So on about Friday/Saturday last week, 7 or 8 days after my band was put in I noticed that I had a lot of freedom, I was able to have an Up n Go in about a minute and found myself getting hungry like in the "old days".
I had my dietician appointment last night and before I could even tell her that was how I was feeling she told me first thing in the meeting that I would be feeling hungry etc, she knew all my feelings before I even told her.
She moved me to mushies last night. After 11 days of not eating I can finally eat. So I had a runny mashed potato for dinner last night and it felt great.
I had my weekly weigh last night and I am down 3.3kgs since last monday. The weight loss is starting to slow down now.
I am still learning as well, I sometimes begin to eat or drink like I did pre-lap band. That is a no go. But today I haven't had any bad experiences.
My other challenge is meal sizes, Although I was full last night after dinner i could have eaten more, I didn't feel like more as I was satisfied but I still had a feeling in the back of my head that I could have eaten more, that is the old me, I need to stop thinking like that, once I am satisfied that is enough, I don't need to feel like I am about to explode before I stop eating.
I must keep reminding myself that the lap band is merely a tool, it is not a miracle cure.
I have a follow up with the surgeon this week.
I will report next week with my weight, hopefully there will be another loss!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
From the other side
Well its offical, after countless hours of research, consultation with family, friends and consultants, daydreaming and stressing, I am now bandit!
I do not in anyway want to make out that the procedure is not major surgery but it really was (from my point of view) straightforward.
I will try to explain the process a bit for any potential bandits (not that there is any shortage of information).
I was told I was second on the list for the day and the surgeon told me to be at the hospital by 6.30am. The day before surgery I went to the hospital for pre-admission and met with a nurse, she went through the procedure the next morning and gave me some anteseptic wash for me to use the next morning on my belly. I then had a few blood test and an ECG, they all went well.
Slept for a solid few hours the night before surgery. Showed up at hospital with my wife right on 6.30am on the morning of surgery, as I arrived the nurse called check in to chase me as I had been bumped to first on the list.
Said goodbye to my wife and went to pre-admissions, met a nurse who checked by blood pressure and gave me a gown, I stripped down to my jocks and put on the gown, then the nurse took me to a ward where i laid on a bed why he put on the blood clot sock things.
Then the sleep doctors nurse came in and had a chat with me for about 5 mins, I was then wheeled into another smaller ward, I was the only one in there. Then the sleep doctor came and saw me, he was awesome, put me at ease and had a good yarn with me.
After about 5 mins I was wheeled into surgery, it was a very sterile place, just like what you see on ER. There were people everywhere, I slid off my bed across to the chopping block and the sleep doctor nurse made sure I was comfy, I must admit i started shitting myself at about this moment, just got really nervous, she put me at ease, the sleep doctor put the drip in my arm and i started to settle down.
My surgeon then came over and said g.day to me and then proceeded to blast the beatles from a CD player which settled me right down for some reason, the sleep doctor said it was time and that i would start to feel like i had had a couple of beers, then that is all i remember.
I woke up in recovery with a nurse sitting beside me telling me that the surgery was over and asked me to rate the pain, I said i felt like i had been kicked in the guts by a horse and rated the pain at 7, she then gave me something that was great, I was as high as a kite. The pain disappeared and I drifted to sleep on and off for a while, after about half an hour I went to my room where my family was waiting.
I came home the next morning, most of the pain has gone except for the stab wounds, didnt surffer shoulder tip pain to bad and to date the only pain killers I have had was the stuff the nurse gave me when I came to and 4 pandaols over the last week.
The hardest part is dealing with the boredom, I am really ready to back to work now, but in saying that I would not go back today as I am still in a bit of pain. I think you need a full week to get over this surgery, and that is when it is straightforward.
I am on liquids for the next two weeks which I am starting to get over, the weirdest thing is that I dont feel hungry, sometimes my belly rumbles but I never feel head hungry, this is very weird for me, remember food is a real problem for me. I started this at around 240kgs, that is huge, you can read as much as you like about it but you wont understand until you have it done.
On my weigh in (a few days after surgery) I was 219kgs, I am today (a few days later again) about 216kgs, I am dropping about 1kg a day since the surgery but I assume a lot of that is simply due to my size, I have it to lose.
I am so excited about moving forward on this.
I will keep posting from time to time. BRING ON THE MUSHIES!!!!!!!
I do not in anyway want to make out that the procedure is not major surgery but it really was (from my point of view) straightforward.
I will try to explain the process a bit for any potential bandits (not that there is any shortage of information).
