LLeopold
Camarillo, CA USA
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Folks, I want to share something that I had done recently.
I've been struggling all my life with being overweight. I was that "husky boy" in school. Well liked, actively involved in programs (football, wrestling, chorus, etc.) but was always one of the larger kids, so my social circle was fairly small.
I've done just about every diet program known to man with little to no long-term success. I would lose around 15-25 lbs. then plateau; then after a while I would lose focus as I was not getting the results even being diligent to the program. The most success I had was Weight Watchers when I lost 40 lbs in about 6 months, then plateaued for over a year. It was very disheartening.
I've had no real issues with exercise. My workplace has an on-site gym and I have used that with some frequency (once or twice a week).
I've gone on campouts with the Scouts and taking hikes (1/2 to 2 miles) as well high adventure hikes (50 milers). I accompany them about 4-5 times a year.
When I RV with my DW, we'll take about 2-3 walks per day. We try to get out 4-6 times a year; at least one time that is a week long.
Even at home, we try to walk at least once a day for a half-hour.
My adult lifestyle is primary sedentary. Being a computer professional, I sit at a desk in front of a computer pretty much all day during the work-week. On the weekends, I spend about 2-3 hours on the computer and try to get outside to the real world as much as possible. Even when out RVing, when there's wi-fi, I'm online (if not moderating, just surfing). I'm a very early riser (5:00am) so I will do this before my DW wakes up and the day really begins.
In spite of all of this activity, I continue to struggle with my weight and I'd have to say that it's primarily due to portion control more than anything else. When out camping or RVing, you can't beat the smells and taste of outdoor cooking. At home and at the office, there are just too many instances where I'm continuously "grazing" and not necessarily on the most healthy of foods. It's just too easy to go to the fridge or pantry. Food is an addiction for me.
I felt I needed "intervention" so on July 15, I underwent a vertical gastric sleeve procedure as part of the latest weight loss program that I started back in March.
To date, I have already lost over 30 lbs. and am continuing to shed the pounds. My last weigh in was when I was released from the hospital on July 18. My next weigh in is July 31. My home scale just doesn't cut it, so I'm looking at buying a new one.
From the day of my surgery, my blood sugars have been well within normal range (90-120 mg/dl) and I am off all diabetes medication (metformin, Byetta and Lantus). My blood pressure is still a tad high, so I am still on medication for that, but I'm told that as the weight comes off, so will the blood pressure.
I've been told that the the sleeve gastrectomy may be better than the traditional Roux-en-y (gastric by-pass) in that it is less invasive (no re-routing of the small intestines) resulting in obtaining needed nutrients from foods ingested (requiring less multivitamin supplements), and no issues with "dumping" (a shock-like state when small, easily absorbed food particles rapidly dump into the digestive system) and more effective than lap-band as the portion of the stomach that produces the hormone "Ghrelin" which signals appetite to the brain is removed entirely resulting in lower appetite.
I am definitely already seeing the results of this latest effort and sincerely hope that this is the start of a journey that will ultimately lead to the success that I've been denied my whole life.
I've already shared this with the forum administration and moderators, and I also wanted to share this with my ORF family as well in case others were considering this path as well.
* This post was
edited 07/27/08 10:29am by LLeopold *
Lou Leopold
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel Quad, SWB, 3.55:1, Rhino Lining
2000 25' Mallard M-23 5M 5th Wheel
Husky 15K w/EZ slider
Wen PowerPro 3500 Generator in a sound box
And I continue to tent camp!
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mistressofdistress
Memphis, TN
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I appreciate you taking the time and trouble to post this info. There are many that could profit from this procedure and I am sure that it is helpful to have a report from someone that is giving his honest opinion. Although having never met you I feel that most that post on ORF are like family and again I thank you.
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emzee
california
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Lou, thanks so much for sharing this with us. I know it will be of value to many people that struggle with weight. I need to lose weight too but just can't seem to get started. I love sweets, portion control isn't my problem just need to stop the sweets.
