3 Months come and gone

On August 17th I underwent the RXY gastric bypass surgery. I am happy to say that, even with some small complications, I have been doing very well.

According to my scale I weight 321.8 lbs. Meaning that I have lost 80 lbs since August 3rd. I have not weighed this little since I was in high school, somewhere around my junior year. I have essentially undone an entire decade's worth of weight gain. I can also now use the Wii Fit (we have the Wii Fit Plus disc) and I love the accuracy and ability to track everything. I also use cardio trainer to post automatically to my facebook so that my friends and family can see how things are going.

I can also now run a mile in 12 minutes 16 seconds. Again, not a professional or even exceptional rate, but for a 321 lbs man - it is a pretty good feat. I can sprint at 9 mph and I can get a 5k run (3.2 miles) done in under an hour.

My strength training has not been as successful, I have only gone up about 5 lbs per machine, though some of them are becoming easier and I am considering taking them up another 5 lbs. Note - I do 15 reps on a machine that uses rubber bands. The trainer said that these machines would be more difficult than other machines and that if I was doing free weights or a typical machine I'd be able to do much more.

My INR (the level used to determine the level of blood thinning) is right where it should be and I go back in to try and get the filter out on December 3rd. Hopefully it goes better.

Jobs are even looking promising. I have had a second interview with the company that I interviewed with on my son's birthday. It was an assessment and I did "very well", which is even more impressive considering that I learned the programming language in two weeks (ActionScript 2.0). I have an interview with a different company tomorrow as well, and while it is not in programming, it should pay well (I had to give salary requirements with the cover letter).

I feel great, I'm looking better every day, my physical abilities are coming back and all things considered - I don't think I could imagine I would feel this way 3 months ago. I go to the gym daily (well, almost daily), something I never thought I'd really be up to doing, and even though my membership to the one place runs out the beginning of December my dedication to continuing to work out has me checking everywhere to find a good affordable deal so that I can continue to work out (we'd use the one that is in our apt complex or the one that we are members of because of our apt complex, but it doesn't have babysitting).

No matter the case, things are looking great. The doctor is pleased with my progress and again, other than the IVC filter complication and a few minor issues, this has been an immensely rewarding choice. Again, this wasn't "easy" - and I still have put in a LOT of hard work to get here, but it has made a lot of things easier to do - such as motivate myself and actually lose the weight, but the process as whole is not easy at all. The diets, the life style changes, the buying of new clothes - all of this, is not easy. The only thing "easy" is not overeating (biofeedback is a pain in the rear) and thus I am taking in fewer calories than I did before.

As always, any questions can be posted as comments (or asked directly if you know me) I'll be more than happy to answer them. I want people to know what it is like to go through this, both good and bad, as this is a life changing decision and one that should never be taken lightly.

Lots to say

Well, it has been a while since I last said anything, and boy do I have a lot to talk about. So, yeah, this is gonna be a long one. Maybe. Dunno.

Last week I did great, I was working out and I was getting back into my groove. Then disaster sort of struck. I went in to get my IVC filter removed, as a precaution they always check to make sure there are no clots in the filter before they remove it. For me, however, there was. And apparently it was quite the big one too. At that point, they decided that instead of removing my filter, they would check to see if they could place a second one, why? Because apparently it had either grown beyond or started to push through the IVC filter, meaning there was an actual clot attached to the filter and even beyond. The sheer magnitude of how bad this is I don't was ever completely explained - but I am fully aware of what can happen. My grandfather died of a pulmonary embolism while in the hospital. Had the part that was beyond the IVC filter broken off, it could have been very, very bad.

So what did they do? Well, like I said, they were looking to put another filter in, however my IVC (inferior vena cava) was too wide at the place they needed to put it, meaning the filter would likely become dislodged and end up causing what it was supposed to prevent. So that was scrapped. They instead decided that they were going to admit me to the hospital. While in the hospital, they left the catheter that they were using to try and remove the IVC filter (which was in my neck) and used it, instead, to inject high power blood thinners right near the blood clot.

So, all of this went on, I was told I couldn't move, couldn't be sitting up, and basically had to stop whining.

I vomited some of the pills they gave me back up (which, apparently I can vomit and that is good news). Bad news is I didn't want to risk those pills again.

I was put on a clear liquid diet again, which sucked. I also have been prescribed lovenox (again) and this time I have to do it twice a day, it is 150mg (a huge dose) and quite frankly, I hate it even more than before. I thank the judge that prevented the makers of lovenox from blocking the sale of the generic version as it was 10 dollars instead of 100 (with insurance).

At any rate, the stay in the hospital sucked, and I got out Saturday afternoon - which was followed by a quick run to a sushi bar with my wife's cousin and then home to get ready for my son's birthday party.

The party was great and all, but I was still in pain and irritable. I had to take some of my strong pain killers otherwise I would have had to be on bed rest.

Now comes the good news, I'm going back on the 26th to get the filter removed (hopefully) and my weight is down to 341.6. It had gone up during my stay in the hospital, but I think I was retaining fluids as I was peeing like a madman for a couple of days after.

Oh well. I suppose that wasn't that long. I'm just a little frustrated personally that I haven't been able to keep up with my exercise (don't want to fall into a not-going rut) and all that good stuff. Had an interview last week, haven't heard back, hope for the best on that.

OH! And I had to go get my blood drawn today, at which point I got my A1C back... it is at a 5.9 - which is great (given my previous had been a 7.5, and they want you under 7.0). So, since I haven't been on a medication for my diabetes since August 3rd, that is great, absolutely great :D

Busy Busy!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. It isn't for lack of wanting to. I just have been rather busy and had a lot of things to do.

Two weekends ago we went up to stay with my in-laws for a birthday celebration. I got to eat a lot of different foods (since I could start eating "normal" foods on Oct 1st). It was great, but I found out that slow and steady is the only way I can eat anymore.

Last weekend we went to St Louis to visit my family and have a party for my son (he turns 1 this week). While the party also had another member (my gma who has cancer) and the party had far more people there for her than my son, my son still had fun tearing up his first cake. He'll definitely be a pro come this weekend when we have one for friends and family that live close to us.

My exercising has been rather pitiful. I can still run, I was able to get a 16:12 sec mile (I don't remember if I posted about that) and run at 7 mph for about a minute. I couldn't do much else though, as I seemed to ramp up my blood pressure in doing that, and my headache didn't really allow for it.

To top it all off, we got strep somehow. I've been on antibiotics since Thursday morning but we also ended up with a pretty bad cold for a couple days (which made it even more fun). I'm just thankful we got out flu shot otherwise we'd have been screwed as I'm certain we'd have gotten the flu as well, lol.

I hope to get in to exercise a couple times this week, at minimum, and then as long as they have it on Saturday, I've got a swim class to go to that should be fun, or at least educational. I still need to schedule my last few appointments with the trainers so that I can get those taken care of.

On a different note, I have an interview tomorrow. Hopefully I can land this job, and we can get things rolling. We can't afford to stay at the place that I currently go to exercise unless someone pays for it other than us or I have a job, and even then, it is a ways away from the house (about 15 minutes or more) and the gas + time makes it somewhat troublesome to go. But since part of my program fee went to paying for three months, I may as well use it. If I can't afford any membership, the apartment complex we live at does have some exercise equipment that I can use so it isn't a total loss. I just hope that we have the money when my membership runs out to get into a health center as paying for something (or having a membership to something) makes it much harder to just ignore. I also almost have lost enough weight to be able to start using the Wii Fit so that will be nice when I can do that (when i can't get to the gym). It will also more accurately measure my weight, and will give me my BMI (at which point I'll start putting that in too).

Well, anyways, things are going well, and I'm starting to actually see a reduction in my weight rather than simply just knowing I'm losing weight because of the numbers and the fact my clothes are fitting looser.

