15: Bariatric Bypass Celibrating -100 pounds lost

Have you been to hell? I have. Its allowing everything in life to attack me to the point where I got myself to 385 pounds. Depression kicked in, being taking advantage of, and I physically put myself in crutches. My joints ached with every step I took. My heart pounded so bad at work, that the fuse had lit for a timed heart attack. Three things triggered my next decision:

1. I looked at myself in the mirror, and said to myself.

-"How did I let myself go, you fat fluffy son of a bitch?"

2. My daughter. She came up to and hugged me. I then went into my room and had a break down

-I told my wife Amanda. I can't afford to die. No child should ever have to lose either parent

3. My wife

-I sat down with her and ask her if I should get the Bariatric Bypass procedure done?

-Amanda stated, "I like the way you are. For health, yes. Lizzie needs you."

I had an idea when I talked to Dr.Carmen in her office at the Marina, Ca Montage what I was about to get into. She had set me up with the staff at Natividad hospital in Salinas, Ca.

Here's the process (Give or take):

1. Once a month (for 7-8 months) meetings with the nutritionist.

-Each time you meet, patients are required to bring their monthly food journal

-You forget to go, and (or) for get your journal. You start the whole process over again!

It missed my 2nd meeting. Ya I started all over again...

2. Two weeks prior to surgery you meet the head nurse, nutritionist, and the surgeon. The 3 of them prep you for the following:

-Start a two week diet of a strict 800 a day diet

a) They give you a list of foods like: Sugar free jello, fruit, mash potatoes, chicken etc.

b) You must lose weight and stay below 55 BMI. You go over that. No procedure!

c) They have you ask them questions/ concerns

3. The day of surgery:

-You have to take a shower using their medical shampoo (to kill bacteria on your body).

-As you arrive at the hospital, check in, get naked and jump into your hospital gown.

a) They give you bacterial wipe pads to wipe your whole body down

b) Again this is to double tap and kill any remaining bacteria left on your body

4. Surgery...

-Your put out

-I was luck to be the only one scheduled that day

-The doc took only (1) hour to perform the surgery

From here I woke up in my room. Surprisingly enough I was in minimal pain, I felt like there was a lot of gas built up in my stomach, and I was drowsy (exactly what they warned me about). The said I'd have a lot of energy, and I should start to walk. So I did. I was able to walk down the hallway and back multiple times. Walking helped get rid of the gas pain. At this point, my stomach was the size of a thumb.

I started immediately "Phase One" of 3...

My diet for the next 10 days were the following:

Low sodium broth, unsweetened fruit juice, non-fat milk, strained cream soups, sugar free gelatin, hot cereals, thinned sugar free custard, sugar free Popsicles (the best), water, unsweetened tea.

Phase Two: 11-20 days after surgery...

I could start adding soft foods to what I was doing above

-Beans, tofu, cottage cheese (the best), soups, plain yogurt, fish (the best), egg whites, ground chicken/ tuna.

Phase Three: 21-30 days after surgery...

I had to continue eating the first two phases, while adding/ introducing one new solid food per meal. Food now has to be chewed 25 times before swallowing (you should have practiced before the surgery).  At this point I had to eat 30 minutes before eating, and (or) vise versa. I have to from this point on stop eating if I feel no longer hungry.

Things to avoid from this point on:

-Never drink from a straw

-No more carbonated drinks

-No sugar (anything above 7 gram), (cheat with Splenda, thank God!)

-No fried foods

-No coffee (decaf okay. They will tell you)

-No gum (block your food from exiting)

-No more sushi (rice will block food from exiting)

-Avoid steak, and stringy vegetables for the first year

On that note, it is smart to take a good month off of work (if you can). Why? I'm glad you asked. Your body goes into a nutritional shock! Seriously, think about this for a second. You were eating 4,000 calories a day, and now you might hit 300 calories per day!!! If you are like me the first three months I was losing 30 pounds a months! From March 21-June21, I lost -100 plus pounds. I had to walk everyday or 60 minutes. I forced myself to start lifting weights to build muscle to match the rapid loss, and to prevent saggy skin. Lack of nutrients, caused me and other patients to have severe memory loss for the first month to two months. Outside of all this, I had to teach my self how to eat all over again. So, ya, a month off from work is best (If you can afford it?).

