oops ten days gone - just like that.

Wow, 10 days just zipped by and I am way behind in my blogging. Not much has happened since I last saw Dr. Amson. Everything is moving forward and getting closer. I am busy with work although I am basically useless there. My mind is not on work at all and I am easily distracted.
We had an absolutely wonderful family reunion and uncle Bill's Birthday party over in WhiteRock, and a delightful stay at the RiverRock.

So work has been busy and home has been busy, I have been feeling really good then all of a sudden tonight I felt different.

Uh, I am not sure what is going on here but I am starved. I mean tonight I am really really hungry. I am three weeks away from my RNY and over all have been eating properly. That is to say with exceptions of occasional meal photos that I post on facebook but don't eat them all, they just look pretty. I have no interest in food until about four o'clock and then grrrrrr. I can see all my bad habits just trying to bite me on the bum.

I am trying all my tricks not to eat, keep busy, avoid the fridge, get moving, but it is all being very difficult. There is one thing that I am wondering about - could it be that I am finally getting scared of having the surgery? I don't really get all that stressed and I am extremely confident that the surgery is the right choice. But this hunger feels like a reaction. Does that make sense?

my Sept 13 appointment with Dr. Amson

Well here it is, my last visit with Dr. Amson before my surgery. So my appointment time was for 4pm, at 3:30pm I called and checked on how far behind they were – not so bad only 90 minutes. So Marla and I showed up for 5:15 and did what you usually do in Dr. A's office – wait. There wasn't a lot of people there and by 6pm we got in. I was really glad that my wife Marla came with me – for probably only the second time since I have been seeing Dr. Amson I was nervous.

So we did the weigh in – I gained since last time but I am still way down. I still am going to try to get below 300 in the next 30 days. Then we waited a few minutes for Dr. A to find us. It is strange being the last one in the office, especially when Dr. A doesn't know which examining room you are in. He found us and invited us into his office.

I don't get nervous speaking in public but Marla said that I was nattering about a mile a minute. He was funny because he was complaining about gaining weight on his summer holiday. The man is a toothpick even with five extra pounds. We chatted about some people we knew who had trouble after their surgeries and a few who were very successful. He laid out that the way to succeed with this tool was to get moving and exercise. He said he expected me to be up and walking at least 30 minutes a day four days after the surgery. And that all that exercise must increase; exercise is paramount to keeping the weight off. Then he told me about gaining weight over his summer holidays again.

Then we chatted a bit about some of his recent successes (Yay Megan and Kerri) and about all the blogs and action on facebook. There is a lot of information out there. Then compared notes about hockey games and going to the symphony. Hockey usually wins.

So the next time I see Dr. A I will be laying on a gurney in a hallway somewhere. Looking up at him isn't new, I had that view before he fixed my gallbladder. So I am confident in his skill and abilities. Marla felt that same way too. Now all I have to do is see the anesthesiologist, clean up the system inside and out, and I am ready to go.

One month countdown

Well it is one month from today that I will be having my RNY surgery. I am starting to feel a little excitement in the air and there is a reality checking in. So far all feels good. This weekend I started preparing some bariatic meals to have frozen and on hand for after the surgery. First of all it was some chili that I froze into little ice cubes. Tonight I will brew us some consume cubes. Basically I plan to work my way up the soup scale.
Speaking of scales, I have had a hungering for fish. Doesn't matter what kind, if it swam or floated I want it. I had a gross indulgence on the weekend when I made Marla and me some crumble. One of my best batches in a while. Next time I am going to try it with sugar free brown sugar just as a comparison.

This afternoon I am off to see Dr. Amson, so look for a part two to this posting.

Pre-op and Foodies

Well I am 34 days away from my surgery, I have a counter on my WLS Journey web page, so it is starting to feel real. It got another step closer today since I had my pre-op with my GP. She said I was okay for surgery - wahoo. Only two issues that were of concern: 1) my breathing is not so good (mostly because I am obese) and 2) last time I had surgery I had trouble starting to breath again after the surgery was over. This second part is of concern because the way it was put was that I had trouble starting to breath which means I actually stopped breathing. In my world not breathing is dead and I would rather that not happen.

