One Month Post-op

My first before and after pics:

Great Weekend - Even Better Monday

I turned out to be a beautiful weekend. Friday night it stormed all night, causing our soccer games to be cancelled on Saturday, which meant...FREE DAY! We were lazy for most of the day, and then I went to the gym late Saturday afternoon. I actually enjoyed being on the treadmill. I did 2 miles in 40 minutes. That's pretty dang fast for an out of shape fat guy.

Sunday was High School Senior Sunday at our church. I'm in charge of coordinating this. I was pretty excited because the suit I haven't worn in years, fit nicely; and the shirt I used to love to wear didn't strangle me at the collar. I got lots of comments on how nice I looked. I felt good.

Then today, Monday, I went in for my 2nd post-op appointment. I got on the scales first thing, drum roll please.........I am down 41 lbs since I started all of this. I was and am pretty amazed. Then to top it all off they moved me to phase III of the bariatric diet, so for lunch today I had a grilled chicken breast with onion, mushrooms, & green peppers sauted on top, finished with a little mozzarella cheese. It was very good.

My band is working. Not that I didn't think it would - I just don't have lots of positive weight loss experiences to look back on.

Onward,
Marc

Rebirth of my lawn mower

So...I'm not very mechanically inclined. Frankly, that is an understatement. I have always been intimidated my any car, mower, appliance, etc. repair. I'm great with computers, but engines give me the willies.

All of my life I have wanted a motorcycle, but on principle I believe that if you can't do your own basic repairs, you don't have any business owning a bike.

My push mower...I bought a cheap push mower a few years ago to do trim work around the yard. Last summer it wouldn't start, so I didn't use it at all. This spring I called a small engine repair shop and asked how much it would cost to fix it. They said it would be cheaper to buy a new one.

With new resolve I went to the used bookstore and bought an old book on small engine repair. I read most of it and grasped about 1/2 of it theoretically. Last evening came the time to try my new knowledge out practically. I pulled the spark plug, the air filter, cleaned out the carburetor, inspected and cleaned other parts as necessary. I dumped all the old oil and gas; then refilled both. I put everything back together and gave the pull chord a good yank. Believe it or not, it started up. It blew gray smoke for a few minutes, but then settled down and ran like a champ.

My first engine repair. I'm quite proud of my accomplishment. Then, because I'm feeling so much better due to weightloss I mowed all the areas that I can't get to with my riding lawn mower. My daily exercise must be paying off, because I didn't huff and puff like I thought I would. It was a good evening all the way around.

Later daze,
Marc

Pumping Iron

Well not really...However I am quite proud of myself and my level of commitment both to making good food choices and to exercising regularly.

Easter Sunday we joined my wife's family at the lake for a day of fun. There was lots of good food there, but I brought my own and stuck with it. I must say, my tuna salad was very good. I decided to stay away from the food table as much as possible, the strategy worked well for me. It was a good day.

I've been going to the gym almost every day. I am up to walking 35 minutes while increasing the speed and incline. Yesterday I met with the trainer and he took me through some simple strength training exercises that I can start when I get the go ahead from the MD's office. I enjoy going to the gym. It makes me feel good and boosts my confidence level.

Until next time...

The best thing about Easter

The best thing about Easter for a lap-bander, other than the amazing gift from God in Jesus Christ, is boiled eggs. Especially for someone still on mushies. I love egg salad. I've got about a dozen eggs to use creatively over the next few days.

Yum.

Update

I continue to do very well post-op. I am beginning to have some hunger issues. Usually late afternoon and late evening are the hardest. However, I am making good choices and sticking to the plan prescribed my Dr. Boyce.

I joined a gym, Courtsouth, this week. I've enjoyed walking there. It makes me feel like I am doing something proactive to gain control of my health. All the diet stuff seems like I am always saying "no" I can't have this or that, but I get to say "yes" to light exercise.

I'm confused right now as to where my port actually is. I have two possible incision sites with hard masses under them. I've e-mailed the nurse to see if she can tell me which is my port. If not, I'll wait until I go in for my next check-up on the 24th. It is not a problem, I'd just like to know.

Later daze,
Marc

Made it through the weekend

I think I did very well this weekend. I stuck to the "mushies" phase of the plan quite well. Saturday night we had a big party downtown with lots of fun finger foods. I ate about 6 cheese cubes over a three hour span and had two little sandwich wrap slices, very small. That's it. I didn't eat the chocolate covered strawberry or white macadamian nut cookies, or chips and salsa. I'm pretty darn proud of myself.

However, I did sing karaoke and it was BAD...and not in a good way.

I do find myself getting more hungry faster, especially in the evening. I'm making good snack choices though and trying to convince myself that slight hunger pains are your body's sign that fat is being burned.

Over and out,
Marc

1st Post-Op Check Up

Well I almost goofed. I thought my 1st post-op appointment was Friday, tomorrow, but the office called, yesterday, to remind me that my appointment was today. Whew!

I went in, got on the scales (emptied my pockets of wallet, check-book, keys, etc.) Drum roll please.... I have lost 17 lbs since surgery for a total of 27 lbs. Yahoo!

And, I get to move to phase II, mushy foods, one day earlier than I thought.

Oh what a beautiful morning...

1st NSV

I haven't weighed since surgery, by choice.

I also haven't worn pants that need a belt since surgery. I've been comfy in shorts etc.

Yesterday I put on my jeans with my belt and had to pull my belt two notches tighter.

And then today I reached in my closet and pulled out some pants that last summer I could NOT button. They went on easily and look a little big on me.

Can you hear me doing the happy dance?

One Week Post-op

One week ago today at this time I was begging the nurse to remove the catheter. He told me that if I could walk to the nurses station and back he would remove it. I practically jogged there and back. Thankfully - he kept his end of the bargain.

It has been a good week. I am healing nicely. I have just a little soreness remaining, especially around my port incision. I have been walking, and today walked down the hill in front of my house so that I would have to walk back up it. It felt good.

I am WAY over the liquid phase of this new lifestyle. I've always enjoyed soup, but I'm ready to move on. On Saturday I stopped by P.F. Changs and got some hot & sour soup. I had to puree it, but it tasted so good.

I also stopped at Smoothy King and got a strawberry, low-carb, protein smoothy. It was HORRIBLE. I love Smoothy King, but I will NEVER have another one of their low-carb drinks. Yuck.

I haven't weighed myself. First of all our home scales are broken, but second I think I might have the tendency to become obsessive about the number on the scales. So, for now I am only going to weight at my MD's office. My next appointment is Friday. I know I have lost a little weight because my wedding ring isn't as tight. Also, my pants bunch up at the sides when I pull my belt tight. Feels good.

Until next time - peace out,
Marc