Charles speaks...

Since this is supposed to be a ‘losing together’ blog, I guess I should post something. Sorry for dragging my feet, I'm not a "blogger" person really. Well that and I'm too busy programming and or designing web applications or playing World of Warcraft (probably more of the latter). You got to have your priorities in order you know? Anyways, I'm really glad Brandi has taken the initiative to do something to improve her quality of life thus pushing me to do the same thing. I know together we can reach our goals. I’m currently at 457lbs and will be starting a regular work out schedule shortly. As far as food goes, she eats very little and I eat less than I was eating pre-surgery. I’m shooting for 2000-3000 calories a day (this will shift as I start to lose weight) with healthier food choices. I’m not particularly attempting a diet as much as I’m hoping to just change my eating habits and start to eat better. So my game plan is smaller portions, regular exercise and less snacking. Well, I think it’s raiding time so I’ll leave it at that. Thanks to all of those that are giving support, we really appreciate it. It’s a lot of fun sitting across from Brandi when she reads your words of encouragement. You’re going to play a big part in our success and I can not weight(haha!) for the pounds to start coming off. - C

Better and better

Went to work for a 1/2 day today. I felt pretty good even though I was pretty tired. Went to lunch with Charles and have been chilling at home. I think I'm about to go take a little nap to get rejuvinated. Things are going better. I am feeling better, eating better, have more energy--I think my body is adjusting to all the new stuff that was thrown on it all at once. Since I didn't do any kind of "pre-surgery" diet, I literally went from eating anything and everything to eating nothing. Hindsights 20/20 and I wouldn't do that to my body again, but what can you do? Lesson learned, right?

I don't plan on weighing until I go back for my follow up in a few weeks. My reason for that is that, in the rush to get things done here at the house, I managed to forget to weigh myself on our home scale so I really have no idea what my starting weight was based on that scale. I only know what it was based on the scale at the doctor's office. So, when I do my first check up, etc. and see what I weigh, I can then come home and see how far my scales are off at home and go from there. Also, it seems silly to weigh now because I know I am going to gain some back now that I am not on liquids completely anymore. It only makes sense.

I had a major bout of guilt a couple days ago--I was feeling like crap and put in this huge hole of debt with this surgery and I just was regretting the entire thing. But, as I have started feeling better, I realize that it's way too early to judge. Once I get back to 100% and have a more "non-restricted" diet, I will be much more happy. I actually am looking forward to using this tool to improve my life. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I didn't just put us is debt $15,000 for fun. It's for real when those are the stakes!

Slowly but surely

I feel like I am making some progress. I am not as tired, can stay up for hours at a time vs. having to lay down often. When I sleep, I can sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time. I may get up 2 times a night now vs. the 7-10 times I got up the first two nights. (TMI ahead) I am still having some issues with diarrhea and upset stomach that are causing me grief. I know they will pass but, right now, it's dragging me down. (/TMI)

I have decided not to go to work tomorrow and take another day to rest and recover. I am hoping that, after tomorrow, I will feel well enough to at least do 1/2 days if I need to.

All in all, things are getting better. I still have some discomfort from the surgical gas that they use but it is going away slowly but surely. I am ready to "back to normal"--whatever that is. ha!

The starting number...

We didn't end up taking pictures the morning of the surgery. It was a little rushed and we were late as it was so that didn't happen. I thought they might take a picture there but they didn't. It doesn't matter. I have pictures so it's not like we don't know what I look like.

But now, after all this time, I guess I need to finally post the starting number. The number that I have kept to myself for so long....a number that shames me like you wouldn't believe. I can't hide it any longer and I have faith that I can leave it behind forever. That number is.........471.4 pounds. Yes, you see that right. I weigh almost 500 pounds.

I must go cry a little now. Be nice!

Ouch....

I am home and recovering slowly. This surgery was way harder than than I thought it was going to be. I am not a wuss and I am still having a hard time with it. The pain medication they give you is bunk--it might as well be kool-aid. Since Wednesday, I have eaten half of a cinnamon Mott's Applesauce, 3/4 of a fat free chocolate pudding cup and I drank one Ensure drink for protein. And, beyond that, I have been drinking water like crazy.

I am sure I am pretty dehydrated but I just can't seem to get anything with any substance down--I haven't really tried, I guess. I have just gone more for the easy stuff that I know I like. Charles brought home some liquid Extra Strength Tylenol and I have taken some of that in hopes that it will help with the pain as well. I am just trying to take it easy and recover as easily as possible.

SURGERY DAY!!!!

Surgery day is here!!!! I am so excited! I am starting to get the little twinges of nerves but I am still so freakin' excited it's hard to notice them! When I get home and feel up to it, I will post an update or have Charles post one. Pray for me!

The last supper

Well, I had my last supper tonight. ha. Went to Red Lobster and ate way too many shrimp. hehe After that we went to Kroger to get things for my liquid/soft diet that I will have to follow for 4 weeks. We will be taking pictures to post tomorrow and I will post *THE* official number that we're starting at. I don't want it to scare people but I feel that I have to be as real about this as I can be.

So, until then, keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I will try to get an update here as soon as I feel up to it and will detail what happens during the surgery process.

I'm so excited--shouldn't I be at least a *little* scared?

Last supper eve

Is it sad that I am eating things like crazy in preperation for not being able to eat at all? ha! Off to Texas Roadhouse or Red Lobster! YUMMY!

Getting started

I guess I should start by introducing the two of us. We are Charles and Brandi from Spring, TX. We have been married for almost 10 years and have no children. We are starting this blog to document our weight loss journey. On Wednesday, October 24, 2007, I will be getting the Lap-Band placed by Dr. Hadar Spivak. He is a wonderful doctor who is a complete pioneer in the state of Texas in the field of laproscopic and bariatric surgery. He has performed the Lap-Band surgery on my Aunt Kathy as well as gastric bypass on my friend Cindy. He is a wonderful saint of a man who changes people's lives everyday.

As we embark on this journey, we have had people ask to document and share our triumphs and struggles. While Charles isn't getting the surgery, he will be starting a "new lifestyle" with me and hopefully will lose a large amount of weight as well. The numbers may be shocking and quite embarrassing, but I am willing to share them because I have faith that we will never be returning to those large numbers.

So, stay tuned as we begin this journey...it all begins Wednesday!