sweethollow
To Italy and back
Dec 07, 2010
Short post today, as I have to leave soon. On Nov. 1st, I left for Italy to see my oldest daughter, who is spending the semester there, studying abroad. It was a WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC trip! And I am am so thankful that I got to go and that I had lost a good amount of weight before I did. I have lost a total of 71 pounds so far, and am feeling so much better!! I am never tired, I sleep so much better at night, and hardly ever have knee or back pain. While in Italy I walked my feet off! I lost 12 pounds in the 12 days I was there. There are so many wonderful things to see. I loved seeing all the ancient ruins - the colleseum, the catacoumbs, the fountains, Pompeii, the Sistine Chapel, and all the famous works of art, which are just everywhere. The food is fantastic - so fresh! They do not eat the highly processed foods that we do here, and you just don't see any obese people there. It was really surprising. It was so nice to be able to sit comfortably on the trains and planes that we took throughout our trip! So thankful!
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clothes shopping!
Oct 15, 2010
I am 12 weeks post op now, and have finally had to go shopping for new clothes -everything I have is too big, even under garments. I have been so busy, but dashed in to the mall while waiting for my daughter to finish a class. Everything I tried on and bought was a REGULAR size 14-16!!!! What a great feeling! I have lost about 60 lbs, so far, and have dropped three sizes, and my clothes are feeling loose again. I have been altering what I could, but many garments are just not worth the time to alter.
For the past two weeks, I have been so busy, I haven't even had a chance to work out. And I have eaten some chocolate and cookies - not a lot, but a little. I was so surprised when I stepped on the scale and found I was still down 5 lbs. It is so nice to be able to eat just a bit of chocolate and feel like my desire for something sweet has been satisfied, without wanting to eat the whole bag of chocolate.
It is so nice to be carrying around so much less weight!
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For the past two weeks, I have been so busy, I haven't even had a chance to work out. And I have eaten some chocolate and cookies - not a lot, but a little. I was so surprised when I stepped on the scale and found I was still down 5 lbs. It is so nice to be able to eat just a bit of chocolate and feel like my desire for something sweet has been satisfied, without wanting to eat the whole bag of chocolate.
It is so nice to be carrying around so much less weight!
Fall is finally here!
Oct 02, 2010
Today was such a beautiful fall day, and autumn is my FAVORITE season of the year! So I have enjoyed it. My daughter and I went for I nice walk last night after dinner and it was so cool and lovely! Today I spent a good amount of time cleaning out my closet. I think I must have taken out 80-85% of my clothes, because they are now too big! I have bagged them up, and will pass them onto anyone who needs size 18-20 clothes. Many of them were really nice, less than a year old and only worn two or three times. My mom is hoping to have this surgery in the next couple of months-she has already begun the process. So I think I will give them to her. I am excited for her. Can't wait until she can start losing weight and feel better too!
I feel like my surgery was such a long time ago, and yet it has really only been a little over two months. I just feel so much better than I did, and it just gets better and better with every pound that comes off. My knees don't hurt, my back doesn't hurt, I have so much more energy than I used to. I sleep a lot better, and I don't think about food constantly. I have lost a total of 52 lbs., as of Tuesday.
I am to the point that I can now pretty much eat anything I ate before my surgery. I do eat mostly organic, and pretty healthy, though, so that helps. I am just satisfied with much less food. My daughter even made home made (organic, wheat-free) belgian waffles this morning, and I had half of one with a little real maple syrup. I have also found some organic chocolate wafer cookies that are low enough in sugar and calories, that I can actually have four of them! So it is nice to have a little chocolate for the occassion I feel like having something sweet. I still drink one protein shake a day as well (2 oz. organic fruit juice, one cup of soy milk, and one scoop of organic soy isolate protein powder, with ice). In fact I have noticed that I can eat a little more now than I could up until now, so I know I have to be very careful not to over eat and stretch out my pouch. I also had some coconut icecream on my husband's birthday two weeks ago, and that didn't bother me. It makes me wonder if I am in the smaller percent of people that don't "dump". It might sound odd, but I was hoping that too much sugar would make me dump. It's one of the reasons I wanted this sugery. But I will just thank the Lord and pray that I will have the strength to resist sugar.