I was told I was second on the list for the day and the surgeon told me to be at the hospital by 6.30am. The day before surgery I went to the hospital for pre-admission and met with a nurse, she went through the procedure the next morning and gave me some anteseptic wash for me to use the next morning on my belly. I then had a few blood test and an ECG, they all went well.
Slept for a solid few hours the night before surgery. Showed up at hospital with my wife right on 6.30am on the morning of surgery, as I arrived the nurse called check in to chase me as I had been bumped to first on the list.
Said goodbye to my wife and went to pre-admissions, met a nurse who checked by blood pressure and gave me a gown, I stripped down to my jocks and put on the gown, then the nurse took me to a ward where i laid on a bed why he put on the blood clot sock things.
Then the sleep doctors nurse came in and had a chat with me for about 5 mins, I was then wheeled into another smaller ward, I was the only one in there. Then the sleep doctor came and saw me, he was awesome, put me at ease and had a good yarn with me.
After about 5 mins I was wheeled into surgery, it was a very sterile place, just like what you see on ER. There were people everywhere, I slid off my bed across to the chopping block and the sleep doctor nurse made sure I was comfy, I must admit i started shitting myself at about this moment, just got really nervous, she put me at ease, the sleep doctor put the drip in my arm and i started to settle down.
My surgeon then came over and said g.day to me and then proceeded to blast the beatles from a CD player which settled me right down for some reason, the sleep doctor said it was time and that i would start to feel like i had had a couple of beers, then that is all i remember.
I woke up in recovery with a nurse sitting beside me telling me that the surgery was over and asked me to rate the pain, I said i felt like i had been kicked in the guts by a horse and rated the pain at 7, she then gave me something that was great, I was as high as a kite. The pain disappeared and I drifted to sleep on and off for a while, after about half an hour I went to my room where my family was waiting.
I came home the next morning, most of the pain has gone except for the stab wounds, didnt surffer shoulder tip pain to bad and to date the only pain killers I have had was the stuff the nurse gave me when I came to and 4 pandaols over the last week.
The hardest part is dealing with the boredom, I am really ready to back to work now, but in saying that I would not go back today as I am still in a bit of pain. I think you need a full week to get over this surgery, and that is when it is straightforward.
I am on liquids for the next two weeks which I am starting to get over, the weirdest thing is that I dont feel hungry, sometimes my belly rumbles but I never feel head hungry, this is very weird for me, remember food is a real problem for me. I started this at around 240kgs, that is huge, you can read as much as you like about it but you wont understand until you have it done.
On my weigh in (a few days after surgery) I was 219kgs, I am today (a few days later again) about 216kgs, I am dropping about 1kg a day since the surgery but I assume a lot of that is simply due to my size, I have it to lose.
I am so excited about moving forward on this.
I will keep posting from time to time. BRING ON THE MUSHIES!!!!!!!
Monday, May 11, 2009
From hero to zero
Well note quite...after last weeks big losses things have slowed down this week. I dropped about 1.5kgs.
Monday, May 4, 2009
One week down (literally)
Ok so it has been a week on optifast...was it easy?
No. I was very strict with myself during the week and haven't cheated.
I have lived on the optifast bars and different soups for the week, I have also had a couple of salads throughout the week as well.
The first couple of days were hard, headaches etc. They did disappear. I have read that a few people say that the hunger pains etc also dissappear, this hasn't happened for me. I think it is easiest while I am at work as I am busy during the day.
The long weekend was a challenge as I was home a lot of the home and trying to not to be tempted. Anyway I survived.
I guess the proof is in the pudding...I lost just under 11kgs for the week.
I will let you know how week 2 goes.
No. I was very strict with myself during the week and haven't cheated.
I have lived on the optifast bars and different soups for the week, I have also had a couple of salads throughout the week as well.
The first couple of days were hard, headaches etc. They did disappear. I have read that a few people say that the hunger pains etc also dissappear, this hasn't happened for me. I think it is easiest while I am at work as I am busy during the day.
The long weekend was a challenge as I was home a lot of the home and trying to not to be tempted. Anyway I survived.
I guess the proof is in the pudding...I lost just under 11kgs for the week.
I will let you know how week 2 goes.
Monday, April 27, 2009
On your marks, get set.......GO!!!!
Ok so it has been a while since I posted.
What has happened in the last month or so?
Well not a great deal, in the last month I have met with dietician and now have all the info I need for the pre-op period and inital post-op period.
