bigdog80

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Had my 4 month check-up.  All the blood, lab, diagnostics are GREEN-looking good!

Some disappointment though that I really wanted to hit the 100lb mark and missed it by about 7 pounds!

Dang! Should have worn shorts and flip flops instead of street clothes, should have taken a bathroom stop for BM prior to going in and should not have had such a big lunch...all 6 oz of it (heck 6 oz's is 6 oz's!!!)  I've convinced myself that these tactics would have realized the 100lb goal, except I weighed myself naked (I know...not a good image) after my shower this a.m. and I'm down 98.5 lbs....darn!!!! LOL  Oh well...will plan on celebrating my 100lbs around 4th of July!!!

Dr. said I have to increase my activity/workouts...he's right as I've been a slacker in this catergory.  Party's over and have to get down to the business here!

 Well it's been 4 days now since surgery, and I'm starting to grow a little tired of liquids.  My wife has been keeping a detailed log of my meds, main protein meals and medical stuff.  Cross fingers----so far so good---I almost feel guilty that it seems to be going well.  I had the morning surgery and my friend Lisa had the afternoon surgery on the same day and she is really getting "hammered" by all sorts of pain and discomfort.  I'm sure it has a lot to do with genetics, body type, etc. but I'm really scared that early success/comfort only means that the "weight monster" is saving up the discomfort and pain for later.

Right now I'm just trying to follow the program as best as I can.  I'm going to spend this upcomoing week working on my routine to insure I get the regular exercise/walking I need to stay ahead of the "pain".

I'm scheduled for my first post-op visit to the Dr. for Thursday.  Hope to get out the drain and find out how I've done for the first week.  I'm consciously avoiding the scale so that I don't get into a see-saw, up and down roller coaster tracking the weight loss.  The weight didn't magically appear one day and it won't disappear overnight....this is for the long haul.  When I read a lot of the comments of the WLS veteran's they all seem to take the "long view".........the weight will come down, just as long as you work the program.  It's just nice to know that I'll never weigh this much again in my life.

Surgery went really well.  Got to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. and checked in.  Dr Moein came by and went over the last minute details, signed my belly and I headed into the OR about 7:45 a.m.  I remeber asking the surgical nurse if the funny hair net hat "made me look fat" and then........ woke up in the recovery area around noon.

Surprised at the minimal level of pain around the surgical site.  Had some really bad cramps and pains in my shoulder (attributed to the gas used to pump me up) and general belly grumbling.

I was cleared to get up and walk around 7:00 p.m. so I began making some "laps" around the surgical area.  Felt good to get moving even if I had to push the pain pump IV and catheter bag around.  Family visited and felt good to have their support.

Tried to go to sleep but had some problems with my oxygen SAT's as I have sleep apnea and was not able to use my CPAP.  Barely asleep each time and the O2 alarm would go off, deep breath, deep breath, deep breath and fine until the next time.  Did not sleep well the first night due to cramps and belly pain and the stupid alarm.

Next morning they came to get me around 9:00 a.m. for the drink study and after 3 oz of foul smelling liquid and 15 minutes of xray/fluoroscopy everything looked good.

Returned to my room and was greeted by the nurse tech to take my catheter out and give me my meds.
Doctor came by and said that I had been doing great...would I like to go home this evening?
Knock me over with a feather.....Lunch arrived at 1:00 and that first sip of ice cold water was the sweetest thing I've tasted in years!!!!!
Did'nt get much else down but the water and popsicle were the best.

The next 4-5 hours I had visitors of all types to complete paperwork, tests, vitals, blood etc.    I continued to walk laps in between each visit, must have ended up with at least 30 or 40 round trips.
The PA came by for a final check-out and at 7:30 p.m. I was wheeling out to go home!

And then it hit me.....
I realized that 36 hrs earlier I had entered the OR and now I was heading home .......now what?

I can't believe it is almost here.  Spent the weekend finishing some odds and ends "honey do's" and starting to think about Wednesday morning.
I'm not scared, I'm just very alert and focused.
Used to feel this way before a big test or before a game. Nerve's, jitters, I don't know I'm just hoping all goes well and I give this effort my best shot

Met last week with the Nutritionist and Surgical coordinator.  Received the white binder refered to as "The WLS Bible".  Contains all the nhandouts and documents to describe the surgery, post-op, post op diet including the Clear, Soft/Puree and Solid phases.  Pretty good information and have used it as a shopping guide to prep for the surgery in 2 weeks.

Hard to imagine that in less than 12 days will be going in and getting my surgery done.