On February 18th 2009 Gastric Bypass surgery changed my life forever. Why did I do it... because I had lost nearly 1000 lbs by dieting since I was 18 years old only to gain it back, plus more. My higest weight was 321 lbs. I was pre-diabetic, had sleep apnia, glaucoma, high blood pressure, aching jonts, and a ferocious... appetite that was out of control. My Body Mass Index was 44 (morbedly Obese). Since my GB all of the above mentioned complications are gone. I now weigh 180 lbs. I now eat 5 or 6 small healthy meals a day, and excercise moderately. I am posting this to share my story with anyone who is morbidly obese and desperate, and to tell you that there is hope. As they say in all Twelve Step programs, "Take what you want from this and leave the rest." It has been one hell of an amazing journey. I wish you well in yours. GT

One year since my Gastric Bypass

(Weight today: 187 LBS) This Thursday February 18th will be one year since my GB, and Sunday I turn 53 years old. I have to say that the past year has been one of the best of my life. Because of this miracle surgery and a lot of hard work I have lost 134 pounds. Each day is a new adventure. What should I eat, will I make time to exercise, and will I have control over my food addiction today? I'll be honest with you, the answer is not always yes. The important part is that I am always aware of where I have come from, and where I want to go. After I finished my three month training sessions it took a while for me to get up to speed at the gym all by my self. In training I was concentrating on a lot of core work that really helped tighten up some loose areas including my waist, chest, back, shoulders, and butt. Although I had weeks at a time that I was stalled at the same weight, my clothes were getting looser, and eventually the scale would move in the right direction if I increased my exercise and water intake. My daily diet hasn't been a problem. I tend to eat the same foods. Protein shakes with skim milk and fruit (usually a banana) in the morning. I have a yogurt or smoothie between breakfast and lunch, half of a whole wheat wrap of wheat bread sandwich at lunch saving the other half for an afternoon snack or dinner. At night I'll have one or two 60 to 100 calorie puddings (usually sugar free rice or tapioca) or a small bag of Smart food, my favorite indulgence.

I've talked before about the way I am able to listen to my stomach and use it as a tool. When my small pouch is full, it let's you know it is full. the key is eating slowly, and thoughtfully. I'm no longer unable to leave food on my plate. There are many times that I still order or take to much food. Which become leftovers or take-out. My wife enjoys it when we can split an entree, appetizer, or a salad. Portion size is key. Eating a good mix of good carbs and protein is important, as well as avoiding sweets and deserts. I definitely know my food weaknesses and avoid them like the plague.

What I do is very important, but how I think is even more important. That is why I network with other Gastric Bypass people, and also why I keep this blog. This is my reminder system. I often read it from the beginning to the current end and I thank god daily for the wisdom that I have come to find.

If you are reading this and can relate to any of it as a problem in your life, please know that there is hope for a more normal relationship with food. I chose Gastric Bypass. Please make a choice to take control of your food issues. It isn't easy, but it is worth it. I am worth it, and so are you. I'm Gary, and I'm a food addict. Today is a good day. I wish you the very best.

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 (Weight 207 lbs)

It's been 7 months and 21 days since my Gastric Bypass. A few of the benefits are: I no longer take blood pressure medication. I no longer use my c-pap machine to sleep at night. and I no longer weigh 321 pounds. Today I weigh 207 pounds, a loss of 114 pounds. Some of the problems are: Anyone who hasn't seen me in a while doesn't recognize me. (That's OK, sometimes I'll look in a mirror quickly and not recognize myself.) People constantly tell me that I've lost enough weight. Depending on my mood I'll explain my plan to them, or not. My plan is to reach 185 pounds and see how I feel. Since my last post a lot has changed with my body. I see bones, veins, and mussels that I've never seen before. I also see lots of loose skin. I believe I once bragged that I would be the only person in the history of Gastric Bypass that wouldn't have loose skin. Since starting w/ my trainer John McPherson I have improved many parts of my body that were sagging, and needed tightening. I now realize that there is some loose skin that is not going to magically turn into muscle. Sorry for T.M.I. but it's like I'm wearing a vest of loose skin. I am hopeful that the more I work out, the more my muscle will support my loose skin. It's working so far with my "man boobs". A lot of people ask me questions like "How am I dealing with not eating as much as I want anymore."" My diet and my stomach handle that. I am eating a diet low in fat and carbs, and high in protein. When my new smaller stomach gets full, it's full, and it let's you know that you've eaten enough. It also let's you know that if you eat too much your going to feel like there's a watermelon in your plum sized stomach for about 2.5 hours. (I try and avoid that.)

