SluggoBear

Lost 100 lbs. Got a new housemate. Got laid-off. Going to Europe.

: sluggobear; August 9th, 12:23

Current Location:: Chicago, IL

To quote an Oingo Boingo song, "my little world was due for a shake-up." So much going-on.

In case you hadn't already heard, Matt (aka

maverick1303) has moved to Washington DC, where he's earned a scholarship to study photography at Corcoran. I'm so very proud and excited for him.

A few weeks ago we had a little party for him, which was at-once a congratulations, happy birthday and farewell celebration. The party finally wound-down around 6am... all this on a "school night!"

I will miss Matt a lot. He is a special guy, and he was there for me during one of the most difficult times in my life. He has accomplished great things, and I know he will accomplish yet even more great things.

As Matt moves away, I now have a new housemate: the always-awesome

jpinsd. He's got all his stuff moved-in, and I'm very happy to have him around.

In other news, I reached a big milestone last week: I've now lost over 100 pounds. It's been about 1 year and 4 months since I started on this journey, and it's been nothing short of amazing. I continue to get periodic adjustments to my lap-band. I can definitely say it's working as designed.

I could make a long list of health-related problems that have either disappeared or been greatly reduced, but the best part about the weight loss has been the improvements to sleep. (Miraculously, I'm able to wake-up feeling like I've actually slept.) I rarely fall asleep during the day anymore! Words cannot describe how much better I feel due to the improved sleep alone.

My sleep apnea has not been "cured," however. According to my BiPAP and oximetry data, I still do have notable episodes of apnea while I sleep. So I still need to use my BiPAP, and I'd say there's still some room for improvement. True, I'm awake during the day, and not sleepy, but I don't feel quite as alert and "on the ball" as I think I could be. So I'm still working with a sleep doctor and taking measures to reduce my apnea even further.

In short, my apnea has gone from out-of-control to manageable. My quality of life is remarkably better now for just that reason.

Let's see. In other news, I've been laid-off. This after 11 years of consulting for the same corporate client. The irony is that the layoff had nothing to do with the economy, downsizing or my performance. It was due to an apparent misstep by my consulting firm, stymied further by customer policies... resulting in the customer having to let 30 consultants go on the same day.

The consulting business is unpredictable. I took the assignment with full knowledge that it could end at any time, with or without warning, with or without explanation... and I was OK with that. The assignment was originally supposed to last only 6 months; instead I enjoyed a nearly 11-year run. It was the best job I've ever had. The customer treated me well and offered new challenges at every turn. The job gave me opportunity for enormous growth, and I will miss it.

Perhaps there will be an opportunity to work for them again in the future. But for now, I'm looking for work, and there have been a few bites. I'm hoping to find a job real soon.

In the meantime, I've decided to do something I've been wanting to do since I was in fourth grade: visit Germany. I have a little money saved-up (though not much), and cheap travel deals abound. When else will I have a chance to just get-up and go?

So I've borrowed a good backpack (thanks,

cpratt!) and I'm heading to Europe for a month. (I'd stay longer if I could afford it.) My four main destinations will be Berlin, Munich, Cologne and Hamburg, with lots of side trips all over Germany, Austria, Switzerland and The Netherlands. I'm SO excited I can't even tell you.

I got a great deal on airfare, and I'll be bouncing between cities by train and staying in cheap hotels and hostels. Everything fits in the backpack: my camera, iPhone, BiPAP, netbook and clothes. I leave for Berlin on Wednesday.

As soon as I return, I'll be heading immediately to Mexico City with

danlmarmot and

cpratt for a week... it's a little trip to celebrate Chris' 40th birthday. The airfare was cheap, too... and I've never been to Mexico City before. You'll likely not meet a pair of better travel companions than Chris and Dan. They're expert travelers, cultured, fun and smart. So I'm very excited about the trip!

The adventure has already begun; as I'm typing this, I'm in Chicago for the Lollapalooza music festival: three days of music, including Depeche Mode, Tool and The Killers. I'm crashing with Owen and Dave, who are awesome. Then a quick couple of days in New York City with the amazing Andy, aka Grobie. After that, off to Europe.

I'll be chronicling my travels here, so stay tuned for photos and blurbs and stuff.

Or you can follow me for the summer by visiting my WordPress site, MikeTheNomadBear.

Tags: adventures, health, work

1 year after Lap-band surgery

: sluggobear; May 14th, 10:37

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: The Crystal Method: Smile?

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:

I'm drained. I'm not motivated. I'm sleepy. My head is fuzzy. I'm moody. I can't get anything done.

