business.  I've had some follow ups and pre-op items to complete and have checked them off the list.  I would certainly recommend you read through the materials including the binder your doctor provides, because it is a wealth of information.  Some of it can be scary as they have to cover the legalese of risk as is inherent in any surgical procedure, but I have felt that there are far more risks associated with my diabetes and assorted health issues that await me down the line hadn't I chosen to have the Lap Band surgery.  During this last couple of weeks of follow ups I have been on a strict liver reducing diet to prepare for surgery.  I have to confess I was very anxious about this step as I didn't relish the idea of further dieting without the benefit of the band being in place yet.  I considered it kind of a necessary purification, a transition into my new life almost like a baptism if you will.  In the end It really hasn't been that bad.  The shakes are hearty enough that with a modicum of will power along with some dinner creativity(think stuffed peppers with ground turkey) and sugar free jello will get you through.  The secret is to avoid temptation like the plague.  I knew I was in trouble when I was pumping gas and the succulent aroma of the neighboring eateries were making me consider a hideous attack on the next unsuspecting passerby who just happened to have the misfortune of carrying a takeout bag.  At that point I decided to spend as much time at home and out of everyone else's harm's way as possible!  I was lucky.  My incredibly supportive wife actually has done the diet with me to make it easier on me or it may have been for her own safety(just kidding).  She drank every shake and every lean and green meal right along with me and her sacrifice and support has meant the world to me and made every difference.  Thanks babe!

Now I find myself a mere two days from my surgery.  (Thoughtful Pause)  I'm embarking on a journey; one where I hope my destination is good health and sanity.  I will be trading the endless cycle of ups and downs of yo-yo diet after yo-yo diet for the promise of a new reality.  The new reality of a long-term solution.  Dare I say?  Yes, lifestyle change.  Even though I've heard many stories of what it will be like, I won't truly understand how it feels until I've been banded.  It makes me a little nervous I confess, but I have a wonderful support system and for the first time in my life I'm moving forward with an optimism and a confidence, that I hope will lead me to be successful on my weight loss journey.  I'm joining the great fraternity of the banded.  May it welcome me with a new healthy outlook and not a hungry stomach.