I only got that information second hand so we will find out more at my appointment with the anesthesiologist in a couple of weeks. I was a little coked that my weight went up a little from 303 to 305. I think that is mostly because I am going through a whole bunch of 'last supper syndrome'. It is like every time I look at a meal I am thinking "oh, this is the last time I will be having this particular dish". Only trouble with that is that I have changed my eating so much that most of the meals don't really agree with me. Bummer, I used to like creamy things, now it is 'oh well, not needed'.

I have a really big mouth when it comes to telling people about my surgery. But now that we are getting closer I told two of my foodie friends. First was the head chef at the College's Culinary Arts program. If ever you see some of my Wednesday facebook pictures of lunch, he is responsible for the plates. So I told him that I was having my surgery and what it entailed and he is going to help me by guiding me through how to pick appropriate restaurant based meals. The second person owns our favourite Chinese food restaurant Halibut House (I know, dumb name) but great food. Sheri is going to make me a bariatric friendly Chinese food dish.

I was just so happy to get the support of my friends and colleagues who know nothing about WLS surgery.

Back on Schedule

Well Dr. Amson's office called and told me that my surgery is back on.  Thanks to all of those involved.  As I mentioned in my video http://youtu.be/DMVSMi_zQLk it is sure interesting to see how invested one can really be in this process.  Today I am five weeks away from my surgery date.  My friend Kerri had her surgery on Monday so I am keeping a watchful eye on all the things she has gone through.  Ear plugs for the hospital sounds like a very good idea. 
My eating has been much better lately.  Today is my interurban day which means a really good meal.  But I left half of it on the plate, only eating the protien first and then I went for the veggies.  At least it is a start.
One of my biggest thrills for this week is that my fitness class on thursday night is full.  That is at least fifteen people for My Large Friends.  Hopefully that means we will have seven when it comes to the end of October.  This afternoon I am off to Dr. Rosenthal for my pre-op and my surgical pre-op with Amson is next monday.  Things are definately getting closer.

I am not really grumpy in this picture, it is just that I couldn't focus.

Excuse me but....

So this was interesting. Friday was my day off and Marla and I were doing the 'let's stay home and get business done' thing. We were at the bank renewing our mortgage when I got a call from Dr. Amson's office. They asked me if I would be willing to give up my October 19th surgery. My immediate reaction is to say no. But I also thought the situation deserved some thought and reflection.
I think in the long run it comes down to this: I need the surgery to save my life. I was chosen by Dr. Amson four months ago off of a list of eligible patients. He had his reasons. Of course it is his option to choose someone else as that is his job. But the reasons must be something that he can live with. Hopefully it is for all the right reasons. If it were to save the life of a patient with cancer or some other disease it would be very ease to understand a postponement or cancellation.
So now the ball is in Dr. Amson's court. We shall see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

Schools Back!

Well here it is the first day of the new school year.  Things started up pretty good - the AV team sprang into action and all was well.  I was feeling pretty good.  I didn't have much for breakfast - just a protein shake.  It was free lunch day at the College so I had a good hot dog and a few cobs of corn.  I couldn't resist some sour cream and onion chips but they were a bit like Greek Food - after I had them I really didn't want them. 

I made us a very good supper - BBQ pork chop, with corn, potatoes and gravy but all on a little teenie weenie plate.  Then Chris and I did our walk around the golf course.  It is an absolutely beautiful night out tonight.

I was reading tonight about some more foods that are difficult to eat after surgery.  I was surprised that Chicken Breasts were on the may be bad for you list.  I can see where a lot of this is learning a bariatric lifestyle but eventually I will get it.

