Today Was Different

Today I found that my first protein drink of the day was not going down quite as quickly, so I packed it in my briefcase and headed of to school. By 7:30 the pain was starting to get intense and by 7:50 what little protein I had taken in was back up and out. The pain continued to ramp up; my wife took me to the hospital, but not before I had redecorated the floor mat in the Buick. (Where did this all come from if I only had 2 1/2 ounces?) I demonstrated my condition yet again in front of the nurse, who was amazingly quick with the tray. After this fourth "fountain of intestinal fortitude" I started to notice that the pain was subsiding.

It appears that I may have an ulcer, or stricture, or both. I have to try medicine tomorrow, if I can get our Canadian doctor to write a prescription really quickly. If things don't improve, then I am off to Ypsilanti for Friday.

Sorry to "bring this up". Hope you weren't eating or anything...

Week 2 Measurements

The scale now reads 254 - yes, I have both feet on the scale, and no, I am not desperately trying to take pressure off the scale by leaning on the counter - not that anyone would actually do that...

I am down another 4 inches for a total of 10.75 inches. My mid-section and hips account for most of this.

One more thing: Ruth is having waaaaay too much fun with the tape measure....

Two Week Check Today

It is 5:40 am and I am about to leave for Michigan - about 3 1/2 hours' drive from Stratford, Ontaio. I have an appintment with Dr. Schram at 10:15. I hope to get the green light for work today - though I may start back part time only. I weighed in at 255 on my scale this morning.

My before surgery weight was 272. I went up to 285 in hospital, but was down to 280 on our digital scale at home the day I was released. This means 17 "original" pounds are now gone.

Better go now; I've got my passport, my water, my protein drinks...

David

And the Number is...

After one week I have lost 6.75 inches - mostly from my hips and thighs, but followed closely by chest and middle. My pants will confirm the loss as they leave for "Goodwill"... (Whoo Hoo!)

Each year I take in a bunch of Blue Jays baseball games at the Rogers Centre in Toronto with my father and a couple of my buddies from Stratford (one is another of the "Cellar Dwellers"). Our first game is May 3rd and I am looking forward to not having to squeeze my butt into the seat.

Play Ball!

Tonight I am picking up a vehicle to replace our second car. While this has nothing to do with weight loss, the fact that I traded in our "rounded" 2001 Malibu for a "sleeker" 2008 Pontiac G6 almost seems to parallel my own "body style" changes. Okay, that's a real reach and I may need therapy but the comparison is there (if you look really hard...)

One Week Since Hospital Release

Today I have been out of the hospital a week. I had a bit of a rough day yesterday - too much sorbitol and some other factors made for a very upset digestive system. I will spare the details...you don't want to know...trust me...

I feel much better today; I weighed in at 259 pounds - down 13 pounds of pre-surgery weight. I am officially down a size and all my clothes purchased at the "Big and Tall" store are packed up for Goodwill because I am never going to wear that size again. It was having to go to a specialty clothes store that thrust me into this journey in the first place. I can't believe how good I feel that I will be back shopping in a "regular" men's store again.

Tonight is "measurement time". My wife, Ruth, took a number of measurements to help me track my weight loss in another way. I have them all recorded on a spreadsheet (easy to do on my new Apple MacBook - love it!). Tonight the tape measure comes out. I will post the results next entry.

Easter Sunday

As you saw in my last post we had a big dinner at my sister's place. ("We" is a rather loose term as I had a protein shake and yogurt.) Afterwards we drove our daughter back to university (one hour) and then two hours home from there. While I didn't drive, I found myself sleeping the afternoon away today. I had to force myself to get up. When I did make it to the scales this evening it registered 266 - down 6 pounds from my hospital entry weight (before IV weight gain). This really works! Now if I can just stay awake...

Four Days After Surgery

Sometimes I have to look at my stitches to see if it really happened. That is how good I feel; yes the soreness is there sometimes - especially when I try to get up from bed. (I find that placing a hand on my abdomen and rolling on my side is better than trying to sit up - way better.)

I feel "normal" for the most part and usually have a good amount of energy. Sometimes I do "hit the wall" and an afternoon nap has become an important part of my routine! Other than that I am quite "with it" (no comments, please...).

I am also surprised about how easy it has been to swallow. I sometimes forget and take a larger sip of my protein drink and there is brief discomfort, but that is all. I called the Nutritionist, Dena, and asked if the liquid drains quickly from the new "pouch" or if I could be stretching it already. She confirmed that liquid does not stay long and that if I had gulped too much the stoma - the small opening - couldn't handle it and would send it back up "north". Good to know.

On the first day home I developed a tracking sheet for my protein, calories, and physical exercise. I am proud to say that I got in 89 grams of protein out of my recommended 90, as well as 2.9 km on the stationary bike. (The read-out said I also burned just over 100 calories.) I have also lost 12 out of the 13 pounds I gained in the hospital because of the fluids that were pumped in to me.

So it it "so far so good". Today we are going to a family Easter gathering. We weren't going to go as we all thought I would be needing recovery time. I am glad we can go and spend time together. As for eating, I told them not to be jealous as I sip my delicious "Cookies and Cream" protein drink while they settle for glazed ham...

Back Home from Surgery

I have just returned home from Barix
The surgery went rather well
Although I have noticed my middle
Is bloated and starting to swell

Yes I have just returned home from Barix
Where they practice a wonderous art
I look forward to becoming slimmer
But for now I just want to..lay down and rest

Twas the Night Before Surgery

Twas the night before surgery

And all through the place

Not a thing could be eaten

Not even a taste

The beef broth was boiling

The Apple Juice was chilled

In preparation for surgery

The tummy unfilled

When from my waistline

There arose such commotion

What was happening?

(I had a good notion!)

Off to the bathroom

I ran in a split

Thanks to the Dulcolax

I needed to...go really badly...

My wife heard me exclaim

O'er the roar of the fan

It will all soon "end" soon

And I'll be a slimmer man!

David (aka Cellar Dweller)

Preparing for Take-Off

It is less than a week until my roux-en-y gastric bypass. I have been very focused on "tying up loose ends" at work. I need to be more diligent about my pre-op "work" - breathing into the Respirex and reading my "Barix Bible" to ensure that I am ready to go.

I have been drinking the Matrix Protein drink ("Cookies and Cream" flavour - quite tasty) and have found that my cravings for carbs are but a distant memory already. I have also noticed that the waistline of my pants is a little "bigger" and the numbers on the scale are very gradually getting "smaller". I am pleased to see this kind of progress in the time since my PATS on March 24th. I look forward to even greater progress after my surgery on April 7th.

I really don't feel overly excited or overly anxious about the surgery itself. It is just like this is a normal thing to do. I wonder if it is because I have researched it well by reading and by talking - live or via internet or phone - with people who are success stories. It is just a fact in my life that the surgery will happen and that I will be successful.

One thing that has been a little awkward is the numerous times people have asked me "where" I am having the surgery. I find myself being evasive because they might want to know why I have to go to the US to have surgery. In time this won't matter; I just don't want a lot of questions right now.

The call with my surgery time is supposed to come tomorrow...once this "flight plan" is registered I will "taxi into position for take-off..."