One Month

A month ago today a very kind and able doctor named Marchesini performed a miracle surgery on me called the BPD/DS. I had flown all the way from my home in the suburbs of Atlanta to Curitiba, Brazil to have the operation. Today I sit here now 50.4 lbs lighter. Amazing.

The surgery seems almost like a dream sometimes and often, I can't hardly believe I actually went through with it, but I'm so glad I did. The past 30 days have not been exactly easy, but they have been the start of new life for me (even if sometimes I don't realize it). I am incredibly grateful for this gift and everyday I find myself more and more committed to try to take the best advantage of everyday.

Man, what a journey. I feel like I am in a constant learning mode. Learning what to eat. Learning what not to eat. Learning how much is too much. Learning what used to taste good to me before, not so much now. Speaking of, I just had a nasty experience with some scrambled egg and cheese. Thank God, I haven't had many instances of vomiting, but the last two times I have needed to have, oddly enough, been after I've eaten eggs. I think I'm done with eggs for awhile. It sucks because one of my favorite foods used to be scrambled eggs and cheese. I fell in love with them all over again after months of low carbing, but right now, I just can not do it. I felt something funky going on almost immediately after the first bite and let me tell ya, that's all she wrote. Five minutes later, I was hurling it up. Gross.

I'm also wondering if I should still be trying to do the eating 6 times a day. I'm not sure that's for me. The only reason I ate the eggs in the first place was because it had been over 2 hours since my last meal. I wasn't really hungry. I do get hunger pangs so maybe I should listen to my body instead of trying to follow an arbitrary schedule. I'm not sure what to do.

Anyway, I'm happy with my 50 lb loss. This next month I will be slowly introducing exercise in my daily routine and if I am lucky will maybe see the same loss in month 2. We shall see!

Getting It Together

I got up yesterday morning a little later than usual, around 9 AM. By 10:15, I was at the grocery store, it was about that time. The day before, the only thing I consumed were two Isopures and 1/2 a cup of Penne Alfredo. I figured it was time to quit playing around and go get some real food. Shopping took around an hour and I was pooped by the time I got back, but I was glad I went, not only for the nutritional benefit, but because I made it through without feeling like I was gonna pass out.

I feel like things are slowing coming together for me. Yesterday was a good day. I had my Isopure first thing in the morning, had a good lunch and a mid-afternoon snack. I took a nap from around 5-7pm and got up and made dinner, chicken w/ onions. Delicious. I'm lacking in the water department and I can certainly feel it, but today I picked up some crystal light GO packs and they are great. They make getting water in easy.

My first month is winding down and I truly believe I could have lost more had I been exercising, but dangit, I've been tired. Sometimes I think that maybe if I had been slowly doing some exercise I wouldn't be as tired as I am. Maybe my problem is my metabolism is slowing down too much and I need to do something to keep it revved. I mean, right now, I am working from home which makes it awful easy to just move from bed to desk and back again and that's it. I'd have to force myself to do something. I do have my exercise bike that I need to take advantage of so that's what I'll do. It's not as good as walking but it's something. I'm gonna shoot for 10 mins 3 times a day.

Anyway, got on the scale this morning and it read -- actually the doggone thing talks -- it said 466.4 lbs. August 21st I weighed a remarkable 516.6 lbs, surgery day, 510. So for all of you who are keeping count, I've lost 50.2 lbs total and 43.6 lbs since surgery. Not too bad.

Food Log:
1 Isopure RTD
1/2 Chicken thigh w/ onions
2 small pickles
1/2 Chicken thigh w/ onions
8 small ham cubes
1 slice cheddar
4 Ritz Crackers
1 Sugar free popsicle
1 12 oz Gatorade

Rough

It's been an interesting few days. Food issues have been plaguing me. I had been trying to get my 80-100 grams of protein via food only, but that wasn't working AT ALL. I was forced to supplement with Isopure protein drinks and things seem to be going better.

I have realized that there are a few tricks to getting through the first few weeks. First, I learned that I have to stop drinking liquids between 15-30 minutes before I eat. If I don't, my stomach feels full much faster and I won't get the nutrition that I need. Second, I have to not drink any liquids until 30 mins after I eat. Oh, this was a rough lesson to learn. Out of habit, I was having a gulp/sip of water after my last bite, but it was causing a feeling like something was stuck in my throat and it made me want to hurl....which I did a couple of times. Not. Fun.

Third, I really have to slow it down. Right now, I can definitely gauge the "full" feeling, but I am a little dismayed with what little I can eat. Granted, I am only three weeks out, but it's just so weird to compare to what I could chug down and what I can eat now. Last night, a friend and I went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. I ordered chicken fajitas and had told myself I could at least eat one small fajita. Nope. I got through 1/2 and that was that. It was delicious, but I wish I could have finished it....well, I did finish it, about 2 hours later.

One other thing I am struggling with that I am waking up hot. Almost sweating. I'm a hot sleeper as it is, but it's a little ridiculous now. I had to walk outside in the low 50 degree weather to cool myself off. The other thing is that for the first 2-4 hours of the day, I am wiped out. I got like 7-8 hours of sleep, but man, I was feeling just worn out, tired, even a little lightheaded. I'm not sure how to remedy. This morning I quickly started in on the Isopure figuring it would metabolize faster and it did help some, but it took me drinking 1/2 a bottle of that and about 12 oz. of water to finally feel solid enough to get some stuff done. I'm definitely going to be asking about that at my support group meeting, which I am very, very excited about, by the way. I went to Brazil and back since the last one and a couple of people were curious about the whole thing.

Ugh, time for some more Isopure.