Last weight: 344.8
Current weight: 343.8
Weight Lost: 1.0 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since Coming Home: 38.2 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since August 3rd: 58.2 lbs

Stomach Problems

I've been having issues with my stomach lately. I've been adding in soft foods (the next phase of my diet) one per day (with one exception), varying what it is. I've tried eggs, spaghetti and sauce, tuna (not as blended as I normally would have it) with fat-free mayo and toast.

The results are not very promising. The night I ate the tuna, I was in the bathroom wishing I'd throw up for about 45 minutes. I did not want to even eat the next day. I just wanted to drink my Powerade zero (my new favorite thing to drink) and eat/drink nothing else. Of course, I did, because I need to, but I didn't exactly like the idea. Then last night we had eggs. We had scrambled - and we had even had this earlier in the week. Earlier in the week it upset my stomach, but didn't make me that sick for that long. And I finished what I didn't eat at dinner later for another meal (eggs are great sources of protein, but if you have surgery, gassy foods such as eggs might bother you more than normal, I've been lucky and haven't had this issue). The second time eating them that night didn't bother me at all. However, last night when I ate the eggs I spent the next hour wishing that I'd throw up.

While many may not care to read it, it is important that I go into this topic due to the nature of the blog and the fact that people who read this and consider the surgery need to be aware of. Feel free to skip the next paragraph if you want.

When talking about "throwing up" after a RNY, it apparently isn't... quite like it used to be. Because the stomach is primarily used to vomit and you don't have a lot of your stomach anymore (well, you have it all, some of it is just separated from the portion you use), anyway - because you don't have it any more, you don't have quite the ability to vomit as you may have had before. It isn't that you can't - I certainly heaved last night. But what I tend to get is a foamy mucus rather than any of the food. I got some of the eggs up last night, but it was mostly the mucus. What makes matters worse is that if you don't get the mucus up, it only serves to make things worse as your stomach is producing it and if you're not getting it out, it is only filling up your stomach more.

It isn't fun, it isn't great, and trust me, it is giving me great bio-feedback. But it still sucks.

So, while I've tolerated the full liquids and puree (for the most part) perfectly fine - the soft food stage is going to be rough it seems. I'm sure I'm "ready" for it. I can tolerate some things (like toast) very, very well. I just think that because I tolerated the puree and full liquids so well, I didn't really have to worry about how much I was taking in. I also had measured portions that equaled what I could have, and everything worked out very well. In addition, it would quickly move through my pouch because it was already fluid, it just needed a little work in the stomach it seemed. On the other hand, when I'm chewing and swallowing, it is causing my stomach to have to work on the food as well. This, I believe, is pissing it right the heck off, not to mention it stays in the stomach longer, so I have to be MUCH more careful with how much I'm eating, and how quickly I'm eating it.

So, for the time being, I'm going to still try and stick to simpler foods that are easy to digest (pureed stage stuff). But, I'm going to keep trying to eat the "soft foods" diets. Note, I keep using soft foods, but it is really easy to process foods. Steamed veggies, soft canned fruits (not in syrup), crackers and toast, cheese, etc. The toast and crackers are soft, believe it or not, because once you're done eating them they're mush. The reason you don't want bread is that doughy bread can ball up in your stomach (imagine getting it a little wet, and then mashing it into a ball) and that can be as problematic as anything else. One thing I don't know if I can have yet, but I am absolutely dying to try, is sushi. I am going to try and get in touch with the dietitian and see if I can't eat that yet, or if I need to wait to eat that until I'm back to being on a normal diet (minus the fats and sugars, lol).

Just weighing in

I had a Drs appointment yesterday. I seem to be doing fine, except for the weight loss, which I seem to be doing great with. They said the average for my particular point in time is 20ish pounds. I'm at 51 (according to their scale and their last weight). I, of course, weigh in with slightly less on, so I tend to use mine as it doesn't account for weight differences in clothes even if that won't be much. My resting pulse (not true resting, but not active pulse, I guess you should say) and my blood pressure have both seemed to come down which is great as well. My blood sugars are almost always under 120 now when I test in the morning and overall, I think my medical progress is great.

I'm certainly happy to have lost the weight, but I'd like to see a little more coming of my midsection. I'm seeing plenty drop from my limbs (such as my legs getting thinner and my arms/hands getting thinner), i just wish that the abdomen would shed some more too, though I'm sure that'll take time. Things are definitely fitting looser, but I was trying on jeans and pants that were from pre-op (it is getting to be that time of the year again when it gets cold, yay!). I can still wear all of my pants, though some will definitely need a belt.

Oh well, here's my weight from this morning. Take into account that I haven't been eating and drinking as much due to some issues, so I've been dropping weight more than I probably would normally.

Last weight: 348.2
Current weight: 344.8
Weight Lost: 3.4 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since Coming Home: 37.2 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since August 3rd: 57.2 lbs

Loser!

Haha, I'm a loser. Down to 348.2 now. I'm under 350 lbs for the first time in probably a decade. Maybe not quite a decade, but close.

I've been working out every other day, alternating between cardio and weights as I have probably mentioned in previous posts and it seems to be working out rather well. I plan to start adding a day or two a week to this rotation. Probably just a day at first. I'm not feeling exhausted the next day and I would like to see what it would be like if I did cardio-weight-cardio or weight-cardio-weight 3 days in a row. If I do that, and I'm not tired, then I don't know what to do.

My blood sugar numbers are also excellent. Around 110 in the mornings before I eat. Given that when I started I was around or above 150 in the mornings before I ate, this is a huge improvement. I get my A1C checked around mid-october and hopefully the number will be as excellent.

Not much else to report. Still no job, still taking care of my son. He's almost one now (less than a month away). He can still be a handful, and given that I am still having problems sleeping at night, when the wife leaves for work before 11am (which is pretty much a given anymore) I have to fight him to keep him resting with me (or at least stay passive while I do it). I've tried getting up earlier, but it doesn't help me fall asleep. I currently take the sleeping agent in Tylenol PM (without the tylenol of course). It helps, but it still takes a while to work, which is kinda sad given that I was under the impression that medications, in addition to alcohol and sugars and similar, would have a very quick effect on my body as they would enter my small intestine quickly. Hopefully I can resume my old sleeping medication (trazadone) when I go in for my checkup when I get my A1C checked. That stuff would work much more quickly, and it was much more effective as well (of course, it is prescription). We shall see though, maybe there is another drug out there that isn't trazadone as I stopped it last time because of nightmares.

At any rate - weight report below!

Last weight: 350.2
Current weight: 348.2
Weight Lost: 2.0 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since Coming Home: 33.8 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since August 3rd: 53.8 lbs

Back Pain

I suffer from a degenerative and herniated disk in L4 and L5 of my lower back. I also tend to (somehow) strengthen one leg over the other to a point that it pulls my lower back slightly out of alignment (at least this was the case years ago when they diagnosed me). All of this means that at some points in time, I suffer from pretty extreme back pain. Sometimes it is mild though. Right now I have back pain, and my chest pain is flaring up a little bit. So, I'm at a loss. I think the chest pain is due to inflammation of some sort (or perhaps from heartburn?). And my lower back pain is definitely due to that. So it should be easy to correct for me. I used to be on naproxen 500mg twice a day. Only problem is that it is a NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) and NSAIDs can wreak havoc on your stomach. As I already have a pretty sensitive stomach due to the recent remodeling down there I have been told that NSAIDs are not allowed.

So what to do? The tylenol doesn't do anything but dull the pain a little, so I've taken one of my stronger pain killers to help, but I decided not to work out today. I've been good about it, but I'll go tomorrow evening, and we'll see if my wife and son can't come with me (as family night is always fun). I never get quite the exercise in the pool that I get in the gym because I'm self conscious about my swimming and I'm not 100% comfortable with the exercises they've given me yet. Perhaps I should go to the clinic they're having for swimming and kick turning. That way I can do really well in either place and give my back a break from time to time.

