Bmhicks78 Journey to a New Me

[bmhicks78]

So, just wanted to check in from the hospital, thanks for all the well wishes on here :-)

Short message because typing on an iPad sucks.

Surgery was Thursday am. Took a little longer than normal because my stomach liner was abnormally thick, which meant more detail paid to stitching me. Who knows, just glad I slept through it

It's Saturday now and I have been off pain meds since this morning. Nausea has subsided a good deal. I have been pretty mobile and walked the floor a couple times each of the last two days. Feeling AMAZINGLY good right now. Still hurting but substantially less than yesterday. Doctor put me on ice chips this evening which was a hell of a treat after nothing since Wednesday night. Hit all the milestones I should have and should be discharged tomorrow.

Yesterday sucked. But everyday here on out will, and can, only get better.

[Granna1965]

glad you are feeling better. Hope you get to go home tomorrow and all is well. Recovering at home is always better and more comfy in most ways. I still miss the button to raise the head of the bed! LOL...

[Rose69]

Glad all went well! Hang in there, it does get better everyday!

[healthier86]

Welcome to the other side!

[mwargin]

I'm so happy to hear your surgery went ok and that your feeling better!

[bmhicks78]

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone! It's been a couple weeks so I figured I would check back in.

Had my two week follow up with my doctor today. He told me I'm doing GREAT, and that I can start the "soft food" phase (he doesn't do a pureed food phase). Incisions are all clean and healing nicely. Only have steri-strips on the main incision at this point.

I have to say...I feel AMAZING. I am down a total of 40 pounds from the weight I started my liquid diet. 3 weeks, 40 pounds...I'll take that as a start. I have little to no pain, and haven't really had any since I got home from the hospital. I am able to go up and down stairs easily (probably could jog up them!). I have gone on a couple of walks, one of which was about 2 miles when all was said and done, though I stopped at a park to socialize half way through for an hour.

During the liquid phase post-surgery I did good. Bored with eating, drinking water. Had to really pressure myself into it sometimes. Did 'cheat' once and had a quarter of a meatball that I chewed for like 5 minutes before swallowing. This was when other doctors would have had me in the pureed phase, so I didn't feel overly dangerous about it.

Today was my first day eating soft foods, and I have to say...tuna fish tasted awesome. Had some eggplant for dinner and then a little later had an eggwhite with reduced fat feta...tased like Filet Mignon. I have researched a gajillion soft food recipes and plan on starting cooking tomorrow.

Haven't really had many craving issues. In fact, I have done the vast majority of the cooking over the last week or so for the family, and haven't felt like I'm being left out at all. Have spent a lot of time making home-made tomato sauce, meatballs, applesauce, banana bread and zucchini bread. Have about half filled a freezer and the family is eating a lot better while I'm off. It's been pretty awesome. I'm going to be working from home this week, though I may go in half way through to hang out and see if I want to go back in this week. I don't have any pain and my energy level is okay, so I think I should be okay. The only problem....gotta buy new pants Best problem I've had in a long time.

Short term goals - Start walking every morning with the dogs before the family gets up. Also want to work on making sure I'm getting a good rotation of soft foods and protein drinks in so I remain full and get the right nutrition.

Long term goals - I want to start ice-skating again in February. I want to play Rugby in the spring. I want to be playing adult league hockey in the fall. For the first time in forever, I'm completely optimistic that I will be able to achieve those things.

Going to be making a huge pot of chili tomorrow for the family, and then Sunday going to a pumpkin patch, where I cant wait to run around with my 4 year old son.

Life is good! Will probably check back in a couple of weeks with an update.

For the community - Anyone have a good estimation of when weight loss starts to plateau, and outside of that, how much weight I should be losing on average a week? I know that it is unique to each person, but I'm sure that has to be some sort of rough average to shoot for...I know I won't be knocking out 30+ pounds a month.

Thanks again for the kind thoughts everyone!

[mwargin]

It sounds like you are doing great! Thank you for the update...it really helps me know what to expect since we have the same doctor! I finish my 6 month of Dr weigh ins required by my insurance in 2 weeks...keeping my fingers crossed that I get approved by my insurance. So glad to hear your doing so well...keep us updated!

[manzerick]

Such positive news!! Love it!!

[humnbird]

good luck with ur journey