Day 44 - 63 Pounds Later...

[SHAFT THEME] He's a bad mother-shutcho-mouth.

On April 26th, the day before deadly twisters ripped through our state, I made a trip to Crestwood Hospital to have my blood work drawn and other pre-op tests completed. It was that day I was given the pre-op diet instructions along with two big bags of protein powder.

I was at my heaviest weight ever. 441 pounds.

A little over two months later, and almost exactly 6 weeks after my surgery, I've lost a total of 63 pounds.

The weight, however, seems inconsequential compared to the improvements in my quality of life. I've listed those time and time again, so I'll not bore you by bloviating about them once more.

It is amazing to me, however, when I think back to how I felt just 9 weeks ago. I had a hard time getting out of bed because of joint and back pain. I struggled with stamina, often dragging ass by the end of the day.

That isn't my life any more.

Day 41 - Painful Lessons

To the majority of the world, "eating right" means one thing. To me, it means two.

There's the layman's definition, which generally means to eat healthy.

Then there's the bariatric patient's definition, which means to chew well.

Saturday for lunch I decided to grill some bone-in split chicken breasts. Many of you know that I'm a BBQ lover. I love to fire up the smoker or the grill and experiment with all sorts of different meats, rubs, and sauces.

Day 39 - Exercise - Who'da Thunk It?

The green is "protein." This is the breakdown I aim for daily.
This is a Livestrong.com chart, btw.

I'm starting to think all these so-called experts that talk about eating right and exercising to lose weight might actually be on to something.

That was sarcasm, by the way. It's a second language.

As I continue on this journey, I'm partially excited and partially embarrassed. The secret to weight loss has never been a secret. Eat right and exercise like a beast and the weight will come off.

I'm excited because I continue to be able to do the right things. The surgery has allowed me the right tools to be successful. But at the same time, I'm embarrassed that I couldn't do this on my own. The lack of discipline I had is still astonishing when I think about it. I'm not doing anything different NOW than I could have done without the surgery. I'm having to eat foods that are high in protein and low in fat. I'm having to limit my carbs and bust my ass exercising.

That's all something I should have done previously. Unfortunately I just didn't have the discipline to stick to eating right.

Day 37 - Phasing Out!

I am now in my 6th week, which means I'm in the last week of my post-op phased diet. The last four weeks of the post-op diet require me to only eat soft foods. The nutritionist freed me up to eat a little more, and I have certainly pushed the boundaries. I've eaten some chopped steak, grilled chicken, among other denser proteins and so far have experienced no significant issues.

As I put this chapter of my life behind me, and bid farewell to these restrictions, I am now forced to learn the glycemic index, as I will have to abide by a low glycemic diet the rest of my life. So here's yet another challenge and interesting learning curve.

As I've mentioned previously, the end of the sixth week also finally frees me up to start doing some resistance training. I'm thinking about joining a gym so I can start a little weight lifting. The goal here is to minimize the amount of loose flab that is likely imminent. I hope to hit the gym three times a week at lunch and use that to supplement my nightly walking routine.

Day 34 - Tracking your diet

For those of you looking for a good source to help you manage your diet and caloric intake, Livestrong.com is hard to beat. I've used it for years now and there are so many great tools that help you properly manage your diet and exercise routines.

The best feature they offer is called MyPlate, which allows you to search a huge database of foods and claim "I ate this" for each of your meals. This is a quick and easy way of monitoring nutrient and caloric intake. You can easily set goals for weight loss and monitor your actual caloric intake against recommended caloric intake to determine success on a daily basis.

It's a fantastic tool that can help you lose, and monitor your failures and successes. They also have developed wonderful apps for most of the smartphones, including the iPhone and iPad. www.livestrong.com

Since the surgery, I've not been concerned about caloric intake or anything else. I've focused on getting as much protein as possible and meeting my other critical daily requirements (milk, water, etc.) But I thought it would be interesting to once again monitor my intake, just to see how many calories I am eating a day.

Day 33 - Dads

I've been very fortunate to have so many great mentors and father-figures in my life. They've taught me the importance of a positive attitude, a determined work ethic, and respect for all - among countless other life-lessons.