Very strict diet pre-op consisting of not much more than 3 optifasts a day (whatever I like shakes, bars or soups) along with some fruit (strawberries) and a cup of vegies tonight.
Ok people, what is this diet missing? I can tell you it is missing MEAT.
So it starts today, today is, to use a great cliche, "the first day of the rest of my life" and I honestly feel that way, these next few weeks will be a struggle but I can do it armed with the knowledge that it is only a few weeks of hell.
I have cleared the calendar to take into account the next few weeks will not invole tucker or grog.
I had a good day yesterday, a last hurrah. I had a steak the size of a persons head (not really 400grams) and about 10 Coronas. I find it hard to beleive that yesterday was the last time I would be able to sit down and consume a big steak like that, suprisingly though I feel great about it and not at all disappointed.
So I had the weigh in last night, 238.6kgms which is about 5kgs more than when I started this whole journey a few months ago, so the extra 5kgs arent too bad considering I have lived the "good life" for the last few months and it includes the big steak and 10 beers from yesterday.
Moving forward I will weigh in once a week and check measurements etc once a month.
I am not in anyway feeling nervous or scared about the operation at the moment, no doubt these feelings will change as I get closer.
You will see I put one of those tickers on the site, there goes 2 hours of my life I will never get back figuring out how those bloody things work.
So here we go....bad moods, headaches and pain....the next few weeks should be fun.
Stay tuned!!!
What has happened in the last month or so?
Well not a great deal, in the last month I have met with dietician and now have all the info I need for the pre-op period and inital post-op period.
Very strict diet pre-op consisting of not much more than 3 optifasts a day (whatever I like shakes, bars or soups) along with some fruit (strawberries) and a cup of vegies tonight.
Ok people, what is this diet missing? I can tell you it is missing MEAT.
So it starts today, today is, to use a great cliche, "the first day of the rest of my life" and I honestly feel that way, these next few weeks will be a struggle but I can do it armed with the knowledge that it is only a few weeks of hell.
I have cleared the calendar to take into account the next few weeks will not invole tucker or grog.
I had a good day yesterday, a last hurrah. I had a steak the size of a persons head (not really 400grams) and about 10 Coronas. I find it hard to beleive that yesterday was the last time I would be able to sit down and consume a big steak like that, suprisingly though I feel great about it and not at all disappointed.
So I had the weigh in last night, 238.6kgms which is about 5kgs more than when I started this whole journey a few months ago, so the extra 5kgs arent too bad considering I have lived the "good life" for the last few months and it includes the big steak and 10 beers from yesterday.
Moving forward I will weigh in once a week and check measurements etc once a month.
I am not in anyway feeling nervous or scared about the operation at the moment, no doubt these feelings will change as I get closer.
You will see I put one of those tickers on the site, there goes 2 hours of my life I will never get back figuring out how those bloody things work.
So here we go....bad moods, headaches and pain....the next few weeks should be fun.
Stay tuned!!!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Full Steam ahead
Well I obviously am not the best at keeping this thing updated. I guess that is ok because I am a useless bloke!!!
So I saw the surgeon on the 12th and it all went really well. Nothing special needs to be done and he is more than happy to perform the surgery.
I guess the only thing that I will be doing is optifast for a little while longer than most people.
I understand that the majority of people go on the optifast diet for about 2 weeks prior to the surgery but I have been asked to go on it for about 3-4 weeks beforehand.
I am not looking forward to this stage as I have been on that crap before and hated it. I always start off really good on it but then after a few weeks of it I get the shits and start avoiding it. I am sure I will go well this time as I know it is only for a month a the most, I can usually ensure that my will power will keep me going for that long.
So the surgery is set down now for the end of May, I have a few appointments I need to have before then with dieticians and psychologists etc.
I must admit that I have been very scared of the upcoming operation due to my size, but since meeting with the surgeon that fear has all but gone, he was very comforting.
I have completely lost the plot with my eating at the moment, I think I know in my head that I only have about a month of "normal" eating left before I go onto the optifast and then the surgery after that. It is worth nothing that my "normal" eating habits are obviously subjective to myself, they would be considered far from normal for a normal bloke off of the street.
I now need to organise my leave from work and arrange for some family to come into to town while I have the surgery, as none of my immediatley family live here they will travel over to stay with my wife and I so we have a support network during this time.
Not sure if I should be doing this or not but I am really spending a lot of time daydreaming about exactly what I will do when I am a more normal size, the list is long.
