On Tuesday July 2, my life will undergo a radical, dramatic, and irrevocable life change. I will be undergoing sleeve gastrectomy surgery. Basically, I will have 80% of my stomach removed. Naturally, there is a HUGE life change post weight loss surgery. Join me beyond the story break for one last beer (or beverage of choice) and learn why I am both terrified and excited.
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The hugest life change will be in my diet. While my stomach heals, (about 2-3 months) I will be on a gradual return to solid food. From clear liquid, to full liquid, to puree, to soft foods, then finally to regular foods. My meal size will be reduced to approximately one cup. A bit smaller than my fist. While needing to have 80 grams of protein a day. I will also need to take special vitamins for the rest of my life. And, (I sob quietly every time I think about it) No. More. Beer. I will be able, though, to have a glass of wine or gin occasionally.
As you can imagine, these requirements require a drastic life and lifestyle change. One slip up can lead to nasty complications. This is where the terrified part comes in. Can I do this? Have I the mental strength? There’s nothing so debilitating as crippling self doubt.
But the exciting part. I’m expected to lose about 60% or so of my excess body weight. Meaning I would be down to under 300 pounds for the first time in DECADES. I would be racing again. I will be able to STAND for the whole day as I teach. I think it’s a fair trade for what I have to give up.
One final thing. I know I have the love and support from the entire Kos community, so if you are able, help me in a project to make my classes even more engaging. I’m trying to be able to have my general music classes be guitar classes instead of boring music history and theory. Please visit my Donors Choose page to help. This is a huge project and I’m only a third of the way funded. It costs approximately $70 per guitar and I need 33 of them. Every little bit helps, and it would help kids in an under served community. Use code ROCKET to double your donation! Thanks for your love and support!
So after that plug, and all your love and support, I leave you with a “new” favorite song, and then on to Tops!
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From 2thanks:
Once again, Jeremy Moses pens a long and in-depth comment in a Good News Roundup. This one is about American history, advances of progressive movements, and finally a link to an essay on 538.
From inkstainedwretch:
Please do not miss dweb8231's reply to karenb123 early in the comments to Noodles' diary {In response to the diary "How to make the Dem party realize I won't vote for a centrist?"}
This is a great read on overly purist voting. Great final sentence, "Get to work....Holding your breath until you get your way is not an answer!" That sentence is an echo of Remembering Jello's slightly upstream comment, "Most situations in life, the best you can do is the best you can do."
From raboof:
Comes this comment by koNko, about the aftermath of a near post-debate exchange between Buttigieg and Williamson.
Highlighted by njm5000:
Is this fine collection of post-debate tweets brought to us by Joker2101!
TOP MOJO
Top Mojo for yesterday, June 27th, 2019, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
TOP PICTURES
Top Pictures for June 28, 2019! Thanks so much, jotter!