Ulysses’s Posts

Ulysses
on 6/1/12 10:05 am
Topic: RE: Interesting afternoon

There is a really nasty, foul mouthed monster in my closet - so I could not hide in it.
I believe it likes all my old 6x shirts so it's very well dressed for such a creepy creature.
Glad you are safe!

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/31/12 3:03 pm
Topic: RE: eating too little?

Slimfast does make a high protein Low Carb drink...20 grams of protein and 2 "net" Carbs for the vanilla cream - the calories are 180.
I have never tried them - but the numbers look right IF that is the Slimfast you have.
You will snap out of the stall, don't worry about that. I had my first stall at 6 months and it lasted a month. Take measurments as you may still be losing inches, just not pounds.

Good luck!

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/29/12 5:58 pm
Topic: RE: Lose, not loose....
LOL - I hate that as well, but I have never called anyone out on it.

I try not to be a grammar snob either (I make my own fair share of mistakes), but the two words that bother me the most are:

You LOSE weight, not LOOSE weight.
And...You ask for ADVICE and not ADVISE



Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/29/12 8:18 am
Topic: RE: 6 month pics . . . just a little late! LOL

You look great! Congrats...
Looking magically Babaliceous!

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/27/12 3:46 pm
Topic: RE: 8.5 months out...85 lbs down (pics...maybe)

You look AWESOME!
Way to go, love the nose ring and your eyes are gorgeous.
"Hook Em Horns"

Jason

P.S. It's nice having neck and collar bones right?
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/26/12 8:49 am
Topic: RE: Suggestions: Out of Calories and need 10 grams of Protien

How about Egg Drop Soup?

It is so easy to prepare - Chicken stock, garlic, ginger, dash of soy sauce...Minimal calories.
Mix in 1 tablespoon of corn starch to thicken (7.4 carbs) not bad for 3-4 servings (2 carbs per).
Bring to a slow boil to thicken and then add eggs (2 egg whites and one yolk beaten). Add the eggs in ribbons using a fork while stiring clockwise....DONE!

Very low calorie, low fat and high in protein...Add bean sprouts or cabbage for crunch, shrimp or shredded chicken for more protein. The recipe is WIDE open for your own ingredients. 3 oz of shrimp are 20 grams of protein (so is the chicken)....

Good luck!

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/25/12 12:08 pm
Topic: RE: Surgery Complications Update

Cajun Lady,

I can for sure relate! It has been over a year for me since my surgery and severe complications. After my surgery I didn't leave the hospital for 3 months...Two and a half months in the ICU and 2 weeks in a regular room. I had to re-learn to walk...
I have had test after test, CT scan after CT scan, 6 stent procedures, countless drains, emergency room visits, tube feeding (for the last 3 months) - you name it, I have done it.
A good sense of humor is definitely what has taken me through all of this. I had a new surgery last month that has been a success, time will tell - I may even be able to eat something in a month or so.
So, keep your chin up and get through it. Get pissed, feel sorry for yourself, be resentful and ask "Why the **** did this happen to ME!" But then, laugh about it...I am now at 215 lbs from my starting weight of 460 (I was a damn manatee). Now, thanks to the surgery I am one ******y MOFO! Now if I could just find some chick who was down with 3 drains and a feeding tube I would get laid! Oh well, I guess it's like riding a bike or so they say...

Best of luck to you (and me), you will get through it!

Jason

P.S. **** happens.....But **** wipes.
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/21/12 12:36 pm
Topic: RE: Anyone traveled to Belize?

I have been to Belize several times. I played in a jazz combo on a cruise line that went to Belize City once every ten days. I also stayed a week on Ambergris Caye for a friends wedding.
Belize City is honestly a real ****hole. The locals are mostly swindlers and tourist predators. It is very similar to Jamaica - the locals are really out to prey on tourists. Check out this link from Lonely Planet on crime in Belize City:
www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa
 
You really need to get out to the Cayes (islands) for a good experience. Ambergris has a golf cart only rule so there is no traffic and is very quiet. The locals will jump on and hitch free rides, but the whole vibe of the outer cayes is very laid back. Snorkeling, scuba, fishing and other great things to do are easy to find; either by charter and hotels, or simply by hooking up with the locals.