Clothes. Ya, you need to be strategic with this. It is expensive, if you don't know what your doing, lol. My advice, invest in underwear and a belt to hold up your pants! Underwear is cheap. Buy fitting clothes 5 months out. In a year of your anniversary, start buying your actual clothes.

The medical staff talk about dumping, and to be careful, because it's gross. I suggest to purposely dumping, so you know what it feels like, and do it in your house, why? Another good question, because my dumping happened to me in public, and it sucked big time. How do you dump? You eat things your suppose to avoid (look at the list above!). My two accidents were the following three stories below:

Dumping story 1: The Santa Cruz Board Walk

I forgot to pack my meals/snacks. So when we got on the boardwalk, my stomach was aching. The family and I ran to a concession stand. I couldn't have corn dogs (fried), soda (sugar/carbonated), but then I saw "Turkey Legs" on the menu. I smiled big thinking, "It's meat. Protein. Yes!" I sat down and ate a little meat and waited for the girls to get out of the bathroom. When they came out and joined me, I let them pick off the meat from the bone, and off we went to do some of the rides. Moments after we left, I got a sharp pain in my stomach, and I didn't know what the hell was going on? The puzzle pieces began to form. The turkey leg was fried! Damn it! This pain was excruciating. The feeling is like glass shards tearing my stomach from the inside out. I wanted so badly to vomit, but couldn't. So we left and headed home, where I was in bed the rest of the day to cry.

Dumping story 2: Fro-Yo ice cream shop

Don't point the finger at me just yet, because I know what your thinking, "No Sugar, Dustin." Your right, but sugar free is actually fine!!! Take a look at the list above. It is just sugar free custard/ yogurt. Ya I did my research, lol. At this point I got my stomach the size of a measuring cup size (Still to this day for a reason). I added topping of coconut, peanuts, and trail mix. After we ate we headed to the store, Target. As we gathered our items: food, weigh scale, and other items we forgotten from a couple days past, I got a different set of stomach pain. This pain was a tad different. It was lower abdominal pain! Like poop pains as if I had the flu... My wife looked at me and said, "I know that look! Go. I got the kid." I took the metaphorical football and ran my ass to the bathroom, which was on the other side of the store. I was transplanted in a comedic movie. I ran, and I ran hard to the bathroom. Luckily, there was an empty bathroom stall. A men's dirty, empty bathroom stall. It was pissed on, pee on the floor, and just plain nasty. I used my butt muscles and locked it up, grabbed toilet paper and wiped off the toilet seat off. Yes, in some countries, I bet if you were caught not being sanitized, there was a hefty fine to pay. The pain in my lower abdominal muscles began to make noise. Naturally, my body forced me to sit down and out it came. Not poop, but brown water. Ya you heard me right, and the cries of a 41 one year old man. Nothing more. This was another form of dumping I had not experienced, but heard about, lol.

Dumping story 3: forgetting when I last ate and drank right after...

This time I was at home. Thank God... That night, I just craved something bland to eat, so I had an apple with some light peanut butter. I am pretty good about looking at a clock and wait 30 minutes before I either eat or drink. This time I didn't, and I just plain forgot. I drank right after, and soon there after, I ran to the bathroom, and vomited peanut butter, water, and apple chunks. Another form of dumping. 

There are (to my knowledge) three forms of dumping: Brown water poop, vomiting, the pain of glass shards in your stomach. This is exactly why I encourage bariatric patients to purposely try the dumping phase at least once to know what to feel and experience when your in public. Also, seriously plan to pack your meals/snacks for an outing. If you still forget, buy water, and do your best to make it through the day.