On Thursday, I took my kids to a theater to see a Shakespeare play. It was the first time that I could sit in a theater seat and still have space on either side of me- I wasn't spilling over the arm rests of the chair! It was such a nice feeling.
It's just so many little things like this that I am thankful for, and don't want to ever forget, lest I end up very heavy again.
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I feel like my surgery was such a long time ago, and yet it has really only been a little over two months. I just feel so much better than I did, and it just gets better and better with every pound that comes off. My knees don't hurt, my back doesn't hurt, I have so much more energy than I used to. I sleep a lot better, and I don't think about food constantly. I have lost a total of 52 lbs., as of Tuesday.
I am to the point that I can now pretty much eat anything I ate before my surgery. I do eat mostly organic, and pretty healthy, though, so that helps. I am just satisfied with much less food. My daughter even made home made (organic, wheat-free) belgian waffles this morning, and I had half of one with a little real maple syrup. I have also found some organic chocolate wafer cookies that are low enough in sugar and calories, that I can actually have four of them! So it is nice to have a little chocolate for the occassion I feel like having something sweet. I still drink one protein shake a day as well (2 oz. organic fruit juice, one cup of soy milk, and one scoop of organic soy isolate protein powder, with ice). In fact I have noticed that I can eat a little more now than I could up until now, so I know I have to be very careful not to over eat and stretch out my pouch. I also had some coconut icecream on my husband's birthday two weeks ago, and that didn't bother me. It makes me wonder if I am in the smaller percent of people that don't "dump". It might sound odd, but I was hoping that too much sugar would make me dump. It's one of the reasons I wanted this sugery. But I will just thank the Lord and pray that I will have the strength to resist sugar.
On Thursday, I took my kids to a theater to see a Shakespeare play. It was the first time that I could sit in a theater seat and still have space on either side of me- I wasn't spilling over the arm rests of the chair! It was such a nice feeling.
It's just so many little things like this that I am thankful for, and don't want to ever forget, lest I end up very heavy again.
Beachin' it
Sep 19, 2010
This weekend, we got to go to the Outer Banks for the first time. It was so wonderful! The whole weekend, I just kept thinking that a year ago, I could not have done any thing I was able to do this weekend. I had so much energy, more than my husband and kids, which was never the case before. I was able to hike huge sand dunes, swim in the ocean and pools, climb hundreds of steps (without stopping) to the top of Currituck Lighthouse, and more. We stayed out swimming on the beach till bedtime, then got up at 6:30 am and went again, because we love the beach and wanted to spend as much time there as we could before we had to head back home. I still have a ways to go, but am already enjoying feeling better with nearly 50 lbs. off.
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A funny thought...
Sep 15, 2010
I was thinking today that I am now thin enough that I couldn't have wls if I wanted to, lol. Still not near my goal, but it is a nice feeling to be moving towards it.
Still feeling well, just get so busy with work, school, etc. I even tried a little bit of pizza last Friday, and had no problems. In fact, I haven't had any problems with anything I have eaten yet.
I was also thinking about the things that I have already noticed since losing 46 pounds: I don't sweat all the time, I can stand to be on my feet much longer without getting backaches, I can walk more, exercise longer, my size 18's are hangin' on me (I just cleaned out my drawers and closet of stuff I hope I never fit into again!), my husband said he hardly ever hears me snore anymore, and my knees aren't bothering me like they used to. That's all I can think of at the moment. Still very thankful to have had this opportunity to get to a healthy weight.
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Still feeling well, just get so busy with work, school, etc. I even tried a little bit of pizza last Friday, and had no problems. In fact, I haven't had any problems with anything I have eaten yet.
I was also thinking about the things that I have already noticed since losing 46 pounds: I don't sweat all the time, I can stand to be on my feet much longer without getting backaches, I can walk more, exercise longer, my size 18's are hangin' on me (I just cleaned out my drawers and closet of stuff I hope I never fit into again!), my husband said he hardly ever hears me snore anymore, and my knees aren't bothering me like they used to. That's all I can think of at the moment. Still very thankful to have had this opportunity to get to a healthy weight.
