Quick Update

  I so haven't been very good at my blog and I apologize. This will be a different entry but I hope you'll find it interesting nonetheless.

Crazy People
Yes, I'm talking about my ex-spouse. Have you ever met a person who is such a control freak that they don't care if they hurt their child, don't care if they say something negative about the child's other parent, that they have to argue/give you the silent treatment/say no to everything??

As an example: Last weekend my daughter and I discovered that her phone suddenly had texting capabilities. Her phone is on her mother's Verizon account. We had fun sending texts to each other throughout the weekend and on Monday when she was at her mom's house. However, her mom found out about it (heard my daughter's phone beeping as a reminder there was a text waiting) and on Tuesday she turned it off. When my daughter asked her why, she told her that I get crazy with texting, calling and leaving voicemails so she won't give her texting or voicemail capabilities. Really?

Another example: Last September this same woman took me to court under the pretense of a protective order. Her assertion? I had left her voicemails and sent her text and email messages (less than 10 over 4 months) when she had asked me not too. That sounds reasonable, right? Until you realize that all the voicemails and messages related to our daughter and contained nothing inappropriate. When her attorney finally realized that her client was nuts, she asked the judge to dismiss the case -- which he did. Amazing how quiet things have been since this woman realized how foolish she came across.

Now you may ask why I bring that up. I bring it up for one reason. There is no need for me to settle for such a person ever again. When I met her, I was 375 lbs. I knew she was nuts. There were red flags all over the place. But I talked myself into allowing a relationship with her because I thought that perhaps I would never be able to do better. Years later, now at 225 lbs, I know better. I've dated better over the past year.

It's not that she isn't good for my daughter. I don't overly worry about my daughter when she's at her mother's house but I also know she's not getting opportunities because her mother is so focused on herself and is unwilling to work with me as parents to provide the best opportunities for my daughter. Hell, I had to fight for three years to even give my daughter a Saturday morning dance class.

If you are on the journey, it will change you. You will become more confident and gain more self-esteem than you ever realized. You will stop getting into (or even wanting) relationships with women (or men) with baggage. Where I am right now, I would never settle for my ex-spouse. I mean really. My daughter loves her and she is sweet with my daughter but she doesn't know how to be a partner and that's why all her other attempts at relationships since our separation have ultimately failed.

So remember, with this journey you can reach for the stars and it's no longer an impossibility. This is why I told myself I wasn't going to date until after my journey was over. And it almost is. The weight loss part is over. Now for the plastic surgery. I'm excited about it. Of course I did break my rule and I did date. Several times over the past year. For the most part those connections were good but I'm not yet where I desire to be and I have yet to meet the type of woman I'm looking for. One thing I know for sure though... NO MORE NUT JOBS!!!

Make the same commitment to yourself. Keep drama and those who bring it far away from yourself. Good luck on your journey and I hope all your dreams come true on the other side.

Sean

Hi all,

I have really enjoyed my discussions with you all in the past. I hope all of you are doing well.

We are currently looking to do a new weight loss relationship type programs that we hope you will like.

We are looking for a pre op married couples where both of the partners are obese and that might be interested in being in one of our shows.

If you know of anyone that might fit this description and would be interested in being in a show please email me at.

[email protected]

Thanks again.

Darryl Silver
Executive Producer
The Idea Factory

See this post and many others at www.seanstransformation.blogspot.com

After 24 Months

  I'm finding it more difficult to eat right and keep my portion sizes where they need to be now that I'm two years away from surgery. Yes, this is scary. I can see how easy it would be to let my guard down and regain the weight. I don't think it would be possible to gain all my weight back but I can see how easy it would be to gain back a lot of it.

Calories mount so quickly and easily during the day. Before when I couldn't eat a lot and not a lot settled well in my stomach so it was easy. But that has passed and now it's having conscious thought of everything I eat that is required.

I bring this up for those of you on the journey right now. Those first 18-24 months are where you set your behavior. Where you learn how to eat right. Where you learn to become conscious of the calories (and nutritional value) of the food you eat every day. It's where you learn how to drink enough water and to exercise. If you learn those lessons, they will serve you well when you get to where you're eating like a normal person again (and you will get there).

Case in point: When I was in Chicago, I went out to a business dinner. I ordered off the menu (a chicken curry dish) and ate a little more than half. Afterwards we were talking and the topic of weight loss came up. When they found out how much weight I lost, they were amazed. The one comment that stands out in my mind is when one of my colleagues said he couldn't tell I was on a diet or eating differently from how I ate. At first that scared me but then I realized that's what this is all about. Recovery from the surgery is when you lose your weight and learn how to correctly eat. After your complete recovery, then you have control to eat like all those skinny people you have known for your entire life.

So learn what you need to for your first 24 months. Don't waste it and don't make excuses. What you learn there will mostly determine the long term success of your weight loss. And remember that it will not always be so easy. There will come a time when you will have to monitor your weight closely and adjust your caloric intake and exercise level when needed if you start going up. It will be a lifetime fight but one you can easily continue to win. You can't allow emotions to control your eating habits anymore. You have to decide to be in control and to always remain vigilant... no matter what.

It is most likely your insurance that is requiring a BMI of 40, or over 35 if you have at least 2 co-morbidities.  Wait for the letter and it should outline the information.  They may just need you to fill out some forms, or get information from your physician. 

Good luck, I hope it's something that can be taken care fo with some information.

YOWZA!!

  I was scrolling down on my blog (www.seanstransformation.blogspot.com) and happened to look on the right side at my pictures. WOW!!! It's amazing to think how large I was not overly long ago. I owe everything to Dr. Smith for performing my surgery and the person who invented Roux-en Y. I'll say it again... WOW!!! A brand new life. The life I always wanted. I just wi**** could have come 20 years before it did. Oh well, I will enjoy it now for the rest of my life.

How people look at me differently
The choices in life that are now available to me
The things I always wanted to do that I can do now
Etc., etc., etc.

So amazing. I would love to hear from all of you. How blown is your mind with what is or has happened to you because of WLS?