I've managed to keep it somewhat hidden from the view of my friends... usually I accomplish this by staying in my cave when it's really bad. And I'm usually pretty good at putting-on the brave face.

(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.

Tags: health

My scars: 8 months after lap-band surgery

: sluggobear; January 12th, 20:31

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: Dzihan & Kamien: Stiff Jazz

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

The scars from my surgery are healing-up quite nicely.

Tags: health

Lap-Band Surgery: Report Card, Part 2

: sluggobear; December 3rd, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: When in Rome: I promise you

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

So here's my little report card. It shows, at a glance, how I'm doing since having my lap-band surgery 6 months ago.

The biggest news here is my progress on the Epworth Sleepiness Index. This is a number that helps the doctor know the severity of daytime sleepiness. I leaped from a 14 to a 5... which is simply amazing... and much better than I'd hoped. I no longer require daytime naps... and I haven't missed work due to tiredness.

Even though I didn't meet my full goal for O2 desat levels, I've done really well! So exciting. I'd like to do a little better, but this is just awesome.

A new BiPAP mask (a full-face model that actually fits me, thank you!) has made a big difference for me as well. Hence the nearly perfect score for BiPAP leak rate.

My triglycerides and HDL have improved as well. As my friend Nick says, there's only so much you can do about them. (Still, I'd like to improve my score a bit more.)

I wasn't able to find numbers for blood pressure and neck size, but my blood pressure's always been good. I think my neck size has gone from about 21-ish to 18-ish. (Reducing neck size is important because it correlates to a more open airway... allowing more oxygen to flow, and decreasing sleep apnea.)

I've taken all of my vitamins and supplements every day, and I have not had any caffeine or soda since the surgery. (At first I missed my Diet Pepsi, but I honestly don't miss it anymore.)

My Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) has improved significantly, which I'm happy about. The doctor says a number under 5 is considered normal... woah. But I want to do even better. I think that with a little work, and maybe some tweaking of my BiPAP settings, I can do it.

During all of this, I have not had a single complication. I've never vomited. I've had my lap-band filled twice without incident. I barely even know it's in there.

Now comes the hard part... being persistent, and continuing to get at least 30 to 45 minutes of physical activity every day. (As you can see, my daily compliance was umm, pretty good, but not great. But I have plans up my sleeve!)

Overall, I'm VERY happy with my progress. I only wish I'd done it sooner!

Tags: health

Lap-Band Surgery: Report Card, Part 1

: sluggobear; December 2nd, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: Van Morrison: Brown Eyed Girl

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

I'm now past the 6-month mark since my lap-band surgery. Things are going really well!

This chart shows my weight. It doesn't have any numbers on it because I don't really give a fuck about how much I weigh. Suffice to say that in terms of weight lost, I've safely passed the 75lb mark, most of it in the first few months after surgery. (The notch mark for 2008 represents the middle of the year.)

I'm happy to report that my health is getting much, much better, and most importantly, my sleep apnea is becoming more and more manageable.

Have I "arrived?" Not yet. But I've made tremendous progress and I'm sooo happy with the results.

Tags: health

Going for my walk...

: sluggobear; October 9th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: Tori Amos: Sorta Fairytale

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

Sent from iPhone

Tags: health, photos

Some recent pics, and an update on my health

: sluggobear; August 27th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: KMFDM: Juke-Joint Jezebel (Metropolis Mix)

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

I feel a bit self-conscious doing this, but several folks asked me to post some recent "post-surgery" pictures.

I didn't want to do anything cheesy and I really dislike the idea of a before/after thing. Just kinda lame.

Anyways, so above are some recent pics of me. (Taken by

crimsonsaint,

jpinsd and

liquid_wayno.)

I dunno, I guess if you want to see a "before" shot, there's one here.

I've dropped over 70 lbs, gone from a 4XL to a 2XL shirt, and from a size 44 (sometimes 46) pants to a size 40. (I can actually wear my 38 jeans but they fit very snugly.)

I've been walking or biking every day, and occasionally mixing-in other stuff. Over the next few weeks, it'll include hiking, kayaking and volleyball.

The weight loss has leveled-off a bit, so now comes the next phase: the goal now is to lose about 2-3 lbs a month for the next year.

Meanwhile, my sleep continues to improve, though perhaps more slowly than I'd hoped. I'm definitely over the first "hump" and able to sleep soundly throughout the night. I'm also happy to report that I am alert enough to work a full 40 hours per week at work again. WHEW. But oximeter readings indicate that my blood oxygen is still low, and I still have some daytime sleepiness. This means I need to keep using my BiPAP*; and I'm working with a sleep specialist to keep finding ways to manage my apnea better.

