As simple as it sounds re: CPAP - your brain, organs and other tissues really do like oxygen. I know I may be opening myself up for attack, but as a physician I've found this thread a very interesting read. Kudos to you, Will for your improving health. As in many things, it is very difficult for us to look at long-term risks/benefits, in particular to health. It's hard to remember that it's worth it to invest in ourselves. One aspect of human nature I've observed over-and-over which continues to irk me is how individuals consider things such as cable TV subscription, nice plasma screen TV's, exorbitant cell phone service, expensive clothing/accessories, dining out frequently to be aspects of their life that they cannot do without, however paying for their maintenance medications (ie: hypertension, diabetes, CHF, cirrhosis, asthma, cholesterol, etc) or medical equipment, which will improve their longterm prognoses, and more importantly quality of life is not given the same importance - this also applies to healthful habits such as exercise, cessation of smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, healthy eating, not doing illicit drugs, playing a more active role in maintaining one's own health including health screening (ie: self-breast exams, testicular exams, monitoring blood glucose for diabetics). I constantly remind myself to invest in my own health (I am as imperfect in my exercise regimen, sometimes dietary habits, getting enough sleep, etc as the next person), as it will be one of the primary factors in determining whether I will have enjoyable, long years of life (emphasis on enjoyable); I hate to say it, but these days very ill individuals can be kept alive for a very long time, but they may not necessarily have a good quality of life because of prior "bad investments" in health.

Sleep apnea breakthrough, or perhaps one should say, breakthrooioo.

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/ ... 2/7536/266

I posted this website on another thread, but thought I would share the information here as well.

http://www.minimus.biz/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=10

This company sells for retail many single serving items. One of the tips for healthy eating is to measure and re-package. I package almonds in one ounce servings, so that I don't eat until I am sick of almonds or the bag is empty.

One of the items I ordered was individual serving low calorie salad dressing. The only other place I have seen these available is at MacKelly's near work for about three times the price.

BTW, Trader Joes is now selling bags of almonds pre-packaged in individual servings. I think they are 1.5 ounce rather than 1 ounce, but it saves some time. I like my own packages because I will add about 1:6 ratio of either salted, bbq, cajun, spicy or another flavor or perhaps some tamari sunflower or pumpkin seeds just for a little variety. I can usually re-pack a three pound bag of Costco almonds into snack size ziplocks during a show then throw them in the freezer for daily use over the next month or so.

It's been a while since I have updated this. My quick weight loss has certainly leveled off as of late. No significant pound droppage in about 4 weeks now though I continue to eat six small meals a day and exercise daily.

Kirby Puckett's death this week at age 45 from a stroke is pretty scary. I'm 42 and Puckett's post baseball physique looked much like mine does now.

I have decided to have bariatric surgery. We're still in the waiting period to determine if Aetna will pay for a gastric bypass. We already know that they won't pay for a lap band procedure.

I've become really concerned about some of the after effects that I read about that people who have had gastric bypass suffer from. The most troubling to me is the frequency with which bypass patients suffer from bowel blockage, a potentially deadly problem if not treated immediately.

I have a conference call with my doctor tomorrow in which i'll ask him to share statistical evidence with me regarding the occurrence of bowel blockage among his bypass and lap band patients. It seems to me that the bowel blockage problem is more prevalent in bypass patients-at least from what I have read.

If my suspicion turns out to be true and bowel blockage isn't as prevalent in lap band patients, I'm ready to make my decision and move forward with lap band which I will have to pay out of my own pocket.

The staff at the Wish Center has just been great. Three of them spent over an hour on the phone with me today answering tons of detailed questions that I had regarding their own statistical experience with patients.

If I choose to have the lap band, it will probably happen within the next 20 days.

For those who are interested, I'll keep you posted. Again, thanks for all your support and good wishes.

I'm delighted that you're considering the lap band. I confess I was troubled, though it was none of my business, when it appeared that you were going to let the lack of insurance coverage dissaude you from the clearly safer procedure. My guess, in light of the recent data on the safely and effectiveness of the two procedures, is that Aetna will soon start covering the lap band, following Medicare's recent example.

Thanks for the update, Will. I confess I had been mighty curious of late how things were going. Glad to hear that they're moving along. As to the plateau you've apparently reached, just keep in mind that you can't see all the benefits that the "proper" eating and exercise are giving you. Your heart alone is benefitting enormously from your changes.