40 days, 40 pounds gone
Sep 05, 2010
Well, today I am 45 days post-op, about six and a half weeks. I am feeling really great. I am back into full swing of my normal routine. My daughter left to study abroad in Italy on Monday, so that is why I haven't posted in a while. Between getting her ready to leave for three months, homeschooling my other three kids, and working, It has been pretty busy here.
I have also been trying to exercise, and doing well with that. I do enjoy it very much, and was diligent to exercise before my surgery.
I have officially lost 40 pounds as of Wednesday- so that makes 40 pounds in forty days :). I have definitely dropped nearly two sizes, but still feel so fat. I went shopping for some new pants, since my clothes are really getting big on me, but did not find anything I felt like spending money on. I have also been trying to alter clothes, and find the smaller sized things in the back of my closet, those garments which haven't seen the light of day for three or four years :p I can't wait until I have to give away everything in my closet, and really get NEW clothes!
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I have also been trying to exercise, and doing well with that. I do enjoy it very much, and was diligent to exercise before my surgery.
I have officially lost 40 pounds as of Wednesday- so that makes 40 pounds in forty days :). I have definitely dropped nearly two sizes, but still feel so fat. I went shopping for some new pants, since my clothes are really getting big on me, but did not find anything I felt like spending money on. I have also been trying to alter clothes, and find the smaller sized things in the back of my closet, those garments which haven't seen the light of day for three or four years :p I can't wait until I have to give away everything in my closet, and really get NEW clothes!
Starting to eat real food this week :)
Aug 21, 2010
Just a quick post today- I spent this past week in NJ for my niece's wedding, so had to juggle traveling and still getting all my fluids and proteins in. I survived, and the wedding was beautiful. I did well "not eating" anything-except for four lovely Italian olives. They were on my mom's plate, and they looked so good! I tried one, and it went down fine, so I had a couple more. But all considering, I did great resisting everything else.
On Friday, I was four weeks post-op and tried meats for the first time. I first tried two ounces of natural deli turkey (no preservatives), since I thought that would be tender. I sliced it up with two olives and it seemed like a feast! (I think I am craving the olives for the salt). For dinner, I tried some slow-cooked marinated chicken, and had no problem with that either. Later in the evening, I had a couple ounces of pureed vegetables. So that is my my exciting news this week. I can get enough protein down now to eliminate one protein shake each day.
One other sort of unexpected thing that occurred is that I got my period. This wouldn't be unusual, except for the fact that I haven't had a period in almost two years, and my doctor told me I was through menopause. I know I read that the fat cells store a lot of hormones, and most women will start their periods as soon as they have surgery, since the rapid loss of fat releases those stored hormones, but I didn't think that applied to women like me who have already gone through menopause. Can anyone enlighten me here? I guess I'm going to have to figure out what's going on soon or we may have another little bambino running around here, lol. And really, I didn't miss having a period.
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On Friday, I was four weeks post-op and tried meats for the first time. I first tried two ounces of natural deli turkey (no preservatives), since I thought that would be tender. I sliced it up with two olives and it seemed like a feast! (I think I am craving the olives for the salt). For dinner, I tried some slow-cooked marinated chicken, and had no problem with that either. Later in the evening, I had a couple ounces of pureed vegetables. So that is my my exciting news this week. I can get enough protein down now to eliminate one protein shake each day.
One other sort of unexpected thing that occurred is that I got my period. This wouldn't be unusual, except for the fact that I haven't had a period in almost two years, and my doctor told me I was through menopause. I know I read that the fat cells store a lot of hormones, and most women will start their periods as soon as they have surgery, since the rapid loss of fat releases those stored hormones, but I didn't think that applied to women like me who have already gone through menopause. Can anyone enlighten me here? I guess I'm going to have to figure out what's going on soon or we may have another little bambino running around here, lol. And really, I didn't miss having a period.
21 days and 26 pounds gone
Aug 12, 2010
I am three weeks post-op today. This past week has been busy - working and trying to get ready for my niece's wedding this weekend. But I have been feeling so energetic and good. I went shopping for a new dress. I am down a size or two, but couldn't find the dress I liked in my size, so I figured I'll just buy the one I like and alter it to my new size, which I did! My daughters and husband were all surprised when I showed it to them - it wasn't "matronly" looking, lol.
