Liquid Diet

From my visits since last December, I learned that I needed to be on a strict 800 calorie liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery. So I have come up with drinking 6 protein shakes a day, eating sugar-free popsicles and sugar-free jello. I can do that for two weeks. I get the protein shakes from Walmart, they are Body for Life Products. One is call Myoplex Lite and the other is AdvantEDGE. Myoplex Lite is my meal replacement with 20 g of high quality protein and only 170 calories, 20 calories from fat. AdvantEDGE is 17 g of protein 110 calories, 25 calories from fat. I take the AdvantEDGE for my snacks, mid-morning, mid-afternoon and evening. I know it is not exactly 800 calories, but it is close. Protein gives me more energy.

They suggest you do this in order to lose some of the fatty tissue around the liver, so it is more easily to move around when they do the stapling of the stomach. The benefit for me, is that hopefully I will not be quite as sore after the surgery from the having to wrestle more with my liver.

Everyone who I have talked to that has had this surgery does not regret having it done. I know there are some out there where it has not been successful, but it is because they fell back into old habits of not exercising and not eating properly. They literally have stretched their stomachs back to the size of a football from the size of an egg. Wow. I am committed not to be counted among them. Keep praying for us (Gloria and I) as I start out on this new life.

Getting Ready For a New Adventure

This is the first day of my blog about my weight loss surgery. It was suggested that I do this, when Gloria and I had supper with our son, Jeremy, daughter-in-law, Erin, and niece, Lori last night near Mansfield. Thanks. Hopefully there is some interest in what I may have to say occasionally about this.

12 more days until my scheduled surgery. How did I get here? Well a lot of mindless eating and overeating, starting in childhood and continuing until just a few days ago. Looking back, I ate because I wanted comfort food, was bored or to quote Bill Clinton "I could." When I was hungry, I didn't stop to think what I was eating or how much. I looked for "opportunities" to go through the fast-food drive through to just get a sandwich, a sweet tea or a breakfast meal. Even though I may have already eaten, and didn't need it. I have become much less active since my accident in 2002, and consequently it has been even more difficult to take it off.

I have taken the weight off to a certain degree before, when I got serious about it. And now I am at one of those points again. The surgery will reduce my stomach to the size of an egg, and I know that I will need to be diligent about nutrition and exercise after that so I don't gain it back. I have at least two great allies in this, one is my wife Gloria and the other is that I am trusting God for the strength to make this change reminding me when I face temptations.

I am over 100 pounds overweight with a BMI in the 40's, so I am described as Morbidly Obese. Morbid of course, means deadly. Although I have high blood pressure, high cholesteral and am borderline diabetic, the doctors say that once I lose the weight they will improve or maybe even disappear. I have sleep apnea, and they said I will probably be able to sleep without the CPAP machine. Most importantly though I will get relief for an aching back and my sore feet (source of my being handicapped) which all the doctors have said the only relief is losing weight.

I am not afraid of this surgery and I am prepared for the change in my life style. I believe this is the best thing that I can do, before I have some major health complication in my life or possibly a premature death. I don't think God is done with me yet, and I am hoping to be around for a few more years to enjoy our kids, grandkids and some of the Golden Years that we have been looking forward to. But I am ready if the Lord calls me home at any time, and I pray that all of you have that peace of mind also. Keep on keeping on... Maynard