Is it worth getting this surgery done? Yes! I died, and was reborn again. I don't know what it was about the surgery, but here is what is different with me:

-I no longer crave sugar, fast food, breads, or fried foods

a) The smell of it makes me nauseated!

b) I have more energy

c) I am no longer depressed

d) I have a "I don't care attitude" (no worries)

e) My body has a mechanism to tell me no more eating

I am a totally different person than I was before. I have more confidence, a daily plan, stress free mind set, altered sense of patience, and I have to exercise daily routine. My goal is to stay eating a measuring cup size, until my March 2019 Bariatric Bypass surgery anniversary. I am hoping to lose a total of 200 pounds and reach a weight of 180 pounds. I wouldn't suggest getting this procedure done, unless all else fails. If you failed Weight Watchers, going to a gym, then this could be your last alternative. I will not push this on anyone, but I will support those who lost their way.

This book I wrote is amazing! each of the characters go through amazing transformations, like I have. Some of the characters are based on family members. Experiences are based on my personal lives It is a basic mix of a little bit of everything. I'm hoping to start the second book S.H.A.R.K. It is a story that falls in the same timeline as The World is Rigged, where it starts off Ozmosis, and Avery attempting to save Oop and Ed in the intergalactic war outside of Earth's atmosphere. That is enough for now...

Thoughts?

Until we talk again,

Dustin

#14: Hate

Hate. It is a strong word. To comments made about Hollywood by Yahoo trolls, for the ones who cut us off during our drive to work on Monday mornings, and the coworkers who smile to your face who talk behind your back. What has our society come to in this point in time?

A few weeks back when I had to change up my daughters bed frame made out of PVC, I had to head over to Home Depot for some parts. It was busy that weekend. As I pulled into the parking lot I stopped for a gentleman to reverse and pull out of his spot. After reversing, the guy didn't have enough room to drive forward, but continued to do it any way. He ran his car up an cement island from his spot and about hit the car the family and I was in. He then gave me the stink eye as if I was at fault for what he did? In that moment I thought, "Someone is not having a good day." 

The following Monday, I hopped in my car and drove to work. Usually when I drive, I prey. My discussion with God is random but either of the following: Preying for the assistance in publishing my book and creating a financial freedom for my family with growing up in a harsh lifestyle growing up, helping cruel people to change their ways, asking to walk in God's footsteps, and asking for spiritual awakening.

I had a prayer one morning on my way to work. I asked God this, "Are you happy with what you had created? Was this your original plan?" 

Lately, I been observing society and how everyone interacts with one another in public. It is interesting. When we take our daughter to Dennis the Menace park in Monterey. As we consistently keep 10-15 feet away from our little girl, I notice parents letting their kids run wild as they all stand in parent circle talking to one another sipping their coffee, and texting on their cell phones. And I wonder why their are kidnappings lately?

In the summer program, we had a potluck for the students on their last day. I had a list for parents to sign up for either a main dish, side, beverage, or silverware. Notice I did not list dessert...Keep in mind, private care is roughly $800.00. Parents saved 1,600.00 for the summer, so what did they bring? First off, 1/3 signed up. One family brought Mac & cheese, the second family brought a vegetable tray, and another family brought meatballs. The rest of the families brought cupcakes, pizza, juice, cookies and cake. Can you guess the after math with 100 students? In the end, I get it. It was their last day. I'm sure parents were thinking fun and festive. I was shocked to have parents say thank you for helping us with making a safe and friendly environment for the children. I had a few students hug me and hope to see me next year. I had a few students and families even inquire about when my book was going to be published. Tit for tat, right?

Then I came across Oprah's British Vogue interview. She talked about who she would like to have for dinner. I believe she stated, "I want Jesus to come to dinner. Is this what you wanted?" Oprah, if your reading, I hear you, and I agree! I really do. There is so much term oil.

It is a calling for me to write this book. I am meant to share my stories and bring people together. I know it will not happen over night. Hell, I been working on this novel for 30 years. I do hope it happens soon. Time is something no one can hold, because it slips through all our fingers. 