I got to the 'Y this morning for the first time since surgery, to work out. I have been walking a lot and doing some exercises at home, so I actually had a really good workout. I'm looking forward to being able to swim, though. I also stepped on the scale to see if I lost anymore weight, and I lost 7 lbs in the past week - a total of 26 pounds since surgery, and 31 pounds total. I know it will slow down a bit, but I'll take whatever I can get.
I am still in the pureed part of the diet, but am feeling a little more like eating other things besides my protein shakes. I tried hommus this week and had no trouble at all. For convenience, I bought some organic pureed baby food, and they have actually been convenient to have when I am on the go. I am going to try black beans and rice tonight. We'll see.
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I got to the 'Y this morning for the first time since surgery, to work out. I have been walking a lot and doing some exercises at home, so I actually had a really good workout. I'm looking forward to being able to swim, though. I also stepped on the scale to see if I lost anymore weight, and I lost 7 lbs in the past week - a total of 26 pounds since surgery, and 31 pounds total. I know it will slow down a bit, but I'll take whatever I can get.
I am still in the pureed part of the diet, but am feeling a little more like eating other things besides my protein shakes. I tried hommus this week and had no trouble at all. For convenience, I bought some organic pureed baby food, and they have actually been convenient to have when I am on the go. I am going to try black beans and rice tonight. We'll see.
13 Days post-op and feeling GREAT!
Aug 04, 2010
I am now nearly two weeks post-op, and feeling great, except for a couple minor things. I got thrush (from the antibiotics I recieved in the hospital), and I am having an allergic reaction to the sutures or dermabond. I have huge red itchy welts around all my little incision ports. The incisions are all healed nicely, except for the allergic reaction. So I am taking medicine for both. But I have lost 18.5 lbs so far :)
At only one week post-op, I was walking a mile and beginning to do some other light exercises. I have been exercising everyday and feel so much better than I thought I would.
I am allergic to dairy and corn, and so the diet has been a little more challenging for me, since I can not have any of the bariatric products, and have had to make up my own. I have to use soy protein isolate, which isn't bad, except that the scoop of protein powder is larger than the broth I am trying to mix it into, so it becomes like a think paste -yuck! Once I hit week two and was able to have soy milk, I threw it in the blender with some vanilla and crushed ice and made my own protein shakes. They aren't too bad. I can last on those for a few weeks if I must. I am also allergic to eggs, so I will not be able to add any of the eggs or cheeses that I would otherwise be allowed in weeks three and four. But I can have hummus, and I love home made hummus!
While cleaning my room the other day, I came across a diary with my New Year's resolutions from 2008. The entry read in part:
"I want to lose weight in the next six months, be diligent to exercise, to go to bed by 11:00 so that I will be able to get up and exercise, to stay in the Word and keep my focus on Christ."
"Reasons not to quit (This is so I remember how miserable I am when I feel like giving in to food): To be able to sit comfortably on a plane; to be able to sit comfortably anywhere; to sit comfortably in Eric's chair; to be able to go on rides at the fair or amusement park; to be able to sit at a theater and not have my arms spilling over onto the seats on either side of me, and think the people sitting next to me were wishing they weren't sitting next to me; to sit comfortably in Sunday school; to be able to look at myself in the mirror and not cringe; to be able to go to a doctor's appointment and not be mortified; to be able to enjoy shopping for clothes; to be able to enjoy time with my husband more; to improve my sleep apnea; to help my knees feel better; to help my back feel better- and this is probably the BIGGEST motivator; to be a positive, healthy example for my children; to buy smaller bras; to wear cute shoes again; to be more active and be able to hike, etc.; to cuddle more with my kids and husband; to glorify God with the body He has given me."
I post this here, because I have read so many similar posts, and I know it is not just me that feels this way, and because I don't ever want to forget where I came from, and why I made the choice I did.
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At only one week post-op, I was walking a mile and beginning to do some other light exercises. I have been exercising everyday and feel so much better than I thought I would.