Labour Day

So yesterday Marla and I went out for an evening stroll about downtown Victoria.  After parking in our usual spot we slipped our way down the alley and out to the inner harbour.  We stopped for something to eat at a sidewalk cafe at Darcy's pub.  In honour of the RoughRiders winning their first game in seven we wore our Saskatchewan Rider Jerseys.  It was weird because there was another couple also in Rider gear.  Go riders.  We had a great supper.  Marla and I shared a steak salad and she had most of the beer we ordered.  It was a really good supper.  We met a really interesting Dad and Daughter team from Seattle.  They were kind of cool.

Marla and I spent the day at home, cleaning up and goofing off.  Comfy bum is rampant about our little house.  Still we did get a bunch of stuff done, you just can't see it as well.  I started this long weekend trying to edit a video for work.  I finally got it to work by 10:30pm Monday night.

The Fat Man's Prayer

Today, being Sunday, is deserving of a prayer. So I have found one by the great villain and comedian Victor Buono. If you lived in the sixties you would know who he was. So here is one of his best poems - the Fat Man's Prayer.

Lord, My soul is ripped with riot
incited by my wicked diet.
"We Are What We Eat," said a wise old man!
and, Lord, if that's true, I'm a garbage can.

I want to rise on Judgment Day, that's plain!
But at my present weight, I'll need a crane.
So grant me strength, that I may not fall
into the clutches of cholesterol.

May my flesh with carrot-curls be sated,
that my soul may be polyunsaturated
And show me the light, that I may bear witness
to the President's Council on Physical Fitness.

And at oleomargarine I'll never mutter,
for the road to Hell is spread with butter.
And cream is cursed; and cake is awful;
and Satan is hiding in every waffle.

Mephistopheles lurks in provolone;
the Devil is in each slice of baloney,
Beelzebub is a chocolate drop,
and Lucifer is a lollipop.

Give me this day my daily slice
but, cut it thin and toast it twice.
I beg upon my dimpled knees,
deliver me from jujubees.

And when my days of trial are done,
and my war with malted milk is won,
Let me stand with the Saints in Heaven
In a shining robe--size 37.

I can do it Lord, If You'll show to me,
the virtues of lettuce and celery.
If You'll teach me the evil of mayonnaise,
of pasta a la Milannaise
potatoes a la Lyonnaise
and crisp-fried chicken from the South.

Lord, if you love me, shut my mouth.

~ By Victor Buono ~

 

There are three sure signs that summer is almost over: first there is the Fringe.  I keep meaning to go to the fringe shows but somehow they keep slipping by.  The second sign is the Saanich Fair comes around with its critters, home preserves, crafters and kids.  Finally the third sign that summer is ending is that Greek Fest calls with its cultural exposition.  And of course, its wonderful food.  Marla and I went up today for lunch.  It was an excellent time in the sunshine having lamb, gyros, and beer.  We also had some waaay to sweet bakalava and lukemenoes (little Greek donuts).  We couldn't finish them, we shared them with some other people at the table.


In the morning, I had a great walk with Christopher and Precious.  Then I was off to my last WLS meeting before my surgery.  Everyone was so great and I got lots of good advice.  Marla and I spent the evening busy with housecleaning and having a great night.  I got a little too hot but hey, its the end of summer, it should be hot outside.

ow, ow, ow

Last night was the last of our summer workouts.  It has been great working out at the gym each thursday with Chris, Marla and Gord.  Megan, our trainer, did an excellent job and I think I am a bit stronger and more flexible.  I should really do strength and flexibility more often.  But boy am I ever stiff today.  There is a lot of ow, ow, ow going on as I move about.

I went to my dr. on wednesday and weight myself - 303.5.  I am totally stuck at 303 and it is annoying.  But I guess the point is to hang in there and keep on trying.  My blood pressure and Ha1C is really good for me (7.1)  Gillian went through her records and said that my lowest blood sugar was 4.7 way back in 1983.

It has been a fun week at work this week because I have been doing a bunch of tech work.  Today I was soldering and it went really well.  Yesterday I was teaching and running interference.

A long weekend coming up, I am looking forward to it.  It is going to busy because there will be the Greek Festival, Saanich Fair, the Labour Day Classic, a WLS Forum Group (my last before surgery), and just general goofing off.