Today was very busy right from the start. I had to have my wife into Boston for an early morning appointment for hear adventure. I neglected to jump on the scale while I was still lightly clothed. But when I got to Boston I hopped on the heavyweight scale and it read 360.1 Given that I was fully dressed with all of my ridiculous paraphernalia I have nearly 10lbs on me. But just for giggles, we'll call it 8. That indicates someplace near the mark of 352ish. Now thats what I am talking about.
Last night I had a slight reality slap. Awoke around 3am to a nature call. I must have been very comfortable and not paying any attention to my pain level, or lack there of, I sat up in bed to stand and did not brace, or use my arms. All abdominal muscles. ZINGO!!! That hurt like hell. Of course I laughed about it but apparently in my state of slumber I must have forgotten it. That hopefully will not happen again. :)
Other than that, my biggest issue to date is sugar levels. Since surgery they have been all over the map. This from what I understand is the result of my body going through large hormonal changes. Going to keep plugging through it. Just something I need to get used to in order to be healthier and live longer.
Off to enjoy the rest of my day.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
8 Days.
Well, it has been 8 days since my surgery. The incisions are starting to feel great. Almost as if they were not there. The tenderness in the muscles is still present and I suspect will be for a great deal of time. I went out yesterday and bought a reach extender. For anyone who is considering this surgery I can tell you that this tool should be in your arsenal even before you come home. So many things are just out of reach of a normal lifestyle because you are unable to bend normally. Not saying you should be up and cleaning the house 8 days after surgery, but if you drop something. lol you are NOT going to be picking it up. I do have a few hours home alone during the day and I am unable to get to the floor to pick something up. This works awesome.
Yesterday was a good day, I walked about 1.8 miles according to my pedometer. Granted not all at the same time, but I did get some exercise in. Oh you want to know my weight this morning. Is that what you said? Are you trying to keep track of this weight loss thing I am doing? : ) Well. I have to tell you that it's very very nearly emotional every time I step on the scale. 358.8 Officially UNDER 360lbs. UNBELIEVABLE.... 8 days out of surgery and a total of nearly 20lbs.
As for hunger. Still none. Although I do find myself enjoying the smell of food to some degree and also crave a crunchy chew. i.e. something along the lines of chips, or crispy bacon, or something like that. Chewing is non-existent in my world right now and if I had to tell you that something was "bothering" me I would tell you it was that. Albeit temporary that is probably my largest concern at the moment.
Have a fantastic Tuesday and lets see where this crazy journey brings me tomorrow.
Yesterday was a good day, I walked about 1.8 miles according to my pedometer. Granted not all at the same time, but I did get some exercise in. Oh you want to know my weight this morning. Is that what you said? Are you trying to keep track of this weight loss thing I am doing? : ) Well. I have to tell you that it's very very nearly emotional every time I step on the scale. 358.8 Officially UNDER 360lbs. UNBELIEVABLE.... 8 days out of surgery and a total of nearly 20lbs.
As for hunger. Still none. Although I do find myself enjoying the smell of food to some degree and also crave a crunchy chew. i.e. something along the lines of chips, or crispy bacon, or something like that. Chewing is non-existent in my world right now and if I had to tell you that something was "bothering" me I would tell you it was that. Albeit temporary that is probably my largest concern at the moment.
Have a fantastic Tuesday and lets see where this crazy journey brings me tomorrow.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Day 7
They say the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Well. Dr. P certainly took that to a whole new level 7 days ago. It's been a week since she donned a scalpel, aimed for my abdomen and re-arranged the rest of my life.
I honestly can tell you.. This is amazing 362.8 was the weigh in this morning. And to be completely frank, I had already had a few sips of my drink. So it's not completely accurate. :0 But wow. I have lost literally 15lbs since my surgery.
Overall weight loss has been 41.2 since October.
I am feeling surgically better the bast couple of days. Meaning I can get my own shoes on for the most part. I still can in no way bend over to the floor. Nope. No sir.. That aint happening. My guess is not for a while anyway. But thats OK. I can walk Albeit a little on the lethargic side. I am not supposed to be driving and truly believe this was the absolute best decision I could have made for me.
Well, I am off to enjoy the first warm day we have had and maybe even head up to the island for a little walkabout.
I honestly can tell you.. This is amazing 362.8 was the weigh in this morning. And to be completely frank, I had already had a few sips of my drink. So it's not completely accurate. :0 But wow. I have lost literally 15lbs since my surgery.
Overall weight loss has been 41.2 since October.
