August 2009

Aug 16, 2009

Hi everybody,

Today I am 12 weeks out from my DS with Dr. Smith  of Marietta, Ga.  I am down 55 lbs. and have been stuck at 240 for.. almost 3 weeks... sigh... but I'm trying to be patient. 

I can eat more and more types of foods and not have disagreement concerning them either in my stomach or my intestines.  For example, I ate some nuts yesterday and for the first time they did not cause a blowout in the bathroom.  Previously when I ate nuts I almost blew myself off the toilet and out the bathroom window. 

Also I ate dense whole wheat bread (one piece) with no problem whatsoever.  I eat beef, chicken, pork, crab, shrimp.  As long as I eat smallish bites but more importantly, chew thoroughly, they go down and don't hurt my tummy.  I still get a tummy ache if I eat too fast or don't chew well enough.  I don't get nearly as much gas as I did early out, perhaps because I pick and choose what I eat, and perhaps my intestines are adjusting to their newfangledness.

Lately I haven't had much appetite, mostly I eat because I should.  Now THAT is strange!  And a big relief too.  Foods tend to taste really salty to me, so I avoid certain foods--like salted butter.  I drink at least one protein shake every day and some days, if I have no appetite to eat much, I drink two.

I have been walking--get this-- TWO miles a day!!  With NO foot pain.  Before my DS, I couldn't even walk 1/4 mile before my foot hurting.  I actually ENJOY walking!!  I'm building up my stamina for my trip to the Netherlands the first two weeks in September.

Let's see, about poo issues.  Finally, my poos are starting to firm up, possibly because I am taking more calcium tabs.  I've had several bouts of a big ole nasty hemorrhoid flaring up, bleeding, hurting SO MUCH I couldn't fucking sit down.  Got some prescrip from my Dr. and it's shrinking amazingly well.  I can sit on my ass now.  I know you're glad to get this info.

Also, I'm pooing much less frequently in the middle of the night.  Mostly in the mornings now.  Still comes out easily.  Aren't you happy for me?

I went to my PCP and he was THRILLED with my progress.  My BP was getting low, so he took me off Hyzaar and put me on an infinitismal dose of Cozaar.  With the diuretic gone (which Hyzaar has) that might be part of the reason I'm holding my weight...  Also I went  to the CPAP dr. and he had me do an oximetry test because I claimed my CPAP was not helping me.  So I did the oximeter for two nights in a row, one night with no CPAP, and one night with the CPAP.  Lo and behold, my oxygen level (lowest) was 82% without the CPAP, and 63% WITH THE CPAP.  Jesus Christ.  I just to throw the thing out the window but I agreed to do a two week test with one of the automatic CPAP machine that adjusts the pressure according to what your oxygen level is.  Hoping I don't have to drag the goddam thing to The Netherlands with me.

I'm really truly becoming used to the food, vitamin, water, protein regimen.  I'm not perfect at everything every day, but it's not as daunting as it first was. 

My upper arms and thighs are jiggly, already.  I hardly have any clothes that fit me and I've got a ton of stuff to go to Goodwill.  I can clean my house now without my back hurting.  I can get down on the floor and get back up with much less effort. 

I am eating some carbs, most days less than 50 carbs, and some of it, I admit, simple carbs.  I eat dark chocolate, sometimes ice cream.  I eat cooked vegetables but no salads yet.  I'm ok with fresh tomatoes, though.  

Sorry if this is not too organized--but I hope it helps pre ops and new ops.  The difference between my life now and my life during the first month pre op is huge, life is much easier now. 

my best,

pp

0 Comments