Things took a giant leap forward when I started using a new BiPAP mask: the Respironics ComfortFull 2. It's practically a perfect fit... my numbers indicate an amazingly low leak rate every single night since I got it. It's comfortable, and I don't get air blasting in my eyes. (This, after experimenting with at least a dozen different kinds of masks over the last few years. Yay!)

So that's one problem solved. Now onto the next one: getting the right BiPAP pressure settings. I got a new BiPAP machine, it's smaller and has some nifty electronic reporting features that should give us some clues. Right now the BiPAP pressure is set to 20/16. I told the doctor that I thought 16 was too high, because I couldn't exhale completely before the BiPAP started making me breathe-in again. He looked at my last sleep study and agreed that my oxygen levels looked better at 20/14. So we've adjusted the machine, and we're tinkering with a few other settings that it has (ramp, cycle, min/max breath time, etc.) to get things better.

So things are progressing!

*A BiPAP is just like a CPAP, only it has two levels of air pressure: one for inhalation, and another (lower one) for exhalation.

Tags: health, photos

More updates

: sluggobear; August 24th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: Hooverphonic: The Eclipse Song

Ha! I guess I had just a few more updates!

One of my extra hard drives crashed. It started making clicking sounds. I was able to recover like 90% of the data, but it looks like a couple videos are lost. The funny thing is, this was my backup drive. But what good is a backup drive if you don't have the original on your main drive (or somewhere else?!) Feh. I guess I should be doing an extra backup and storing it somewhere else safe.
Hopefully you'll see some more Thursday tips soon. Just been crazy busy.
Went to the beach this weekend and got sunburnt. It hurts to move, ouch!
A large portion of my wardrobe is now officially too big for me. I think most people would be excited about the prospect of getting a new wardrobe. But I hate clothes shopping and don't have piles of cash to spend. On the bright side, I kept some of my old jeans (size 38 and 40) and shirts (XXL) that finally fit again!
Lately I find myself listening a lot to these artists (not even new material, necessarily, just been listening to 'em just cuz) Flight of the Conchords, Elbow, Hooverphonic, Depeche Mode, The Ting Tings, Queens of the Stone Age, Kenna, The Presets, Recoil, Stevie Wonder, Beck, Burial, Junkie XL, Tears for Fears. I don't know why those bands specifically. That's just what's been spinning.
The new Metallica single sucks.
Going to Vegas with my Dad in October. Woo-hoo!
If you're into image editing, check-out this nifty video about seam carving.
I accidentally missed my assigned day of jury duty last week. They are pretty flexible though, and rescheduled me for another date in about a month.
OMG I can't believe I didn't post a link to this video a few months back: Sophisticated Boom Boom by intoutdoors and xxtapemakerxx. (I make a goofy cameo appearance!)

Tags: adventures, health, music, random, technology, video

The Biker Gang

: sluggobear; June 20th, 2008

Photo by SDTattGuy on Flickr.

A bunch of us went riding bikes out in Balboa Park this week. We're gonna try to ride at least twice a month.

Tags: friends, health, photos, the 619

Scars, 4 weeks after surgery

: sluggobear; June 10th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: Barenaked Ladies: Take it Outside

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

They're healing quickly. (For reference, here are the scars about 1 week after surgery.)

Thanks again to everyone for your encouraging comments and e-mails!

Tags: health, photos

Life = good

: sluggobear; June 4th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Today I've noticed a lot of good things are happening for me, healthwise!

I now have a bunch of clothes that are too big for me. Pants, shirts, belts. Yay!
The incisions are healing faster than expected. (Pic coming soon.)
I am getting a good seal on my new CPAP mask... last night I had one of the lowest leak rates yet.
My energy level is climbing, slowly but surely.
My feet always used to be kinda puffy. They're not anymore.
My left eye used to twitch a lot. The doctor says it was a side effect of the Provigil. I'm not taking it anymore, and the twitch is gone.
Several folks have commented that my eyes don't look as baggy anymore.
I've been 100% compliant with my daily supplements, in attending the nutrition support group, and in getting 30 minutes of activity every single day. (Mostly walking, some biking.)
Remember that sinus surgery I had last year? I actually have been reaping the benefits (finally!) over the last several months. I can breathe freely through my nose now. Not just sometimes, but every single day, and every single night. Which is making the CPAP therapy more effective.

I still have a long way to go, but things are improving even faster than I expected. Yay!

You may have noticed that I've not been focusing on my weight (as a number). I don't think the number is a good way to measure one's health. However, I suppose it would be good to give a rough idea of how much progress I've made; let's just say I'll easily surpass the 50lb mark by ~~mid-June~~ the end of this week.

