Guest Column: Gary Titus
By Canton Citizen‘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.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=1657
Posted by Canton Citizen
on Mar 11 2010. Filed under Opinion.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
