It's been over six months since surgery, and we are full in holiday mode. Spending Thanksgiving with my wife's family, we went up to Connecticut to see my family the following week. The air is heavy with anticipation, not only to see what people say about my weight loss, but also the added baby news. Baby news did seem to trump Band news, and as much fun as it might be to recount the telling of our baby news to the family, it is a bit off topic, so I will let it go as it came as a big surprise, especially with everyone initially focused on my weight loss. :-)
I will say expectations are hard to overcome, especially if they may be high, but I was over all pleased with the results. It's funny, but reactions although varied from person to person, seemed to all have some commonality as well. The initial reaction always seemed to be one of hesitant processing accompanied by a studying stare. I'm not sure if it was more of disbelief or in some cases I wasn't meeting up with their expectations. I will say I was handicapped by the weather and time of year. Not only was it Winter, but I was coming from Florida to Connecticut, which probably net an equivalent temperature drop to match my weight loss! I was forced to layer and wear heavy clothes negating some of the apparent benefits of my weight loss. I must say that I was a bit disappointed with some of the reactions as a result. I may have even got a comment of "that's it?" along the way. However, any less than stellar reactions, were often followed by a more congratulatory tone, especially once I took my coat off. I dare say that I may have been able to bask in the glory of better adulation in a warmer clime or better season.
I had some unexpected reactions as well. For example, I got a surprise gush or two, not from how I looked so much, but seeing me actually perform some simple feat of agility, that prior to surgery would've challenged me as a monumental task, such as bending over to pick up something from the ground, climbing stairs without the accompanying huff and puff, or walking in general for that matter. There were comments like "Oh my God, he's able to do......" Fill in the blank. I hadn't realized how poor my physical abilities had gotten to prior to surgery. Seeing my progress through the eyes of others was an eye opener. I'm very pleased with how far I've come, and appreciate all my friends and family who have supported me and gotten me to where I am now. It's truly been a journey and not a destination, but sometimes it's nice to stop and look around and appreciate how far you've come. Thank you all for all of your support.
I can't wait until my next trip, perhaps in the Spring, where maybe I can sport shorts instead of over coats! It was also my first time back on a plane since surgery, and it was so nice to leave the seatbelt extender behind. I fit comfortably into the seat despite being stuck in a middle seat. I was amazed on the difference. Last time I felt like I was stuffed into the seat like an over plump sausage in a narrow sausage casing. I would have to endure the stares of fellow travelers hoping I wasn't sitting next to them and impeding on their space. Now I felt like nothing particularly special or noteworthy on the plane; it was nice to just be one of the crowd. Thank you to all who made this vision a reality.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Belly News
I would like to apologize for being way behind in my blog updates. I've been side tracked due to a number of things going on and my blogging has taken a back seat as a result. I will try and make sure that I don't lose the continuity on the news and will try and go back to where I left off back in October and hopefully after a number of entries I will catch you back up to present.
With my last entry I had mentioned I was still having some belly issues related to my port. I would like to elaborate on that. The issue is not with my Lap Band itself, in fact I've always felt that the band was very well placed and comfortable. It is with my port used to give me adjustments. Back in the Fall it was getting more and more difficult to access my port due to some underlying movement in the port making it harder and harder to pin down with the needle. The resulting time with the needle in my belly just led to some discomfort and swelling that seemed to last a week or two afterwards. This soreness really took me out of my normal routine for exercise and the like. A couple of the times I believe even resulted in an infection, since the swelling and accompanying red streaking would only diminish after starting a regiment of antibiotics. More to come on future posts regarding my port.
On the subject of bellies, my wife's has begun to grow even while mine has shrunk. Some might think this is a result of her finishing meals I can't finish due to the band, or she is simply finding what I'm losing. Neither is true... In fact she is carrying our first baby! I know this seems to be unrelated news considering this is a blog on Lap Band surgery, but I disagree. Besides being a proud father to be, I honestly believe that Lap Band surgery and the corresponding weight loss has had a significant impact that may have led to my wife's current condition, and I don't mean that it made me more attractive to my wife either, although that may be true too. ;-P I'm speaking purely medically. One of my medical conditions I have/had is/was low testosterone levels. I haven't mentioned this before because I myself felt this was very unrelated to my obesity. Well I may have been wrong... I've been taking treatment for my condition for many years with minimal improvement. However, around six months after surgery my testosterone levels have dramatically increased to nearly normal levels. I don't see it as a coincidence that not long after surgery my testosterone level has begun to normalize and not long after that, I'm an expectant father.