I have not posted a picture. I need you to digest. To think about these words and to observe the world around you. There is chaos in this world. The one thing I do have is hope. I know something great will happen soon, so I am patiently waiting for the outcome. And I hope you do to.

Until next time,

Dustin

13. Avocado Breakfast Cups (A.B.C)

Before I post my next big Friday post, I needed to share with you a Keto recipe I call the Avocado Breakfast Cup (The ABC's to breakfast). Here's the recipe:

Steps:
1. (2) Avocados
-Cut in half (makes 4 Breakfast bowls)
-Use a melon ball scooper and scoop out enough to fit the egg in

2. (4) eggs
-Crack open the eggs
-Pour the eggs in each Avocado half

3. Small pack of shredded Cheese
-I used the three cheese blend
-Cover the egg (actual amount is up to you).

4. A pack of bacon

-Cut in half (store other half in freezer to use another day)

-Cook & chop up the bacon

-Sprinkle on top of avocado

5.Pre-heat oven to 345'
-Cook for 15 minutes

The only thing I regret is not using sour cream, lol.

I made sure in my story, The World Is Rigged the main characters family know how to cook. Food is good for the soul, and to embrace other food from different cultures should be a spiritual experience.

Have you tried this yet? If so, what are your thoughts?

If you are a breakfast foodie, I got another one similar for you meat lovers!!!

Until next time,

Dustin

12. Bed Mod

A few months back, I went on Pinterest and built my kid a PVC bed frame (pic #1). So after earning my "Brownie Points Badge" for being the coolest dad on planet Earth, I foresaw something straight off the bat. I told my daughter the following, "Honey. Please do not jump on the bed, you can break it." Last week, being sick, it was time for bed. One of us parents tucked her in, hugged, and kissed her good night. Our daughter Lizzie farts around before going to bed. As my wife and I watched her in the camera, she began bouncing on the bed, and popped off the PVC ribs the held  the mattress on. So Lizzie freaked out, cried, and automatically thought the monsters are going to get her. We had no choice but to have her sleep with us.

The next morning, I took a look at the aftermath and thought, "How the hell am I going to fix this?" Then, the idea came to me. I'll make an interactive fort bed. I ran rope along the ribs of the PVC rib frame and placed all of her stuffed animals on top. Now, when she's laying down below, if she needs a stuffed animal to sleep with, she can just pull one down to her (or shove it back on top). Next, I used the other half of the top frame to put her clothes in plastic tubs, which made more in her room. Check out pic #3.

Phase 3, how do I take care of the invisible monsters? Bingo, I went to Walmart, bought cheap twin bed sheets (Lizzie picked the color), pound metal circular fasteners, and hang it around the bed like a fortress to hide in. Check out pic#4.

Then comes the "Money Shot." The 2nd pic is her first reaction seeing the mod upgrade. "The Money Shot" pic is her and mom inside checking out the fortress. Lizzie loves her bed even more. She pulls down the babies (stuffed animals) she needs, and stuffs them back up through the netted rope.

The World Is Rigged is funny when I think about it. As I was working on this project two years ago, before my daughter was born. There is a scene where Oop and Ed crash land in the trailer and find themselves surround by D's sisters stuffed animals thinking heir all dead creatures, lol. I giggle sometimes, because I feel there was inspiration behind the story and my daughter soon to be brought into this world. There is a lot we do not understand, and the mysteries of what comes to be.

Do you experience situations that can not be explained? I'd love to hear about it from your perspective.

Have a great rest of the weekend,

Dustin  

11. 3 Rings in a relationship

"There are three rings in a relationship. The engagement ring. The wedding ring, and the suffering."

Why did I bring this particular topic up? Am I planting seeds? Yes. everything will make sense, when the book is released. You know I could just throw in the plot right now, but then it wouldn't be fun, and you would lose interest, so lets keep the dice rolling.

I have to be honest, I am a bit sick this week, and I have let my mind wonder for a bit of a walk.

The quote above is true but everyone has their own version, and it is in your right to share your experience(s). Here is mine.