My Papa was a quiet guy. He was very loving, although he never verbally expressed it. He was the type of grandfather that would say more with a quiet smile and nod of approval than any words could express. He taught me the importance of honor. Papa fought for our country as an Army medic in World War II. I was always enamored with his discipline and routine. Morning toast. Mid-morning snack of bugles and Cracker Barrel cheese. We spent lunch listening to Paul Harvey, starving for the rest of the story. Afternoon of sitting on a folding chair outside of his garage and watching traffic pass. He taught me to pace life.

Papa died in 1998 after years of bravely battling dimentia and other ailments. I have never been so conflicted as the day he passed. I was so happy he had been freed from the bindings of the world he knew. At the same time, I had lost a mentor.

I think about him daily.

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But this is no sad story. You see, I'm lucky enough to have some of the greatest mentors still in my life.

Day 32 - Greek Goddess of Victory

When I decided to have this surgery, there were certain goals I had in mind. Obviously the main goal is to live a longer life so I can be a better husband and father. There were lots of health reasons that dictated the decision. And then there were some possibly narcissistic reasons I chose this path. And one of those "silly" reasons was clothing. Specifically, Nike apparel.

Those that know me, know that I'm a big Crimson Tide fan. I've loved the University of Alabama since I was a child. That's where I went to college. That's where I met my wife. If I didn't live in Huntsville, which is my home, I would live in Tuscaloosa. I follow all Alabama athletics very closely, and spend exorbitant amounts of money each year attending events in T-town.

For those unaware, Nike doesn't make sizes in Super-Morbidly Obese. And I haven't been able to wear the official Nike apparel since I was in high school. Instead, I've been relegated to cheap knockoffs and Walmart gear in size "fat ass." And there's nothing wrong with that, aside from the fact that more often than not it looks terribly cheesy.

Day 30 - Oh Happy Day!

No cake for me. But this is what I would look like if I could.

Maybe it was the Lunar Eclipse. Maybe it was mother nature. It could have been the alignment of the planets. Or maybe it was the eery absence of the cicadas. Or it was just a birthday gift from the heavens.

Whatever the reason, for the third straight day, the scale has shown a weight loss! Tuesday and Wednesday both revealed a .5lb weight loss. I was so hoping that today would yield more progress and the start of the downward trend again. AND IT DID! 1lb down from yesterday. Let's get this show on the road, baby!

I can't begin to express how happy I am that the scale is moving again. Despite having read all the science behind weight stalls and other similar experiences from bariatric patients, it still sucked. Waking up every day knowing that you're doing all you can to lose weight and still not losing - that's a tough pill to swallow, even if you know that you're losing inches.

Day 28 - Would I do it again?

These are moink balls. They are the most delicious appetizer on Earth.

I'm celebrating the 4-week milestone today. Four weeks ago today I was slumbering out of the hospital feeling like my insides had been torn out. The ride home was so painful. Jennifer was trying to be easy, but I swear there are 15,000 pot holes between the hospital and home.

These past four weeks have felt like four months. But I've been so fortunate to have the loving support from my mom and dad. And I can't even begin to describe to you how supportive Jennifer has been. Without these folks, I'd be nothing. They stood by me, without pause, through the entire process and I'm so very thankful.

I had a friend tell me yesterday that I was making it look easy. It was quite the complement. It certainly hasn't been "easy." But I will say that it hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be.

The surgeon that I used, Dr. Edward Facundus, makes his patients go on a 2-week pre-op diet. It's all liquid, and you must drink 3-5 protein shakes a day. Those two weeks were critical both physically and mentally. Physically, it helped me dump some fat and get my liver in shape, which made the surgery both easier for the surgeon and easier for me to recover from. Mentally, however, this was the point where I had to deal with the loss of food. It's much easier to do that when you're not in pain. So I'm glad that I was prepared.

I had the question asked of me a few days ago if I'd do it again. Right now that's a tough question to answer because the scale isn't moving. I feel like I'm busting my ass trying to meet all the nutritional requirements on a daily basis, which takes a directed and concerted effort, and I'm not seeing the results on the scale. BUT, I know that it is now physically impossible for me to not lose weight. So I know the weight loss will come.

I'm able to exercise without pain. I'm able to stop taking medication for blood pressure. I'm able to get out of bed in the morning without aching. I have much more energy during the day. Food expenses are down so I'm saving money. I'm losing inches in the waistline and thighs. My feet don't hurt. I feel more confident.

