franks310
MY JOURNEY
Nov 25, 2008
11/20/10 - Yesterday was 2 years that I had my surgery. I've lost 117 lbs. and the best part is, I'm still losing. I feel amazing and my life is completely different. I do so many things I could never do. My confidence is up. I buy clothes in regular stores - can you believe I'm wearing a Men's size Large? I was a 3X!! I'm not going to lie - there are days and times it's still very hard to stay on track. But for the most part, all is good!! I work hard everyday to get results. Eating right and exercising and a little therapy doesn't hurt either (LOL). So thanks to my family, my friends, my doctors, and my supporters for helping me live a life beyond my wildest dreams.
Happy 2nd Birthday to me!!!
8/12/09 - Today the scale said that I lost 70lbs. I can't beleve it. It's not even about the weight. It's how I feel inside. I feel more confident and have so much more energy. I'm doing things I never liked to do like going to shows. I was always afraid I wouldn't fit in the seats. What a great feeling not to worry about it. I've learned a lot and it's finally coming to me that this is a day by day journey. Take one day at a time. There's no rush or deadline. Some days we'll screw up but hopefully we'll be able to get back on track. It's not always easy, but it is so worth it.
7/10/09 - Since my last fill I feel a big difference. I've lost about 5lbs. I want to share something that I experienced today. I went to the beach and for the first time in a very long time, I took my shirt off. I felt a little uncomfortable, thinking everyone was looking at me. Then I convinced myself that I look pretty good and as long as I think so, that's all that matters. Then I sat in one of those low to the ground beach chairs and not only could I get in and out of it easily, I was really comfortable in it. So there I was sitting in a beach chair with no shirt on and I was feeling so happy and proud. I want to remember those feelings when I decide to eat something not so good for me. This experience was so much better than any food I've ever eaten.
6/14/09 - Three months later and I'm down 60lbs. I've been at a plateau now for about 6 weeks so I'm having another fill this Thursday. I'm hoping this will help. I feel so much better. Have to keep remembering that this is a lifelong process and there is no time limit on when and how much weight I have to lose.
3/10/09 - It's been awhile and things are going well. I'm down 49lbs. (so close to the big 50). The weight loss has slowed down. I even stalled for a couple of weeks. At first it's discouraging and then I realized it's still coming off and that's the main thing. I had my first fill in February and it has helped. But what I'm really learning through this process is that I still have to work at this. It is a big help but I still have to make the right choices. Some days are easy and some are hard. I just have to be thankful that I have this to help me. The band and my family and friends (at home and at OH) are a big help. Today's my 45th birthday and I feel very happy and grateful.
12/31/08 - Happy New Year! And what a year it's been. I really look forward to 2009 but I am very grateful for many things in 2008. First, my family for their support and love. Dr. Gadaleta for a successful surgery with no complications. All of the doctors and coordinators I had to visit to prepare for the surgery. My close friends who are always there to listen to me and support me. For God who has helped me get to where I'm at and will hopefully help me continue on my journey. And to me, for making the decision to do this, for dealing with all of the preparations, and for having the courage to start a new life. Happy New Year to all our members and the best to all of you!
12/29/08 - Today I went for my 2nd follow-up with Dr. Gadaleta. I'm down 35 lbs. He was happy. I got a little discouraged that it is slowing down but I know that is normal. I made it through Christmas without gaining, my first ever. I did pick on things that were not very healthy but when I sat down and thought about each day, it was really nothing.
12/1/08 - Today I went back to work and was warmly greeted by my friends and co-workers. Some people commented on me looking good already. They gave me a gift certificate to the Gap. I never shopped there before. How cool will that be? I then went to my first follow-up appointment with Dr. Gadaleta. I'm doing really well. I've lost 15lbs. post op bringing my total to 25. I can feel the difference. I'm sleeping better, walking better, and just overall moving better. My only complaint is that I'm having a hard time getting in my protein. Doctor says it's important for weight loss so my quest to find the best tasting protein continues.