The "Engagement ring" is literally a walk on the beach. You're in love. Their in love. Kiss. Hug. Hold hands and show each other off to the world. Everything is bliss. There are other light condiments to add in this part of the sandwich like: getting to know each others like/dislikes (Compatibility), introducing one another to families (The perfect time), planning the future, double dating, and quirky stuff like that. I literally can go on and on about what I call the day dream effect.

But lets get into the meat part of the burger. "The wedding ring." This is where it starts unfolding. This is where you fully commit to one another. Give your vows, Settling down, and starting a family. I heard this as a metaphor once before, and this is how it goes. Your whole life you have been given a breakfast variety pack: Eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, and all the fixings. Now, you can only have one, and only one for the rest of your life Which do you choose? Disagreements begin to happen, but its manageable. Why? because it makes us stronger for the third phase. 

"The suffering." is the final ring. I see, hear, and have felt different versions of this ring. I read a story of a couple that were childhood sweethearts. I believe how the story went was he was a doctor in England, and she was a teacher back in the states. Life had them find each other again, and they got married. The two found out she had thyroid cancer in her neck. It didn't stop her smiling, and living life at the most. She died shortly after. He saw it through and was brave for doing so. He is a true bad ass. A person who can take a metaphorical beating, and have a heart of an angel.

I found the stories from random news papers. Here's the link(s):

Story one

Story two

What are my thoughts about my personal life? I feel we are a typical couple. Our love is really strong. we have our moments, like shooting Paper, Rock, Scissors to put our daughter to bed. Amanda debates with me where to go on the weekend, what to eat, and other random topic surface from time to time. In the end, we still say, "I love you" to each other, and we support both our decisions. These three rings are a learning experience.

In The World Is Rigged, the main character's father "Dale," is a single dad. A loss of his wife made him who he is in the book. A strong independent father, a ruff neck, and a teddy bear given the situation(s) thrown at him. Each character in this story goes through a metamorphous. Yes. Life is preparing them for something big about to change their lives. It is a funny fickle. Just like these weekly blogs I'm throwing at you. I am prepping, sharing, inspiring, and leading you to something big in the end.

All good things come to an end.

Until next time,

Dustin 

#10: A wrench in my weekend

Welcome back. How was your week? Mine? Well, lets just say, "I had a wrench thrown in my plans for the weekend."

I had a long week working with students in the Summer E.L.O. program for the Monterey County School District. Their energies were high, while mine was low. Not to long ago, I went to the hospital to find out I need to take antibiotics for an infection (not contagious). The students I work with are great to be around, but hey gave me a run for my money. My body felt drained, and I could barley keep up. 

On Friday, I was happy to get home and be with my family. I drove safely home. As I was on the road, I mapped out my plans for the weekend. Here's what was going on in my mind:

-It is technically 4th of July weekend (So I need to leave early to buy fireworks)

-We needed to leave early to beat the grid-lock traffic

-The kid wants to go to Gilroy Gardens and ride the water slides

-Don't forget water wings, extra clothes, sun screen, pack a lunch the night before, and smile

-Have an A, B, C plan in case of traffic (different routes)

I left Monterey around 5:55pm, I lucked out, because traffic was light yesterday afternoon. As soon as I got onto 156, the traffic began, and families were already migrating North to San Jose for the festivities. I took my secret route, which went along side highway 156. When  I got on the road, my tire light went on. Here, I'm already thinking, "Tire leak, great." Next came a tapping noise on the road thinking, "Flat tire. Awesome." I drove safely, and pulled off the road 2 minutes away from the house. I took the next precautions, I called the wife and gave her the heads up about the flat.

Changing the tire wasn't a big deal, it was the crazy rednecks in the community that drive all over the road, killing animals, and crashing their cars into the fences on other communities properties. A middle aged couple had pulled over and helped me, which is rare in California. I didn't expect it. Michigan is more likely a state back east that will pull over, help, and give you the shirt off their back. The husband stated if I needed help and began to take over before I could answer. The wife comes out with a cast on her arm waiving traffic aside. She looked back at me and smiled, "Don't worry. We couldn't have you do this by yourself. To many idiot drivers on this road hitting that'll hit something and not care about it."