I think it is the running, it is really hard on my back. But, I don't care. It is important to me to be able to see the progress in both my stamina and my speed, as while it is not a measurement of my physical condition on its own, it is a point that I can use to determine if I am improving or staying the same. I was also always so slow when I was younger. After being in sports until around 4th grade (and then not having any sports to play as my parents couldn't afford it) I lost my ability quite a bit. In junior high I remember struggling to run a mile. In high school it would kill me to do the "10 minute runs" and all that for wrestling. I remember in junior high we had to run a ways to the field and I just couldn't do it and had to quit, which really killed my desire to be in football for years to come. But no matter the case, being able to run a decent distance - and at a decent speed - is very important. It is something that I want to regain no matter what. So even if I have some pain from it, and need to take pain killers to deal with that pain - I would rather that than no progress in speed and stamina. Right now I can run at 6.5 mph and get a mile in (as I said in previous posts) in about 16:45. I want to improve that. I want to be able to do a mile in 10 minutes or less.

On a side note, I ate Steak N Shake last night. The wife had a huge craving (has had one for a while I guess) and I've really been dying for their chili. Well, let me tell you - the chili is a bad idea >.< The fat content that I could find was rather high, actually VERY high. But it was pretty high in protein. I'm glad that I had baked beans to fall back on as well. I ate those first, and while pretty high in calories - only 1 gram of fat and a lot of protein (and not much in the way of sugars). So that was good. In addition, I was looking up nutritional information, and the chili from Wendy's is actually pretty decent. It isn't a "eat all the time" thing - but it is definitely better than a lot of other options. And I found out that you can actually "build your meal" on www.wendys.com - so you know (about) what you are eating when you go and order something, rather than having to add it all up yourself. It even lets you personalize some of it. While Wendy's isn't a "healthy place to eat" it seems that they are taking strides to help people make better choices - which I fully support.

Finally, I lost a little more weight. Which is great! I only have .2 more pounds till I drop below 350!

Last weight: 351.4
Current weight: 350.2
Weight Lost: 1.2 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since Coming Home: 31.8 lbs

Fun times with weights

I did weight lifting last night and then sat in the steam room. It was very nice. I also did some cardio. When I got on the scale last night (not an official weight, but whatever) it was 350.something - this morning it was 351.4 - which is great. I'm definitely seeing some tone come back to me, but not a whole lot. But whatever. I did two sets last night and feel pretty okay today. Nothing like the first workout.

Also, with the wight loss for today, I have broken 30 lbs lost since coming home. I have lost a total of about 51 lbs since my starting weight of about 402 on August 3rd.

Last weight: 353.2
Current weight: 351.4
Weight Lost: 1.8 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since Coming Home: 30.6 lbs

16:45

When I first aimed for a mile, it was under 20 min (which I barely got) the next time was just to push myself. Got it around 18 min. Now I'm down to 16:45. I was able to run at 6mph on a treadmill. Again, not a feat of strength for any normal person - but for me, and for someone still weighing over 350 lbs, I'd say it is pretty impressive. Granted, I can only sustain that speed for about a minute, and my heart rate skyrockets, but I can do it.

I haven't weighted myself yet today, but I'll try and do that and get a report in. I can tell I'm losing weight and toning up - other than the numbers - because clothes that were tighter even when I got home are now starting to fit loosely. One thing I don't like is I'm getting some folds in my skin where now that my skin isn't being fully stretched it has room to fold and whatnot. Kinda annoying, but hopefully over time it'll go away. Another way I can tell that I've lost weight is that I can see my toes. No, I don't mean over my belly, I have always been able to look down and see my toes. I mean my toes used to be pretty much sraight. Now there is definition between part of my toe and the area around the nail (the pad). It probably sounds really confusing, but my toes are losing weight too, lol.

And I mentioned greek yogurt the other day, I've found that Yoplait greek (blueberry and honey vanilla, I don't like the strawberry) are pretty good, but for people used to regular yogurt (such as myself) it needs about a half a tbs of splenda to make it close to what you're used to. The Dannon vanilla yogurt (not vanilla honey) is actually a little sweeter than other brands I've tried and again, with a 1/2 tsb of splenda it is really good. One thing I would like to mention is that Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt. The major difference (and why it has so much more protein) is that they strain out just the "yogurt" and separate the watery milk out. Many people compare it to a sour cream consistency. My son likes it (surprisingly) and I do as well, but if you try it be prepared for a different consistency. I also recommend going with a fat free version simply because it is healthier for you. And as always, regular yogurt isn't a bad choice - it is still a good one. Greek yogurt just has more protein, and for people like me who need to work hard to get all of their daily protein it is a big help to double the protein in breakfast.

Last weight: 354.4
Current weight: 353.2
Weight Lost: 1.2 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since Coming Home: 28.8 lbs

A quarter of the way there

My mother-in-law talked to me briefly the other day, and brought up a good point. I am a quarter of the way there. Well, technically 20%ish. But no matter the case, I'm quite on my way. My goal (personally) is to get to a healthy BMI and basically not have any risk factors or out of the normal range numbers when taking blood tests. This would put me around 180-200 lbs (well, maybe a little less). But no matter the case, I'm well on my way there. Oh, and only 10 more days and i can start eating food again. Like, REAL food. Well, sorta, still needs to be soft, but it is better than the "full liquids" I was on before, and better than having to puree everything and anything I want to eat.

Last weight: 355.0
Current weight: 354.4
Weight Lost: .6 lbs
Total Weight Lost Since Coming Home: 27.6 lbs

One month later

It has been exactly 1 month since the surgery. Pain is almost completely gone (a few things here and there) the chest pain has pretty much gone away, and I have lost a significant amount of weight. My blood sugars are much, much lower than they were a month ago, my diet has progressed very well (only a few problems here and there) and overall I am very pleased I went through the surgery. It isn't easy, by any means, but it is definitely something I do not regret doing.

It is almost unreal. I can't even tell (other than the quantity I can handle, and the pain I sometimes get) that my body has been rearranged. I can't tell that my stomach has been cut and reattached to my intestine. I feel better than I have in years, and I probably owe that to the fact that my sugars are starting to fall in line, I'm taking my vitamins to prevent severe deficiencies and in general, my body is getting in better shape. It is also incredibly nice to see pound after pound come off my body. Never before in my life could I have had success like this. I would have either reverted to my old ways by now or I would have simply hit snag in the weight loss. Even as a wrestler in high school I couldn't lose weight when I wanted to. I would eat less, work out harder and try my best to lose weight. I remember one season I actually gained maybe 10 lbs, and yet I watched what I ate each day in an attempt to make weight.

I am able to wear clothes that I could not. I'm currently in a pair of khaki shorts that I don't even remember where I got them, but they are mine - and they fit. My shirts that used to need to be stretched as I put them on so they would fit reasonably now - without any stretching - fit loosely. My shorts that I had basically worn day in and day out for years (they were the only ones that fit comfortably) now are my gym shorts (as they should have been in the first place). They're loose and I can't have much in my pockets for fear of them falling down.

My appetite is so different I can barely explain it. About the only times I seem to get hungry are when my sugars are going out of whack. Other than that I basically don't get hungry. I have to remind myself to eat, otherwise I won't. My only real drive to eat is to make sure that I get my 75 grams of protein in a day. Before the surgery I'd want to eat and eat and eat. Sometimes to the point that I felt stupidly full. Now not only can I not do that, but I have no drive to do that.

