sluggobear

Today marks one year since I had lap-band surgery. Wow... so much has changed.

I don't like to place too much emphasis on the exact weight lost; it was never about the number of pounds, but more about my health. But for general reference, I peaked at about 348 pounds in 2008. Let's just say I've lost more than 90 pounds, and not yet 100. I updated my little graph... see for yourself.

The scars have healed quite nicely. I don't even see them in the mirror unless I'm looking for them. (Having a little bit of belly hair has helped, too.)

Since the surgery, my taste in food has changed somewhat. I used to love fried food. One of my favorite things was a big ol' cheeseburger with a giant pile of fries. But it just doesn't have the same allure anymore... I don't crave that kind of thing these days. I used to eat a lot of bread. Now I can only eat a little bit of bread. (No more bagels, thick sandwiches or buns). I thought I'd really miss it but it hasn't been a problem at all.

Conversely, I didn't used to have a sweet tooth... but I now have fairly regular cravings for chocolate. I'm told that after weight loss surgery, many people do experience a shift in their food preferences, but they vary by individual. I guess the important thing is to be aware of these kinds of shifts so you can make the best decisions.

There have been a few downsides. Ok, so I have some excess skin. I'm more gassy than I used to be. And I have to be careful not to eat too fast or too much or I'll vomit. (Thankfully this has only happened to me twice... hopefully I've learned my lesson!)

All of this is a very small price to pay for the benefits. I'm not complaining in the slightest!

Now please allow me to celebrate some victories:

• Last week I fit into a front seat on the "Scream" coaster at Magic Mountain without even trying. (I didn't even have to use the "big boy" seat. Just last year, I didn't even fit on the ride at all.)
• I easily fit into my size 38 jeans again. (At my heaviest I wore a size 46.)
• My triglycerides and HDL have gotten a lot better. (They're not perfect. But they are better.)
• I feel more upbeat these days. I think I've been smiling more.

By far the biggest benefit has been the improvements in sleep. Consider:

• Since the surgery I have missed zero work due to daytime sleepiness.
• On the Epworth Sleepiness Index, I jumped from a 14 to a 4.
• I'm sleeping 6, 7 even 8 hours straight through the night, with no tossing and turning.
• When I wake-up, I no longer feel like I've been hit by a truck. I feel like I've actually slept.
• I don't get sleepy during the day anymore.

I still have sleep apnea but now it's manageable. I may always need my CPAP. And you know what? I'm ok with that.

Contrast all this with where I was in 2008:
(For a little history, you can read my original lament here, or follow the whole, chronological tale here.)

I'm still paying the bill for the procedure. I'm on a monthly payment plan, and it'll take another 2 years to pay it off. But it has been completely worth it. My only regret is not doing it sooner.

If you're considering having weight loss surgery, definitely talk to a doctor. Find out if you're a candidate. Learn more about it. Make sure you know what you're getting into.

The lap-band surgery doesn't always work for everyone:

• Some people don't lose as much weight as they want to.
• Some people have vomiting problems.
• Some people gain the weight back. (There are ways to cheat the band.)

Some people say that before getting the surgery, you need to change your relationship with food. Others say that the surgery changes it for you. The truth is, it's a little of both. (As the doctor said repeatedly: the lap-band is a tool, not a cure.)

Even with the lap-band, I still face daily choices about what I eat, and I must make time for physical activity. Not long ago, the mere thought of exercise made me cringe. But now I actually have the energy to do it. A 30-minute walk is now easy for me.

I'll let you in on a little secret. Since the surgery I haven't spent a single moment in a gym. Instead I've been doing other types of activity: walking, biking, even occasional yoga, kayaking or a volleyball game. (Of course, it helps that I live in a city where I can enjoy these things year-round.)

Whenever I can, I try to bike or walk with a purpose. Whether it's a trip the grocery store, the dry cleaners, or a restaurant, it makes it feel less like a chore if I have a destination. (Also, thank goodness for iTunes.)

I look back and I'm amazed at the progress that I've made. I once wondered if I'd ever be able to escape the vicious cycle of weight loss (every time I lost weight, I'd gain it all back... and then some.) The surgery seems to have been the vital catalyst that allowed me to achieve escape velocity.

Miraculous? Yes. But the surgery is no magic bullet, and it's not a free pass. It still requires work. I'm still learning every day.

And now comes the hard part (the Mormons like to call it "enduring to the end.") There's still more work to be tackled, more choices to be made every day.

In the meantime, Sluggo's got his bounce back.