Lap Band surgery is improving my health in even unforseen ways. Thank you Lap Band for helping me to expand my family. I much rather see my wife with a baby bump instead of the one I saw in the mirror my whole pre-banded life!
God Bless!
With my last entry I had mentioned I was still having some belly issues related to my port. I would like to elaborate on that. The issue is not with my Lap Band itself, in fact I've always felt that the band was very well placed and comfortable. It is with my port used to give me adjustments. Back in the Fall it was getting more and more difficult to access my port due to some underlying movement in the port making it harder and harder to pin down with the needle. The resulting time with the needle in my belly just led to some discomfort and swelling that seemed to last a week or two afterwards. This soreness really took me out of my normal routine for exercise and the like. A couple of the times I believe even resulted in an infection, since the swelling and accompanying red streaking would only diminish after starting a regiment of antibiotics. More to come on future posts regarding my port.
On the subject of bellies, my wife's has begun to grow even while mine has shrunk. Some might think this is a result of her finishing meals I can't finish due to the band, or she is simply finding what I'm losing. Neither is true... In fact she is carrying our first baby! I know this seems to be unrelated news considering this is a blog on Lap Band surgery, but I disagree. Besides being a proud father to be, I honestly believe that Lap Band surgery and the corresponding weight loss has had a significant impact that may have led to my wife's current condition, and I don't mean that it made me more attractive to my wife either, although that may be true too. ;-P I'm speaking purely medically. One of my medical conditions I have/had is/was low testosterone levels. I haven't mentioned this before because I myself felt this was very unrelated to my obesity. Well I may have been wrong... I've been taking treatment for my condition for many years with minimal improvement. However, around six months after surgery my testosterone levels have dramatically increased to nearly normal levels. I don't see it as a coincidence that not long after surgery my testosterone level has begun to normalize and not long after that, I'm an expectant father.
Lap Band surgery is improving my health in even unforseen ways. Thank you Lap Band for helping me to expand my family. I much rather see my wife with a baby bump instead of the one I saw in the mirror my whole pre-banded life!
God Bless!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Race Report
I did it! Yes I completed a 5K. It was tougher than I expected, but that's partly because I have another infection in my belly around my port ( more on that on a future post). I decided that with my belly swollen I should take it slow and walked the whole thing. My wife was sweet enough to walk with me. She has been incredibly supportive through everything. It was her first 5K and we enjoyed walking it together. The race started and finished in downtown Tampa on 10/12. It also took us along scenic Bayshore Blvd, which is one of the nicest streets in America as it hugs the water in Tampa. It is very exhilarating to participate in a 5K. There are all types of folks competing from the seasoned runners to those just wanting to give it a try and get some exercise. You see parents running with their children and strollers; you see seniors impressing with their fortitude. I dare say sprinkled in among the rest are the Banded, myself included. Thanks to the Lap Band I was there and I finished! Thank you to all that made that possible.
We completed the course in exactly 58 minutes; certainly not record time, but prior to surgery walking even half that distance would have been unthinkable. I feel like I've come along way, but I'm just getting started! As I get in better shape, I plan on improving my times in future races. Thanks to my Lap Band surgery, I'm able to participate in activities that were previously impossible. Completing a 5K just got checked off on my list of goals after surgery and I have a not so lousy t-shirt to prove it.
Thanks,
me :-)
We completed the course in exactly 58 minutes; certainly not record time, but prior to surgery walking even half that distance would have been unthinkable. I feel like I've come along way, but I'm just getting started! As I get in better shape, I plan on improving my times in future races. Thanks to my Lap Band surgery, I'm able to participate in activities that were previously impossible. Completing a 5K just got checked off on my list of goals after surgery and I have a not so lousy t-shirt to prove it.
