Yes, the title of this blog entry is "Eating is Overrated." Now, I can start eating food again. Most people would be excited about eating for the first time in eight (8) weeks ... yes eight (8) weeks, but let me tell you ... It is overrated.
I am at the point -- post surgery -- where I can start eating again. I have to admit, I was pretty excited about eating something for the first time on Sunday. It went down, but didn't want to stay. Eating has been pretty tough. I have moments when I'm really hungry, but when I eat a few bites of something I am super stuffed. The best way to describe the feeling is this: imagine how you'd feel after eating 2 big plates on Thanksgiving/Christmas afternoon. The first time you want to do is go to sleep. At least that's how it was for me prior to surgery. This morning I had a bowl of instant grits. One of the individual packets. I had about 2.5 teaspoons and was stuffed. For me being stuffed is a feeling of misery.
One thing I'm having trouble with right now is remembering not to drink 30 minutes before/after and during meals. That's tough. Most -- if not everyone -- does that. I have had a difficult time getting my fluids in. After eating something, I'll look up and 2 or 3 hours would have passed and I say to myself, "damn, I forgot to drink something."
I'm still very happy with me decision to have the surgery. If I knew then what I know not, I would not change me mind. I'd still go through with the surgery.
That's all folks....
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Another Milestone
I have reached another milestone while traveling on this weight loss road. Last night, Friday, March 26, 2010, I attended the Houston Association of Black Journalists gala. Roland S. Martin, he has a show on TV1, CNN commentator and is also on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, was the speaker.
About two weeks before the gala I started to worry about what I was going to wear. I was afraid to buy a new suit, because I would run the risk of having to get it altered twice because I'm steady losing weight. So, I looked in my closet to see what I could find. I looked at my favorite suit and thought to myself, "probably still too small, but maybe one day soon." Tried on a couple of other suits and they were huge. Didn't want to get them altered because I'd have to pay for a recut. If I did that, I might as well just buy a new suit. For some reason, my favorite suit was there and sticking out like a sore thumb. So, for giggles and grins I tried it on. HOLY CRAP! It fits. Not only that, I had to get the jacket and vest taken in. Now, there's a huge smile on my face.
Needless to say, I wore my favorite suit to last night's gala. Wearing it felt good and in turn I guess it made me feel good. One of my good friends -- who's been one of biggest supporters over the last 9 years -- you have an extra bounce in your step tonight. She went on to say, "This is the Travis I knew was inside of you, but I was just waiting for you to see him." Tears came to her eyes. I told her to stop crying, because I was not going to get emotional in this hotel lobby with a room full of people.
As always, thanks for reading my blog. Thanks for sending my words of encouragement and most importantly, thanks for your PRAYERS.
About two weeks before the gala I started to worry about what I was going to wear. I was afraid to buy a new suit, because I would run the risk of having to get it altered twice because I'm steady losing weight. So, I looked in my closet to see what I could find. I looked at my favorite suit and thought to myself, "probably still too small, but maybe one day soon." Tried on a couple of other suits and they were huge. Didn't want to get them altered because I'd have to pay for a recut. If I did that, I might as well just buy a new suit. For some reason, my favorite suit was there and sticking out like a sore thumb. So, for giggles and grins I tried it on. HOLY CRAP! It fits. Not only that, I had to get the jacket and vest taken in. Now, there's a huge smile on my face.
Needless to say, I wore my favorite suit to last night's gala. Wearing it felt good and in turn I guess it made me feel good. One of my good friends -- who's been one of biggest supporters over the last 9 years -- you have an extra bounce in your step tonight. She went on to say, "This is the Travis I knew was inside of you, but I was just waiting for you to see him." Tears came to her eyes. I told her to stop crying, because I was not going to get emotional in this hotel lobby with a room full of people.
I've attached two pictures from last night's gala so everyone can see my new milestone -- getting into my favorite suit.