So yeah. Absolutely I'd do it again. Even if those are the only results I see, it was worth it.

I have my first post-op family event coming up this Thursday - my 33rd birthday. I've decided to handle it by being an enabler. I'm going to grill some burgers and dogs. I'm also likely going to smoke some moink balls (homemade meatballs wrapped in bacon, dipped in BBQ sauce and smoked over hickory). There's not much of that I can eat, aside from maybe a few ounces of hamburger, but it will be fun feeding the family (as well as breaking in my new Weber Genesis grill and dusting off the Weber Smoky Mountain Smoker).

Thanks for all the continued support. I'm so touched by messages from near and far, and the awesome network of support provided by family and friends. It's truly been a safety net.

Weight this morning: 391 (-50lbs)

Regards,
The Vanishing Taylor

Day 25 - Learning the Ropes

This is how I look after a mile.

I'm scratching some itches and advancing in the diet a little faster than "the plan" calls for. I've been focusing on meat (to satisfy my daily protein requirement) and have incorporated some hamburger meat into my diet. I've been real careful to basically liquify everything in my mouth before swallowing, and haven't experienced any significant issues yet. So I'm real happy where I'm at right now as far as the foods I'm eating.

The great thing is that I feel normal again. I can go to restaurants with the family. I don't mind seeing other people eat anymore. Smells don't bother me. It's nice. And aside from not being able to drink with my meal and the extremely reduced quantities, I feel normal.

I'm still struggling to get into a routine as far as the meds go. I still have to take a pill for my thyroid. I also have to take two multivitamins and 4 calcium supplements a day. Right now it's all a lot to remember. That, along with 16oz of milk. 64oz of water. 80 grams of protein. I just need to get into a good routine.

The one thing that I have done successfully this week is exercise. I've walked about five miles over the last five days. My goal is to exercise five times a week. Tonight's walk with be the fifth and will push me over 6 miles for the week.

I'm able to walk a mile fairly easily. I've pushed it to a mile and a quarter without any pain. But right now I'm just trying to stay with a mile. In a few weeks I'll push it up to a mile and a half. It's taking me between 20 and 25 minutes to walk a mile, depending on how I'm feeling that day. When I'm really hoofing it I can do it in 20 minutes. I almost feel good enough to try to jog a little, but I've refrained. I'm still under doctor's order to not do anything strenuous. And dragging 390 pounds around a track at anything faster than a quick walk probably qualifies as strenuous.

Blood pressure is still good and legs are slowly feeling better. I'm not having any pain associated with walking now in the thighs. The numbness is still present, but I can deal with that.

Weight this morning: 391 (-50lbs)

Regards,
John

Day 23 - Post-Op Checkup

Now that the incisions have healed, I can swim!

Today was my first post-op checkup, and the report was great!

I'm on track as far as losing weight, despite a halt in weight loss for almost 2 weeks now. Dr. Facundus had a very good explanation for the weight loss stall. He asked me if I could "feel" like I was losing. The answer was yes. My pants are much looser and I've had to poke holes in the belt to keep me from flashing everyone around. The good doc explained this is because I am still losing weight, but I'm simultaneously rebuilding muscle mass lost from the pre-op and first phases of the post-op diet. So the scale doesn't move.

Basically, during the month of liquid diet, the body burned up glycogen and muscle mass to keep the "power plant" working. Now that food is being reintroduced, it is having to learn to burn fat again, instead of glycogen. At the same time, the muscle mass is being rebuilt due to the extreme protein intake.

So my body is doing what it is supposed to at this juncture. He said I'll start to see the scale move soon enough and that it isn't a concern.

In addition, the incisions have healed nicely. Everything is looking good.

I've had three consecutive nights of walking and while there is some discomfort in the legs, it isn't painful. I've walked a little over a mile each night while the kids run wild on the playground. It's good exercise for me and helps wear them out a little before bed. Hell, it helps wear me out before bed.

Yesterday at lunch I had some of the best fish I've ever had. It was cedar plank Tilapia at O'Charleys, of all places. I've never had cedar plank fish before but it's something I'll have again, for sure. And while it was awesome for lunch, I should not have had tried to warm it up for dinner. The fish dried out and for the first time since surgery, I experienced some significant discomfort while I was eating. It wasn't pleasant, but it only lasted about 30 minutes.

So all is well at the Taylor household.