Thanks,
me :-)
Sunday, September 29, 2013
How Sweet It Is, Not To Be So Sweet!
I had my first follow up with my regular physician since my surgery. I was very anxious to get the results of my bloodwork. I'm happy to say that my glucose has gone down 67 points and my A1C has gone down nearly 2 full points! Although I'm still considered diabetic, these numbers represent a tremendous reduction in my sugar and gives me high hopes for a future free of diabetes. None of this would be possible without the generosity and support of the wonderful folks at Suncoast Bariatrics and the Palms of Pasadena with their life changing gift of free Lap Band surgery. Thank you!
me
me
Monday, August 12, 2013
Swelling, Shorts, and Milk too!
Seems like a while since I've made an update to my blog, so I apologize for the delay. I was waiting for a more significant event, but in a way I'm pleased that things have begun to seem normal. I decided to throw a few odds and ends together instead of waiting for a significant event. Normal life is more subdued; seromas and surgeries don't happen every day after all.
First I did run into a minor issue in the area of my port. I began experiencing some soreness or discomfort around the port followed by some swelling. After a few days of no improvement and it began feeling warm to the touch, I called the doctor and they had me come in. Dr. Ache examined me and probed me with a needle to see if we could drain any fluid. Fluid was minimal and we took advantage of having the needle already in to give me my second fill. She indicated that swelling around the port can be a common occurrence when your activity level increases. I certainly have been trying to up my exercise a notch, so this made sense. She also told me to keep an eye on it just in case it could be something else. I could call in and she could write a script for an antibiotic if needed. Over the weekend the swelling seemed to increase and the area became very red and warm. Also, I began to have a fever. I called on Monday and got the script and within a few days of taking the antibiotic, the swelling and redness began to subside. All told I would say it lasted about a week, so it was no big deal, but still noteworthy.
A small note on milk. On an earlier post I mentioned Skim Plus, which is a fortified skim milk with extra protein and vitamins and the taste more like whole milk. This is a great option, but there are others. If you visit the dairy section of your local grocery store, you will find many products with similar attributes. There are varieties of these fortified low fat milks, but also some complete substitutes as well. My friend Ilene made the suggestion of trying almond milk. I found a coupon and tried Almond Breeze, which came in many varieties itself including an unsweetened original and unsweetened vanilla, both of which are only 30 calories per serving. That was even less than the Skim Plus milk, yet still had the extra protein and vitamins, even more so in some instances than the Skim Plus. I've been using it ever since. Thanks Ilene. There are of course other alternatives as well including lactose free as well as many varieties of soy milk. My suggestion is to explore and find one that works for your tastes and needs. I primarily use it for the shakes and cereals and the almond milk works great for both.
I want to end with a great note and a first for me. I have begun noticing a difference in some of my clothes. They are hanging loose and some are even making me look awkward. One particular pair of jean shorts, I even turned in to Suncoast Bariatrics for their clothes room. To keep them from falling I had to tighten my belt to the point it would even create a pleat in the front. Luckily I covered it up with a shirt. This was a significant break through for me. Traditionally I would get rid of clothes because they would rip or become unwearable for being too tight or unbuttonable. Over the years I've given away bags and bags of clothes to Goodwill or the Salvation Army; all way too small as my midsection would grow and grow. Now for the first time I got rid of something because it was too big! It was only one piece, but it was a start and I'm happy to be moving in the right direction! Thank you Suncoast Bariatrics and Palms of Pasadena! This is an awesome feeling and it's all thanks to you.
me
First I did run into a minor issue in the area of my port. I began experiencing some soreness or discomfort around the port followed by some swelling. After a few days of no improvement and it began feeling warm to the touch, I called the doctor and they had me come in. Dr. Ache examined me and probed me with a needle to see if we could drain any fluid. Fluid was minimal and we took advantage of having the needle already in to give me my second fill. She indicated that swelling around the port can be a common occurrence when your activity level increases. I certainly have been trying to up my exercise a notch, so this made sense. She also told me to keep an eye on it just in case it could be something else. I could call in and she could write a script for an antibiotic if needed. Over the weekend the swelling seemed to increase and the area became very red and warm. Also, I began to have a fever. I called on Monday and got the script and within a few days of taking the antibiotic, the swelling and redness began to subside. All told I would say it lasted about a week, so it was no big deal, but still noteworthy.