As the husband was changing my tire he tells me, "I don't care if I get hit and die. I lived a good life." That made me think about what he said for a minute.

After he hanged my tire, he stood up. We shook my hand and stated his name is Boone (I believe). He told me he works at the Vallero in town. His wife too, shook my hand and told me her name. I for got it, due to my damn learning disability (no joke). We all are about 5 minutes from one another.

When I got home, I took this picture. This is what exactly happened. I ran over a frickin wrench! I ran over nails, screws, wire hangers, but can honestly anyone say they ran over a wrench? 

I can now use the saying, "I had a wrench thrown in my plans." My mom and I had a laugh. She said if I didn't show her this same picture to her, she though I was nuts.

This morning was a turn of events:

I took Boone's advice and go to Firestone and ask about my brand new tires having a warranty. This morning at 7am, the customer service rep stated, "Yes. You do have a warranty. We can replace your tire for $14.95." I jumped for joy, and I got an oil change on top of this. At 9:00am, I was able to leave. Lady luck also showed up again. A fireworks stand was directly across from where the car was getting maintenance. The guy was just setting up the stand. I told him the above information, and said I'll wait and take a look around. after five minutes, he simply asked what I wanted. I stated I really want that package of mixed fireworks for $75.00, but I only have $55.00. The guy said, "I'll work with that. Sold!" Wow, and the only thing I had to do was wake up early this morning. At first what I thought was bad luck was actually life rewarding me.

The novel entitled, "The World Is Rigged" has what appears to be bumps in the road, and what appears to give our heroes a run of bad luck. The more you will engage the book, you will notice their experiences are gifts from God. You have to get past the so called bad episodes throughout the book to see the true meaning behind each situation.

What a great day! Until we meet again,

Dustin

#9:How a person can tell if they’re really in love.

Top "5" how a person can tell if they are in love?

1 )They are always on your mind

2) Can't get enough of them

3) You see them in your future

4) You always need them around

5) You'll do whatever it takes to impress them

I met my wife hen we both worked at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for college. She was introduced to the department, and my heart stopped. I immediately thought, "She is the one. This is it." I spent a week trying to figure out how to introduce myself without screwing it all up. That moment came as I was stuck working on the second floor in the gift shop next to the penguins exhibit. Amanda came to stock merchandise as a seriously wicked customer gave me trouble as I rung her up at the register. Amanda watched the whole thing go down. I began to ring up her items, and smiled at her. I believe I might of did an Irish accent and said, "Top of the morning to you." I had to hear this middle aged women on menopause say:

-You are unprofessional

-I been a cashier for 11 years

-you do not know how to do your job

-The list went on and on

She contacted the manager, and he came up to ask what happened. I told him I did nothing wrong, and had Amanda explain what happened. She backed me up on the story, and the manager stated not to worry about it and left the store. I looked at Amanda and said, "Thank you for saving my ass. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"

She stated, "Ya, okay."

I paused and stated, "Wait. What? Did you say yes?"

Amanda paused and said, "Yes. I'll have dinner with you."

14 years later, here we are. Married, and with a soon to be 4 year old spunky daughter named Lizzie. That's us up above. By the way, I lost 100 pounds in 3 months. That in it self is another story all together.

In the novel, The World Is Rigged, the main character has a few love infatuations with a few teenage girls. Aren't most teens raging hormones and testing the waters in love. When Panda and D meet, it is then their supernatural powers slowly begin to emerge spiking their hormones. The two are in a sense like Hercules, you know, less than a god, but more than a man. I really don't want to give the story away, but you'll love the plots and twists that go into the story. The book has it all: Love, sci-fi, humor, adventure, sadness, and a whole heck of a ton of Easter eggs to be found.

There is so much more I need to share with you. I hope enjoyed this weeks blog!!!

Have a great and safe weekend,

Dustin