My diet improves (beyond the puree stage) in just a couple weeks (October 1st). With the introduction of soft foods I'll be able to get more protein and calories, but that will also present the challenge of continuing to lose weight. Either way, though, I'll enjoy being able to eat things again rather than having to spend an hour every couple of days preparing beans, tuna and other things for me to eat. Which has probably been one of the biggest annoyances (other than the texture). We shall see starting Oct 1st how my body does with the soft foods. Even now sometimes the pureed foods make my stomach hurt something fierce, and is usually a sign that I didn't eat slowly enough or that I needed to mush it around with more saliva (eat slower). Still no chewing, but hey - at least I get to enjoy my food, right?

Medications interact differently as well. They tend to go into effect quicker and have more of an oomph, but to some degree do not last as long. I'm sure this is due mostly to the fact that as soon as they hit my intestine they are rapidly absorbed, though I have no idea if this is the case. It could also be my low calorie diet. Either way, it is certainly something that takes getting used to.

Looking forward, I am happy to think that within a year I'll probably be close to where I want to be. I do have some worries - such as how much hanging skin I'll have, will I lose too much weight, and will there be any future complications that are not apparent now. But, I know that all of those things can be dealt with. What I know couldn't have been dealt with was the complications that were going to soon start piling up due to my weight. I'll be 30 next year. Hopefully I'll be a healthy 30 year old looking at the next 30 years of my life to be better than the last (not that they haven't been good).

And my wife has been incredibly supportive of me this past month. Sometimes more than others, sure - but she has been supportive. She too has started to work out more and has taken an interest in losing weight. While her weight loss will be slower than mine (for obvious reasons) she is still interested in making sure that she supports me both with helping me with my struggles and trying to take part in what I do as well.

Oh, and if anyone wants to pay 78 bucks a month so she can work out with me, let me know, lol. Otherwise she's stuck with the Wii fit and our apartment complex's "fitness center". Too bad the pool is so damn cold right now, otherwise she could really use that. Nice thing is Sunday is "family day" and she can get in for 5 bucks, we can put our son in the day care, work out, and then take him swimming for a while!

At any rate, that is about all, other than a short rant about my muscles below, which are not part of the 1 month "review" of myself.

As far as my muscles, I still can't stretch them out. I still have an unbelievable amount of pain in fully extending my arms (this makes taking care of my son, who got home yesterday, very hard). I'm trying to use heat to help them relax, get the blood flowing and make them easier to stretch. So far, it makes it feel better, but only temporarily. I will likely go and do some cardio today either in the pool or in the gym, either way, I will (hopefully) help work some of this out. If not, then I don't know what to do, just wait it out I guess. This sort of post-exercise pain is not new to me (as a wrestler and football player I felt it many times). However, this sort of pain and having to deal with a kid is. Thankfully my wife will not have to work late tomorrow and she has Sunday off so that I can try and rest if need be.

Last weight: 356.4
Current weight: 350.0
Weight Lost: 1.4 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 27.0 lbs

Definitely feel it

I definitely feel it. The workout yesterday has made me sore, tired and slightly crabby. But no matter the case, I can tell for sure that it was a good workout. I look forward to working out more, as it has been a while since I have felt up to it. I've also lost some more weight which is good. Horray!

Last weight: 358.6
Current weight: 356.4
Weight Lost: 2.2 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 25.6 lbs

Sooooore

I'm sore. The weight lifting is very much something I haven't done in a while. I'm still strong, thankfully, but my body isn't used to it that is for sure. My arms are sore, I'm 110% glad that I don't have stairs to my apartment (it was a pain just getting up and down the stairs at the center) and my arms are heavy.

On a side note, right as we got home I had another moment of nausea, sweat and dizziness. My blood sugars were not low when i tested, but who knows.

End story, however, is that I look forward to continuing to work on my muscle tone. The weight system they have can basically work on all of the muscles groups in my body and hopefully I find it easier and easier and easier to do things, get around and generally participate in life.

The gal that I was scheduled with the first time asked "what do i want to get out of this" and at the time I just said "keep up with the kid" - which is important, and probably the most important thing that I want to get. However, I wouldn't be opposed to being able to play softball or baseball next summer, or participate in some sort of competitive sport at times. I'm not a competitive person, but I've always wished I could have played baseball on a more competitive level.

Strep

Wife has strep, which isn't good, I've always been rather susceptible to strep myself. I feel bad for her though, it is apparently painful and she is running a 102.9 fever. I just hope I don't get it, I'm having a tough enough time remembering to eat, I don't need to have it be a pain in the rear to eat in addition to it. The son is going to stay with grandma & grandpa for a few days so that she can recover (as I said in the previous post) and so that I don't have to worry about him, as I am not up to 100% taking care of him. However, this does give me an opportunity to go to the exercise center without worry about her having to take care of him while I do that. Don't know if I'll go yet, but the pool sounds really good, especially the warm water pool, lol. The sauna doesn't sound too bad either :D

But yeah, if anyone was wondering, Hormel makes a really, really good low fat (98% fat free) high protein turkey chili that tastes a lot like their regular chili (as far as I can remember) and except for the fact that it is a bit gritty when pureed, is absolutely wonderful. I would imagine that if I didn't have to puree it that I would not be able to tell the difference and given the fat to protein ratio, as well as not being that bad in terms of calories, you can add a bit of cheese (adding more protein and a little more fat) which adds to the flavor and overall makes a very good meal for me right now (or anyone really).

And greek yogurt isn't that bad. The texture doesn't bother me (a bit thicker than regular yogurt but after reading why I understand, lol). However, it is a little flavorless (at least the fat free stuff, haven't tried anything else). I think I will add splenda the next time to see if I can't beef up the taste and enjoy it even more.

Don't want to get sick

The wife is sick, the boy is cranky and I'm not getting enough sleep. So, it is likely that I will get sick. Ugh. Good news is grandpa is going to pick him up for a few days while meg recovers as it is still tough for me to take full care of him. I can usually handle him during the day (he keeps himself occupied without much help from me) but when my wife gets home he gets really clingy and he becomes a whole new ball of wax. So, since she won't be able to handle that given her state (she aches, her throat is killing her and her nose is stuffed up, she might even have a fever) - well, she won't be able to take care of him. So grandpa is going to take care of him. Good news for us I guess.

On another note, I'm down to 258 now. Well, technically 258.6 - I think I'll start putting the tenth on there simply because that way it is a little more accurate - even though a slight movement while weighing on this scale can change the weight by up to 2 lbs. No matter the case, I lost weight as I thought I would, so that is good. I'm about to try greek yogurt. We'll see how that tastes, and if it is good, I'll be eating that for breakfast most mornings.

Oh well, here's hoping that this week goes by quick.

Last weight: 360
Current weight: 358.6
Weight Lost: 1.4 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 23.4 lbs

Exercise

I just worked out for an hour (well, not just, but yeah). It was interesting. I can still (or now can? I haven't tried in a while) run at 5 miles per hour for at least a minute and I can complete a mile in under 20 minutes. A few years ago I couldn't do this. And at 360 lbs it is still a feat, as most people of my size cannot do much. But, no matter the case - I can still do it. I did 30 minutes on a treadmill and 30 minutes on a recumbent elliptical. Kept my heart rate about 150 for most of it. It was a pretty good workout. The place I go has all sorts of stuff for after, such as shampoo, conditioner and body wash in dispensers in the shower (all are individual showers thank god, no sausage fest there). They also have all sorts of dispensers by the sinks such as shaving cream, mouth wash, lotion, spray antiperspirant and a couple others. It is just crazy.

On Wednesday I have a strength training session so that should be interesting. 9:30 am too - ugh. At least my son will be able to stay in the day care that they have. Sure it might be a small cost, but at least I don't have to worry about it. My biggest worry is strength training + driving. I just hope I don't have a problem - I shouldn't, but who knows.

I think that I should see weight dropping now, it had been fluctuating slightly, going up a little at times, going down, but not dropping below 360. I think I will finally drop below 360 soon though so that is good.