A small note on milk. On an earlier post I mentioned Skim Plus, which is a fortified skim milk with extra protein and vitamins and the taste more like whole milk. This is a great option, but there are others. If you visit the dairy section of your local grocery store, you will find many products with similar attributes. There are varieties of these fortified low fat milks, but also some complete substitutes as well. My friend Ilene made the suggestion of trying almond milk. I found a coupon and tried Almond Breeze, which came in many varieties itself including an unsweetened original and unsweetened vanilla, both of which are only 30 calories per serving. That was even less than the Skim Plus milk, yet still had the extra protein and vitamins, even more so in some instances than the Skim Plus. I've been using it ever since. Thanks Ilene. There are of course other alternatives as well including lactose free as well as many varieties of soy milk. My suggestion is to explore and find one that works for your tastes and needs. I primarily use it for the shakes and cereals and the almond milk works great for both.
I want to end with a great note and a first for me. I have begun noticing a difference in some of my clothes. They are hanging loose and some are even making me look awkward. One particular pair of jean shorts, I even turned in to Suncoast Bariatrics for their clothes room. To keep them from falling I had to tighten my belt to the point it would even create a pleat in the front. Luckily I covered it up with a shirt. This was a significant break through for me. Traditionally I would get rid of clothes because they would rip or become unwearable for being too tight or unbuttonable. Over the years I've given away bags and bags of clothes to Goodwill or the Salvation Army; all way too small as my midsection would grow and grow. Now for the first time I got rid of something because it was too big! It was only one piece, but it was a start and I'm happy to be moving in the right direction! Thank you Suncoast Bariatrics and Palms of Pasadena! This is an awesome feeling and it's all thanks to you.
me
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Holiday, Vacation, and Anniversary; Oh My!
I'm sure anyone who's struggled with weight loss knows exactly what this post's title is all about, Temptation! Any of these, or quite frankly a number of other situations like birthday parties, graduations, celebrations of all kinds, social situations galore...in other words life! can jump up and bite you in your weight loss goals. During Independence Day week I faced the triple threat all at once. My wife and I decided to enjoy a little time away to enjoy our first anniversary together. We didn't want to go too far as I was still less than two months out from surgery and had recently had my first fill. Luckily we live in the Sunshine State, so we headed for the wonderful beach at Siesta Key. We thought we could do a lot of outside activities and enjoy some of the local cuisine guilt free. Well, it rained 90% of the time, so much for the Sunshine State!
We did manage one limited trip to the beach where we got a nice long walk along the water and some mini golf, both led to good sweats in the Summer's heat and humidity. Unfortunately the weather left more time for the local cuisine. We did get to enjoy a couple Food Network visited eateries in Yoder's, home cooking Amish style, and Jose's Real Cuban Food. If you ever get the chance, you have to try some pie at Yoder's; it is worth the trip and the 30 minute line to get in. When I mean pie, any will do, we ended up trying a few varieties while we were in the area, and all were incredible. Enjoy! Jose's had an excellent array of Cuban food. They start you off with a sample of their pork if you are a newbie. We tried a couple items on special and everything we had was delicious. Again, don't see where you can go wrong here.
OK, I'm through torturing you with the food. This is supposed to be a blog about losing weight, not what to eat in the Sarasota/Bradenton area of Florida. The point is I was able to enjoy eating! The Lap Band didn't prevent me from enjoying the food, but it did help me not to over do it. It was a nice change from the vacations and special occasions of the past, where it was always a good excuse to binge myself into oblivion, leaving any diet in waste. Not this time! This time the Lap Band was my ally; it limited my portions and was a constant reminder of my ultimate goals and why I shouldn't lose control.