I am allergic to dairy and corn, and so the diet has been a little more challenging for me, since I can not have any of the bariatric products, and have had to make up my own. I have to use soy protein isolate, which isn't bad, except that the scoop of protein powder is larger than the broth I am trying to mix it into, so it becomes like a think paste -yuck! Once I hit week two and was able to have soy milk, I threw it in the blender with some vanilla and crushed ice and made my own protein shakes. They aren't too bad. I can last on those for a few weeks if I must. I am also allergic to eggs, so I will not be able to add any of the eggs or cheeses that I would otherwise be allowed in weeks three and four. But I can have hummus, and I love home made hummus!
While cleaning my room the other day, I came across a diary with my New Year's resolutions from 2008. The entry read in part:
"I want to lose weight in the next six months, be diligent to exercise, to go to bed by 11:00 so that I will be able to get up and exercise, to stay in the Word and keep my focus on Christ."
"Reasons not to quit (This is so I remember how miserable I am when I feel like giving in to food): To be able to sit comfortably on a plane; to be able to sit comfortably anywhere; to sit comfortably in Eric's chair; to be able to go on rides at the fair or amusement park; to be able to sit at a theater and not have my arms spilling over onto the seats on either side of me, and think the people sitting next to me were wishing they weren't sitting next to me; to sit comfortably in Sunday school; to be able to look at myself in the mirror and not cringe; to be able to go to a doctor's appointment and not be mortified; to be able to enjoy shopping for clothes; to be able to enjoy time with my husband more; to improve my sleep apnea; to help my knees feel better; to help my back feel better- and this is probably the BIGGEST motivator; to be a positive, healthy example for my children; to buy smaller bras; to wear cute shoes again; to be more active and be able to hike, etc.; to cuddle more with my kids and husband; to glorify God with the body He has given me."
I post this here, because I have read so many similar posts, and I know it is not just me that feels this way, and because I don't ever want to forget where I came from, and why I made the choice I did.
Day of Surgery through Third Day Post Op
Jul 25, 2010
Today I am three days post op! I am so thankful to my family and friends for their prayers and support, and to the Lord for His loving hand on me!
I feel far better than I expected to be feeling! Haven't even had any pain meds today at all!
On the day of my surgery, I got to the hospital at about 1:30pm, for a surgery time of 3:30. Things went quickly until I was about to go into the OR. My doctor was delayed in getting there. So I had to wait for an hour and a half. My surgery began around 5:00pm and didn't end until nearly 10:00pm - five hours! I was not the typical patient; I had a nissen fundiplication (to correct a hiatal hernia) about six years ago. So the doctor had to undo that surgery and then do the Rouen Y gastric bypass. That's why it took so long. But everything went well, and I got up to my room at about 11:00 pm. I actually slept fairly well that night, and was not uncomfortable or in pain.
By about 6:00am the next morning, they removed the catheter, and took me down to radiology for an upper GI, to make sure there were no leaks. I had no trouble getting up out of bed and sitting in the wheel chair. The hardest thing was getting up off that cold, hard table in radiology. But I was diligent in exercising before my surgery, and it really made a difference. Do exercise as much as you are able before your surgery, if you are going to have this done.
I got back up to my room about 7:00am and they began giving me some apple juice. I was surprised by how small the little cup of juice was - about two teaspoons-and I was supposed to drink it over 15 minutes. That is taking some getting used to. Without thinking, I want to drink more, then I remember my stomach no longer has the capacity to hold that much and I have to take it slower. They also took me off the pain pump and transitioned me to oral pain medication.
I spent the rest of the morning resting, and walking and drinking in small amounts. My husband and daughters came to vist in the afternoon. I actually sat up and played a game of rummy with them (I won!). After they left, I rested some more, walked some more, and continued to drink in small amounts. I was not in pain, but was beginning to feel discomfort from the gas. But it was manageable. Moving around and getting up to walk helped with that a lot. I slept well the second night too.
The next morning I was still uncomfortable from the gas, and finally was able to begin passing it by late morning. That's when they said I could go home! They pulled the drain out, and the medicine tubes, and the IV's. I felt like a free woman :) No more getting tangled in all that everytime I tried to use the bathroom.
One thing that struck me, is when I got home, I walked in the door and the kids had a bag of potato chips and some fresh Italian bread and butter on the table, which they had been eating. Before my surgery, my mouth would have begun watering at the sight of it. But after seeing it, I had absolutely no desire to have it. It was as if there was no food there at all. That was a nice feeling- to not be drawn to food at the mere sight of it.