Lap Pool Fun

I had another exercise appointment today - and it was in the pool. Much easier on everything than the other day, however, it was still a pain after. The doctor yesterday didn't seem concerned with my chest pains, saying that it doesn't indicate a problem, and so I hope that they will go away soon. He also said i can go back onto my sleep aid so I'll be trying to use that so that I can reset my schedule (currently going to sleep at 2 or 3 am and waking up at 9 or 10 am isn't working for me).

Bought my wife Wii Fit Plus last night, had a coupon for 5 bucks off and it was on sale used (but in perfect condition) for 16 bucks - not a bad deal all in all. She says she likes it more than the other version, so we'll see how it works out for her. Apparently you can put children (babies as well) and pets into the system to track their weight. My one cat really needs to lose weight, she's a fat lazy cat and if the rest of us are getting fit - she should too.

I'm back to taking care of my son on my own again, so that makes things even more interesting. We're also talking about getting a membership for my wife to the center that I am part of so that she can work out at the same time I do. While we have an exercise room on grounds here at the apartment it is by far easier to both be going to the same place. It makes us both more likely to go. But for now, she has the Wii Fit Plus and I have my center. Which apparently has a steam room and a sauna. I will definitely be taking part in those, I love a good warm sauna to relax in.

And no weight loss since the last weight update. Hopefully it'll start going down. I am supposedly burning upwards of 2500 calories resting per day. I am eating maybe 600-800 but the doctor seemed happy with my weight progress so far so no worries.

Exercise sucks

I have to say, while I didn't do very much - or work very hard - I hurt. My chest hurts particularly bad and I ache. I got cramps in my side and in general, it isn't very pleasant. My weight is remaining about the same as it has been so I haven't really needed to post the current weight that I'm at.

Exercise today

First exercise session today. Or lesson or whatever. I'll let everyone know how it goes later. I'm concerned with the pain and the fact that when my heart starts racing I sometimes get a really bad headache. Oh well.

Fatty?

Well, I"m 50% fat. According to the body pod test - which is apparently as accurate as dunking. But, whatever works. We'll see what it is like after the 12 weeks.

Back at home

I went to the lake this weekend. Ate some things I hadn't eaten before. Found out that restaurants are usually much more accommodating than you think they would be. The places I went were happy to strain out my soups so I didn't have to do it myself and puree them as well. I had seafood bisque pureed and it was really good. Had some cheesy potato soup and that was great too.

Also had some fat free no sugar added frozen yogurt at my favorite vacation spot's ice cream stand. I also somehow got my account hacked. So if you get an email from me with a weird link - ignore it, actually, delete it >.< Not 100% sure how it happened, but it did.

At any rate, I'll start weighing myself again tomorrow and I have my first appointment tomorrow at the place I'll be doing my exercise at for the next 12ish weeks.

low blood sugar

I think I might have had a low sugar attack which is of concern for most people. While it is a concern to me, it is also nice. I have never had low sugars. Ever. So, to get a low sugar attack means that my body is adjusting and reverting from the diabetic issues that I have. At least, that is what I hope it means. It also means that I need to eat a little bit more >.<

Incoming Transmission

Tired, can't sleep at night, sick of this diet, but I've lost weight. Right? Ugh. I had frozen yogurt last night. A place near us has no-sugar-added fat-free frozen yogurt. Has a pretty good protein content and while they only had one flavor there (it changes daily, and it was strawberry-banana yesterday) there are others that are low-sugar or low-fat. The strawberry-banana was pretty good and it gave me something to eat to get away from the normal stuff I've been having. It is interesting to see the prices now that I can't eat like I used to. $4.71 to get both me and my wife something. That is pretty good compared to when we'd go to Cold Stone and spend 12 bucks.

Oh well. my son is tearing up newspaper. It sounds like he is having a lot of fun. He needs a nap too. At any rate, I just got to keep reminding myself that I start the new diet on the 8th. Just a few days away now.

Yesterday's weight: 362
Current weight: 360
Weight Lost: 2 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 22 lbs

Down for the count!

My child has always been consistently unwilling to go to sleep. Sometimes it is easier than others. Many times I have to lay down with him to get him to go to sleep otherwise he will scream in his crib for over an hour until he passes out. I can usually handle either option, but the recent surgery has really made it difficult to lay with him to get him to go to sleep. I am almost always hot, and as a result I sleep in a minimal amount of clothing. With my son, I now have to sleep with a shirt on at all times so that he won't pick at my wounds, scratch my belly or (when I had them) pull at bandages. Well, he's in the crib now, and isn't making too much of a fuss. So, we'll see.

On a side note, I'm happy to say - There are only what, 4 days left of this phase of the diet? And only three weeks after that, I get to get onto "easy" foods that are soft and easy to chew, such as broccoli (steamed), carrots (steamed), soft fruits and the similar. Next Tuesday I go in for a bodypod test. They are basically going to measure my volume and weight and all that jazz and get a pretty accurate test of my fat percentage. They said to wear clothes that is as form fitting as possible. Well - honestly, I don't know that I have anything like that anymore. Sure, maybe at my parents house in a box, but even stuff that I couldn't wear before is fitting me rather loosely - especially around the thighs. I weigh 362 - which means that since the 29th of July I have gone down 40 lbs according to my scale. It also means that since coming home on the 20th I have lost 20 lbs. The doctor said that most people lose 60 lbs in the first 3 months, but he thinks I might lose up to 80. I am not even exercising and I'm dropping weight really fast. It doesn't seem to be muscle, but at the same time, my body is losing weight, so it isn't having to support as much. I just don't want it to go too fast, and I guess that is why I'm required to have so much protein.

My exercise program starts next Wednesday (just in time for my new diet) and so hopefully I'll be able to lose even more weight. I am still consuming very little in a given day (in terms of calories) so I would imagine once I add exercise either I will go into starvation mode or I will drop weight like there is no tomorrow.

I was also thinking about it, I haven't been under 300 lbs since high school (graduated in May 2000, I was over 300 lbs as a junior in HS). My wife has not known me under about 380-390 (we've been together since May of 2006). Once i get below 300 lbs I will, for the first time, actually be the thinnest I have been in over a decade. It seems like just yesterday I was just a chubby kid who loved all-you-can eat and was told "you must finish what you take, don't take it if you can't eat it". And it seems like last week I was running around the soccer field, playing baseball and outrunning my younger brother from yellow jackets.

At any rate, he's out (or at least not crying anymore). So I'm going to go find something to do to occupy my hour or so I'm going to get to myself. And no, I'm not going to clean - so tough cookies wife :p

Edit: Apparently he's just playing with his crib mirror. Either way, he'll go to sleep eventually, and he's not screaming, so that is good.

Yesterday's weight: 362
Current weight: 362
Weight Lost: 0 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 20 lbs

Pooie

I'm in pain. Swimming was a bad idea, I think it pissed off most of my muscles. However, most of my wounds actually look better than they did yesterday. At least the one I was concerned about. The rest look better too, but I think that is more the result of the shower I took after than anything else.

I think I need to rest a bit more though. I think I'm pushing myself too much and paying for it. I weighed myself before I normally do for the day, and I weighed a little bit less. I'll post as soon as I can what the actual weight was.

Adult Swim!

No, this isn't about the fantastic programming, ok, some of the fantastic programming (I'm an anime junkie, but some of the comedy is ok on AS) I went to the pool tonight. Probably a little early for a swim, but I couldn't take it, I needed to relax and I knew the pool would do it (and it did). So now I feel better, but will have to keep an eye on a couple of my incision that are not completely healed over. Shouldn't be a problem as I showered right after but you never know, and cannot be too careful.

Still having some pain, but I'm feeling a little bit more relaxed. I also have one week left on this atrocious diet. I get to start pureed foods on the 8th. And mashed potatoes. I think mashed potatoes with some beneprotein will be very tasty. Maybe. Anyone know where to get some low fat gravy? Dietitian said I can have (and will need for a couple of my recipes) a low fat gravy. We could find some (fat free?) but I doubt the quality and taste. So if anyone knows some brands, be sure to let me know as the hunt is on.