11/27/08 - Happy Thanksgiving. Well i got through the day just fine. I had water and a protein shake before i left to go to my parents for dinner. The protein shake filled me up so much I hardly ate anything. I had some clear chicken broth and a little pudding for dessert. It wasn't that hard and my family was great. I'm thankful for more than ever this year. My family, my friends, my doctor and his staff, and this year I am so thankful for making this decision and for the opportunity I have to create a new me.
11/26/08 - Well it's a week since my surgery and I'm feeling great. I've lost 21 lbs. so far (10 pre-op and 11 post). I feel such a difference. I took a walk last night and planned to do about 15 minutes. It felt so much easier that I decided to do an extra 10. I could have kept going too. Thanksgiving is tomorrow and coming from a large Italian family who loves to eat, this may be a little difficult. I'm going to my parent's with a new attitude. it's not the food, it's the company. I'll bring a few things that I could have like jello and soup. Just a little anxious about the family feeling sorry for me. I could tell them over and over that I'm fine, but I know they'll be saying, "Poor Frankie can't eat this or that." We'll see what happens.
11/22/08 - I think I had my first experience with overeating. I was having 1 of those protein shakes. It was 8 oz. I thought I was sipping it slowly and felt fine when I finished it. About 1/2 an hour later, I started feeling so full and uncomfortable. I felt bad pains in the center of my stomach under my rib cage and felt like I couldn't breathe. I took a 15 minute walk out in the cold and it helped a little. Now I know why people will choose not to overeat with this.
11/21/08 - Today I woke up with a terrible headache. I had a surgery a year ago and the same thing happened to me then. It was probably from the anesthesia. I started eating a little. I'm having trouble distinguishing the difference between hunger, fullness, and gas. I eat a little and it feels good and then I get gas and I feel a little bloated. This will take some getting used to. The phone has been ringing all day with good wishes and my wife has been unbelievable. Everything I need is waiting for me.
11/20/08 - So the surgery went very well. I had no complications and was released this morning. I came home full of energy. I took a long hot shower, put on some clean pajamas, and then boom - out cold on the couch for hours. I was exhausted and started having terrible stomach pains - it was gas! I was told there would be a lot and now the trick was to get it out. My aunt recommended that I try some hot water with lemon. I tried it, went to sleep in my recliner and woke up about 3 hours later. It was working! The rest of the night was good.
11/18/08 – It’s the day before my gastric banding surgery and people have been telling me to log. I’m filled with so many emotions right now I just hope that I can get rid of the negative and skeptical ones and make this a truly positive decision. I am so happy and excited to be doing this. I think of all of the changes I can’t wait to make – shopping for clothes not only at the Big Man’s Shop, not worrying about the size of chairs when I am invited to a get together, taking my shirt off at the beach and pool, not having to buy an aisle seat, going on a ride, and so many thing some people will never understand. Not to mention feeling healthy and getting rid of my CPAP and medications. What I do worry about is giving up a friend I’ve had for a very long time. Food! It is such a big part of my life. Every event evolves around it. I use it for all of my feelings – happy, sad, nervous, etc. Now what am I going to do? It took me a long time to make this decision and 15 hours before my surgery I feel confident with what I’ve decided to do. It was a long road to get here also - so many tests and preparations. Sleep studies (2 because the 1st didn’t work), psychiatric evaluation, nutritionist, endoscopy, gi series, sonograms, echocardiograms, stress tests, pulmonary function, and 6 months with my primary physician to get my insurance company to approve this. I can say now that it was all worth it. This is something that’s going to help me. Before I had a surgical date, I tried so hard to lose weight – to feel good and to look good. Sometimes it worked but most of the time it didn’t. Sure I could lose if I was perfect. That means no slip ups and constant exercise. I would work all week to get on the scale on a Monday morning and see a loss of 1 lb. Then I could have 6 good days and 1 bad day to see that I gained 3. What the hell? So this is going to be a good thing. I have to thank God and all of the doctors who even make such a thing possible. I’m lucky to have Jen, the kids, and a large family around me for support. I also have some terrific friends who listen to me and are always there for me. I am truly blessed. One of my friends, MaeAnn, had gastric bypass done years ago. She told me that she celebrates her surgical date as a new birthday. At first I didn’t get it. But the more I think about it, she’s right. Tomorrow will start a new life for me. Although I know it’s not always going to be easy, I think there will be so many things I will get to experience and enjoy. I think I will become happier and more positive. I’m going to enjoy my life, my family, my friends. So here goes. It’s time for me.
