From Fluffy 2 Healthy

Use Your Tools. This sounds like a cliché, but seriously, do some research and find the tools you need. This will make a huge difference in starting to get healthy and continuing to evolve into the person you want to become. First off, check out the  Bariatric app . I have been using this app since pre-surgery. It truly is a great app. It allows me to keep track of so many important things. It can track my weight loss, daily Protein intake, ounces of water drank, inches lost, use a journal, log everything you eat throughout the day, set reminder alarms for taking meds, and even will link to Fitbit. Get a  Fitbit . Really. I never thought that I would get one. But I LOVE it now. Don't get me wrong, some may be fine with their smart watches. I work in the wireless biz, and would love to sell you any type of smart watch, but I personally believe that those work best for text, phone calls, and notifications. For accurate step counts and reminders of getting your steps in...

Just a quick blog today. If you are thinking about weight loss surgery, PLEASE pay attention when learning about possible side effects from the diet and the surgery. Everyone is different so you never know what you may end up dealing with, but I want to give a few things for you to think about. Low Electrolytes/Potassium- During the liver reduction diet, this hit me hard. If these numbers get too low, you may feel dizzy, faint, nauseous, and get dehydrated. I was drinking 80-100 oz of water, but I needed the Potassium. Drink Gatorade G2, at least 1 little bottle a day and check with your doctor if you may need a supplement to prevent bad side effects. Constipation/Blockage- This is no joke after surgery. I had a small BM on the morning of the 5th day after surgery and thought that I was clear of any problems. I was NOT. Please, as soon as possible after your surgery, start adding MiraLAX to your liquids daily. I would say at least by day 2 or 3 after surgery. I had issues beca...

The day has come! I don't have to only have liquids and protein shakes anymore! So far, I have tried cottage cheese (about 4-5 bites), sugar free applesauce (4 bites), pureed banana, and finally for dinner tonight I made 1 scrambled egg with cheese! I was so happy to take my bites. Of course I took it slow and the bites took about 30 minutes, but I didn't over-eat and it was wonderful! Still having problems with my legs. Doctor and surgeon who each saw me today agreed it is most likely slight nerve damage, or pinched nerve. Got some new meds and I'm hoping it calms down soon. Last night I couldn't lay down longer than a couple hours until it hurt too much and I walked around the house for a while. Oh well, extra steps. I found out that I lost another 7 lbs since the surgery last week! I know these first 6 months will be critical to how my healthy journey will progress. So ready to keep feeling better over the next month and start finding ways to exercise and keep ...

So, everyone asks, "How are you doing?". As anyone who has ever had any type of surgery can tell you, it hurts. Your body is not used to being cut open and things moved around on the inside. Good news is, intellectually I KNOW that these pains will pass over time. I am so thankful for that. I truly understand now more than ever that my wife is truly Wonder Woman. She is my hero. I felt this way before in a philosophical sense. But now that I have had my share of these physical ailments, it is true in a more real way. Laying down, rolling over, sitting up, standing up, sitting down, going to the bathroom, these were all things I have always taken for granted. No more. Gas pain, back hurting, hard to take deep breaths, and upper thighs being numb from some minor nerve damage is life for now. I need help with changing my pants, putting on socks and shoes that aren't slip-ons. I am so very blessed to have my wife and kids around to help with these things and more. My k...

Well, this is what I've been working towards for the last year. I have to be at the hospital to check in at 7am. Surgery scheduled to start around 8:30am. Those who know me probably guess that I'm a bit worried. This is my first real surgery. Bit I studied my bible this morning and re-discovered some great verses to help when feeling worried or anxious. Good news on the weight loss again. As of this morning, I have lost 25 lbs while on this liver reduction diet. That's a great way to start on my path to a healthier me I think. At my heaviest, I was 365 this year and now I am down to 333. Yeah! :) Praying for a smooth surgery tomorrow and that I will recover well. Taking time off work for a while to help me heal and learn how to live my new life on a daily basis. Thanks to everyone for the prayers and I will post again after the deed is done!

Food. I love food. I mean, who doesn't? Going into this direction for weight loss surgery, I "understood" that throughout my life I had developed a few bad eating habits. I had to speak with a psychologist a couple times for insurance purposes before I could proceed with the surgery. So, I went in and spoke about my family and our relationship to food. Grandpa would always push for a clean plate. I mean, he grew up during the depression, so it made sense not to waste food. Our family would also use food to celebrate special events. If all the family was in town, going out to eat or having a big meal together was how we would fellowship. Plus, if I had a rough day going to the dentist or whatever, we might go get a milkshake. But we also used food as a reward if I made the honor roll. So, I thought I understood part of the reason food was so important to me. Well, it's one thing to realize these ideas are true and another to come face to face with them on this liver ...