Good luck and have a great time. Just remember that in the city you have to be very travel savvy and NEVER walk around at night...

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/20/12 12:25 pm
Topic: RE: NSV with PICS!!!

NSV = Non Scale Victory

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/20/12 11:44 am
Topic: RE: One year surgerivsary - as copied from my blog - with pics!

Wow! What a difference! - You really worked that sleeve.
Big Congrats!

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/18/12 11:34 am
Topic: RE: why?

Marabell,

I was exhausted and tired all the time before surgery as well. I weighed 460 lbs and by the end of a work day, a shower, some errands etc, I was wiped out completely.
Just realize this: you (and I was) carrying around 180-240 lbs of extra weight in fat. A normal sized "in shape" person could never carry 240 lbs and complete their day. Obese and MO people do it for days, months, years! So when you start losing the exhaustion, shortness of breath, sweating etc will go away! It may take a while after surgery, but it will happen.

Best of luck and regards,

Jason


VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/17/12 10:31 am
Topic: RE: 9 MONTH SURGIVERSARY , 100 #'s GONE w/ PICS ! ! !

Awesome job, you look amazing!
Congrats to you...

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/15/12 2:13 pm
Topic: RE: Tomorrow morning... the start of a new me!!

Best of luck with your surgery!
I hope all goes well...
BTW: I love your trigger fish avatar - is that the Humu Humu?

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/12/12 4:31 pm
Topic: RE: Rhearob is a Genius!

To make your own just do a Google search for Parmesan crisps.
The officicial culinary term for cheese crisps is "Frico" - search for that as well...Tons of recipes.

Jason

VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/12/12 4:18 pm
Topic: RE: Really?

I'm just over a year out and am one of those who could care less if I eat or not.
It has at times seemed like a chore just to get my minimum protein in for the day.
I have had complications (leak) which may have played a part in all of it. I have enjoyed eating a few things, chicken wings, soup, chicken thighs (chicken breasts make me sick now??) So do hamburger and eggs. I do enjoy shrimp, scallops, calamari; but not can tuna. It's weird!
I really would like to enjoy food again, but I would rather not care about food than be the gross 460lbs I used to be! Everyone is different, and individual tastes change with time.

Good luck with it all - it is quite the ride!

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 5/9/12 8:41 am
Topic: RE: Back From The Hospital?

Just giving an update on my 2nd surgery, hospital stay, organ removals, gowns, sponge bath square scrubs, tubes, drains etc.

First off, I had a 10 hour surgery, it was very long but was considered a success by my new surgeon. They cut my esophagus above the leak and fistula area and did the same to my stomach. Then they pulled the esophagus down, the stomach up an "reattached" them.

They did do a laproscopic and open surgery. It does hurt---a lot! I am still on no foods or liquid by mouth and that tube feeding is getting really old. Whats for breakfast, lunch and dinner tonight? Oh! It's that nasty ******g brown goop in a bag and a few Soni**** chips. YEAH!
I still have my spleen - thats a good thing.

They did two leak tests and NO LEAKS! As a precautionary the surgeon put in another esophageal stent. I have 3 drains and the feeding tube. My doc say's they should come out soon barring infection, etc.

I actually wore size large scrubs, and a normal gown---now that was cool. I had some very hot nurses in the ICU (2 days) and on the 6th floor with a great view of downtown. I talked up a nurse for 5-6 days, she gave me a sponge bath, took out my catheter and squeezed all my drains. Now if that doesn't put my mind at ease, nothing will. So, we exchanged phone #s, emails addresses and she called! Cool! She wants to come over, watch a DVD and check on my drains later this week. I will just have to say "Baby, be gentle with me!"

So all is well so far, thanks for the read my OH friends.
Cheers,
Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/24/12 9:24 pm
Topic: RE: pics - again

Thanks Fancy!