So, basically I feel good. I'm trying to catch the exercise addiction but haven't yet. I do exercise regularly, but not as much as I should, and I tend to eat a lot of the same foods. I have my 6 month check-up on October 1st. (So it's a little late.) I'll have my blood work done, my incisions checked, and my but kicked by my nutritionists but other than that. I really do love my life after Gastric Bypass. If you know someone who is battling obesity please do not hesitate to pass my blog onto them. My name is Gary, I'm a food addict, but today is a good day. Thank you God.

65 lb up-date

(April 24th, 2009 - Weight today: 244 lbs) Just a few stats and thoughts....I haven't been 244 lbs since 1984. I was 27 years old. I traded in another tuxedo yesterday for a smaller size. I've gone from a size 58 tux jacket to a size 50, and from a size 48 waist to a size 40. That will fit me for my next two weddings, then I'll trade down again. (Thanks Kevin). I'm on stage five of my food plan. I basically eat 6 times a day. I aim for high protein and low fat foods. It's a modified "South Beach Diet" w/ smaller portions. Yesterday morning I had 1/2 of a whole wheat English muffin w/ imitation butter spray. Morning snack was a Dannon Light & Fit yogurt. Lunch was a Morning Star Veggie Burger on an Arnold whole wheat pouch. (Took me 40 minutes to eat). Afternoon snack was sugar free Jello pudding, and dinner was 1/4 of a Black Angus Burger without the bun at Casey O'Connors in Mansfield. (Great Burger Rob). For desert I had one Michelob Ultra at Big D's. (OK, that's not on the stage five food plan, so sue me).

Mentally and Physically I'm doing OK. There are a few adjustments that I need to make, and a few things I need to remember every time I eat. I'll sum it up in two words "Slow Down". I keep forgetting that my stomach is the size of a hard boiled egg and it takes two normal persons bites to fill it up. Smaller bites and longer meals are key. I have been losing about one in eight to ten meals. (if you are having GB or are thinking about it, send me a note, I'll explain). It does bum me out when I lose a meal that I was really looking forward to. Ho hum. The meals that give me the hardest time are solid foods like chicken, scallops, steak, etc. I need to remember to enjoy them slowly, and make sure I use fat-free sauce or gravy to make them moist. That way they digest better.

Exercise is still a chore, but as the weather gets warmer I'm enjoying getting out there for my three mile walk around town. At the gym (Canton Club) I'm doing a combination walk/jog. Yesterday I walked a half mile, jogged a mile, and then did a mile on the elliptical. I burnt 400 calories total. Not bad considering I ate 700 calories all day.

I plan on keeping this blog till I reach my goal of 185 lbs. The reason I do it is to be able to look back and see where I've been if I'm ever struggling w/ my weight again. (Yes, even w/ a smaller stomach you can gain weight if you eat to much of the wrong food and stop exercising). I also hope that it may help someone who is overwhelmed by their weight and eating habits. If that's you, please read this from the beginning. I started this journey at 321 lbs. I wish you luck with your journey. GT

1 month after surgery

(Weight 262 lbs) It's been one month since my gastric bypass surgery and I'm feeling very good. I've lost 48 lbs since my first meeting at Tufts on Christmas Eve. I've gone from a 46 inch waistline to a loose 42. The hardest part is to just slow down. I eat my mini meals to fast, and have probably lifted to much weight at my job to fast. When I eat to fast my new stomach lets me know about it. I don't vomit, but feel like I have to. I get the cold sweats, my face gets flushed, and my wife gets nervous. After a little while it passes. Can you imagine taking 30 to 45 minutes to eat 1 cup of food, or 30 minutes to drink a slim fast. That's what I have to do, and I don't mind. I'd much rather be doing this and losing weight instead not having the surgery, loading up on junk food and gaining more weight. I've been walking 2 - 3 miles at a time at the gym or outside or I use the elliptical for 30 minutes at a time. A lot of people ask if I have any regrets. The short answer is no. I studied this procedure enough to know what I was in for, and I'm happy I did it. The long answer is yes. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my food addictions under control and let myself balloon up to 310 lbs again. But, that's all behind me now. The picture above was taken 4 days before my surgery. I can't wait to post a new one, but I'll wait for the 100 lb mark.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions, and definitely don't hesitate to pass this blog on to anyone who may find comfort in knowing that there is hope. GT

My new menu

(275 lbs) Before my Gastric Bypass I normally ate 2000 to 3500 calories a day, probably more at times. Here is the diet that I have been on for the past week.

