8 Week Post Op Visit, Dec. 16th, 2008

Dec 24, 2008

I will be 8 weeks out on Dec. 21st so I had my 8 week check up scheduled a little early on Dec. 16th. I have lost 44 lbs in weight since surgery plus more with over 20 lbs of fluid gained in the hospital. I moved on to the last stage of foods which is 3-4 oz. protein first and then about 1/4 C. Starchy food and 1/4 C. Veggies or Fruit per meal if I have room after I eat all my protein.  I am to get in at least 80 grams or protein per day and I am personally aiming for 90 grams or more per day. I am also getting in about 48-64 oz. of fluids per day. I got my B12 Shot  at my visit and am taking Multi-Vitamins twice per day plus another vitamin that has high doses of Vitamins ADE&K. I am taking about 1800 mg of Calcium Citrate per day in 3 doses of 600 mg. each.

My Diabetes type 2 seems to be cured at this time. My blood sugars are ranging from 101-118 now without taking any medications at all for it. I used to be 130 to 150 with taking oral medications for it.  My blood pressure has come down some but still a slightly high so they have me on 1/2 the dose of blood pressure medication than I used to take. My arthritis pain is a bit better but I am also back taking my Celebrex for my joint and back pain and that has also helped a lot. I also had an abdominal CT Scan done on Dec. 16th and my surgeon said everything looks good inside. I have a 120 cm common channel and eating is going very well. I take some benefiber daily and that helps with my bowels and I usually have 2-3 soft formed bowel movements daily. I had issues early on with diarrhea and accidents with this but none since about 4 weeks out. When eating and I am getting full, I get some feeling now of fullness where I did not early out, if I ate too much then, I just brought it all back up. Now, no issues with vommiting or nausea, I usually will hick-up or burp when I am getting too full and I stop eating right away. I try to drink fluids separately though because if I drink too much with meals, I cannot get all my protein, etc. in then.

I go back in 3 months on March 27th and will have lots of lab work done then to check my nutrition and vitamin levels and also will have my next B12 shot. I will get the B12 Shots about every 3 months for the rest of my life now. My clothes are getting looser and baggy, I got some free clothes at some local church clothing drives and they are in smaller sizes so I can move into them as I get smaller. I will then donate my larger sizes to the free clothing drives or offer them here or at my local GB Support group.

My DS Surgery is a Wonderful Christmas Gift for me, helping me get my quality of life back and my health back is the best gift I could have ever given myself. I Thank God for seeing me through this and for this great chance to get my health and life back.  No regrets at all in having the BPD/DS Done. It truely is an amazing surgery and journey and it is just getting better every day. I hope to lose at least another 75-90 lbs before it is all said and done. I am at a stall right now, but I know that is normal and with the holidays and starting to eat some starches and fruits and veggies, I expect the weight lose to pick up again soon. I will try to up my protein and drink at least 1 protein shake per day in addition to protein foods 3-4 times per day. I also will start riding my recumbent stationary bike more and walking more as I am able with my joint and back pain.  Wishing You All a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year. God Bless and Keep You All.  Remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season, Celebrate his Birth and Glorify Him...

Mary Ellen

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