2-week Surgery Anniversary - and so happy

I have lurked on this board for a while. Getting to my surgery was a struggle. I posted just before my date and I thank each and every one of you for the kind words and good wishes. The bolstered my courage for the big day. Like so many of you, it was a long journey to the losing side. I first went for an info session last June. Decided on a different surgeon last September. Was originally scheduled for December 12th but was denied just after Thanksgiving. I was devastated, had to get a lawyer and appeal (the wonderful Gary Viscio), and unexpectedly received the approval on the day before my birthday, March 10th. Well, on Friday, April 7th, I had my surgery. Today is the 2-week anniversary of my surgery and I can honestly say I feel great! As for the surgery - my wonderful surgeon, Dr. Marina Kurian told me that "It was fun. I love when it goes like that!" It was scary but I calmly walked into the operating room on my own two feet (who knew - figured they'd wheel me in ...) and was rolled out into a new phase of my life. The first day I felt like I could conquer the world. I felt good and was up walking the first afternoon (All the reading I did said that was the best thing I could do for myself.) I was in pain but it was bearable (love drugs) and I felt so amazing - brave, courageous and relieved. I was so happy to see my wonderful husband and my Mom in the recovery room - and felt at peace for the first time in a long time. When my brother came to visit me that evening he cried - I think he was so relieved to see how good I looked. The second day, once the anesthesia wore off, was tougher. But I had a wonderful nurse and my family and friends who came to visit. All of them were surprised at how good I looked. I much preferred sitting in a chair to the bed (my stomach muscles are what hurt the most and moving in a bed was tough). I had my upper GI in the morning and it was good - there were no leaks. So they removed my Foley and I began to feel a bit more human again. My first meal was beef broth, diet jello and tea. Amazing after 3 sips I was full. On Palm Sunday, I was released to go home with a prescription for Percoset and anti-ulcer medication and my diet instructions. It felt good to be home. I received so many flowers it was like a florist. My poor allergic husband. And I must say the reaction I've received from family, friends and colleagues has been overwhelmingly positive. People are excited for me, calling me brave and courageous. It has been really touching. Home was tough. Sleeping in my bed required percoset and multiple pillows - and this wonderful stuffed huge ducky my Mom bought for me. I'd clutch it against my belly to roll myself out of bed. (All the nurses in the hospital loved the duck.) For the first week, my darling patient husband was home with me. I still felt good but nights were the toughest. My best friend came to see me the day after I came home - and she was shocked. I greated her, dressed, with makeup on, and she was like "I thought you'd be in bed ..." We went for a walk - and I tried to stay active. Outings to the mall, Home Depot and the like were part of my exercise. I still get tired easily but it honestly wasn't that bad. Easter was tough - one of my incisions was really pulling and hurting - which I guess meant it was healing - but it was very uncomfortable. Now, I have been off pain killers since Monday. My husband also went back to work on Monday so it hasn't been so fun. I truly loved spending a week at home with him, watching TV, doing errands, eating dinner and not wanting to go out or do anything special. It was so special to just be in our home doing ordinary things for a whole week. As for the eating - the portions are laughable as you know. 2 oz at a meal is the norm. I take a ladle of soup and eat half. Half an egg. A little bit of tuna fish with lite mayo and half a cracker. This morning I ate 2 tbsp of ricotta (protein first!) and 1 slice of a frozen peach with spenda. The amazing thing though is that I am not hungry. It's incredible. Once I think I ate 1 tiny bite too many and felt uncomfortable. But I am really trying to walk the line Rule of 30 Protein First 64 oz water/fluids But all in all I feel great. And the weight is coming off. If I use the weight I was the morning of surgery, I've lost 19 lbs in 2 weeks. If I use the weight I was the day I came home from the hospital - I actually gained over 20 lbs in the hospital from all the fluids and gasses they pumped me with - I have lost a whopping 41 lbs. That's insane. My clothes are fitting better - and soon I will to make old clothes new again (I have everything from a 28 to a 16). And I can't wait to buy clothes in normal stores. I feel so good emotionally too. Grateful and peaceful - and just in a much better place. I feel as if I will now have a much brighter future - and a hopefully long life with my husband - and the babies I want so much. I know this will be a long road - but I am excited for the journey. And there will be bumps along the way but I have great support - and will find myself a damn good therapist if necessary - to get to where I want to be. My happiest moment came just Wednesday. When I gained the weight, my wedding ring stopped fitting with my engagement ring (and I had to jam the engagement ring on too). Well on Wednesday it fit again. And that was the first of many goals - and it felt so good. Thanks so much again to all of you for the inspiration. I am so excited for this journey. Ann

Congratulations on starting your journey!!!!!!!!! We are all here for you ! LisaMarie

Ann, Congrats on this crazy journey....many ups and downs but sooooo worth the trip. Also congrats on your first goal (fitting into your ring), that will be one of many to come.. Take care Debra P

HI Ann I'm 2 months p/o and I know about how good it felt to have the hubby home and running around together and how hard it was for us both when he went back to work. I'm glad to hear your doing so well!!! good luc****ep posting.

Thanks for sharing with us. There will be ups and downs but it seems like you have started on your wonderful journey. Take great appreciation in all the good things that happen along the way, no matter how small they are. There will be times when you will need to rely on them to get thru the rougher days ! Congrats, keep up the amazing work and the wonderful attitude !!