Day 6 Update

First of all, let me say Happy Mothers’ Day to all you lovely ladies with offspring!

 

I am doing fairly well to this point.  I seem to have passed through most of the pain in my belly, and I think I’ve pretty well learned how to swallow liquids without getting too much air down with them.  I’ve been doing well with my liquids – pushing for roughly 100 ounces per day at a minimum.  I know this seems like a lot, but pre-op, I was regularly over 300 ounces per day.  I’m still a pretty big guy.

 

I am feeling well enough that I plan to return to work tomorrow.  I have my boss on alert that I might  not be able to make full days just yet, but at least I’ll be back in the office.  My mother went home today.  She has been here helping with the kids all week, but I have been lifting my little one for the last two days.  Really no more pain in lifting him (~40 pounds) than in just lifting my own butt up out of the recliner or off the bed… so I think I can take care of getting him to daycare and back now.

 

On the challenge side of things… I do still have some swelling around my incisions, a huge bruise at the site of my second (post-op) heparin injection.  I have also had some loose stools the last couple of days (but at least no constipation!)   Another challenge that hit me out of the blue this afternoon was Li’l Caesar’s Crazy Bread… ugh…  here’s the long story:  yesterday, because it was most convenient for everyone, we celebrated Mothers’ Day at my house for my lovely wife, my mother, and my mother-in-law.  I spent a large part of the day cooking – yes, I cooked.  I made a huge beautiful green salad, baked potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, grilled filet mignon, plus all sorts of appetizers, and then my mother-in-law brought a lemon ice box cake, and my brother-in-law brought some beautiful peel and eat shrimp.  Now, keep in mind that all of these were some of my favorite things to eat as a pre-op… but it really and truly did not bother me.  Not when I was cooking, not when they were eating, not when I helped clean up.  I knew I couldn’t have it, I was really not hungry, and it just didn’t bother me.  BUT, today, with all the company gone, my lovely wife and our 10 year old decided they wanted Li’l Caesar’s…I had to get out and get gas anyway, so I went to pick up pizza and crazy bread for them.  It never crossed my mind that this would bother me after all the food from yesterday, but I wanted some of that Crazy Bread and Sauce SO BAD.  I finally had to get them to fini**** all and get it out of here to remove the temptation.  I had some strained soup and some Crystal Light instead, and I’m making it through.  It was just so weird that this would be something that would bother me so much…

Anyhow, all in all, I couldn’t be more pleased with my progress.  I am down 11 pounds today from Monday morning.  I feel good, my energy is up.  I haven’t been nauseous since I got home from the hospital.  I’m getting pretty tired of the liquids in general, but I know I can make another week if I keep telling myself that I’m doing it to protect my new sleeve.  I managed to quit smoking without killing anyone, surely I can make it this one more week while I wait on a scrambled egg and some refried beans.

 

That’s about it for now… everyone have a great week!

John

John, Congratulations on avoiding food and doing so well! I'm so proud for you! I'm glad I'm not alone in daydreaming of scrambled eggs and refried beans! ; ) The bruise near your injection site of the anticoagulant is normal. I had to continue on Lovenox injections for 10 days after I got home and my poor tummy is all green, purple, and yellow across the bottom from the injections. I was thrilled when my last injection was today!!! : ) Hang in there! Oh, I've had some loose stools too.... I figure liquid in ... liquid out. ; ) Take it easy at work tomorrow and I'd really take it easy on lifting your child. Even though it may not cause pain, it can cause an incisional hernia which none of us want. I hope you have a wonderful week and mushies are on the horizon for us eventually! ; )

YAY John!!! I'm so glad you're doing well. At least I know that the craving of scrambled eggs and refried beans is natural. I've also been dreaming of deviled eggs lol. I too had my first bowel movement yesterday, and for some reason it made me nauseous lol. Thankfully though I've only had to use two of my Phenigren syringes since I've been home, but still, it's not a fun feeling. I totally understand the Crazy Bread thing, Jus****ching the Dominoes commercial about the $4 pizzas drives me nuts, so I've qui****ching any channels that have food commercials, which basically limits me to the Discovery Channel and the Disney Channel. Thank God for block buster lol. That 11 pounds is amazing! I've lost about the same since surgery, if you don't include the 5 I gained in the hospital... Keep us updated!!! Michelle

Way to stand strong! I'm proud of ya! That's fantastic, John.

Congratulations John!  Your progress and determination is an inspiration to the rest of us.  Keep up the great work! Pam

Wow!  That is freaking awesome!  I really hang on the feedback from the bigger folks since I have so far to go.  I have had some really emotional moments lately.  I think it is pay back for making fun of Mark and those guys on the Biggest Loser this year!  LOL!  I think I understand why they were all cry babies.  Whether we want to admit it or not, we all have an emotional tie to food and when we can't have it, it is dang hard even if it is just crazy bread.  You are doing so good though and even ditched smoking.  Amazing!  You will be able to eat tasty foods again later on, stuff that will taste way better than the bad for you crazy bread.  Hang in there and keep posting for us pre-ops!! -Amy

John - I think you are doing fantastic and your determination and focus will be key to a long term success - I can see you doing really well with this - Anna

Hi John,  Oh my gosh what a trooper you are! My husband would do the same for me. I thought he was one in a millon I guess there are 2 in a millon lol. Your will power is amazing! I just hope I can do that well!  My friend opened a can of coke yesterday and I could smell that I can't imagine the food you fixed yesterday. I thought to myself ok I have not had the surgery go ahead and drink one but i did not do it! I was proud lol. That is 1month now and a few days from having soda. I thought I would die but is is better now. We are so proud of you keep up the hard work you can do it! Good luck at work tomorrow and do not over do it! Have a great week!                                                                                         Karla

Yea John!  You are the real Iron Man!  I can't believe you cooked, served and cleaned up all that delicious food without being tempted!  That is an amazing accomplishment!  You should be very proud of yourself. We all appreciate your update.  I'm getting closer to that magical date and it helps to hear how it went for other people! Hang in there and you'll get some mushies soon!  Kim

John: You are doing so freakin' awesome!!!  I am so very proud!! Just like my own child!!  I wish I could tell you there would never be any more moments like you had with the Crazy Bread, but there will be.  You KNOW how to be strong and you will do well! Keep working on your energy level. I hope your first day back at work doesn't set you back.  Mine did, but then some have a much better track record that I did!!  Remember, do NOT follow in MY footsteps!! LOL!! I go forward and get all the good complications so YOU ALL don't have to!! LMAO! Keep up the great work!!  R