Weight this morning: 392 (-49lbs)

Cheers,
The Vanishing "no longer has an ass" Taylor

Day 21 - The First Victory!

After being stalled out for 10 days, I finally dropped the 50th pound this morning. I hope this is a sign that this stall is over and I can begin losing again.

There are small victories everywhere at this point. My pants are loose. I'm starting to feel it in my shirts. Even my shoes fit better. I was able to get into some shorts that were previously too small.

More importantly though, the results are noticeable in my joints. I wake up every morning now without an aching back, sore knees, and agitated ankles. I can walk a mile with no discomfort, which had gotten impossible because of nagging knee pain.

And as I mentioned yesterday on Facebook, my blood pressure continues to stay low without medication. That just tickles the pee pee out of me.

At this point, the diet has turned into something closely resembling the Atkins diet - Meat, Eggs, and Cheese. Those are the things loaded with protein and so they must be the focus at every "meal." Because I can only eat ~2oz of food at a time, once I get my protein I'm not hungry for much else. Which means I've left carbs behind for the most part. I haven't had any fruit in a month or two. And veggies are an afterthought.

Now that I'm getting the daily requirement of protein, my energy level has increased. I find myself anxious to break the bonds of my lifting restrictions.

One of the things I'm still struggling with is the inability to drink with my meals. For the rest of my life, I'll have to drink 30 minutes before or after my meal. But drinking with my meal can lead to dumping syndrome, which is apparently just as nasty as it sounds. I've been very fortunate thus far to have avoided any type of reactions to foods, and I hope it stays that way. Still, the normal human within wants a sip of tea to cleanse his palate between bites.

I'm trying to get into a regular exercise routine. Last night I was able to walk a little over a mile. My goal is to try to do that 5 times a week. Once the sun begins to set and the temps drop, it becomes fairly pleasant outside again. To hell with walking during my lunch hour. It's too damn hot out there right now, and I'm still battling staying hydrated as it is.

I have my first post-op followup on Thursday with the surgeon. I don't expect any ground-breaking revelations. My incisions have healed nicely. According to the nutritionist I'm ahead of schedule with regards to weight loss. I can't imagine there is much he can yell at me about. We'll see.

Until then, thanks for following along as I become half the man I used to be.

Weight this morning: 391 (-50lbs)

Regards,
The Vanishing Taylor

Meat! Meat! Meat!

My weight has now been stalled for exactly a week. It's like the Lords of weight loss refuse to submit the 50th pound. In fact, somehow over the course of the last week I actually put two pounds back on.

So now the question becomes finding out what is causing the stop in the weight loss. Obviously it's not the quantity of food I'm eating, because that's been limited severely by surgery. So either it has to be what I'm eating (or not eating) or maybe it's just a natural thing where the body is trying to come back into balance.

Either way, I've been down in the dumps. I've felt like, because I'm such a picky eater, that nothing on the "pureed" diet menu appeals to me. That leaves me with three or four things that I'm eating over and over again.

So it was perfect timing for a visit to the nutritionist.

The report from him:
I'm getting the right amount of milk.
I'm ahead of schedule with regards to weight loss.
I've dropped 4 points on my BMI already.
I'm getting the right amount of water.
I need to place more focus on my multivitamins (admitted to not taking them everyday.)

But perhaps the best feedback I got from the visit was that I'm not coming close to the amount of protein I need daily. And it's very possible that's the reason for the weight loss stall.

But how do I get 70-100 grams of protein a day when I hate many of the "recommended" foods? I've tried blending meat, and that just ain't gonna fly for me.

I posed this question to the nutritionist, and his response was glorious.

"Meat. Baked or grilled fish. Buy some thin-sliced [cue religious harmony]Boars Head deli ham and chew real well. Eat scrambled eggs."

I cannot begin to describe how just those words made my day. Finally! Some consistency. And finally - SOME MEAT!

So last night I pan-fried some Tilapia. Not bad for my first time cooking that fish on the stove. Everything settled just fine. This morning I had what I'm calling the "protein bomb egg." It's an egg, scrambled with salt and pepper. Added some sharp cheddar cheese and some 1% milk (a trick I learned from my grandfather). It was fantastic.

So whether this produces results on the scale or not, I feel like I'm back on track with "the plan."

Weight this morning: 392 (-49lbs)