I am feeling surgically better the bast couple of days. Meaning I can get my own shoes on for the most part. I still can in no way bend over to the floor. Nope. No sir.. That aint happening. My guess is not for a while anyway. But thats OK. I can walk Albeit a little on the lethargic side. I am not supposed to be driving and truly believe this was the absolute best decision I could have made for me.
Well, I am off to enjoy the first warm day we have had and maybe even head up to the island for a little walkabout.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Day 6 - Sunday
Woke up this morning to our eldest son backing into the driveway visiting for today's football banquet. I have not seen him since the day of surgery so this was a nice way to wake up.
Weight this morning is an ever waning 365.4
Today we are all going to the High School Football Banquet from 11 until about 2 then up to the island for a little but and maybe start some of the spring cleanup. :) Albeit I can;'t do much, I can walk around and burn off a few more ounces.
Going to be a short post today. Need to get myself rolling and showered and ready for this banquet that I can't eat at. :)
Enjoy your Sunday and keep reading.. :) I can honestly tell you at this point I in no way shape or form regret what I have done. I do miss the flavor of food, however I really do not want it. Very VERY strange.
Weight this morning is an ever waning 365.4
Today we are all going to the High School Football Banquet from 11 until about 2 then up to the island for a little but and maybe start some of the spring cleanup. :) Albeit I can;'t do much, I can walk around and burn off a few more ounces.
Going to be a short post today. Need to get myself rolling and showered and ready for this banquet that I can't eat at. :)
Enjoy your Sunday and keep reading.. :) I can honestly tell you at this point I in no way shape or form regret what I have done. I do miss the flavor of food, however I really do not want it. Very VERY strange.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
The Devil is in the details - Day 5
It's Saturday morning, my son had to be to his new job at 5:30 this morning so I was up to wish him well on his way out.
I hopped on the scale and it read a svelte 366.6 :) So all in all since surgery we are at 11 lbs less on the scale pounding power but an overall of almost 40lbs since this journey began.
To most people 40lbs would seem like a huge HUGE amount. and I have to agree it's impressive. however when the scales tip at over 400lbs overall then this is about 10% It would be the equipment of a 180lb man losing 18lbs. Of course I don't know why he would worry about that. lol
Either way. I have now started stage 4 of my diet. I was able to inject a 2oz cup of Cream of Wheat this morning. Umm.. Flavorless and not exactly what I would yearn for however it is yet another food added to my choice of culinary masterpieces. :)
Everything is going fantastic. The only issues I have had are one incision that sits proudly at the bend of a shrinking belly fold. It makes for some entertaining transitions from sitting to standing and vice-versa. Other than that I REALLY need to learn that I cannot gulp through my beverages. taking a two mouthful swig has proven to result in a feeling similar to that of what I would imagine a straw would feel like if you slid a grape through it. Congested and somewhat painful. But at some point my reflex will change and I will be more accustom to NOT trying to take more than 1 mouthful at a time.
Adding Calcium to my regimen today. This is the last of my vitamin adds.
WOW That was interesting. tolerable of course and certainly a small price to pay for my future health and longevity I have to take some liberty with imagination in my description. Only because nothing of this "caliber" has ever crossed my lips prior to this morning. The flavor.. Is definitely distinct. Something I can tell you very few will every strive to achieve. Mainly because the best association that I can give you texture wise would be the combination of molten candle wax with the addition of petroleum jelly. Now that is just the texture. the flavor is somewhat bitter. The attempt at a strawberry mask is definitely notable, however the failure is simply magnificent. :) I am sure there are other brands out there. But again, if this is the worst I have to deal with then it is something I am entirely willing to deal with.
Moving forward. Heading back out today, albeit a little windy outside I will do some additional walking and get myself back into the swing of being me.
I hopped on the scale and it read a svelte 366.6 :) So all in all since surgery we are at 11 lbs less on the scale pounding power but an overall of almost 40lbs since this journey began.
To most people 40lbs would seem like a huge HUGE amount. and I have to agree it's impressive. however when the scales tip at over 400lbs overall then this is about 10% It would be the equipment of a 180lb man losing 18lbs. Of course I don't know why he would worry about that. lol
Either way. I have now started stage 4 of my diet. I was able to inject a 2oz cup of Cream of Wheat this morning. Umm.. Flavorless and not exactly what I would yearn for however it is yet another food added to my choice of culinary masterpieces. :)
Everything is going fantastic. The only issues I have had are one incision that sits proudly at the bend of a shrinking belly fold. It makes for some entertaining transitions from sitting to standing and vice-versa. Other than that I REALLY need to learn that I cannot gulp through my beverages. taking a two mouthful swig has proven to result in a feeling similar to that of what I would imagine a straw would feel like if you slid a grape through it. Congested and somewhat painful. But at some point my reflex will change and I will be more accustom to NOT trying to take more than 1 mouthful at a time.