Gas Maybe?

I have been trying to figure out the cause of this pain. The right side is bothering me, and when I lay on it, it feels worse for a bit and then doesn't bother me. In general though, I'm trying to just not piss my body off. However, I have been unbelievably gassy today/last night. I even woke up this morning after several hours of having nothing to eat belching (which hasn't happened since the week of the surgery). So I'm wondering if I had some gas laying around somewhere that kinda worked its way out or something. Who knows.

Oh well, my son is sitting in his high chair eating pea pods and cheese, staring at me the whole time. I should probably go get him soon.

Yesterday's weight: 364
Current weight: 363
Weight Lost: 1 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 19 lbs

Ouch :(

My right chest hurts. More my lung than anything. It feels like the entire right side of my esophagus is irritated and my right lung just feels inflamed or something. Not 100% sure what is going on. But it is very annoying. My wounds are starting to hurt a bit more than usual as well and I'm completely exhausted. I wonder if I've just been pushing myself too much. I can't pick up my son without hurting and b/c of this pain the entire upper right side of my body hurts. Even one of my teeth hurts (but I think that is from gritting my teeth).

I'll get a weight report in a while, but my BS was at 128 when I tested a little while ago. And yes, it is almost 5pm. I said I was tired.

Yesterday's weight: 364
Current weight: 364
Weight Lost: 0 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 18 lbs

Huzzah!

My wife got me a great present last night which is significantly helping with the hatred of the diet I'm on. It is passing the time and keeping my mind off things.

On another note, I got in my protein last night but barely, and my god the protein shake was horrible. However, i got it done. I'm not craving salt as much either.

I lost a couple of pounds today, probably b/c I didn't eat as much as I should have yesterday. And did I mention that my chewable vitamins really do taste like vomit? Yeah, just what I want when I can't eat anything with them. Mmmmmm.

Yesterday's weight: 366
Current weight: 364
Weight Lost: 2 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 18 lbs

Soooooo sick of creamy

I'm so sick of creamy foods that I have basically gone back to a clear liquids (with added protein) I know they don't want me doing this, but I need to for at least a couple days, while I get away from it. Everything has cottage cheese or yogurt in it. I just want a good chicken broth, tomato soup or well, just something normal!

On Sept 8th I'll get the great opportunity to eat pureed "real" food. Such as tuna salad pureed. Or grilled cheese pureed. All with a consistency of mashed potatoes. At least I won't have to mess with my pudding, I'll be able to eat that straight. Mashed potatoes will be welcomed too. No skins or anything, but at least it won't be something with cottage cheese or yogurt or powdered milk. Ugh.

Whoever thinks that RNY (or any gastric bypass) is easy, think again. Just sit for a moment and think about all the foods you enjoy. Think about how you feel when you eat them, think about where you are and who you are with. Think about all the good things that happen while you're eating (typically). Now stomp on all those happy thoughts. No more! Ok, so that is a bit dramatic. But basically you'll be eating a lot less. And depending on your procedure you will be, for the rest of your life, limited in what you can and cannot eat. Because I got the Roux En Y I will never be able to eat high sugar, high fat foods without paying for it very quickly after. People who choose the gastric band are limited in what they can eat because if it will glob together (pasta, doughy bread, etc) it won't pass through the band and well, there's only one way out at that point. The sleeve probably offers the most options, but it still can have the effects that the RNY has. And apparently if I drink any sort of alcohol I'll get drunk very fast and off of very little. Which, probably has its benefits if you are a college frat boy. Not so much if you're a father of a 11 month old child who, pre-surgery enjoyed a glass of wine once a month or so just to relax and get some good healthy antioxidants in.

But seriously. It isn't easy. The surgery isn't easy. The recovery isn't easy. And basically ripping part of your life (your eating) out of yourself and drastically changing it, and your interaction with others while doing it, and then putting it back. Life will never be the same (not that it is a bad thing) and it is a tough choice that MUST be thought out and decided in a good state of mind. I already have felt kinda down that I'll never be able to pig out on pizza again while laughing at a pizza place. That I'll never be able to eat a full rack of ribs to the point that I feel like I'm going to burst. Or eat a triple baconator (mmmm heartattack). While it seems like "oh, no wonder you were fat" - everyone has their weaknesses. Everyone has their faults. Mine was food and eating (well, not the only one, but one of them).

I'll always be happy to answer any questions you have about the impact it has had (thus far) on my life. The preparation, anything - just ask. If you don't know me personally, ask in a comment. If you do, you know where to find me.

Not much to report

Not much to report. Still bored with the food I can eat. Still over a week away until I can puree grilled cheese and tuna into a mush to eat >.<

Didn't lose much weight in the past 24 hours but I was wondering when the weight loss would slow down. I did lose a little, but it wasn't a full pound. Oh well.

Still kinda tired, haven't heard back from the company I interviewed with (was supposed to get an email either Saturday or Sunday). So, no idea if it is just late, or if I haven't gotten to the second round. Either way, I'm sure it is for the best. If it is late, then yay - if it isn't, the job wasn't for me.

Tired as well. I was also craving soy sauce and salt last night. Ugh.

Yesterday's weight: 366
Current weight: 366
Weight Lost: 0 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 16 lbs

Good numbers

117 - that was my blood sugar level this morning (fasting) when i tested. Even better than the 134 the other day. I have found that it is incredibly difficult to get "excited" about eating right now. The limitations, the lack of diversity, etc - it all makes me kinda lethargic when it comes to eating. I know I need to get the protein in, but no matter how much I know that - I don't want to eat. I don't want another protein shake, I don't want another cream soup, I don't want another mousse, I just want to eat something semi-normal, or at least different. Cream of Wheat did the trick for a few days, but last night it was really clumpy and I couldn't eat it b/c of that, and it just kinda ruined it for me. Thank God on the 8th I get to start eating "pureed" foods, which basically means there will be a heck of a lot more variety. But even at that, I have to be on that until the end of the month, and I have a feeling that I will be sick of that by the end of the month. I just want to get back to eating food. I realize it is going to be small quantities, but there are foods that I have certainly eaten over and over and over again in the past.

Another hurdle is the 75g of protein I need a day. When i asked the dietitian the other day if the 75g was a permanent or temporary state, she said it was my requirement from here on out. Which, is kinda scary. But either way, right now, I could have some pudding (thinned down with milk) or some jello or something different, but it wouldn't give me much in the way of protein, and since I am only drinking between meals I am completely unable to have anything but something relatively high in protein. I don't have a clue how I'm going to be able to eat 75g of protein in a day with just 3 meals, 2 snacks and nothing in between. Sure there are plenty of high protein foods out there, but as it stands right now, I am pretty much sticking to protein foods and I'm having somewhat of a challenge getting to 75 unless I drink one or more of my protein shakes a day. Yeah, I have some special drinks that will give me protein between meals, but even that won't last forever (and they kinda suck when it comes to flavor).

Oh well. At least I'm losing weight, and I'm still eating. I just wish that I could get excited about what I'm eating so that it wouldn't be so hard to get myself to eat.

Yesterday's weight: 367
Current weight: 366
Weight Lost: 1 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 16 lbs

Grargh

Well the interview went well yesterday, but my stomach is upset today. Other than occasionally drinking more than I should, I haven't felt much abdominal pain after the first few days. This is rare, so those of you reading this thinking "Hey, Roux En Y isn't that bad" should realize that somehow I lucked out. I haven't been on any pain killers the past two days and unless something flares up, I think I'm out of the woods with the pain killers.

However, my stomach is just grargh. I don't know why, and I don't want to know why. Well, I'm sure it has something to do with the whole being cut up and stapled back together differently, lol.