And I haven't felt like I've been depriving myself of food at all. A small serving of food tames my tummy with no problem.

By the way, I finally did receive a letter from the insurance company, in which they let me know the denial was upheld. I'm not really surprised, and, as I've mentioned previously, I don't blame them. (It was never a question as to whether the procedure was medically necessary; the fact is, the procedure is just not an option on my particular coverage plan.) Ah well, it was worth a shot.

Life = good.

Tags: health

A quick update

: sluggobear; May 28th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: Elbow: Mirrorball

It's been two weeks since the surgery and I'm feeling fine. I've had zero pain since the second day after the procedure. I've lost weight and my sleep has already improved somewhat. Between that and quitting one of my prescription medications beforehand, I can now sleep about six hours every night with pretty-good consistency. Also, if I wake-up too early, I'm actually able to fall back asleep some of the time now... something I hadn't been able to do for several years.

I'm still having some daytime sleepiness. It's hard to know if this is due to insufficient sleep, or insufficient calorie intake. The doctor warned that during the first month or two, there's a chance of some lethargic tendencies, but this was normal and will eventually go away. In the meantime I just need to follow the prescribed eating plan and make sure I take the vitamins and supplements. Pretty easy.

For the first few weeks, I was only allowed to have a few types of food (water, Propel, broth, sugar-free jello, sugar-free Popsicles, etc.) Soon after, I worked my way up to soupy foods (Cream O' Wheat, creamy soups etc.) and now I'm up to mushy foods (soft cheese, oatmeal, pureed meats and fruits.) Everything has to be moist and soft or mushy for now. Pretty-soon I'll be able to eat things that can actually be chewed.

I've had my first post-operative follow-up and everything looks good. In about three more weeks I'll have my first Lap-Band "fill."

I've been cleared to drive, and given the green-light to ramp my physical activity back up. So I'm doing 30 minutes of activity every day again now. So far it's been mostly walking. I'll introduce biking again soon, then start going to a monthly exercise class, which the doctor requires us to attend. I have some ideas for other stuff, too.

I was just thinking about some of the pleasant "side effects" today:

I'll be able to buy clothes at regular clothing stores, instead of just Casual Male XL.
I'll be able to fit on some of the roller coasters that I couldn't fit into before.
Many asthma sufferers report improvement after weight-loss surgery, and I have mild asthma.
This may sound weird, but I'm already spending a lot less time sitting on the toilet. (Sorry for the TMI.)
I'm obviously spending a lot less money on food.

MANY thanks to everyone for your well-wishes. I am really trying to catch-up on all your e-mails and LJ comments... please be patient with me!

So far, things really haven't been difficult at all. And finally I wake-up feeling like I actually slept (instead of feeling like I've been hit by a truck.) I still have a long way to go. But I'm seeing improvement already.

Tags: health

The Vicious Cycle of Weight Loss

: sluggobear; May 16th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

OK... last chart for awhile. (God I'm such a geek.)

This is the vicious cycle that I was caught-up in. I firmly believe the weight-loss surgery is going to help me escape it.

I made this chart. Maybe it will be useful to someone who's been caught in the same cycle.

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

Tags: health

Weight options - in context of a 5 year outlook

: sluggobear; May 16th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

When deciding whether to have weight-loss surgery (and if so, which surgery), I sat down and drew-up some "what-if" scenarios:

What if I did nothing?
What if I tried to lose the weight myself? (What if it all came back?)
What if I had gastric bypass? Lap-band?

When I plotted everything out, they looked something like this.

(The black line on the left represents actual numbers. The other colored lines represent some possible paths.)

These are very rough numbers... just estimates. These are not goals, but more like educated guesses, based-on my history and what I think I'm capable of.

You'll notice the chart kinda "flatlines" towards 2011 and beyond. I don't think all the options would literally remain unchanged, but the chart gives a general idea of where I might expect to be.

In the end, I opted to go with Lap-band surgery for several reasons. I'll expand more on that later.

I'm posting stuff like this because I've had a number of people ask me questions about weight loss and about the surgeries. Maybe this will be helpful to someone. I just thought the graph was useful in showing the options in a more visual way.

Again... these are just rough numbers and would vary.

Tags: health

My Health Goals

: sluggobear; May 15th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

A friend asked me how much weight I hope to lose after having the lap-band surgery. The truth is, I'm really not focusing on that. (I'll still keep records of it, but my point is that it's just a number.)

Instead, I have my eye on the goals written-out here. I believe these will give me a much better picture of my health and improvement.

Some of the items listed here may really be the means to accomplishing a goal. But I still list them here as goals because I want to monitor how well I do.

