The Last Supper

I couldn't stand John...I wanted Antone to win in the worst way.  Oh well!  Every time that I watch the Biggest Loser, it inspires me and I think why can't I do that? 

Today is my last day before my presurgery liquid diet, my last supper so to speak.  We're having our Christmas party at work and it's always over the top with amazing food.  Several of us started work together right out of college and now we're all in our mid fifties, with 50's aches and pains, and 50's weight gain. 

I have struggled with my weight since I was 10 years old and it makes me sad to think of how much life I have missed because of it.  Facing my 4th bariatric surgery is a bit overwhelming.  I hate to put my family through this again. 

Exercise is not my stumbling block.  I have done step aerobics since it was invented and faithfully work hard 3 or 4 times a week for an hour each class.  Fast food and junk food is not my issue, I rarely eat that stuff.  My issue is simply too much good food.  My wife and I are both pretty good cooks and we love to try new recipes and make good food with lots of big flavors.  I hope to still do that after surgery but concentrate on making that perfect bite just like you see on Food Network or with French cooking.  If you watch thin people, many of them eat very good, very rich food...they just don't eat that much of it and they don't eat all day long.  I'm hoping to get to that point. 

Thanks to everyone on the board for sharing their stories, it's been helpful to read about the good, the bad and the ugly.  I'm praying that I can sneak by under the radar and avoid the leaks, strictures, reflux, vagus nerve damage and the like. 

Enjoy your party tonight!!  Just remember the lovely liquid diet will at least help with more weight loss and prepare you for after surgery, you did it before you can do it again.

I lurk but have been watching your posts with your revision progress and I will keep it up. I remember you from years ago but hadn't been on the boards in 09 and '10. Now need to revise and I still don't know what I'm going to do except for sure this fu*king band is going to come out.

I will pray for no complications for you and live vicariously through your new journey to thin. For now. :)

Thanks so much for your encouraging words.  I will be on the VSG board mostly, but I still have friends on the Band board, so I'll visit.  Good luck with your decision.  You can wait to see if it kills me first...haha

Maybe you and your wife can work on new healthier recipe options.  That's my goal.  I love to try new things in the kitchen...usually things that weren't so good for me.  My new project is to find new recipes that incorporate more of the good stuff my family should be eating.  :-)  First challenge: Quinoa!?

:-) Wish you the best on your surgery!!!

Wow Greg, you've had an interesting journey. You've had 3 surgeries already? I am not familiar with your situation so I am curious as to what you've done in the past. I was banded in March 2009 and just got approved for revision. I wanted the sleeve at first but because my metabolism is so slow, i will do RNY sometime in January.

I hope you have a wonderful time as the party and all the best to you with your liquid diet. Yum.

Hi Barb, 

Yes my first choice was the band for most of the same reasons as everyone else, one time deal, no rerouting of my intestines, no malabsorbtion, no implant, no band adjustments, ghrelin reduction.  Because the insurance still considered the sleeve investigational, I opted for the band (surgery one).  The band slipped and was repaired (surgery two) and slipped again and removed (surgery three).  So here I am doing what I should have done three years ago and praying this is my last surgery.  The liquid diet is no better this time than with the band..yuk!

Greg