This will sound silly to most people but the thing I am looking forward to first and foremost is to go into the big mans store and buy clothes, there is nothing more depressing than only being able to by a few shirts for your waredrobe as the big mans store only stocks a few different shirts in my size, once I drop a few sizes the range of clothing really opens up (despite the fact that it is still a big mans store).
I guess my next real post will be next month when I start the optifast. Next month I will aim to list an accurate starting weight and measurements including clothing sizes etc.
Thanks to the couple of people that have posted, it is really cool to know that I have people following this, please feel free to contact me by leaving posts. Or send me a message if you would like my email address (I am not sure what the protocol is on this but I have read that I am not suppose to leave my email address posted as I think people use it for spam etc).
So I saw the surgeon on the 12th and it all went really well. Nothing special needs to be done and he is more than happy to perform the surgery.
I guess the only thing that I will be doing is optifast for a little while longer than most people.
I understand that the majority of people go on the optifast diet for about 2 weeks prior to the surgery but I have been asked to go on it for about 3-4 weeks beforehand.
I am not looking forward to this stage as I have been on that crap before and hated it. I always start off really good on it but then after a few weeks of it I get the shits and start avoiding it. I am sure I will go well this time as I know it is only for a month a the most, I can usually ensure that my will power will keep me going for that long.
So the surgery is set down now for the end of May, I have a few appointments I need to have before then with dieticians and psychologists etc.
I must admit that I have been very scared of the upcoming operation due to my size, but since meeting with the surgeon that fear has all but gone, he was very comforting.
I have completely lost the plot with my eating at the moment, I think I know in my head that I only have about a month of "normal" eating left before I go onto the optifast and then the surgery after that. It is worth nothing that my "normal" eating habits are obviously subjective to myself, they would be considered far from normal for a normal bloke off of the street.
I now need to organise my leave from work and arrange for some family to come into to town while I have the surgery, as none of my immediatley family live here they will travel over to stay with my wife and I so we have a support network during this time.
Not sure if I should be doing this or not but I am really spending a lot of time daydreaming about exactly what I will do when I am a more normal size, the list is long.
This will sound silly to most people but the thing I am looking forward to first and foremost is to go into the big mans store and buy clothes, there is nothing more depressing than only being able to by a few shirts for your waredrobe as the big mans store only stocks a few different shirts in my size, once I drop a few sizes the range of clothing really opens up (despite the fact that it is still a big mans store).
I guess my next real post will be next month when I start the optifast. Next month I will aim to list an accurate starting weight and measurements including clothing sizes etc.
Thanks to the couple of people that have posted, it is really cool to know that I have people following this, please feel free to contact me by leaving posts. Or send me a message if you would like my email address (I am not sure what the protocol is on this but I have read that I am not suppose to leave my email address posted as I think people use it for spam etc).
Sunday, March 1, 2009
why "goodbye 525"
Sorry I forgot to mention in my first blog the reason behind the title.
Whilst I am currently 235kgs over the past 5 or so years my weight has jumped everywhere from 211kgs up to a staggering 252kgs, hence the goodbye 252.
Whilst I am currently 235kgs over the past 5 or so years my weight has jumped everywhere from 211kgs up to a staggering 252kgs, hence the goodbye 252.
In the beginning....
Well where do I start..
I am a 32 year old bloke who is and has been extremley overweight my whole life.
I have some much I need to say so I hope I cover it all and that I am not all over the shop with this first blog.
As a child I was always overweight but on the same token I was very active. I played sport all the way through school but of course played the type of sports that suited by body. Yes, I was front row (wearing reserve grade jerseys in under 14s) and was good at discus and shotput etc. Surprise surprise.
I am married to a very lovely lady who supports me in everything that I do.
I am a professional in a profession that allows me to have lots of long lunches and requires almost not physical activity at all. Great choice for someone like me.
Over the years my weight has increased more and more, in particular I think leaving home at about 18 was the real killer for me, I left and then all of a sudden I had no restrictions on my diet and boy did I take advantage of that.
My current weight is about 235kgs which I know is rediculous but it is what it is. Suprisingly I suffer no problems (that I am aware of) and have recently undergone a fairly comprehensive medical which showed everything is ok. I do however know this will not stay the case much longer.
I have toyed with the idea of getting a lap band for years, my uncle was banded about 2 years ago and he dropped from about 160kg to 85kgs. It was amazing and inspirational. He is a new man, not just physically but he is now outgoing and just more fun to be around.
I love life and enjoy it as much as possible however I am very aware that I am not living to my full potential and this is not fair on my Wife, family and mates.