But no matter the case, meds and first calcium chew are down, working on the good old protein shake and should have a weight report in a little while.

Yesterday's weight: 369
Current weight: 367
Weight Lost: 2 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 15 lbs

134

Well, I tested my blood sugar this morning when I first woke up and it was 134. Which is really good considering it hasn't been that good in a long time -and- I'm not on any of my diabetic medications. But, I can certainly say, things are still painful.

A lot of things have become easier, but using my abs to bend over, sit up, etc or laying down for a while on one of my sides really, really hurts. And since me and my son cuddle in the mornings after my wife leaves for work, his "wake up dad" kicks to the stomach are more annoying than usual.

Oh well. Yesterday was pretty rough, the kid was clingy and drove me nuts. Today he seems to be back to being happy with playing with everything he can get into and generally letting me just kinda watch over him. I know, some people think this is bad parenting, but he comes to me when he wants to be close, and plays with his toys when he wants to explore. I just make sure to keep him from hurting himself (or whatever he has decided to play with... such as the cat).

At any rate, I'll post my weight in a bit. Haven't gotten on the scale yet.

Yesterday's weight: 370
Current weight: 369
Weight Lost: 1 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 13 lbs

Yay!

Beneprotein got here today, yesterday, blah, on Wednesday. Why am I happy? Because it means I'm no longer stuck with just the recipes that I was given. I can add protein to virtually anything and it will help me meet my goal of 75g+ of protein a day that I need to have both from a nutritional and a recovery standpoint.

Going back and forth over the interview tomorrow while eating a lukewarm bowl of cream of wheat. With banana pureed in. And some beneprotein. And some splenda. Tastes pretty bland, but let me tell you - given the limitations of my diet up until now, bland is quite welcome.

At any rate, going back and forth. I know the job would be great to have, I need a job, my family needs me to have a job and all that jazz. But at the same time, I hesitate because I do not want to be in a small company again where it is so easy to fly by the seat of your pants rather than have a set of policies in place so that you know what needs to get done, and you can focus rather than having everything be questionable and potentially changed in 5 minutes.

Don't get me wrong, I'm adaptable and very good at dealing with unforeseen circumstances - but when you're in a creative field and you just spent an hour doing something only to have someone above you completely change their mind and tell you to scrap it, do something else, and by the way you're going to stay late to do it - well... it just isn't very nice. I much prefer things to be thought out ahead of time, given to me and that way I can prioritize. If something sudden comes up, I can switch no problem - but especially when what you do takes hours upon hours just to get something right a random change b/c of a new wind direction is very problematic.

At any rate, I am rambling. This really doesn't have much to do with the surgery. But, I will say this - normally when I would feel like this, I would emotionally eat. Chips, lemonade (sugar free, but still), popcorn - really anything I could scrounge up. I'd eat and eat and eat, and I'd end up feeling like crap and bloated and that would essentially make me stop thinking about it. Now I am eating because I have to, and rambling on a blog that nobody reads, lol.

The Boy is Back in Town

So, my son returned home last night from about a week with grandma & grandpa. Let me tell you, it is hard as hell to take care of a kid with the pain. Every time I try and bend over to pick him up I get sharp pains in my wounds and so it makes it hard to physically do anything with him. He also is quite demanding and that makes drinking fluids and eating when I'm supposed to very difficult. I'm sure it'll get better in time, but still.

As far as the appointment yesterday, the staples came out easily. I didn't realize staples were so easy to remove, lol. They took them out without any local anesthetic, and I barely felt anything.

Yesterday's weight: 371
Current weight: 370
Weight Lost: 1 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 12 lbs

Blech

I hate needles. With a passion. Actually, not with a passion. I just hate needles. I cringe and quiver at the very sight of them, even animated and on television. Yes, I dislike them that much. And yet, as I think I've said, I have to inject myself every day with a blood thinner. Well, it is over tomorrow, but that doesn't make the journey to this point any easier. Ick.

Anyway - I get my one wound taken care of today. When they did the surgery they left a Penrose drain in me to help prevent infection and all that jazz. It comes out today. I'd take a picture, but seriously folks, this is ugly. They glued all my other wounds (I have 5 total, 4 glued), but the one with the drain has staples. So, yeah. They get to take those out. And if you thought I hate needles (see, there was a reason I put that first) I hate stitches and staples even more. Nothing like feeling them tug on your skin. Ick.

Good news is, I'm doing well on my protein intake. I'm typically at or above the 75g per day they recommend for men, I'm getting all my calcium in, and I am not "hungry" when i eat or don't eat. Well, I am. I can feel my body requesting glucose and all that jazz, but to be quite honest I don't get the feeling of hunger. I do get abdominal cramps to some degree, and if I drink too much I pay for it in that it is very uncomfortable to move/breathe (not as bad as when I got out of surgery, but it is not a good feeling). After (perhaps before?) I get my drain and staples removed I am going to see a dietitian on site and they are going to go over what I've been eating and whatnot, and hopefully they'll be as pleased with it as I am. I hope that by the fact that I haven't really had a problem eating so far that I haven't somehow accidentally stretched anything out, or that they didn't leave the pouch bigger than they meant to. Both would mean that down the road I'd be capable of eating more, and half the point of the surgery was to limit my quantities forcefully.

Oh, and for those who may be wondering (probably not) the weight loss is since I've been home. Up until then I did not know my daily weight. However, before starting my liquid pre-op diet on August 2nd I weighed (in the doctors office on the 29th of july) 402. So, Since the 29th (less than a month ago) I've lost a whopping 31 lbs. I know that the weight loss won't continue like this forever, but is nice to drop all that weight at once. And no, it isn't water weight. I drink 64 oz of fluids every day and currently I'm not even exercising due to the wounds and pain. So I'm not losing water weight. However, my liver and other organs are possibly shrinking and I'm sure I'm losing some muscle and some fat. I will concede, however that since fat cells are mostly made up of water, it is in a way, water-ish weight.

Yesterday's weight: 373
Current weight: 371
Weight Lost: 2 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 11 lbs

Ouch?

I'm having indigestion (for the first time since the day after surgery) and it is QUITE uncomfortable. Or maybe the pain killers typically keep this away from me? I don't know. I ate/drank slower than normal so that doesn't seem to be it. I guess I'm just going to have to deal with it.

Oh, and I got an interview coming up. Interesting place for sure. If you know me personally I'd be happy to give you more information, but otherwise just rest assured that I've got an interview. Kinda weird. The last time I got a job was right after my wedding, and it happened pretty quickly. Then I lose my job before my child is born, have almost a full year to raise him, get this bariatric surgery and now I've got an interview. Almost as if there was a plan. Haha... anyway. Divine plan or comedy, I report - you decide.

Insta-edit: I guess the banana smoothie was a bit thicker (weird, b/c it was thinner than the mouse I eat) and was trapping some gas. Still uncomfortable, but definitely better.

Yesterday's weight: 374
Current weight: 373
Weight Lost: 1 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 9 lbs

First Shower

If you were wondering what that smell was, it was me. Fear of harming my wounds led me to avoiding showering, and I finally broke down as we're going to go to the store to get some things.

By the way. My wife has brought it to my attention that I did not do a good job of indicating how much she has done for me. I would not have gotten through all this without her. She was there the whole time in the hospital, she wiped my ass, helped me towel off just now. She has gotten me anything I've needed when I was in pain and has helped prepare meals for me since it hurts to stand for extended periods of time while bending and twisting (which is pretty much required when you're making things from scratch).

At any rate, I feel great... well, it makes me feel better to have a shower under my belt.

Oh, and The Invention of Lying was great until it became obvious that an Atheist wrote the script. That's all I'll say as any more than that would give away the movie.

Ugh? Yeah, Ugh.

Well, quite frankly, I "feel" better today, but I don't feel better today. I couldn't sleep last night because I had taken a nap (I felt kinda icky last evening).