I also have to thank you personally for your example. After promising myself more times than I can recall that I would do so, your "going public" has prompted me to join a gym as well. And, more important even than getting over the hump of joining is that I am going every day (well, every weekday). Being able to go during lunch and with others from my office is a great goad/encouragement. And I doubt that I would have taken the step without your example. So, for me (and on behalf of my non-widow): thank you

I've been busting my butt for the past 6 weeks eating much healthier and working out. So far I've not lost any weight, but I have lost 3-4 inches around my waist and I'm spending 20+ minutes on the elliptical machine instead of 5 on the treadmill.

I think its important to remember that overall health is the goal. While I would like to lose 100 lbs, I'll be satisfied with better health and more energy.

Ann Fisher wrote:I'm delighted that you're considering the lap band. I confess I was troubled, though it was none of my business, when it appeared that you were going to let the lack of insurance coverage dissaude you from the clearly safer procedure. My guess, in light of the recent data on the safely and effectiveness of the two procedures, is that Aetna will soon start covering the lap band, following Medicare's recent example.

That's encouraging for many people and makes sense. My overall goal is to use the pre-surgery program to eliminate the surgery. I plan to give it 6 months at least, probably a year, before I would begin the surgery consideration process.

Bruce wrote:I've been busting my butt for the past 6 weeks eating much healthier and working out. So far I've not lost any weight, but I have lost 3-4 inches around my waist and I'm spending 20+ minutes on the elliptical machine instead of 5 on the treadmill.

I think its important to remember that overall health is the goal. While I would like to lose 100 lbs, I'll be satisfied with better health and more energy.

Bruce those are terrific results. Thanks for sharing and keep at it!

Bruce, it sounds like you're doing quite well. Congratulations on your progress.

My discussion with the doctor didn't goes as well as planned today. He explained to me that bowel blockage is the result of growing scar tissue which can occur with either surgery. He did say that the frequency of bowel blockage, in his opinion, is less frequent in people who have either surgery done laproscopically. The lap band surgery is alawys done laproscopically.

I think my decision is made. I'm going tro mull it over the weekend. If I feel as comfortable with it on Monday as I do now, I'm going to ask them to schedule it in early April- probably the second week.

My surgery date is now set for 4/11/06. I'll keep you apprised of my progress.

YourPalWill wrote:My surgery date is now set for 4/11/06. I'll keep you apprised of my progress.

I hop you have a speedy recovery, and best wishes for you and your family

Good luck my friend.

Men's Health magazine is often a little too young and hip for this 40-year old. However, they have a good chat site and the occasional inspiring story. Follow this link to a story of this guy from Milwaukee who says that surgery was only the first step:

Weight Loss One Third the Man

Will,

You squeezing in any Golden Gloves action before the big day??

I'm going to try to do it next week, Daane. This weekend, i'm out of town.

Beginning Monday, i have to begin an all liquid diet that I will have to saty on for 14 days leading up to the surgery. The purpose of the all liquid diet is to shrink the liver to make access to my big ole belly easier for the doc. It's going to be incredibly difficult. But a smaller liver could mean 20 minutes in surgery versus two hours in surgery. I'm all for a couple of weeks of misery if that's what it takes to lower the risk of complications.

On a positive note, I cleared the last hurdle yesterday when my psychiatrist gave me the clearance to go ahead with the surgery on April 11.

For the first week after surgery, I'll only be allowed liquids. The week following that, I'll be allowed real food that is pulverized in the food processor. Two weeks after, I can begin eating simple soft foods that aren't pulverized. After that, I can begin eating normally, but in smllaish portions. I'll begin eating 6 meals a day each equating to about a half cup of food. The only things that are really restricted for me will be sweets which tend to cause dumping syndrome (don't ask).

I'm in New York this weekend where I plan to enjoy my last weekend eating the way that I have my entire life. Starting Monday, its a new world for me.

Will,
I wish you all the best. I'm glad you're going with lap band. I realize that everyone has a different, individual experience, but my only experience with this is a friend who has had untold problems with gastric bypass, primarily because she simply does not eat the way she's supposed to.

I can't stress enough that the surgery is only a part of losing the weight. Please listen to the nutritionists you consult and do what they tell you. You must be ready to do that for the rest of your life before you have the surgery, or it simply will not work.

I don't mean to be preachy, but I just spend several days with her, and it's so frustrating to see her with so many health problems, complaining all the time, and yet she can't see that she's doing it to herself.

I wish you all the best, Will. Good luck, old man.

c

Carol, one of the reasons that I chose to have my surgery with the group that I did was it's 18 month follow up plan.

I absolutely recognize that the lap band isn't a magic pill. Rather, it's a tool, when combined with a lifestyle change will give me the opportunity to lead a healthier life.

The staff at the Wish Center has already provided me with the diet for the first three weeks subsequent to my procedure. believe me when I tell you that it is no walk in the park. Thereafter, there are weekly support meetings that I can attend online or in person at the Center.