I was even able to enjoy our one year old wedding cake without too much guilt. It was pretty good too! Great job freezing it babe! With the Lap Band, I guess you can say that I can have my cake and eat it too! Sorry had to say it. ;P Now don't think there wasn't a weight loss cost to this. I certainly had a weight gain for the week, but instead of the usual complete derailment of a diet, I had a minor setback thanks to the Lap Band. The setback was easily reversed and I was back on track the following week. You need to get back to good habits with what you eat and your activity, which is so much easier after Lap Band surgery.
Life happens and it is unrealistic to think you can be on the straight and narrow all the time. The Lap Band allows you to enjoy the finer things in life without letting them sink your weight loss goals. Life with the Lap Band isn't harsh and hungry. Instead the Lap Band allows for a full and flexible lifestyle. You can have your cake, just remember to run with it too!
Thanks,
me
We did manage one limited trip to the beach where we got a nice long walk along the water and some mini golf, both led to good sweats in the Summer's heat and humidity. Unfortunately the weather left more time for the local cuisine. We did get to enjoy a couple Food Network visited eateries in Yoder's, home cooking Amish style, and Jose's Real Cuban Food. If you ever get the chance, you have to try some pie at Yoder's; it is worth the trip and the 30 minute line to get in. When I mean pie, any will do, we ended up trying a few varieties while we were in the area, and all were incredible. Enjoy! Jose's had an excellent array of Cuban food. They start you off with a sample of their pork if you are a newbie. We tried a couple items on special and everything we had was delicious. Again, don't see where you can go wrong here.
OK, I'm through torturing you with the food. This is supposed to be a blog about losing weight, not what to eat in the Sarasota/Bradenton area of Florida. The point is I was able to enjoy eating! The Lap Band didn't prevent me from enjoying the food, but it did help me not to over do it. It was a nice change from the vacations and special occasions of the past, where it was always a good excuse to binge myself into oblivion, leaving any diet in waste. Not this time! This time the Lap Band was my ally; it limited my portions and was a constant reminder of my ultimate goals and why I shouldn't lose control.
I was even able to enjoy our one year old wedding cake without too much guilt. It was pretty good too! Great job freezing it babe! With the Lap Band, I guess you can say that I can have my cake and eat it too! Sorry had to say it. ;P Now don't think there wasn't a weight loss cost to this. I certainly had a weight gain for the week, but instead of the usual complete derailment of a diet, I had a minor setback thanks to the Lap Band. The setback was easily reversed and I was back on track the following week. You need to get back to good habits with what you eat and your activity, which is so much easier after Lap Band surgery.
Life happens and it is unrealistic to think you can be on the straight and narrow all the time. The Lap Band allows you to enjoy the finer things in life without letting them sink your weight loss goals. Life with the Lap Band isn't harsh and hungry. Instead the Lap Band allows for a full and flexible lifestyle. You can have your cake, just remember to run with it too!
Thanks,
me
Monday, July 1, 2013
My First Fill
For those who may not know, getting a fill in the Lap Band world is when you inflate your band with a liquid solution, usually saline. It's certainly not filling up on lots of food as I might have thought in my pre-banded life. When the band is initially placed it is not inflated because there isn't a need for additional restriction while you heal from surgery. Once you heal it is necessary to use your Lap Band tool to make sure you restrict yourself before your body goes back to old eating habits. I will say that my stomach had begun to feel a little frisky, so I was glad Dr. Jessee began the fill process. The Lap Band is a very flexible tool in that you can have adjustments done through adding liquid or even removing liquid if you find yourself too restricted. It can be tailored to the individual's needs.
The process is simple. As I lay back on the medical table in Dr. Jessee's office, she placed a cylindrical pillow in the small of my back. This allows your port to be pushed up to as close to the surface of your skin as possible. The port is the part of your band that is sewn into your abdominal muscle where the needle can be inserted to either add or remove fluid from your band. This was my first fill, so I confess to be a little nervous, but I had the good fortune to witness a fill at the seminar I had attended, so I remembered it was a pretty straight forward procedure. The needle was fairly large, but it only pinched for a moment. Dr. Jessee asked me to sit up before I even realized that she had already inserted the liquid. That was easy! Now came the hard part. I had to drink water. Yes, it was hard because now I had to judge based on my drinking whether I had too much liquid. It's tough when you don't know what to look for. I had this feeling like I needed to burp, but couldn't. Dr. Jessee realized before I did, that I indeed had a bit too much and the water wasn't going down. She then had to reinsert the needle to remove a bit of the liquid. To be honest it was very confusing on what normal should feel like as I still felt a bit too restricted at that point. I feel it's more a matter of experience and as I get adjustments I imagine that I will get better at reading the signs. For now I was content in relying on Dr. Jessee's experienced and better judgement. She was really good at reading the signs, and she wasn't the one swallowing the water!