Travis Sattiewhite & 39 News Anchor Mia Gradney
Travis Sattiewhite & 39 News Content Coordinator Morgahn Miller
As always, thanks for reading my blog. Thanks for sending my words of encouragement and most importantly, thanks for your PRAYERS.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
One month and a few days...
I have hit the one month post-surgery mark. I actually hit it back on March 17th. Instead of typing out the post, I'm uploading a video. Hopefully it will work.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Before And After
22 days ago I began the a new journey. 22 days ago I had weight loss surgery. Some people have wanted to see some pictures. So, here you go. The one on the left was taken the morning of the surgery. It was taken by my sister Wendy at her place. The picture on the right was taken tonight, Tuesday, March 9th, 2010. While, I still have a long way to go I just wanted to share a picture with everyone. Monday, March 8, 2010
New Milestone
So, I have now started Stage 3 of the food process. This stage consists of puree foods. Not the best, but something is better than nothing.
Here are some of the things I've been eating: Malt-O-Meal; Grits; sting cheese and yogurt -- not my favorite, the smell makes me sick. I've also been drinking my shakes.
The hard part is not drinking 30 minutes before/after eating. If I drink something during the window it comes right back up. Sorry to be gross, but it is what it is.
I have been working out, slowly, over the last few weeks. Thanks Dr. Scarborough for letting me do some sort of activity.
That's all folks.
Here are some of the things I've been eating: Malt-O-Meal; Grits; sting cheese and yogurt -- not my favorite, the smell makes me sick. I've also been drinking my shakes.
The hard part is not drinking 30 minutes before/after eating. If I drink something during the window it comes right back up. Sorry to be gross, but it is what it is.
I have been working out, slowly, over the last few weeks. Thanks Dr. Scarborough for letting me do some sort of activity.
That's all folks.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
First Post-Op Appointment
Tuesday, March 2nd, was my first post-op doctors appointment. I was given two thumbs up. As of Tuesday I dropped around 8 pounds from my "Unofficial" post. Now, I'm a whopping 320 pounds. So, since starting the two week pre-op diet I'm down a total of 44 pounds. WOW! I can't believe it. Just 100 more to go. I'm well on my way. Quick funny story. Everybody in my family calls me Maestro. Why that name? Another story and I'll explain another day. In addition to calling me Maestro my sister, Wendy, calls me Pork Chop. Don't ask me where she got that from. But when she saw me for the first time in about a week she said, "I can't call you pork chop anymore I'll have to start calling you lunch meat." Why lunch meat and where it came from I don't know. Anyway. You're probably thinking that's not funny, but I think it is. I guess you had to be there. OH WELL! Maybe next time I'll hit a homerun in the jokes section.
For the first time today I went to the gym at my apartment complex and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes. According to the machine, I walked a little more than a mile-and-a-half and burned about 250 calories. I asked the doc when I could start lifting weights. He told me to weight a few more weeks. I guess lifting weights could cause some damage.
So far all of my entires have been on the positive side. Thank GOD I have had nothing but positive thoughts and progress. Now here comes a negative comment. I would really call it negative, I would call it a "Keeping it Real" moment. Believe it or not, I'm actually hungry. Yes, I said, "I'm hungry." Keep in mind, I haven't had anything solid for the past month. I'm craving a homemade taco. At some point, I figured my hunger would return, but didn't expect it to return 2 weeks after surgery. Needless to say, I'm about three to four weeks before I can consume anything solid. I start what could be considered the worst part of this recovery process Sunday. Sunday is when I start stage three of my post-op diet. You wanna know what it is? Here goes. According to the good folks over at TLC Surgery -- Dr. Terry Scarborough is the best surgeron on the face of the earth -- it's called "Puree Protein Diet." Yes folks. For the next 3 weeks I will be putting my food in a blender. Honestly, I don't know how in the hell that's going to work. The idea of cooking something then putting it in a blender is crazy. I know I'll get through it. I've made it this far. Plus, GOD won't give me more than I can bare. Honestly, if I can make it drinking nothing but clear liquids and eating sugar-free jello for two weeks I can do just about anything.