Happy Birthday Frank!!!!
0 comments
Happy 2nd Birthday to me!!!
8/12/09 - Today the scale said that I lost 70lbs. I can't beleve it. It's not even about the weight. It's how I feel inside. I feel more confident and have so much more energy. I'm doing things I never liked to do like going to shows. I was always afraid I wouldn't fit in the seats. What a great feeling not to worry about it. I've learned a lot and it's finally coming to me that this is a day by day journey. Take one day at a time. There's no rush or deadline. Some days we'll screw up but hopefully we'll be able to get back on track. It's not always easy, but it is so worth it.
7/10/09 - Since my last fill I feel a big difference. I've lost about 5lbs. I want to share something that I experienced today. I went to the beach and for the first time in a very long time, I took my shirt off. I felt a little uncomfortable, thinking everyone was looking at me. Then I convinced myself that I look pretty good and as long as I think so, that's all that matters. Then I sat in one of those low to the ground beach chairs and not only could I get in and out of it easily, I was really comfortable in it. So there I was sitting in a beach chair with no shirt on and I was feeling so happy and proud. I want to remember those feelings when I decide to eat something not so good for me. This experience was so much better than any food I've ever eaten.
6/14/09 - Three months later and I'm down 60lbs. I've been at a plateau now for about 6 weeks so I'm having another fill this Thursday. I'm hoping this will help. I feel so much better. Have to keep remembering that this is a lifelong process and there is no time limit on when and how much weight I have to lose.
3/10/09 - It's been awhile and things are going well. I'm down 49lbs. (so close to the big 50). The weight loss has slowed down. I even stalled for a couple of weeks. At first it's discouraging and then I realized it's still coming off and that's the main thing. I had my first fill in February and it has helped. But what I'm really learning through this process is that I still have to work at this. It is a big help but I still have to make the right choices. Some days are easy and some are hard. I just have to be thankful that I have this to help me. The band and my family and friends (at home and at OH) are a big help. Today's my 45th birthday and I feel very happy and grateful.
12/31/08 - Happy New Year! And what a year it's been. I really look forward to 2009 but I am very grateful for many things in 2008. First, my family for their support and love. Dr. Gadaleta for a successful surgery with no complications. All of the doctors and coordinators I had to visit to prepare for the surgery. My close friends who are always there to listen to me and support me. For God who has helped me get to where I'm at and will hopefully help me continue on my journey. And to me, for making the decision to do this, for dealing with all of the preparations, and for having the courage to start a new life. Happy New Year to all our members and the best to all of you!
12/29/08 - Today I went for my 2nd follow-up with Dr. Gadaleta. I'm down 35 lbs. He was happy. I got a little discouraged that it is slowing down but I know that is normal. I made it through Christmas without gaining, my first ever. I did pick on things that were not very healthy but when I sat down and thought about each day, it was really nothing.
12/1/08 - Today I went back to work and was warmly greeted by my friends and co-workers. Some people commented on me looking good already. They gave me a gift certificate to the Gap. I never shopped there before. How cool will that be? I then went to my first follow-up appointment with Dr. Gadaleta. I'm doing really well. I've lost 15lbs. post op bringing my total to 25. I can feel the difference. I'm sleeping better, walking better, and just overall moving better. My only complaint is that I'm having a hard time getting in my protein. Doctor says it's important for weight loss so my quest to find the best tasting protein continues.
11/27/08 - Happy Thanksgiving. Well i got through the day just fine. I had water and a protein shake before i left to go to my parents for dinner. The protein shake filled me up so much I hardly ate anything. I had some clear chicken broth and a little pudding for dessert. It wasn't that hard and my family was great. I'm thankful for more than ever this year. My family, my friends, my doctor and his staff, and this year I am so thankful for making this decision and for the opportunity I have to create a new me.