For the first day you are back on a liquid only diet followed by one day of mushy foods before getting back to solid food. This wasn't a hardship, as I certainly didn't want to eat anything solid. I kept feeling like I may have had too much of a fill, but later realized this is exactly how it's supposed to feel. I had my liquids and had them sparingly for the first day and a half. Then I cautiously introduced some mushy foods like cream of wheat, soups, and the like. Before I knew it I had the confidence to go back to solid foods probably by day four and haven't looked back since. It's amazing that I thought for sure that I was going to have to go back to have some removed, but felt just fine and back to normal a mere few days later. My advice is trust the process. Your doctor knows more than you do, so rely on their expertise especially at this stage.
I certainly feel restricted on how much I can eat, but that's exactly what the band is designed to do. It keeps you honest and encourages you to stick to the program. It is the tool I always wanted to help me on my journey. I always fell short in my weight loss goals, because at some point I would give in to the cravings. I couldn't stop myself in time before consuming mass quantities. No longer. Now the band will help me not go over the line. It will give me the strength to persist; I can now see it through; I won't falter. Thanks to the band, I have confidence in the journey; I have confidence in myself.
Banded,
me :-)
The process is simple. As I lay back on the medical table in Dr. Jessee's office, she placed a cylindrical pillow in the small of my back. This allows your port to be pushed up to as close to the surface of your skin as possible. The port is the part of your band that is sewn into your abdominal muscle where the needle can be inserted to either add or remove fluid from your band. This was my first fill, so I confess to be a little nervous, but I had the good fortune to witness a fill at the seminar I had attended, so I remembered it was a pretty straight forward procedure. The needle was fairly large, but it only pinched for a moment. Dr. Jessee asked me to sit up before I even realized that she had already inserted the liquid. That was easy! Now came the hard part. I had to drink water. Yes, it was hard because now I had to judge based on my drinking whether I had too much liquid. It's tough when you don't know what to look for. I had this feeling like I needed to burp, but couldn't. Dr. Jessee realized before I did, that I indeed had a bit too much and the water wasn't going down. She then had to reinsert the needle to remove a bit of the liquid. To be honest it was very confusing on what normal should feel like as I still felt a bit too restricted at that point. I feel it's more a matter of experience and as I get adjustments I imagine that I will get better at reading the signs. For now I was content in relying on Dr. Jessee's experienced and better judgement. She was really good at reading the signs, and she wasn't the one swallowing the water!
For the first day you are back on a liquid only diet followed by one day of mushy foods before getting back to solid food. This wasn't a hardship, as I certainly didn't want to eat anything solid. I kept feeling like I may have had too much of a fill, but later realized this is exactly how it's supposed to feel. I had my liquids and had them sparingly for the first day and a half. Then I cautiously introduced some mushy foods like cream of wheat, soups, and the like. Before I knew it I had the confidence to go back to solid foods probably by day four and haven't looked back since. It's amazing that I thought for sure that I was going to have to go back to have some removed, but felt just fine and back to normal a mere few days later. My advice is trust the process. Your doctor knows more than you do, so rely on their expertise especially at this stage.
I certainly feel restricted on how much I can eat, but that's exactly what the band is designed to do. It keeps you honest and encourages you to stick to the program. It is the tool I always wanted to help me on my journey. I always fell short in my weight loss goals, because at some point I would give in to the cravings. I couldn't stop myself in time before consuming mass quantities. No longer. Now the band will help me not go over the line. It will give me the strength to persist; I can now see it through; I won't falter. Thanks to the band, I have confidence in the journey; I have confidence in myself.
Banded,
me :-)
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