Boondocks Fun Center

Deanna had her birthday party today at Boondocks Fun Center in Draper. The party went from 3 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. We ate pizza, had some Cold Stone cake and then they went and did some activities. It was crazy busy, so they only got to do lazer tag and bumper boats, but it was still fun. After the outside activities we went back inside where everyone played games until it was time to leave. I think everyone had a nice time. I'm just glad we were able to give her a birthday party in the same month as her birthday this year! :)

A Generous Cut

Originally posted by Jason on Overleaf Misfire, July 14, 2008:

Today my precious Deanna did something that I have allowed only once before in her life. This action, something that I did not want her to do, she did for a great cause a cause with which I could not argue.

So what did Deanna do today? She let her hair be cut. Her beautiful long blond hair that she has grown for years today was cut. But as I stated she did it for a good cause, she donated her hair to Locks of love.

It was quite a site and an emotional moment as her hair was chopped off. No Deanna isn't crying as it is being chopped, but I haven't seen her face go that red since she last talked about her boyfriend who shall remain nameless.

But in the end, things worked out well. Someone will be made very happy by Deanna's donation, and her new hairdo looks pretty darn good as well. And perhaps in another year or so she can go through this process again.

Happy Birthday, Deanna

On July 10, 1996 at 6:58 p.m. (central time), we met Deanna Majhelle Wilcox. She had us charmed from the beginning. She's kept us busy learning how to be parents to a smart, beautiful daughter. Happy 12th Birthday Deanna! We love you!

Two weeks out..

Two weeks out and things are really going well since my surgery. I know I've lost some weight, but I have decided not to step on a scale until my surgical follow-up appointment on July 22nd.

I think the hardest part of this has been learning how to eat. At times I choose something wrong, or have eaten it too fast, but those are learning experiences and in each case the band has done it's job and reminded me of what and how I am supposed to eat.

Now that things are healing I'm able to eat more than two ounces, which mentally is tough because I actually enjoyed the restriction. However as it's an adjustable band, it will be adjusted and restrict my food intake at my next appointment. I'm looking forward to it and looking forward to finding out how much I will lose in my first month. And with football season starting today (well at least our preseason camp) it should really help me drop those pounds.

Promotion From 6th Grade

Deanna finished her Elementary School career with a bang. She received a Presidential Academic Award and the Math Olympiad award for being in the 90th percentile.

I am so proud of Deanna. I'm having trouble believing that she'll be in Junior High next school year. She is a beautiful and independent young lady. Good luck, Deanna!

The beginning of a Journey

It's been a long time in coming, but finally on June 23rd I had my weight loss surgery. I chose a restrictive banding procedure using the RealizeBand and performed by Dr Simper at St Marks Hospital.

For those who don't exactly understand what I've done it's quite simple. An adjustable band was placed around the top of my stomach creating a new smaller stomach. This new stomach can hold about two ounces of food. But with the restriction at the top of the stoma it tricks the body into thinking that it is full with just a few ounces of food. This then forces the body to being feeding on it's own reserves and thus increasing weight loss. The band is adjustable and can be inflated and deflated as necessary to increase or decrease the amount of food I can take.

As you can see from my picture the band placement was done lap rather than open. This really speeds recovery time. In fact I went into the hospital at 6 AM monday morning and was walking around the floor by 1 and went up and visited grandpa by 3. And I was home by 6. The overal pain has been very minimal, the worst part of it is they inflate your abdomen with gas during the surgery, well that gas has to eventually come out and there is a little pain involved with burping as it comes out.

A say this is the beginning of a journey because that's exactly what it is. The band is simply a tool, a tool to help me lose weight. I still have to eat right, exercise, and watch my diet. The difference is that if I cheat the band will let me know it in some very unpleasant ways. But I have all the support I need to be able to do this and do it right. My parents who have supported me every step of the way, my children who say that although they will miss my squishy tummy when they give me hugs they want to see me healthy as well, and of course my wife. Who through this has been scared, angry, and nervous, but none of that mattered when they wheeled me around the corner taking to my room and there she was waiting for me. And finally of course, Bob. He was my biggest advocate to get this surgery done and made sure every time he saw me that I knew it. I just wish he could have been there in person Monday, but I know he was there and I know he was glad to finally see it happen.

Elementary School Graduation

I'm a graduate! I'm now...OFFICIALLY in JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL! I graduated on Thursday. Here are some pictures: