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25 more were removed from my lower abdomen today.  That's a grand total of 76 staples.  Dr. Hipp chuckled and said he'd never used that many staples on anyone before.  I think he was as curious to know how many there were as I was.

Lost another 5.5 pounds this week.  I don' t have to go back until my 6 week check-up, which will be in 3 weeks.  I am SO excited to be on this life-altering journey.

Well, not a whole lot more to report.  Been doing the soft foods, and so far everything I've tried has stayed down.  Maybe I'm one of those very few that don't dump.  I do, however, think I eat too fast.  After almost every meal, I get that rock feeling in my chest.  Burping seems to ease it off a little bit, but it usually takes a good hour or more to finally move along.  I know I chew really, really well...so I think it's the speed of my intake.  Need to work on that.

I'm doing pretty good at getting my protein in, but managing protein AND liquids in the same day has been extremely difficult.  This process is just trial and error at this point, and hopefully it'll come together soon.

Even tho everything  I've eaten has sat well in my pouch, not much has been appetizing.  The best meal I've had so far has been cottage cheese with a little bit of spaghetti sauce mixed in.  Tastes like sauce from lasagna.  I tried a mozarella cheese stick yesterday, melted on the stove with garlic salt sprinkled on top.  That was definitely something I'll do again.  When I get to the point where I can have both the lasagna mixture and the cheese, I'll be all set with a delicious meal.  Oh - and I tried the carnation instant breakfast yesterday morning for my meal...it was really yummy...had the chocolate malt.  Definitely something I'll buy more of when I run out!

My incision is still draining every day, which is quite irritating.  Hopefully I'll get the rest of my staples out this coming Wed, but even so, I'm sure I'll still have to dress that stupid little hole that's letting the fluids out.  I've been on liquid Keflex antibiotics since last Wednesday just to be sure that this drainage isn't an infection trying to surface.  There's been no change in the look or consistency of the fluids coming out, so I'm confident that it's just pocketed fluids from the surgery.

Called my employer this morning and told her I should get clearance to drive this Wed, and I can start back this Thursday and Friday for half days to begin with, then back to full time next week.  I was pretty much told that her grandson is working there now, and he's there until 1pm, and I can come in at or after 1 if I wanted to.  I asked how long he was going to be doing that, and she said she didn't know.  It really hurt my feelings...I thought I was worth more than that.  So it sounds like I may be out a job...will find out more Thursday.

Dr Hipp removed 51 of my staples today.  He left the bottom third or so in due to the drainage and put me on antibiotics just in case there's an infection brewing.  I go back next Wednesday to get them removed.

I've officially lost 47 pounds since surgery, 86 pounds total.  I'm so excited.  It doesn't show yet, but I do notice that walking is easier for me.

I got incredibly tired today with my trip to Gainesville.  I know I haven't gotten in nearly enough fluids, and hardly any protein.  I napped for a few hours when I made it back home.  Currently working hard on sip sip sipping.  My nutritionist did move me to soft foods today, which will be a nice change.

I have a 9:30 appointment tomorrow to finally get these staples out.  They've started really itching!  I also been experiencing drainage from my midline incision a little below my belly button.  The nurse still doesn't seem concerned about it as long as it doesn't have an odor and I don't have a fever.  The surgeon will see tomorrow and hopefully reassure me that it's "normal".

Am still on full liquids, but honestly am barely making my fluid intake, much less trying much in the way of other stuff.  I'm pushing really hard to get the protein shakes in, but I really want the watery liquids because my mouth gets so dry. 

Been getting in some pretty good walking...much more than I was able to do 60 pounds ago!  I'm actually going around the block!  My dog is also loving the extra time outdoors.

Can't wait to weigh tomorrow and see how much I've lost since surgery!

Well, still feeling kinda icky, but the worst of it seems to be behind me.  The coughing really sucks.  Not sure if it's because of the constant coughing over the past several days, but I've developed some drainage from the lower part of my incision.  The nurse says it could just be fluids that would have surfaced anyway, they didn't seem concerned about it at all.  She told me to put pressure around the staples after I bathe and use a warm, wet compress to help draw the fluids to the surface.  I've been using a moist heating pad for the past 2 days, and not only does it feel REALLY GOOD with this chilly weather, but it seems to be doing it's job because I had a lot of fluid come out of the incision over night.


I got moved to full liquids yesterday, but I wasn't feeling well, so didn't get all my fluids in, nor did I add anything new to my diet except some grits.  I did fine with it, and ended up having some for lunch today as well.  I plan on trying some yogurt and cream soup today.

As of today, I've been out of work for 2 full weeks, and my boss hasn't even called to check up on me.  I sure hope I have a job when I feel up to going back in a couple of weeks.  Kind of makes me a bit concerned. 

Well, it was only a matter of time.  My mom, who has been staying with me practically around the clock since my surgery, has finally passed me her head cold.  It isn't pretty.  Coughing and sneezing are hell for my abdomen!  I just hope this passes quickly. 

Called the surgeon's office, and they said I could take Tylenol products, but not  aspirins or ibuprofens.  Soooooo....I've been chugging liquid Tylenol Cold with refreshing citrus burst.  The only thing refreshing about it is when  it's actually out of my mouth and I'm flushing with juice.  YUCK...worse than my liquid pain medicine ever thought about tasting. 

Also used some nose spray and rubbed my chest with Vick's salve, neither have seemed to do much good up to this point. 

I seem to be stronger today, tho, and am walking around better - still pretty slow and controlled, though.  My dogsitter brought my little peke-a-poo back today.  He just turned a year old in December, so is still ver y puppyish, so we were a bit afraid he'd get under my feet and trip me up, but so far so good.

Got released yesterday, but the surgeon didn't do his rounds until 6pm.  He got held up in surgery and asked if I was ready to kill him.  haha  It only took about an hour or so afterwards to get released, and I was on my way home about 7:30, pulling into the driveway at 9.  The ride home was very bumpy and uncomfortable, but I managed.  Was so glad to see my recliner!!

I actually had my surgery on Monday morning.  They did manage to get the cyst out.  Found it was attached to my fallopian tube, so the gynecologist was called in and removed that sucker.  My surgeon said it was the biggest cyst he'd ever seen.  They took a picture of it, and as soon as I get back to work, I'll scan it and post for anyone interested.  2 gallons of fluid were drained from it, and in total, it weighed about 20 pounds.  I'm still in shock over that.

He then managed to get the bypass accomplished as well.  Because of the humongous size of that cyst, they couldn't do it laproscopically.  According to my surgeon, mine is the longest incision he's ever done.  I asked if I get a prize or something...largest cyst AND biggest incision he's ever made.  Was actually quite humorous because I was quite famous at the hospital during my stay there.  Apparently my big 'ol cyst was the talk of the nurse's station.

My family said when Dr Hipp came to them after completion of my surgery, he had a huge smile on his face.  He was thrilled with the outcome of the surgery, and thus far, couldn't be happier with my recovery.  I'm not really in pain, just discomfort from the gas moving around.  I've got someone getting Mylecon (sp) drops for me today, so that should alleviate those gurgles and pressures.  I still can't bend forward far enough to do the things I need to do because of this accordion of staples down my entire abdomen, but my reach is getting further and further every day.  Hopefully in a few days, I'll be fully self-sufficient.

I thank everyone for the prayers and well-wishes, and especially a big "Thank You" to Kim for being my angel.  I much appreciate your support.

My staples will come out on Wednesday the 14th.  When I made that appointment this morning, we went over my intake, and if I get 35-45 ounces in today, the nutritionist said I could move from clear liquids to full liquids tomorrow. 

I'm about to go make my first journey out of the house for the day.  My house is tiny, so I really don't have walking room.  Gonna go walk to the stop sign and back.  Hopefully the stairs won't be too tricky.  :)