Adding Calcium to my regimen today. This is the last of my vitamin adds.
WOW That was interesting. tolerable of course and certainly a small price to pay for my future health and longevity I have to take some liberty with imagination in my description. Only because nothing of this "caliber" has ever crossed my lips prior to this morning. The flavor.. Is definitely distinct. Something I can tell you very few will every strive to achieve. Mainly because the best association that I can give you texture wise would be the combination of molten candle wax with the addition of petroleum jelly. Now that is just the texture. the flavor is somewhat bitter. The attempt at a strawberry mask is definitely notable, however the failure is simply magnificent. :) I am sure there are other brands out there. But again, if this is the worst I have to deal with then it is something I am entirely willing to deal with.
Moving forward. Heading back out today, albeit a little windy outside I will do some additional walking and get myself back into the swing of being me.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Day 4.
Weigh in this morning was 371.4. Weight is falling off like a loose rock wall in the Spring.
Yesterday was a pretty big day for me. My wife and I went out to get our daughter from school. I rode along to get some fresh air. So it was yet another trip up and down the stairs, which should be good for me. :)
We were out for a couple of hours all in all and picked her up. Upon hearing her cell phone had finally passed it's useful stage we had to make the decision to go get her a new one. We stopped at Walgreens to fill some additional prescriptions Walked around the store for prolly close to an hour.
So we came back home. Arranged some paperwork as needed for the phone and headed back off to the mall. Feeling invincible I donned shoes and socks for the first time in several days, put some sneakers on and went back down the stairs to jump in the passengers seat.
Off to the mall, over the river and through the woods. Getting back out of the truck I noticed myself a little stiffer physically than I had been earlier in the day, but determined to do this I trudged on with the long walk from the truck to the mall, through the door, and to the store. Standing in the store for an extended period of time we had to wait for some additional paperwork that we forgot at home and our son was kind enough to bring it to us. We walked down to the Verizon store to look for a case for the new phone and back to Best Buy to pick up the new phone. Another hour in the store and finally our daughter is the proud owner of a brand new cell phone and I am realizing that I may be tired and waning.
Finally out of the mall and back to the house. I have officially over done myself and am exhausted. Yep. I knew I had limits and now somewhere between entering the mall and watching the store associate attempt to transfer my daughters 490 pictures between phones I hit that wall. by 9:30 I am in bed and wishing that I had not been so sure of my abilities to keep up with 2 healthy people who had not recently been operated on. :) Apparently I was just slightly above delusional.
It was a long night. Finally got comfortable around 2:00 this morning and slept OK from then on. Tired this morning but know that I can't currently head out and walk 1+ miles without working up to it. :)
Spending this morning with the television and recliner to help my body relax and heal a little bit. Not to mention I am home alone today since my wife had to go to work and kids are all at school. I need to understand my new limitations and expand them only as quickly as I will be able to.
Yesterday was a pretty big day for me. My wife and I went out to get our daughter from school. I rode along to get some fresh air. So it was yet another trip up and down the stairs, which should be good for me. :)
We were out for a couple of hours all in all and picked her up. Upon hearing her cell phone had finally passed it's useful stage we had to make the decision to go get her a new one. We stopped at Walgreens to fill some additional prescriptions Walked around the store for prolly close to an hour.
So we came back home. Arranged some paperwork as needed for the phone and headed back off to the mall. Feeling invincible I donned shoes and socks for the first time in several days, put some sneakers on and went back down the stairs to jump in the passengers seat.
Off to the mall, over the river and through the woods. Getting back out of the truck I noticed myself a little stiffer physically than I had been earlier in the day, but determined to do this I trudged on with the long walk from the truck to the mall, through the door, and to the store. Standing in the store for an extended period of time we had to wait for some additional paperwork that we forgot at home and our son was kind enough to bring it to us. We walked down to the Verizon store to look for a case for the new phone and back to Best Buy to pick up the new phone. Another hour in the store and finally our daughter is the proud owner of a brand new cell phone and I am realizing that I may be tired and waning.