My father always said "Fight with a smile on your Face! It freaks out the enemy."
Best regards,

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/24/12 7:23 am
Topic: RE: pics - again

LOL! I will try and smile more - my mom always called me her "little thundercloud" since I always had a mean look on my face even when I was happy.
J
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/24/12 7:12 am
Topic: RE: pics - again

Thanks Melly!
I hope it works too...Summer is coming and I need a tan!

Jason
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/24/12 6:58 am
Topic: RE: pics - again




VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/24/12 6:53 am
Topic: RE: 1 Year Surgiversery - Back to the Hospital for another One (PICS)

So, April 26th is my one year surgery date. I have lost over 230 lbs and am about 5 lbs from my initial goal weight. I may try and lose down to 200 lbs as that would put me in the "normal" BMI range.

It has not been easy. I suffered severe complications and did not leave the Hospital for three months. I have had multiple drains, CT scans, weekly blood work etc. I developed open Gastric Fistulas (a nasty growth that went from my leak hole and burst out a Lap scar to drain everywhere). I had 4 stent procedures so a silicone/titanium stent (think esophagus garden hose) would cover the leak and the fistulas. They had so so success, I have been on tube feeding for the last 3 months as well.

So yeah! Lots of fun this 1st year! The good news is that on Wednesday I go in for another full on surgery with a different surgeon to hopefully repair my leak/fistulas. My original surgeon will be there as well as another internal medicine specialist. It may have to be an open surgery and For some reason I may lose my spleen. I had to take 4 nasty injections of anti-bacterial inoculations as a precaution because the spleen fights bacteria.

I found it interesting that my VSG was on the 26th of April, and now almost a year later will be having another one on the 25th of April. I hope this works because I really want to get on with a normal life. No more drains, no more nightly tube feedings, I want to be able to work out with weights and swim. All I can do now is walk and walk stairs. Most of my loose skin is under my arms and I still have some "moobs". I lifted a lot in the past and know I can build my biceps and triceps to tighten that under arm skin. The moobs  I will have to swim and bench press my tail off to fix.

So wish me luck for a successful surgery on Wednesday. I should be in the hospital for at least a week - the docs want to make sure I am fixed before releasing me.

If all goes well…The women in my city better look out! It's been a while since Jason got his "Groove On" …

Just a few before and after shots for you…I actually have a jawline, one chin and my hair is growing back!

Cheers!

Jason

Before
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/21/12 3:14 am
Topic: RE: Day 4: did someone wash my mouth out with soap?

I nicknamed my sleeve Gollum as well..."nasty, nasty Po-Tay-Toes!"
Don't know why you would be burping up specific flavors - that is a bit odd.
I had my mouth washed out with Irish Spring and Lava....So I know those flavors well (gross).

Jason


VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/18/12 9:14 am
Topic: RE: Before/After Pic

Good Stuff Chris - looking great.

I have ditched over 230lbs so far, but my work I.D's, Driver's License, Passport, CAC card etc all have my old fat face on them. I need to update them as I get some serious double takes when I have to show I.D.

P.S....
Are you still playing the bass?

Cheers

Jason

VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/11/12 9:28 am
Topic: RE: Secret Sleever

I'm pretty sure Ruggie is not "The Rapist"...Sorry I couldn't resist.
That's from the classic SNL skit where Sean Connery is on Jeopardy...
He say's "I'll take THE RAPIST" for 200.00 Alex -
Trebec (played by Will Ferrel) of course say's do you mean "Therapists" Mr. Connery? NO, THE RAPIST! Great stuff



VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
Ulysses
on 4/9/12 10:08 am
Topic: RE: PICS: Half the man I used to be

Very nice Ruggie!!!

I am at 230 and started at 460, so I am exactly 1/2 the man I used to be as well.
Kind of freaky to think about (when you think about it).
I still have 10 lbs to lose until goal, but my PCP says 220 is perfect for me. I am 6'3 and "big-boned" as they used to say. I also wear size 15 shoes, so they have to weigh in at 20 pounds...
I'll never see Onderland, but I feel good now.

Again, way to go and CONGRATS!

J
VSG Surgery on April 26th, 2011
"Get busy living…or get busy dying. That's goddamn right." ~ Red, The Shawshank Redemption   

        
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