11/26/08 - Well it's a week since my surgery and I'm feeling great. I've lost 21 lbs. so far (10 pre-op and 11 post). I feel such a difference. I took a walk last night and planned to do about 15 minutes. It felt so much easier that I decided to do an extra 10. I could have kept going too. Thanksgiving is tomorrow and coming from a large Italian family who loves to eat, this may be a little difficult. I'm going to my parent's with a new attitude. it's not the food, it's the company. I'll bring a few things that I could have like jello and soup. Just a little anxious about the family feeling sorry for me. I could tell them over and over that I'm fine, but I know they'll be saying, "Poor Frankie can't eat this or that." We'll see what happens.
11/22/08 - I think I had my first experience with overeating. I was having 1 of those protein shakes. It was 8 oz. I thought I was sipping it slowly and felt fine when I finished it. About 1/2 an hour later, I started feeling so full and uncomfortable. I felt bad pains in the center of my stomach under my rib cage and felt like I couldn't breathe. I took a 15 minute walk out in the cold and it helped a little. Now I know why people will choose not to overeat with this.
11/21/08 - Today I woke up with a terrible headache. I had a surgery a year ago and the same thing happened to me then. It was probably from the anesthesia. I started eating a little. I'm having trouble distinguishing the difference between hunger, fullness, and gas. I eat a little and it feels good and then I get gas and I feel a little bloated. This will take some getting used to. The phone has been ringing all day with good wishes and my wife has been unbelievable. Everything I need is waiting for me.
11/20/08 - So the surgery went very well. I had no complications and was released this morning. I came home full of energy. I took a long hot shower, put on some clean pajamas, and then boom - out cold on the couch for hours. I was exhausted and started having terrible stomach pains - it was gas! I was told there would be a lot and now the trick was to get it out. My aunt recommended that I try some hot water with lemon. I tried it, went to sleep in my recliner and woke up about 3 hours later. It was working! The rest of the night was good.
11/18/08 – It’s the day before my gastric banding surgery and people have been telling me to log. I’m filled with so many emotions right now I just hope that I can get rid of the negative and skeptical ones and make this a truly positive decision. I am so happy and excited to be doing this. I think of all of the changes I can’t wait to make – shopping for clothes not only at the Big Man’s Shop, not worrying about the size of chairs when I am invited to a get together, taking my shirt off at the beach and pool, not having to buy an aisle seat, going on a ride, and so many thing some people will never understand. Not to mention feeling healthy and getting rid of my CPAP and medications. What I do worry about is giving up a friend I’ve had for a very long time. Food! It is such a big part of my life. Every event evolves around it. I use it for all of my feelings – happy, sad, nervous, etc. Now what am I going to do? It took me a long time to make this decision and 15 hours before my surgery I feel confident with what I’ve decided to do. It was a long road to get here also - so many tests and preparations. Sleep studies (2 because the 1st didn’t work), psychiatric evaluation, nutritionist, endoscopy, gi series, sonograms, echocardiograms, stress tests, pulmonary function, and 6 months with my primary physician to get my insurance company to approve this. I can say now that it was all worth it. This is something that’s going to help me. Before I had a surgical date, I tried so hard to lose weight – to feel good and to look good. Sometimes it worked but most of the time it didn’t. Sure I could lose if I was perfect. That means no slip ups and constant exercise. I would work all week to get on the scale on a Monday morning and see a loss of 1 lb. Then I could have 6 good days and 1 bad day to see that I gained 3. What the hell? So this is going to be a good thing. I have to thank God and all of the doctors who even make such a thing possible. I’m lucky to have Jen, the kids, and a large family around me for support. I also have some terrific friends who listen to me and are always there for me. I am truly blessed. One of my friends, MaeAnn, had gastric bypass done years ago. She told me that she celebrates her surgical date as a new birthday. At first I didn’t get it. But the more I think about it, she’s right. Tomorrow will start a new life for me. Although I know it’s not always going to be easy, I think there will be so many things I will get to experience and enjoy. I think I will become happier and more positive. I’m going to enjoy my life, my family, my friends. So here goes. It’s time for me.
Happy Birthday Frank!!!!