Finally out of the mall and back to the house. I have officially over done myself and am exhausted. Yep. I knew I had limits and now somewhere between entering the mall and watching the store associate attempt to transfer my daughters 490 pictures between phones I hit that wall. by 9:30 I am in bed and wishing that I had not been so sure of my abilities to keep up with 2 healthy people who had not recently been operated on. :) Apparently I was just slightly above delusional.
It was a long night. Finally got comfortable around 2:00 this morning and slept OK from then on. Tired this morning but know that I can't currently head out and walk 1+ miles without working up to it. :)
Spending this morning with the television and recliner to help my body relax and heal a little bit. Not to mention I am home alone today since my wife had to go to work and kids are all at school. I need to understand my new limitations and expand them only as quickly as I will be able to.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Night one at home
Home again home again, riggity jig.
I will start now with my stats. Weight this morning was a mere 374lbs. total loss since this journey began 30lbs.
Yesterday came and I was given the all clear to depart the hospital and travel home. YAHOO!!! So home I am. Although my trepidation of climbing the stairs was met with very little fanfare. I was able to get to the top with no issues at all.
Took my meds like a good boy and slept in my own bed. Although this proved to be somewhat troublesome as I struggled to find a comfortable position. As much as I did not like the gastric beds at the hospital it was somewhat comforting to be able to adjust it to my liking.
Dinner was a shake of cookies and cream and a pudding. I have no hunger.. None at all It is VERY strange indeed. Even as my wife and daughter proceeded to cook dinner last evening I expected the smell to get to me and the desire to eat to be somewhat overwhelming. Underwhelming is an overstatement at least. Food honestly does not interest me even a little. Odd sensation I must admit.
After sleeping last evening and entertaining some rather off the wall dreams I woke to crushed pills, blood sugar of 154 and another dose of Cookies and Cream protein shake. It is comforting to be at home. Albeit the gas still floating around my abdomen is somewhat uncomfortable I am still very happy with my decision.
My insulin doses are down to 2 - 8 units per meal (From 30 - 60) and my night time dose is down to 50 from 75. This is the right direction. At 42 years old I don't know how long I can take the truckloads of insulin I was taking before it affected me negatively.
Well. Off to walk around the house, prolly take a shower and clean up today maybe even get rid of the beta dine that has been so lovingly smeared on my abdominal area.
Thanks for reading. I will do my best to keep up the updates and let anyone know who is thinking of taking this step what it is like as honestly as I can.
So far the worst of it is the injected gasses. seriously. If they could figure out how not to inflate the belly any more in performing this operation then I think it would be most enjoyable even. I have no pain, no real discomfort from the incisions or whatever it was they moved around inside.
Happy Thursday : )
I will start now with my stats. Weight this morning was a mere 374lbs. total loss since this journey began 30lbs.
Yesterday came and I was given the all clear to depart the hospital and travel home. YAHOO!!! So home I am. Although my trepidation of climbing the stairs was met with very little fanfare. I was able to get to the top with no issues at all.
Took my meds like a good boy and slept in my own bed. Although this proved to be somewhat troublesome as I struggled to find a comfortable position. As much as I did not like the gastric beds at the hospital it was somewhat comforting to be able to adjust it to my liking.
Dinner was a shake of cookies and cream and a pudding. I have no hunger.. None at all It is VERY strange indeed. Even as my wife and daughter proceeded to cook dinner last evening I expected the smell to get to me and the desire to eat to be somewhat overwhelming. Underwhelming is an overstatement at least. Food honestly does not interest me even a little. Odd sensation I must admit.
After sleeping last evening and entertaining some rather off the wall dreams I woke to crushed pills, blood sugar of 154 and another dose of Cookies and Cream protein shake. It is comforting to be at home. Albeit the gas still floating around my abdomen is somewhat uncomfortable I am still very happy with my decision.
My insulin doses are down to 2 - 8 units per meal (From 30 - 60) and my night time dose is down to 50 from 75. This is the right direction. At 42 years old I don't know how long I can take the truckloads of insulin I was taking before it affected me negatively.
Well. Off to walk around the house, prolly take a shower and clean up today maybe even get rid of the beta dine that has been so lovingly smeared on my abdominal area.
Thanks for reading. I will do my best to keep up the updates and let anyone know who is thinking of taking this step what it is like as honestly as I can.
So far the worst of it is the injected gasses. seriously. If they could figure out how not to inflate the belly any more in performing this operation then I think it would be most enjoyable even. I have no pain, no real discomfort from the incisions or whatever it was they moved around inside.
Happy Thursday : )
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