AF Biggest Loser/Fitness Challenge-May 3 to Whenever We're Not Fat Anymore

[pocaracas]

Out of surgery, I'm told everything went well.

Yay!
Have a great recovery and then enjoy eating in small chunks.
The health benefits will be worth it

[Shell B]

I was waiting for this wonderful update. Go Cathooloo!!!!

[Jackalope]

A more detailed report...

We made the drive up to Seattle Monday night, stayed at my sister's house in N Seattle, and arrived early at the hospital. The usual pre-op stuff followed, washing, gowning, signing forms, and meeting the surgical team.

The surgery took about an hour, followed by an hour and a half in recovery. I woke pretty easy and comfortably unlike some other times I've been under general anaesthesia.

The procedure essentially involved stapling my stomach and forming a small stomach "pouch" about the size of a ping pong ball. The excess stomach tissue is then removed.

First day, the surgical pain was very bearable. I knew to expect it, but the worst of it was gas pain - during the surgery they pump CO2 into your abdomen to make room to work. The gas tends to work it's way up to the upper body cavity and it takes awhile to work it's way out. It is at times very painful. All hail King Diuladid and Prince Oxy!

Sipping water can be very painful if I sip a tiny bit too much. IOW, there's a very fine line between just right and oh-my-fucking-god that hurts. I'm told that will improve and I'll get better at recognizing "full" signals.

I don't think I've mentioned that it's nearly impossible to burp so it's not like one can relieve pressure that way. That should also improve.

This morning, the gas pain is significantly reduced and the major source of the pain is the insult done to my guts. Surprisingly, the incisions are only a little sensitive. There are 5 of them, 4 small ones for instruments and one 1-1.5" incision they removed the excess stomach through.

I'm hungry, very hungry, but have no desire to eat, even if I could. I last had food on Sunday. I'll next have food in a couple of weeks. Probably.

Yesterday's lunch was clear liquid - I ordered sugar free "juice drink", black coffee, unsweetened herbal tea, two varieties of broth. I had no intention of drinking all but I may as well start figuring out what I can tolerate. The evening meal was more of the same.

Today I get to add salt, artificial sweetener, half and half, low lactose skim milk, soy milk, and protein supplement shakes.

Tomorrow I should be able to eat strained soup, Jello, blended yogurt, etc. Nothing with sugar or even small chunks - in very tiny sips / bites and very small portions. That will be for at least two weeks.

I expect them to discharge me today, and my lovely wife will drive me home.

[Jackalope]

Just waiting for the nutritionist, IV pull, and paperwork and I'm outta here.

[Shell B]

This is so amazing! I can't wait for an after picture. You're going to be dropping weight like a motherfucker soon. Good luck!

[bennyboy]

There are some times when I would push a fast-forward button on life because I'm so darned curious about how something will turn out. I can't wait to see how this works out for you Cathooloo!

[Jackalope]

I'll spare the details but I feel like utter shit today.

[Shell B]

I remember the details from helping out my buddy. I'm sorry. I'd give you words of encouragement, but you'd still feel like ass for a little bit. Just wait it out. *fist bump*

Not to rain on your parade when you already feel like shit, but I'm going to have to kick you out of this thread in a few months. "Until we're not fat anymore" is a binding contract.

[Jackalope]

Maybe so, maybe so.

I don't feel like shit now that I've taken some oxycodone. I couldn't earlier because I had to pick up a roll of sheet vinyl floor. Had to be there even if I didn't do the lifting.

Since getting home yesterday afternoon, I have managed to get down an entire 11oz protein shake and about 8 oz of other clear liquid. A few ounces of coffee with half and half.

Goal is 2oz of protein shake and 6-8oz of water (sugar free flavoring is allowed).

Weight loss is already apparent at the scale.

[Shell B]

Oxycodone does the trick fo sho.