Food & Water

Let's talk nutrition. Per doctor's orders I was on a liquid diet for week starting the first day I passed my leak test. That was not fun. The second week was all mushy, soft foods. I typically ate egg whites, some pasta, very little meat and drank lots of gatorade and Isopure. Today starts week three which means I can practically have anything except that I need to stay away from fried, fatty, sugary or sweet foods. I could probably get away with a sweet bite or two, but honestly, not very interested.

I had noticed that I was feeling like I wasn't getting enough food in and within the last day or so, I figured out why. Dr. M. had instructed us on the importance of getting our water in as to not get dehydrated so like a good patient, I've been sipping water like a fiend. Problem was, I was always drinking water (or juice) with my meals so my little stomach was always 1/2 full with liquid and I wasn't able to eat as much as I should. A good friend in Brazil pointed this out to me and it was confirmed for me yesterday when I tried to eat a scrambled egg after drinking a good bit of water. I threw it all up because it was just too much. Now, I stop drinking anything 20-30 minutes before I eat and can now consume a good bit of food, probably close to the 5 oz capacity of my stomach.

This morning I had 3-4 oz of turkey & pastrami and 3 Ritz crackers. Yum. Probably the most I've eaten since surgery. I feel full and satisfied and was able to start drinking water 30-45 mins after the meal. Cool. This is just one of those things that I gotta figure out for myself. I tell ya though, the "full" sensation is a weird thing. It's amazing to think that the "full" signal is actually being sent and received on such a small stomach, but I'm happy it is.

Today or tomorrow, I have to venture out and get my other supplies, like Isopure drinks, some vitamins and maybe a better food scale. I'm not a big protein bar fan, but if I feel like it's getting really difficult to get my protein in, then I will try to find one I like.

There and back

Well, I made it back in one piece! What an amazing journey and I half don't believe I actually went there. It's still all a little surreal. The plane ride(s) back where an absolute chore, especially the 8 hour ride from Sao Paulo to Miami. I never want to do that again, well I should say, I am happy to never have to do that again at this size. It's no freakin fun AT ALL.

Anyway, somehow TAM Airlines and American Airlines have misplaced my luggage so I am without many essentials and all of my souvenirs. Bummer. I am hoping they get their acts together and get me my stuff sometime today. I have plenty of clothes, but I most of my wound care stuff is in those bags so I may be making a trip to Eckerds sometime today. Luckily I did pack extras in my carry on, but not enough to get me through the weekend.

On a lighter note, at my doctor's appointment on Monday, I was delighted to find out I lost 22 lbs since my surgery. I started out at 510 lbs on the 25th of August and had surgery on the 30th. That's 22lbs in about 12 days (Sept 11th). Last night I got on the scale at 480.2 lbs and this morning, I weighed in at 476.8 lbs. It's amazing. I think because I started out at a such a high weight, these initial months will quite dramatic. I'm not really worried because I know some of it is water weight and because I'm probably still a little dehydrated from the long last couple of days. I'll take it though!!!

I'm really looking forward to the next support group meeting. I can finally identify as a post-op, even though it will only be for 22 days!

I am happy to be home, happy to be switched and just happy to get this next part of my life going!

Home

Boy am I ready to come home. Just five more days. Yesterday was an adventure to say the least. I had a seroma that started gushing gunk. Grossest thing ever. Today, no problems, but still, would rather be home than here. Besides that, I am doing well. Getting around great, eating pretty well (although still taking it slow). Just started my 2nd week so eating includes a few more mushy foods. At the start of the 3rd week is when getting the 80-100 grams of protein becomes imperative. That should be ... fun. I'm guessing Isopure is going to be my new best friend.

Not too many new people coming in town, Brazilian holiday or something like that. Everyone is leaving within the next 4-5 days which is good as everyone is ready to get the heck out of Brazil. Although I must say, Dr. Marchesini has been absolutely wonderful. 1000 times more than I expected. He'll always have a special place in my heart, for sure. A truly great, great man.

Don't know what kind of weight I've lost, will find out on Monday at my last Dr.'s appointment. Kinda excited!

We'll see.

Sick

Well, I am back in the hotel as of yesterday and what a blessing that is. I started to really hate the hospital. The staff were exceptional and my care was phenomenal, it was the beds. They didn't have bariatric bed so they started to get really uncomfortable by day 2. Lots of sore spots on the hips, etc. Not fun.

Anyway, I got a cold yesterday and that has definitely delayed me feeling 100%. It's nothing major just sniffles and a little coughing, but it makes sleeping impossible so I've been tired. Luckily today, I got the medicine I needed so hopefully in the next day or so I will be feeling better. Even though, I have been sick, I do feel better than yesterday. I was having a real problem with the binders. I wasn't taking deep breaths and was finding myself almost instantaneously winded, but I have been working on that really hard and was able to even go out and about today. I'm still working on it so hopefully, in a few days I will be able to walk where I need/want to walk.

All in all, things are going okay. I got my laundry done today (thank God) so I have a fresh batch of clothes! You have no idea how wonderful that is. Now if I can only figure out how to make this darn binder more comfortable, all will be right in the world!

I'm outta here in about 10-11 days, but I am looking forward to getting to the touristy part of my stay. A couple of folks are taking the train ride tomorrow, but I really don't feel comfortable doing it with the cold & stamina issues, but hopefully sometime next week. Right now, I am just focusing on getting well and getting better. That'll be good enough for now.

Switched

Well, I done got switched. I'm day 2 post op in Brazil and feeling okay. What an experience, I'll have to write more later, just wanted to drop by and let anyone who reads this thing that I am ok! Woo-hoo!!! Waiting to pass gas so I have some water!