Why am I doing this blog?
Well like most people I am scared about the operation so I decided to research it, in my research I came across lots of blogs which were awesome and informative. However the majority were by women who were often not that big (compared to me). I feel that this journey will be a little different for a man so I am lending my experiences out there for the blokes.
Dont get me wrong this is hard for me to do, I am your normal beer swilling bloke, I love my mates etc and I dont think I am in touch with my feminine side, I just need to do this as much for myself as for other blokes out there.
I hate being this big, it effects every aspect of my life, from travelling in a car to going out in public to having sex. I am embarassed almost everytime I am in public. I have never been to a concert at the entertainment centre because i am worried about the seats, I buy to tickets everytime I fly. I hate being in a crowed room or pub as I have to push people out of the way to get from one side to the other.
Beleive me I am sure I suffer the same insecurities that all the women in the blogs have...so now is the time for change.
I have been to see the surgeon's nurse and she has advised me that they have done this op on people the same size as me and bigger.
Moving forward....my appointment with surgeon is on 12 March 2009, I am hoping to get the go ahead from him. If I do I will be operated on in late May (it has already been booked).
I have told a few clients and mates, I have also told work and of course my family.
I have a million things I want to do in life and now is the time to get this sorted so I can acheive this, the least of which is having children.
I will update this blog after I see the surgeon, in the meantime please feel free to post any comments or pass this onto any blokes who are considering this procedure.
I want to stay anonyms at this stage as it is really hard for me to talk about these things, I am doing this blog for myself (as well as other blokes) even my wife doesnt know about it, this is just for me. I will try and post progress shots from time to time.
I am a 32 year old bloke who is and has been extremley overweight my whole life.
I have some much I need to say so I hope I cover it all and that I am not all over the shop with this first blog.
As a child I was always overweight but on the same token I was very active. I played sport all the way through school but of course played the type of sports that suited by body. Yes, I was front row (wearing reserve grade jerseys in under 14s) and was good at discus and shotput etc. Surprise surprise.
I am married to a very lovely lady who supports me in everything that I do.
I am a professional in a profession that allows me to have lots of long lunches and requires almost not physical activity at all. Great choice for someone like me.
Over the years my weight has increased more and more, in particular I think leaving home at about 18 was the real killer for me, I left and then all of a sudden I had no restrictions on my diet and boy did I take advantage of that.
My current weight is about 235kgs which I know is rediculous but it is what it is. Suprisingly I suffer no problems (that I am aware of) and have recently undergone a fairly comprehensive medical which showed everything is ok. I do however know this will not stay the case much longer.
I have toyed with the idea of getting a lap band for years, my uncle was banded about 2 years ago and he dropped from about 160kg to 85kgs. It was amazing and inspirational. He is a new man, not just physically but he is now outgoing and just more fun to be around.
I love life and enjoy it as much as possible however I am very aware that I am not living to my full potential and this is not fair on my Wife, family and mates.
Why am I doing this blog?
Well like most people I am scared about the operation so I decided to research it, in my research I came across lots of blogs which were awesome and informative. However the majority were by women who were often not that big (compared to me). I feel that this journey will be a little different for a man so I am lending my experiences out there for the blokes.
Dont get me wrong this is hard for me to do, I am your normal beer swilling bloke, I love my mates etc and I dont think I am in touch with my feminine side, I just need to do this as much for myself as for other blokes out there.
I hate being this big, it effects every aspect of my life, from travelling in a car to going out in public to having sex. I am embarassed almost everytime I am in public. I have never been to a concert at the entertainment centre because i am worried about the seats, I buy to tickets everytime I fly. I hate being in a crowed room or pub as I have to push people out of the way to get from one side to the other.
Beleive me I am sure I suffer the same insecurities that all the women in the blogs have...so now is the time for change.
I have been to see the surgeon's nurse and she has advised me that they have done this op on people the same size as me and bigger.
Moving forward....my appointment with surgeon is on 12 March 2009, I am hoping to get the go ahead from him. If I do I will be operated on in late May (it has already been booked).
I have told a few clients and mates, I have also told work and of course my family.
I have a million things I want to do in life and now is the time to get this sorted so I can acheive this, the least of which is having children.
I will update this blog after I see the surgeon, in the meantime please feel free to post any comments or pass this onto any blokes who are considering this procedure.
I want to stay anonyms at this stage as it is really hard for me to talk about these things, I am doing this blog for myself (as well as other blokes) even my wife doesnt know about it, this is just for me. I will try and post progress shots from time to time.
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