Stage 3 Meal plan

Meal Time Food

Fluids 7:00-7:30 8 oz water

Meal # 1 8:00-9:00 EAS Shake

Fluids 9:30-11:30 12 oz crystal light

Meal #2 12:00-1:00 1/2 cup cottage 8 oz Light Yogurt

Fluids 1:30-3:00 12 oz water

Meal #3 3:30-4:00 Sugar Free Jello

Fluids 4:3o-6:oo 20 oz Fruit20

Meal #4 6:30-7:3o Greek Yogurt 8 oz

Meal #5 9:00- 9:30 8 oz skim milk

Total: Calories: 470
Protein: 64 g
Fluids: 6o oz

Could you do it? I've done OK with it. I found on my first night home that I am very aware that my compulsive thinking / eating habits are still very much alive. I am so happy to be working hard on "Mindful Eating". I was so used to "Mindless Eating" like walking upstairs to the fridge anytime I wanted to. Can't do that anymore. My stomach is the size of a baby's. It takes me about 30 minutes to drink a slim-fast. Small sips, no gulps, I actually don't mind. I go for my first check-up tomorrow. My wounds are healing well. I will be going to Stage 4 food tomorrow. Soft and moist ground/pureed foods. All pureed in a blender. Got a bib? I also start taking chewable multivitamin and mineral supplements.

So would I suggest this to anyone? Not unless it was absolutely necessary to maintain your health. If you've been reading my prior posts you can probably tell that I had absolutely no will power, and found it impossible to get up off my butt and get to the gym. This is not the quick fix I thought it would be. My life as I know it is completely changed. I absolutely have to plan my menu for the day, and make time for exercise and "mindful eating" every day. So on we go. One day at a time! Good luck in your journey, I wish you well. I'll write again soon.

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 (295 lbs.) We got to the Tufts Medical Center surgery center at just about 6:00 AM. I was about 15th in line to check in. I got my stylish hospital gown and then waited for them to call me for my surgery time of 7:30 AM. It was like clockwork. At exactly 7:30 they called my name and walked Sarah and I towards the O.R.. Sarah could only go half way and she was told to wait in waiting room #6 where Dr. Kim would visit her after my procedure. They rolled me into the prep area where they get you IV'd up, sedated, and the anesthesiologist speaks to you. All of the other patients there were non-elective, whereas my surgery was elective. The non-elective candidates all went before me, and then there was an emergency surgery that held my team up for just a little while. The finally rolled me into the O.R., and I guess I had myself extremely relaxed because as I was looking around at all of the hi-tech equipment and Laparoscopic instruments I was given a face mask and then I was out like a lite. I don't even remember being asked to count backwards from one hundred. (WARNING: GRAPHIC DETAILS) If you look at the diagram above, the picture on the left shows my stomach before Gastric Bypass. Everything comes into your normal stomach, goes out through your large intestine, then your small intestine, through your bowels, and then off to the potty. The diagram on the right shows that Dr. Kim made a small 2 oz. pouch, attached my small intestine to it bypassing my large intestine, and taking a shortcut to the end of the digestive track. Simple wasn't it? I guess that part is for those of you who are considering GB. If you are just reading this just because you know me, sorry.

The next thing I remember was Sarah telling me it was time to wake up. (Apparently the nurses couldn't wake me up). I remember looking up and seeing her, but most of all I remember feeling OK. I was aware of the mild pain in my stomach, but that was being taken care of by that wonderful drip coming from the I.V. bottle. I was so happy to see Sarah, and although she wasn't able to stay for long we both knew the surgery was over, and I was on the road to recovery and a new life. Next: My New Menu.