I took a nap, and then spent time hanging out with my family the rest of my first day at home. I went from 12:00 noon until 11:30pm without taking any pain medication! I did take some at night, though, because I wanted to make sure I slept well. Rest is so important to healing.
Today - my third post op day- is Sunday, and everyone is at church. I have enjoyed spending some time with the Lord, reading my Bible and praying. I am thankful that I feel as well as I do, and am working on drinking and walking. It is 103 degrees outside today, so I am just walking around the house. I don't want to sweat off more than I can drink right now. I am doing fine on fluids and feel no hunger at all. I don't even desire to eat anything, although my family is cooking and eating. I have had no pain meds yet today. My stomach feels a little sore when I move around or take a deep breath, but it is tolerable.
Well I think I will log off as everyone will be home from church in a few minutes.
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I feel far better than I expected to be feeling! Haven't even had any pain meds today at all!
On the day of my surgery, I got to the hospital at about 1:30pm, for a surgery time of 3:30. Things went quickly until I was about to go into the OR. My doctor was delayed in getting there. So I had to wait for an hour and a half. My surgery began around 5:00pm and didn't end until nearly 10:00pm - five hours! I was not the typical patient; I had a nissen fundiplication (to correct a hiatal hernia) about six years ago. So the doctor had to undo that surgery and then do the Rouen Y gastric bypass. That's why it took so long. But everything went well, and I got up to my room at about 11:00 pm. I actually slept fairly well that night, and was not uncomfortable or in pain.
By about 6:00am the next morning, they removed the catheter, and took me down to radiology for an upper GI, to make sure there were no leaks. I had no trouble getting up out of bed and sitting in the wheel chair. The hardest thing was getting up off that cold, hard table in radiology. But I was diligent in exercising before my surgery, and it really made a difference. Do exercise as much as you are able before your surgery, if you are going to have this done.
I got back up to my room about 7:00am and they began giving me some apple juice. I was surprised by how small the little cup of juice was - about two teaspoons-and I was supposed to drink it over 15 minutes. That is taking some getting used to. Without thinking, I want to drink more, then I remember my stomach no longer has the capacity to hold that much and I have to take it slower. They also took me off the pain pump and transitioned me to oral pain medication.
I spent the rest of the morning resting, and walking and drinking in small amounts. My husband and daughters came to vist in the afternoon. I actually sat up and played a game of rummy with them (I won!). After they left, I rested some more, walked some more, and continued to drink in small amounts. I was not in pain, but was beginning to feel discomfort from the gas. But it was manageable. Moving around and getting up to walk helped with that a lot. I slept well the second night too.
The next morning I was still uncomfortable from the gas, and finally was able to begin passing it by late morning. That's when they said I could go home! They pulled the drain out, and the medicine tubes, and the IV's. I felt like a free woman :) No more getting tangled in all that everytime I tried to use the bathroom.
One thing that struck me, is when I got home, I walked in the door and the kids had a bag of potato chips and some fresh Italian bread and butter on the table, which they had been eating. Before my surgery, my mouth would have begun watering at the sight of it. But after seeing it, I had absolutely no desire to have it. It was as if there was no food there at all. That was a nice feeling- to not be drawn to food at the mere sight of it.
I took a nap, and then spent time hanging out with my family the rest of my first day at home. I went from 12:00 noon until 11:30pm without taking any pain medication! I did take some at night, though, because I wanted to make sure I slept well. Rest is so important to healing.
Today - my third post op day- is Sunday, and everyone is at church. I have enjoyed spending some time with the Lord, reading my Bible and praying. I am thankful that I feel as well as I do, and am working on drinking and walking. It is 103 degrees outside today, so I am just walking around the house. I don't want to sweat off more than I can drink right now. I am doing fine on fluids and feel no hunger at all. I don't even desire to eat anything, although my family is cooking and eating. I have had no pain meds yet today. My stomach feels a little sore when I move around or take a deep breath, but it is tolerable.
Well I think I will log off as everyone will be home from church in a few minutes.
About Me
Collierville, TN
Location
31.5
BMI
Surgery
07/22/2010
Surgery Date
Jun 13, 2010
Member Since
