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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Best informative Gastric Bypass websites

28 minute in depth youtube video from Health Matters on University of California Television http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zjbNuh0DSY

More...
http://www.coloradobariatrics.com/
http://www.realizeband.com/
http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastric-bypass/hq01465
http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/gastric-bypass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvRTxZex210

Steps to prepare for Bariatric Surgery

First get real fat (LOL). Actually, if your BMI is less than 40 you will have a hard time getting your insurance to cover any of it. Thank goodness I'm a 53 (LOL again).
The real steps I've taken so far:
One: Go to a Bariatric seminar to see if this is right for you. This sugery will force you to change your life. If you don't think you can handle the radical change to your new life long eating habits, don't do it. Even the best surgery can be negated from over eating (your stomach will stretch back out). Now imagine having each meal equal 1/4 cup of food (only three meals a day). No more carbonated drinks (they stretch you out), no caffeine (stimulant), and no alcohol (waste of calories, straight to the waist). You have to monitor your diet to make the best use of 1/4 cup. You can't drink during meals and you have to sip water around meals to keep hydrated. There are two basic bariatric surgeries. One is the gastric bypass (pro- fast weight loss; con- invasive and extremely hard to reverse). The other one is the "Lap-Band" or the "Realize Band" (my choice!). (basically the same) (pro- can be out-patient and is performed laparoscopically and is adjustable; non-invasive; con- slower weight loss). If you can handle these basics, then you may be ready.
Two: Pick a type and find a good surgeon (mine rocks!) and go to a consultation.
Three: You will have to jump through some hoops before they can get an insurance pre-certification. You must have the pre-cert before you can pick a surgery date. Some of the items may include a psychological evaluation, three to six months of diet history, one year of medical records from your PCP, cardiac evaluation, pulmonary function test (sleep eval), and, in my case, a note from your Oncologist.
Four: pick a date (I haven't reached that point yet)
I will be posting all of my trials and tribulations here on my blog. Feel free to post questions.

Progress measurements



In general, I don't count calories. I know what I should eat and what I shouldn't. I rate each day from 1 to 5. Yesterday was pretty good until I had a piece of pie (yummm) so I rated it a 2. Today is going well. I might have a 4.

I rode my bike up and around Bear Creek Reservoir. It was about 89 degrees F and sunny. I rode just over 10 miles. It took about an hour after I finished to stop sweating. My weight today is 349. Compare my face from March before I started working out to now. Big difference already even without a significant weight loss.

Current medical conserns

In March of 2009, I was hospitalized for dehydration. My platelet count was in 30,000's (per μl (microlitre) of blood). My average count is usually around 90,000. Normal range is 150,000 to 450,000. My spleen is enlarged (platelet count and spleen are the Leukemic suspects). In addition, my kidney tests showed high levels of creatinine (sign of kidney disease), elevated liver function levels (probably weight related), and hypotension (low blood pressure). When I was released, the only real concerns were the platelets and enlarged spleen. Because I do not show any signs of cancer, my condition has been downgraded from leukemia to a blood disorder (fingers crossed). At this moment, I feel great. I had another blood lab this morning so we shall see if things have really improved.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Workout record

Please read my two first posts found below. For my records 6-29-09...In repeating three day cycles I swim one mile one day, lift weights for one hour one day, and bike at least 10 miles for one day. My current weights follow (all machine work at 8 reps and 4 sets unless otherwise noted). Current weight 350. In order:
Free weights bench press - 125 pounds (max 150)
Internal shoulder - 24
Row Delt - 125
chest press - 110
overhead press - 50 (for some reason I suck at the overhead)
Back extension - 225 (20 reps x 4)
Ab Crunch - 125 (20 reps x 4)
Arm extensions - 110
Arm curl - 90
Fly - 100
lateral raise - 90
free weight bonus lift - 45 pounds each arm for 10 reps each three sets

State of my state


Over the course of 20 years, I had managed to lose and gain back weight, plus some biological insurance (extra weight the body builds after a diet to assure that you haven't lost needed weight). I was stubborn. I thought I could lose the weight "tomorrow." In July 2007, I felt horrible. A comprehensive blood lab had shown that I had H-Pylori, type 2 diabetes, anemia, mononucleosis, and leukemia. Bring on the doctors! In November 2007, I was admitted to the hospital for various reasons including how I managed to gain 50 pounds in 5 months. I entered the hospital at 456 pounds. I left at 406 pounds. After two more hospital stays and 8 months, I had managed to lose an additional 76 pounds by simply not eating (very dangerous). In March of 2009, I was admitted to the hospital for dehydration and dangerously low platelets (normal 150,000 to 450,000). My count was somewhere in the 30,000's (20's become critical). I had also gained back 26 pounds. That was it. Change your life or die.

Since my March release, I joined the local rec center and I've tried to lose some weight, but anything I lost was gained through muscle mass. I decided to have bariatric surgery (the Realize band). At this point I'm jumping through the hoops and will soon have a surgery date for sometime early Fall. My current weight is 350 pounds, but my new extreme exercise routine has made me strong and feeling great. My body shape has also changed to muscular with the fat seeming to follow gravity. I am also preparing for the surgery by dropping caffeine, alcohol, and eating right. The following post will be primarily bench marks unless you ask questions.

Welcome

Hello, welcome to my first blog. This blog is intended to encourage obese people and friends of obese people. I wanted to create an honest and frank website about losing massive amounts of weight. This is not about "losing 40 pounds in 60 days". This is my trek to good health. You can join me, post responses and questions as I enter the next chapter of my personal weight loss. I will be reproducing this blog site in the third part of my new book about "Morbid Obesity: Eat to live, not live to eat". It will follow my past path from young and fit to 44 years old and fat. The second part will be leading up to and life after bariatric surgery. More than an autobiography; the book and this site, in cooperation with medical professionals and trusted resources, will answer many of the medical questions about obese complications and the steps necessary to obtain your ideal weight and live a long and happy life.