JoeBear

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I haven't posted in quite a while. I will try to post at least monthly.
I am 5 months post-op and now weigh 310 lbs, down from 384. BMI is 38.2, down from 47.7. While weight loss tapered off a bit after 3 months I am seeing gradual decreases, and am working to improve my exercise habits. 

Highlights from the past few months:
  +  I am now "merely" obese, instead of "extremely" obese.
  +  I have reduced 7 or 8 inches in my waist. Still punching holes in my old belt, but may get a new one for Christmas.
  +  I fit in normal seats. This is fantastic!!! I first noticed this the at my son's HS auditorium and could hardly believe it. Then I experienced this in an airplane last week and was very excited.
  +  I have gained a lot of confidence at work. I am taking on more leadership responsibility, which I used to avoid.
  +  I have greatly reduced my anxiety meds. My doctor is very pleased.
  +  I am going with my wife to a Christmas party tonight - the first one in many years. I feel comfortable in public.
  +  I am happier.
  +  I am sleeping better
  +  I have more energy.
  +  I actually enjoy fruit.
  +  I haven't eaten any sugary products and have no interest in them (well, except for 3 bites of apple pie at Thanksgiving).

Enough for now.
Joe Bear

I was back at work half days this week and half of last. I think I am ready to resume full time activities next Monday. I know it will feel strange as I have only worked 2 full days in the past 2 months, with surgery, recovery, vacation, pre-surgery tests.

Weighed in at the doctor's office this morning. Lost another 6 lbs. Total loss since surgery (5 weeks ago) is 39. This is going slower than I had hoped, but is steady progress. My calorie intake has been low (600 to 800 cal per day) and I have been swimming, but I think I need to do more walking.

Great news. My employer has reinstated 53 hours of vacation that I had been forced to use at the beginning of my WLS. 

As I stated in an earlier post, my employer of 29 years changed their sick leave / vacation / PTO policy 10 days prior to my WLS (on 11 July). The result was that I had to take vacation for the first week of absence from work (along with another day and a half for pre-op testing) because sick leave was no longer available. Last week, while I was still away from work post-op, my employer reinstated my vacation hours, effectively delaying my transition to the new policy.

Needless to say, I am very grateful and view this as an additional investment my employer is making in my WLS. Thank you.

In the words of Arnold in "Twins", I broke rule #1, I moved too soon. After losing 28 lbs in the first 11 days, I was looking forward to going back the Dr in another 11 days to see my progress.

However, against my better judgement I decided to go the Dr. today and check. I had gained 2 lbs. Oh well, my Nut said I should use a tape measure to measure progress, not a scale. Also said that the 28 was water weight anyway. I will stick with the plan, of course, and the inches and weight will come off in due time.

The doctor removed my staples today. This was my first chance to step on a large scale since surgery. I have lost 28 lbs. Woohoo!!

I have been offline for several days - Internet problems. But my new losing lifestyle is going well. Today I finally found a protein shake that I like and calcium that I can chew, so this is starting to seem easier already.

I look at the OH Before & After pictures and I am continually stunned at the change in people. In the Befores, you can usually see a lot of pain and shame on people's faces. In most of the Afters, people look so much happier. It makes me want to give each person a hug. 

A couple of minutes ago I had a huge realization - with my WLS last week I have already stepped across the chasm between the Before photo and the After photo. Yes, there is a lot of work ahead (physical, mental, and emotional), but I have crossed the divide and am on the way. This is really awesome and I am overwhelmed.

Be Blessed and be hugged,
Joe

I am feeling much better than I was at my last post. Then, all I knew was that I could hardly roll over in bed by myself. Now, I can roll over, sit up, lay down (you know the drill). Actually I am moving back into my own bed tonight in a room with its own air conditioner. Soooooo nice.

You hear that folks are either "glass half full" or "glass half empty" people. I find myself being "glass got broken yesterday anyway" kind of guy. I describe it as expecting the worst and preparing myself for it. Then when things turn out well, as they usually do, I am pleasantly surprised. I find that easier than expecting the best and occasionally dealing with worse.

I know that this is completely inconsistent with my deeply held faith in a personal, loving, and "in control" heavenly Father and I don't know how to resolve the issue. I am utterly convinced that God loves me as any father loves his own children (actually more than any human father can love his children). I am also entirely convinced that God has complete control of my life and situation - and I have committed myself and my family to His care.

This is probably worth "searching out"  the next two weeks, while I am off from work.

I just got back yesterday afternoon after 3 days / 2 nights in the hospital. 24 hours of that time in ICU with some complications. It is good to be back home, but, friends, I gotta tell you that this was not an easy proecdure. It will be interesting to see how my opinion morphs in the upcoming days and weeks. Maybe it was my age (52) or my size (380 lbs), but I found myself incapable of doing much for myself.
Thanks to all,
Joe

How ironic. I have worked for the same company for 29 years and my benefits used to include unlimited sick leave (within reason, of course). On 1 July the benefits package changed and my sick leave is now combined with vacation time and called PTO. 

I can't say that I am angry. I have enough accrued vacation (and short-term disability) to more than cover my WLS and I have decided to just be grateful for that. Then in 9 to 12 months when my weight is not off the charts I will look around at other opportunities. For now, I think it is best that I focus on the task at hand - surgery in three days.