Here's where my aunt Marchelle comes in. By the way, Marchelle has been my constant source of information and piece of mind before, during and after the surgery. She's going to give me some of the information and things she did during this stage to help me out. Marchelle -- I hope she doesn't mind me putting her info out there, but oh well -- had lap band about three years ago and she looks FANTASTIC. I don't know how much weight she's lost, but she looks great.
That's all for today. Until next time.
Peace and Love.
For the first time today I went to the gym at my apartment complex and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes. According to the machine, I walked a little more than a mile-and-a-half and burned about 250 calories. I asked the doc when I could start lifting weights. He told me to weight a few more weeks. I guess lifting weights could cause some damage.
So far all of my entires have been on the positive side. Thank GOD I have had nothing but positive thoughts and progress. Now here comes a negative comment. I would really call it negative, I would call it a "Keeping it Real" moment. Believe it or not, I'm actually hungry. Yes, I said, "I'm hungry." Keep in mind, I haven't had anything solid for the past month. I'm craving a homemade taco. At some point, I figured my hunger would return, but didn't expect it to return 2 weeks after surgery. Needless to say, I'm about three to four weeks before I can consume anything solid. I start what could be considered the worst part of this recovery process Sunday. Sunday is when I start stage three of my post-op diet. You wanna know what it is? Here goes. According to the good folks over at TLC Surgery -- Dr. Terry Scarborough is the best surgeron on the face of the earth -- it's called "Puree Protein Diet." Yes folks. For the next 3 weeks I will be putting my food in a blender. Honestly, I don't know how in the hell that's going to work. The idea of cooking something then putting it in a blender is crazy. I know I'll get through it. I've made it this far. Plus, GOD won't give me more than I can bare. Honestly, if I can make it drinking nothing but clear liquids and eating sugar-free jello for two weeks I can do just about anything.
Here's where my aunt Marchelle comes in. By the way, Marchelle has been my constant source of information and piece of mind before, during and after the surgery. She's going to give me some of the information and things she did during this stage to help me out. Marchelle -- I hope she doesn't mind me putting her info out there, but oh well -- had lap band about three years ago and she looks FANTASTIC. I don't know how much weight she's lost, but she looks great.
That's all for today. Until next time.
Peace and Love.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Thank God For Insurance
The first of many EOB (Explaniation Of Benefits) hit my e-mail inbox today. I have to say right off the bat, thank GOD for insurance. I don't care how you feel about President Barack Obama or which side of the healthcare debate you are on, but healthcare reform is way overdue. Now, I'm thankful to have insurance, but for those who don't have it, I can't even imagine what it is like.
I hope you all read my previous entry about the long fight and battle I had with the insurance company to get them to pay for the procedure.
The hospital submitted charges nearly $62,000. Seems like a lot right. Well, I did have major surgery and stayed in the hospital about 3 days. But the insurance company only paid about $11,000. It seem unfair doesn't. I've heard from insurance company reps and from other people the insurance companies won't pay for certain tests or procedures because the costs is just too high. the scerenio above doesn't seem like a lot. Seems like they are paying pennies on the dollar for the procedure. So, whay are they being so picky about what they cover and don't cover. When the insurance companies are getting such great prices. Maybe I'm just going on and on, but I just sayin'. Things that make you go hmmm.
I hope you all read my previous entry about the long fight and battle I had with the insurance company to get them to pay for the procedure.
The hospital submitted charges nearly $62,000. Seems like a lot right. Well, I did have major surgery and stayed in the hospital about 3 days. But the insurance company only paid about $11,000. It seem unfair doesn't. I've heard from insurance company reps and from other people the insurance companies won't pay for certain tests or procedures because the costs is just too high. the scerenio above doesn't seem like a lot. Seems like they are paying pennies on the dollar for the procedure. So, whay are they being so picky about what they cover and don't cover. When the insurance companies are getting such great prices. Maybe I'm just going on and on, but I just sayin'. Things that make you go hmmm.
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