I also plan, for about the first twelve months to continue to see the psychiatrist that I was referred to in preparation for this quest.

There are dozens of very public instances where both gastrric bypass and lap band fail for candidates who aren't willing to make lifestyle changes in conjunction with there procedures. One well known one is Charlie Weis, the head football coach at Notre Dame.

I'm sure I'm going to have moments of weakness. I'm sure that I will give in to temptation from time to time. I hope that those events will be infrequent when they do occur.

I have a huge test in front of me tomorrow. Our company meeting is being held here in Chicago. Tomorrow night, the group will have dinner at Morton's. I plan to sit through it, being on an all liquid diet, and share camaraderie with my co-workers while eating according to my diet.

I have to build the willpower. It's important for me to sit through that meeting and turn down dinner tomorrow night.

Thanks for your well wishes, Carol. It is now crunch time for me.

I had a good pre-operative meeting this morning. I weighed in at 298 lbs. That's a loss of 30 pounds since my first post here. But, I still have a long way to go. Ultimately, I want to lose 130 pounds from my starting weight.

The two week liquid diet that they have me on leading up to the surgery is really tough. But, I've stuck with it so far, the pounds just seem to be melting off over the five days that I have been on it.

Today, we had an office birthday party (where we celebrate all the monthly birthdays in the office). It was my turn to buy the cake. I got a beauty from Bom Bon. Chocolate cake filled with bananas and carmel top with whipped cream and white and dark chocolate shavings. I wish I'd taken a picture.

It was a beauty. I'm pleased to tell you that I cannot tell you if it tasted as good as it looked.

You've shown amazing willpower already, I'm convinced that your procedure will be a success. Add my good wishes to the many that you've already received.

As has been discussed previously, the success of the type of procedure that you are going to undergo hinges on the willpower and dedication of the patient, and obviously you have both. If you can resist a cake from Bombon, the battle is half won already!

All my best wishes (and please pardon all the awkward phrasings, I'm no good at being sincere)

liz
a.k.a. geli

Since a surgery is a little less than a week away, I decide to update my picture. I've made pretty good progress having lost just under 30 lbs since last December. My pants are now way too big as you can see.

I must admit that I have failed miserably at the all liquid diet. I simply found it impossible. So, I'm eating two small meals a day and drinking 4 protein shakes a day.

My exercise is up to an hour to an hour fifteen every day. I'm starting to take the five flights of stairs at work.

The real test begins on Tuesday.

In saw my doctor last Friday. He did some blood work. Cholesterol is 163 versus 255 in December. BP is a steady 130 over 78 versus 160 over 148 in December. But, I am on meds for all of these things. I really do feel alot better. But, I really miss eating well as I have done with so many of you over the past few years.

Today, a guy who works for me, asked how i put on so much weight in such a short time. I showed him the Chowhound post evidencing "Will and Pete's Big Adventure" and pictures from the 13 course dinner at Chuck's.


December 4, 2005


April 5, 2006

Very impressive! Congratulations on your progress and wishing you the very best results for your surgery.

Bill/SFNM

Is it just me or are those photos the same? Same mouth, hand, body positioning.

Upload the wrong one?

Congratulations on the great progress, though. Here's hoping the surgery goes as smoothly as it can.

Sorry. My mistake. Its now corrected.

Best of luck, Will. We'll be anxiously awaiting word from you. You will be in our thoughts as you undergo this life-changing event.

Will,

You've got quiet support from those of us who are less-frequent (and less-eloquent) posters, too.

April 11th is my birthday; it'll be good for me to be thinking of you, rather than egotistically dwelling upon myself--at least for part of the day.

In sharing of yourself, you do us all a service.

--Matt

You've got quiet support from those of us who are less-frequent (and less-eloquent) posters, too.... In sharing of yourself, you do us all a service.

Couldn't have put it any better myself. As I already mentioned in a previous post, you were direct inspiration to me to get my butt into the gym five days a week for the past six weeks and it has already had demonstrable--if not as impressive as your own--results. I owe you.

And, like everyone else who has posted here, and like those who won't post but nonetheless share the sentiment, I wish you success and good luck not only with the surgery, but the recovery process and all that follows.

All the best

We've never met in person, but I'm excited for you! My friend who did this really enjoyed the results, getting more active etc. What better time than spring?

Will,

The difference is very impressive. Not just the weight loss, but the healthier look in general. Again, best of luck on Tuesday.

I will keep you in my thoughts on Tuesday!

Hugs,

Thanks to everyone for both your personal and private well wishes for the coming week. I'm overwhelmed by the support that I have received from all of my friends here in the LTH Community.