If I reach my goals at the 6-month mark, I'm going to treat myself to something suitably loverly... perhaps a next-generation iPhone or something.

Tags: health

Scars

: sluggobear; May 15th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

( Photo of my scars behind the cut; probably work-safe... )
There are five scars from the surgery. (Obviously they'll heal much better than this, but some peeps had asked about them.)

I'm up and about a lot already, and even walked 5 blocks outside today.

Right now I'm on liquids only... mostly water, Propel and ice chips. Tomorrow I introduce broth, sugar-free Jello and sugar-free Popsicles. After that, other soft stuff like Cream O' Wheat and strained soups. And we keep going up from there.

Tonight I sleep with my oximeter to get a reading for my blood oxygen saturation.

Tags: health

Beardless.

: sluggobear; May 15th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Click above, or visit SluggoBear on Flickr.

I shaved my beard because I was told it would be better for the breathing tube.

They also shaved my whole belly, and part of my wrist (where the IV goes.)

This is only the second time since 1995 that I've shaved my whole face.

(Took a few other photos while waiting for surgery, which can be found here.)

Tags: health, photos

Thursday Tip: Learn, manage, share, track your health for free with SparkPeople.com

: sluggobear; May 15th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

Current Music:: Prince: Delirious

Well boys and girls, it's time for another Thursday tip.

This week I'd like to introduce you to a totally rad website called SparkPeople.com. I learned about it from my sister Suzanne (aka

cooling1018) awhile back.

SparkPeople helps you live a healthy lifestyle, even if your goal isn't necessarily to lose weight. You can:

Set health-related goals and track your progress.
Use an instant search to get nutrition statistics about thousands of different foods, including fast food.
Explore tips about nutrition and physical activity.
Find, contribute, and rate food recipes.

You already know my beliefs about the rebound weight re-gain when you reduce food intake to lose weight. So I really like SparkPeople because the emphasis is placed on healthy living. You don't need to focus on weight if you don't want to.

Say for example, you just want to concentrate on your sodium consumption, or fiber, or you want to drink 8 glasses of water per day. Perhaps you want to reduce (or eliminate) alcohol or caffeine. Reduce your triglycerides. Eliminate high-fructose corn syrup. Maybe you want a way to track how much physical activity you're getting every week. Whatever your goal, SparkPeople will help you track it. Here are some of my goals, for example:

(NOTE: The items listed above are based-on my doctor's recommendation for lap-band patients. Your actual goals and numbers may be much different.)

What else do I like about SparkPeople?

It's totally and completely free.
No junk mail, no obligations, and NO CATCH. Unsubscribe at any time.
Well-designed, easy to navigate, useful.

I like receiving the "SparkPeople Food Showdown" e-mail newsletter. Every day they pit two foods against each other, then tell you which one is better for you. What's great is that they pick foods that you'd probably actually eat... the Whopper vs. Big Mac, for example. Sometimes the results are obvious, and sometimes they're surprising. And often they'll throw in useful tidbits... like "hold the mayo and save another 120 calories."

There are a number of other features, some of which are useful, others not. You might find the community features helpful, and you might even create your own SparkPage or gather friends into a SparkTeam. Or you may just want to join to get the e-mail newsletters and do nothing else. You can pretty much decide what level you want to participate at, then go with it.

No matter how big or small you are. No matter if you've had weight surgery or not. SparkPeople has something for everyone, and I highly recommend it.

Tags: health, tips

Home. Resting.

: sluggobear; May 15th, 2008

Current Location:: San Diego, CA

I'm home and doing well. The surgery went fine (without a hitch, as far as I know). The only hiccup was that they had to poke me 5 times before they could get the IV in correctly. And I am having a little abdominal pain... it takes a few minutes to stand-up. But I'm managing OK with some vicodin.

I have five (relatively small) scars. I'm moving around on my own. Matt is taking good care of me. Just relaxing and doing some short walking trips.

Yesterday my buddy Rob (aka "Roblet") stayed with me while Matt went to work. Last night

jpinsd brought over the film Shortbus on DVD, so we caught-up and watched that. After that I was pretty exhausted so I went to sleep. (The night after the surgery I slept perhaps 3 hours. But last night I slept nearly 6 hours, yay...)

Yesterday and today I've been having water, Propel, ice chips, and a few chewable supplements. It doesn’t hurt to drink or anything, which is nice.

THANK YOU for all your nice LJ replies and e-mails. I'm so amazed at how supportive y'all have been! It's a great thing! Thank you!

I'll probably post a "flashback" from surgery day soon.

Tags: health