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'One day, one mile, one
meal, one pound, at a time'
EDITOR’S NOTE:
This is the final excerpt from Gary Titus’ blog. The
Citizen
thanks Gary for sharing his personal journey, with the hope
thast it might help others.
Wednesday,
February 18, 2009 (295 lbs.): We got to the Tufts Medical Center
surgery center at just about 6 a.m. I was about 15th in line to
check in. I got my stylish hospital gown. At exactly 7:30 they
called my name and walked Sarah and I toward the operating room.
Sarah could only go halfway, and she was told to wait in the
waiting room where Dr. Kim would visit her after my procedure.
They rolled me into the prep area where they get you IV’d up and
sedated. They finally rolled me into the O.R.
I was
extremely relaxed because I was looking around at all of the
hi-tech equipment and laparoscopic instruments. I was given a
face mask and then I was out like a light. The next thing I
remember was Sarah telling me it was time to wake up. I remember
looking up and seeing her, but most of all I remember feeling
OK. I was aware of the mild pain in my stomach, but that was
being taken care of by that wonderful drip coming from the IV
bottle. I was so happy to see Sarah, and although she wasn’t
able to stay for long we both knew the surgery was over, and I
was on the road to recovery and a new life.
Before my
gastric bypass I normally ate 2,000 to 3,500 calories a day,
probably more at times. Just after surgery my diet consisted of
64 grams of soft or liquid protein, and at least 64 ounces of
liquid, including water and non-carbinated, low-calorie
beverages. I found on my first night home that I was very aware
that my compulsive thinking/eating habits were still very much
alive. I am so happy to be working hard on “mindful eating.”
I was so used
to “mindless eating,” like walking upstairs to the fridge
anytime I wanted to. I can’t do that anymore. My stomach is the
size of a baby’s. When I eat too fast my new stomach lets me
know about it. I don’t vomit, but feel like I have to. I get the
cold sweats, my face gets flushed, and my wife gets nervous.
After a little while it passes. Can you imagine taking 30 to 45
minutes to eat one cup of food? I don’t mind. I’d much rather be
doing this and losing weight instead of not having the surgery,
loading up on junk food and gaining more weight.
My weight loss
was extremely fast. On the 370th day after my surgery
I reached my personal goal weight of 185 pounds. I wear a size
34 jeans and a large shirt (without the XXX following it).
A lot of
people ask if I have any regrets. The short answer is no. I
studied this procedure enough to know what I was in for, and I’m
happy I did it. The long answer is yes. I’m sorry I couldn’t
keep my food addictions under control and that I let myself
balloon up to 321 pounds. But that’s all behind me now.
So, would I
suggest this to anyone? Not unless it was absolutely necessary
to maintain your health. If you’ve been reading my prior posts
you can probably tell that I had absolutely no will power and
found it impossible to get up off my butt and get to the gym.
Exercise is
still a chore, but as the weather gets warmer I’m enjoying
getting out there for my three-mile walk around town. At the gym
I’m doing a combination of aerobic and weight training. This is
not the quick fix I thought it would be. My life as I know it is
completely changed. I absolutely have to plan my menu for the
day, and make time for exercise and “mindful eating.” The reason
I have kept my blog is to be able to look back and see where
I’ve been if I’m ever struggling with my weight again. Yes, even
with a smaller stomach you can gain weight if you eat too much
of the wrong food and stop exercising. I also hope that it may
help someone who is overwhelmed by their weight and eating
habits. If that’s you, please read my blog from the beginning at
www.gtgastricbypass.blogspot.com. I started this journey at
321 pounds; today I weigh 185. I wish you luck with your
journey. Thank you for letting me share mine with you.
I can be
reached at
garytitus@verizon.net.
March 11, 2010
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