But, today I woke up feeling particularly uncomfortable and in pain. Not hospital level pain, but pain none the less. So instead of the tylenol which I had tried (and had some mild success with yesterday) I went with the low dose of the stronger stuff and it has helped a lot.

I made Meg do the Wii Fit today. We're now watching the invention of lying. I haven't weighed myself yet, but as soon as I do I'll post my weight change.

Belching has gotten slightly better, I think that as long as I exhale before I drink I will do better, but it isn't a sure win. I hope the aches and pains go away, the pain killers have really helped though today.

Yesterday's weight: 377
Current weight: 374
Weight Lost: 3lbs
Total Weight Lost: 8lbs

Belching

Ugh. Belching. They said I'd do it. They said I'd take in gas and whatnot. They said the surgery left gas in me that my body would get rid of for some period of time (which I don't remember the time frame).

Today (and to a lesser extent yesterday) I have belched far more than I want to. I don't honestly care, it usually doesn't hurt (the occasional hiccup-burp hurts) but when the gas is in my stomach it makes me feel bloated and much more full than I am. It gets to be a big pain in the rear when I need to be "eating" my fluids and I feel like I'm full (certainly NOT something I should be feeling at any time, I should never eat to full, just satisfied). Usually though, getting up and walking around alleviates the issue and I quickly find myself able to finish up my meal.

And for those who are wondering, no, I can't just gulp down things, nor do I. I don't take large drinks at a time, they're small sips that I take every 10-15 min and it takes me upwards of 45 min to an hour to drink 8 oz of "food".

I sure hope this passes.

Light at the end of the tunnel?

Today is interesting so far. My body still seems to want me to eat before it'll have a bowel movement, so that is fun. More importantly the level of pain that I am experiencing is pretty low again. I was able to move around (and get out of bed) much more easily than I had previously. I haven't taken any pain killers yet today even though I am in pain as I want to try and avoid taking them during the day if I don't have to (My wife is getting some regular tylenol for me to try). I'm going to let myself have the stronger stuff at night so that I can sleep and be well rested for the next day, but I am going to (as said) try and avoid the strong stuff during the day unless I can't handle it anymore.

I still hate giving myself these shots of blood thinner though. I intensely hate needles, oh how I hate needles.

I have also gotten a meal and some fluid in, and should be eating not too long from now. I was happy to see after the morning breakfast and my "bathroom time" I weighed 377. Which, if I'm not mistaken, is about 5 lbs less than yesterday. I'm sure I'll post later if anything major happens, but it seems as though the pain is really starting to subside and overall I'm becoming much more adjusted to everything. It is too bad that it still hurts to take deep breaths and my shoulders ache.

Yesterday's weight: 382
Current weight: 377
Total Weight Lost: 5lbs

Crawling under my skin?

Much easier to do things. I also had to do one of the single most disturbing things ever. Even thinking about it still makes my skin crawl. They had put a pain killer auto-pump system in during surgery. Well, it was out of pain killer so it was time to pull out the small tubes. Well, just so you can all have your skin crawl - I could feel the tubes as I pulled them out pass under my skin. blech. At any rate, after that, and just one pain killer (had been taking 2 previously) I felt up to going for a walk to get the mail. Got the mail and went back to the house to relax and stay awake. Feeding myself, and preparing the food to do said feeding, was still painful but not horrible. I was very happy with the fact that I was able to both meet (and exceed) my 64oz fluid intake, but also meet my 75g of protein intake. The only real complaint of the day is that my abdomen has really started to ache since the removal of the pain killer pump. It also doesn't help that I tend to bounce my legs when sitting meaning I am typically shaking my belly. I'm not in danger of hurting my wounds, but it more is just irritating them and causing them to hurt more than normal. The day ended with me taking a pain killers (1 tab) pretty regularly so that I could handle sleeping. Which I was eventually (at 3am) able to do.

Going Home!

Third day in hospital, projected date of discharge. Deep breaths still hurt (the breathing apparatus they had for me was still painful but normal breathing was not). I was still on pain killers every 4 hours to help me basically be as active as possible but it was advised that I try and ween myself off the stronger stuff ASAP (which I already planned to do, I've been on strong pain killers for years and have learned it is best to use them sparingly for many reasons, I have had back pain and a 30 tablet supply usually lasts me 6 months to a year). At any rate, I figured I'd try and ween off of them, but I am sure not going to keep myself from being able to be active just so that I'm taking less. As they want me active to help accelerate the healing process (and weight loss process). I got discharged around noon and it hurt to walk around still and let me tell you - the bumpy roads around town were not very much fun (nor my wife's driving). But I got home and all was good. I was even able to meander into the office of our apartment complex to get something that had been shipped to us and say hello. I went home, tried to figure some things out, ate and then went to bed. Woke up, figured out when I'd need to be eating and started getting down to business, and by that I mean not doing much. Oh well. It went pretty quickly but sleeping in a flat bed and only being able to be on my right side or back (back is bad as it increases my pain in my lower back). So my right arm was asleep for quite a while.

Oh Poo... Or not...

I had peed the day before (yes, I'm blogging about urine). But no bowel movements so far. I was still having a horrible time breathing but it was getting better. The intense itching was driving me insane. I was given clear liquids to eat (broth, jello and some hot tea) and we even switched from pain killers through the IV to pills so that hopefully it would help with the itchiness. Still in the hospital, they were constantly checking my vitals and making me walk around. It was annoying, but comforting as I didn't have to worry much about anything except trying to breathe. I liked sleeping mainly b/c I could be on my CPAP and that basically made things immeasurably better. Either which way, the day came and went and I finally had a bowel movement later that night. I kept getting told I'd be passing gas (i was belching plenty, but nothing out the other end). Nurses (and even the doctors the next morning) found it a very good sign that I was already doing that. I was just god damn happy that things were starting to get easier from a breathing standpoint. All the other pain was easily under control given the pain killers I was on, but since breathing is so vital to life and all that and it was so painful, I was happy to have it getting back to normal. By the end of the day I was able to speak again, and much to my wife's dismay I started chatting it up.

Post-OP Thoughts

Besides the fact that I wanted to kill whatever nurse was telling me "moaning won't help you feel better, now cough for me" (I suppose not a direct quote, I was in the surgery recovery area and quite out of it); anyways, besides the anger expressed due to being on a high dosage of god only knows what and being told what to do when moaning did help me (personally) feel better... Anyway, it f****** hurt to breathe! OMG. I knew my abdomen was going to hurt, it was going to hurt like hell. I knew that it was going to hurt to move, think or basically do just about anything. But the last laparoscopic surgery I went through (gall bladder) was painful, but honestly, I could breathe. I seriously did not see that coming. And it was bad. My O2 levels kept dropping because I couldn't do much but take very shallow breaths and it hurt so much I didn't really want to do that very often. They said this was normal, and it is worse for some people and better for others. By the end of the first day I was unable to talk, as I had realized that every got 100x worse whenever I would talk. Everyone seems to think this was a good thing. I seem to think they are jerks. Thank the heavens for pain killers. Although this lead to something completely different... itching... which was better, but it kept me up. Oh well, I dealt with that. I was up and on my feet within a very short time of me fully becoming aware of my surroundings as they said it would help accelerate the gas they used getting out of my system (and helping me breathe better). Oh well. I finally got to sleep the majority of the night. On the pain killers & CPAP it wasn't so bad.

Pre-OP Surgery Day

Posting after the fact, but this was the day of the surgery

Pre-OP: I was not nervous going into the surgery, though as it has always been, I've been kinda apprehensive about changing the physical structure of my body. Getting the roux-en-y isn't easy to begin with, but I'm basically spitting in the face of eons of evolution. Of course, evolution didn't get a chance to work out the "sits on your rear end and eats way too much" lifestyle.