Life at one year.

That is a strange title. Life at 1 year. After all I turned 48 last month. Yep - 48 years old last month. It is funny being 48. I find myself opening alot of conservations (especially with the pretty ones of the opposite sex) with, "Would I be the Creepy Old Guy if I said...?" I really don't ever want to be the creepy old guy. But I really am ready to celebrate life at one year. What a year it has been.

So much has happened in the past year and I can hardly believe how fast it has gone by. It has just flown by. A year ago today, I was afraid of tomorrow. Literally, very afraid. Not knowing if I was going to live. Now I cannot wait for tomorrow. Some nights I cannot sleep as to the excitement of what tomorrow brings. A year ago, I couldn't sleep because I could not breath. I had sleep apnea so bad, I never knew if I would wake up, if I did not go to be with my trusty CPAP. The CPAP is not a very soft and comfortable bed mate. I wonder if other 48 year olds look forward to tomorrow as much as I do? I really wonder.

I walked 4 miles in one hour this morning. A year ago, I could not walk 1/4 of a mile in two hours. It just hurt too damn much. Hurt my back and knees. Hurt to walk. Hell, it hurt to get out of bed in the morning, much less walk. A year ago, I was truly fearful if I forgot to take my blood pressure medication. With uncorrected high blood pressure of 170/140, a stroke was just seconds away. I was always fearful when I did not take my meds. That was a year ago. In fact, my last blood pressure pill was a year ago today. My blood pressure last week was 112/75. Life at 1 year seems pretty darn good.

Now it you are easily embarrassed, don't ready the next paragraph. Especially if you are one of my kids. Sex at one year is great(No Brooke and Jason, Mom and Dad don't ever have sex anymore, hehehe). Not that sex a year ago wasn't great, because it was. But a year ago, at 450 pounds, I probably wasn't very good at it. Sorry, but I am being truthful here. I couldn't move. My body was covered in fat. I went to bed every night with my CPAP. It just wasn't that enjoyable for myself or I would bet, SWMBO either. Trust me, sex at 1 year is awesome. There are some benefits that go with 200 pounds of weight loss. Endurance, recovery are all better. Google Dr. Oz, Oprah, size and weight loss, and see what is said. It is an eye opener, but for me, well!!!!!

So, life at one year is just amazing. I have great new friends, happy and surprised old friends. I am healthier than I was at my last birthday, and have everything to look forward too. I really do look forward to tomorrow. It is only getting better, day by day, I cannot wait for the next one.

200 Pounds of Fat

This last Friday I celebrated my 10 month "Surgiversary". I am quickly approaching 200 pounds lost from my highest weight. 200 Pounds. Think about that. My knees and back supported two hundred pounds more just 10 months ago. I can't even lift 200 pounds today, and my body supported that much extra weight ever second of every day of the year. I feel really good. Lets look at the stats;

200 Pounds of weight equals 6 shirt sizes. (Was 5X now a L/XL)

200 Pounds of fat equals a 22 inch smaller waist (Really almost 24 inches - Was 62 and now a 38/40)

200 Pounds devided by 40 equals an extra 5. (For those of you that know me well - know what that means hehehe)

200 Pounds of fat equals more confidence, more confidence equals more sales, which equals a happier boss, which equals more money.

As per my buddy Jerry - 200 pounds of fat gone, now means that I am not only hot, but also Gay Hot - I am really cool with that. I like being "Hot" again. It has been a really long time.
This really is an incredible journey and I cannot believe that there are people that still talk down this procedure and the health benefits that go along with it. Sure there are risks, sure some have problems. But, the reality is 75-80% of us have zero issues with this procedure. the other 15-20% have some minor problems. I feel horrible for the other 5%, who have issues and problems with the surgery ranging from minor to very major. I have empathy and concern and have counseled several. But the harsh reality is that this is a successful procedure (combined with our very hard work) that has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and more than 50% of us keep the weight off long term. Much better odds that the 5% long term success and the results not typical Jenny Craig crowd.

The medical facts for me are undeniable.

200 pounds of fat gone equals no more high blood pressure (170/140 uncorrected pre-op and 100/70 post op.

200 pounds of fat gone equals no more sleep apnea and no more effin CPAP.

200 Pounds of fat devided by 40 equals 5. Oh Crap - I said that one earlier. I love that one (and so does SWMBO) LOL

Everyone ignore my last sentence especially if you are under 18!

Really - don't read that sentence.

I implore you to ignore that sentence!

Ok - 200 pounds of fat means back pain and knee pain all but gone!
To those that are contemplating this surgery - do your homework, find a great surgeon, change your life, move and "Dare to Live".

Be Well! It really is "All Good"!

Mar 28, 2008 - Frightened

It frightens me that I may forget the way I was.

Here I am 4 months and 10 days post-op. Everything is bright and new. SWMBO has had her surgery and is healing wonderfully. She is tolerating all her soft mushy foods. I have had very few issues in my healing process. I am working out, getting smaller in physical size, but stronger everyday. Shopping for clothing that fits is a blast. Goodwill is my friend. Getting rid of the Big Guy clothing is even more rewarding.

But, I am frightened that I may loose touch with these feelings.

It is already difficult for me to remember that way I was just four months ago. I am glad that I have blogged and kept a photo record of the journey. I don't see that man in the mirror any longer. The round face, the squinky eyes. Yes, I said squinky. No grief please, I know its not a word....yet. But, I don't see that guy any more. Just like I don't remember Jim Ranes revision 1992. I bring that up, because today I am just 10 pounds away from being that man again. I will be the same weight I was in very early 1992. I was 31 years old then and was about to cross into 300 pound territory, and did not even realize it. It was the beginning of, as a close friend of mine has called it, "The Downward Spiral".

Please Lord, don't let me forget this.

That spiral for me wasn't one of pain and suffering, at least until recently, but more one of apathy and excess. Apathy in the way I took care of myself and excess in the foods that I consumed. How can we, as educated, adult people, not see what we are doing to ourselves with food. As a Businessman, with many clients, it has become very painfully obvious lately about the size of portions that we, as Americans, eat on an all to often routine basis. It is crazy, just crazy. A wise man has said that God's only mistake, (I believe He has made none) is making our stomachs the size that He did. We could easily survive with stomachs 1/2 or 1/3 the normal size. I know I survive with a pouch the size of a walnut. We as a nation are killing ourselves with food.

I will not forget this!

Very well, off the pulpit. I just want to thank all of you, the readers of this blog for your support and prayers. It is still an amazing and crazy ride. Intoxicating to say the least. I am 8 pounds away from 1992. Oh, I am so glad to be 32 again!

Current Stats

Current Weight - 308 pounds (130 pounds gone) Goal 200 Pounds
Waist 46 inches ( 16 inches gone forever) Goal 38 inches
Shirt Size - Comfortable Regular Store 2X (Big Mans 5X just 4 months ago) Goal L/XL

Yep - I love this life and I won't forget! (Thanks Shrinkydink)

Mar 19, 2008 - I am Living Again.

Today is a Big Day for me.

I don't normally chart my weight loss until Monday morning. However, I did chart it today. I have lost 125 pounds as of this morning. Four months ago this morning, I was being wheeled into an operating room for the very first time in my life. I did not expect exhileration, I did not expect to be intoxicated by life, I did not expect to make, what I consider to be really, really great new friends.

I just wanted to have a chance at living again.

I am pretty sure, no, I know for a fact, I received all of the above. I am routinely exhilerated at the results that GBS has brought me. Watching, actually seeing my fat melt away. I continue to live in an intoxicated state, intoxicated by the comments, compliments, support, results - you name it. Can life really continue to get better than it is right now still weighing 313 pounds? That is difficult to comprehend. Friends. Let me say, that I have made a group of new friends, that have shared similar experiences - that have become real friends. People that I know I could go to with GBS issues, or personal issues. People that look out for me and lovingly warn me when I say something stupid, which can be often.

And I know that I am living again.

This week I was lucky and happened to see the first Robin fly into the neighborhood. Several hours later there were 20 or so in my yard. The sights and sounds of spring are commencing in my neighborhood. I always look forward to that. The first Robin. The rebirth of the new year. The new progression of seasons. This year, the sights and sound of spring have commenced in my life. The rebirth of a vibrant, healthy man. A new progression in life.

Yep, I am living again.

March 12, 2008 - Plugging Along

As I myself have experienced this, I am sure this is easier for me that it is for Sandy. The pain at the incision site has remained pretty constant. The blasts of Loritab cut it, make a minor dent, but don't really dull the consistency. Whenever she moves, I can see the pain in her face. However, she is a trooper, and is working through it all.

From a treatment point of view, she is still receiving Loritab Elixir for pain ever 4 hours, with Morphine supplements as necessary. She has taken no morphine since last evening. Bladder evacuations are great. Liquids still at 1 ounce per hour. They have had to introduce Potassium and her Potassium is slightly low. Heparin and Pepcid twice per day. Sandy is walking great and really cannot wait to get home and Dr White thinks it could be Thursday but probably Friday.

I will keep blogging as we go through this again. Thanks for following.

Mar 11, 2008 - Apprehension to Joy

I cannot say that yesterday was easy. I believe it was harder for me then when I had my surgery. Especially with the amount of research that I now have done pertaining to GBS, I believe for Sandy's surgery, I would have liked to remain ignorantly blissful!. She left the pre-op prep room about 2:00 pm. Knowing that a skilled GBS surgeon can do the Lap RNY in about 45 min to an hour, when the clock passed 3:30 pm, I knew there were issues. I was in a good IM with my buddy Gwennie the Pooh when I looked at my watch again and it said 4:00 pm. What was left of my fingernails quickly was removed, when I saw our Surgeon, Dr. Thomas White walking toward me with a smile.

Sandy was out of surgery and she did great. He was very happy with the outcome, but, and there it is, the big but, he had to go in and do the surgery open. The adhesions were too bad from the previous surgeries in the abdominal region. But, other than that, all was well. Relief immediately ensued.

At abot 5:45 PM she was wheeled up to her room in 5E. Again, I need to say, these are some great nurses here. They got her checked in, hooked her up to the morphine PCA, oooohhh! Morphine - her BP monitor, her oxygen monitor and her IV. Sandy slept on and off for a few hours and was resting well. She has the fabulous OnQ Painbuster Installed, and pain management is well in order. About midnight, we got her up to walk and she took a lap around the 5E wing. All in all, she did really well.

Tomorrow, we expect the leak test, removal from the PCA, drinking 1 beautiful cool ounce of water per hour and introduction of the Loritab for pain control.

Thanks for following the blog and for your prayers for SWMBO and myself. We appreciate all of you.

Mar 9, 2008 - Excited and Apprehensive

I know I should not be apprehensive, as I have gone through this myself. SWMBO is having her surgery in 24 hours. She was approved in 6 days, had her Surgeons appointment last Tuesday and is having Surgery just six short days later. I am not fearful, nothing like that. I have complete faith in my God, complete faith in our Surgeon, but as any loving husband should be, I still think I am a bit worried about the anesthesia and all that goes along with any surgery.

I am however, very excited. SWMBO and I get to really share this journey together. So, again it begins. Four hospital days, healing, and a new life. Buckle up, it is a wild one. I will blog throughout the week. Be Well.