It seems to be already working for your health in getting off some meds that is great news!! hang in there, sounds as if you're on the right track.
one question, is this a reversible operation or not. that's the one thing about lapband that is nice but i don't know if that is a big deal.
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LLeopold
Camarillo, CA USA
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Thank you both for your replies.
emzee, since the larger pouch portion of the stomach is physically removed, the stomach looks like a small banana (see the provided picture), so it is non-reversible in that sense; however, if the person does not conform to the post-op diet and exercise programs, along with the support group meetings that many of the surgical centers provide (all part of the program of which the surgery is but one facet) it is possible to stretch the stomach tube into a pouch and undo what the whole thing is about.
The plus side is if further intervention is needed, one can still go with the Roux-en-y (gastric by-pass), but many insurance carriers will permit only one procedure of this type for life.
Also, if the person has or had had a medical issue with the small intestines or colon (in my case it was ulcerative colitus, but it could also be Crohn's Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome), the Roux-en-y is not an option.
Hope this helps.
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Thanks for sharing you situation, I know that has to be tough. For all of us that struggle with weight it is encoraging to hear that some are finding successful ways to get it down.
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chester490
Vidor,Texas,USA
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Joined: 06/29/2004
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I am glad to hear you are feeling better. Good for you! I know this is a tough decision to make, but you will probably be happy long term that you made it. My daughter had a gastric by pass about 4 years ago. She is at normal weight and has stayed that way. She is very faithful to continue to follow her correct meal plan. About two years after her surgery she is able to eat more. So she has to be aware of eating correctly so that she does not gain her weight back. She also has to exercise. She is very happy with her results and this has been a very useful tool for her. She feels that she could not have kept the weight off without surgical intervention.
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answerswillvary
eastern washington
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Joined: 10/22/2003
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You are doing so great, Lou, and thanks for posting about your experience here.
We have a great group of members who contribute to this forum. I am truly humbled by their concern and helpfulness on a daily basis.
Please keep us updated on your progress here and I'll be seeing you soon.
Sandi
Check out the RV.NET BLOGS at blog.rv.net
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kokosfriend
Nashville, TN
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Joined: 09/06/2004
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Congratulations on your current success and may it continue for you. I will be watching for updates!!
Barb
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AKPioneer
A L A S K A !
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Thank you for probably saving my life!
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LLeopold
Camarillo, CA USA
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Whoa! I just had my first "mushy meal." A (one) loose scrambled egg and a finely chopped sausage patty. Before surgery I could easily wolf down a couple of eggs and patties (or bacon), along with a couple of slices of rye toast, coffee, and I'm off. All of 10-15 minutes and by mid-morning, I would be hungry again.
Well, this morning, I followed doctor's orders by chewing very slowly so that the food became liquid prior to swallowing. Half of the eggs and sausage, and a half-hour later, I am completely satisfied, so I immediately stopped.
I felt "full" once during the liquid stage when I had just a little over 8 oz. of soup and it felt like the food was in my esophagus. Not painful, just uncomfortable for about 20 minutes.
Today, I feel what I've eaten is just below the esophagus, not uncomfortable, and as was mentioned, very satisfying. That's how I'm gauging my new feeling of "fullness" rather than appetite satiation (which I've not had since the surgery, incidentally; a wholly new experience).
For the first time in my life, I pushed a plate still containing food aside.
I think I'm going to like this!
BTW: I see the surgeon for my first post-op follow-up and "official" weigh in tomorrow afternoon. I know I've lost at least 15 more pounds since the surgery, but will hold off updating my ticker until I get the "real" weight.
chester490: Yes, like your sister, for me this has been a life-long struggle and the decision was made over a four year period, and not taken lightly. Each person must take the time and decide for themselves what the correct option is for them. It must be an individual decision so that the person "owns" the situation and then the motivation to make and keep it successful will be there.
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