What a Week

Week three since the surgery has proven to be quite a week. Coming off the success of the show, I have actually had the most painful week since the surgery. Now the pain has shifted to more of an internal pain vs. an at the incision pain. Overall I guess I still feel good, but as I feel better and do more, I realize what is too much.

Yesterday was my first day out of the house on my own, I drove myself to the bank then, cause I'm weird, I actually went to my office. Actually it's because I have so many great co-workers I wanted to stop by and say "hi". All in all, I was out for about an hour and a half, and that was quite tiring.

Today we all went to visit our good friends Shannon and George and their brand-new baby boy Jayden who was born yesterday (see photo of Lindsey holding). We visited them at Sutter Roseville and I drove. We were gone a total of just over two hours. When I got home, after driving both ways and the visit and a quick stop at Blockbuster, I was exhausted and fell asleep for almost three hours. Yes, I basically just woke up. I have learned that I am not as full of spunk and energy as I thought.


I have also started noticing some issues health wise that have raised some concerns. One such item is my right leg seems to be falling asleep whenever I sit a certain way, this is new, and a bit scary. I have also had some other symptoms I have been in contact with my Dr about and said to come in if they don't stop. Well, they haven't, so I have a Dr's appointment with my local Doc Monday morning. I hope he can help and I don't have to go back to SF.

On the good news side, I am 1 lb short of losing twenty pounds since the surgery! People keep saying they see it, I don't feel it, but my old pants fit now, so I guess there are changes.

My Big Comedy Show, Weight Loss

So last night was my big comedy show. I performed a 30 minute set, which took almost 40 minutes with laughter and dealing with obnoxious people, but I'll focus on the laughter. The event was a fundraiser for the Lincoln High football team. Ther were around 200 people in atendance. A lot of my jokes are about my gastric bypass surgery. It started off very well and I think ended well too. Overall I think it was a huge success. This is the first time I have ever done more than 6 minutes at one time. I was very nervous, not just about doing the show, but also about going out. I said this in my act, and it was the truth, last night as he first time I've worn real pants in two weeks. I've just been in gym shorts or pajama pants. Why not? I'm recovering from major surgery.

Anyhow, the show went very well I think, and everyone I know who was there that I have talked to seemed to agree, but boy did it wipe me out. I put everything I had in to that show, and it took it's toll. Immediately after the show I couldn't get up for 20 minutes, then we got home, and I crashed. I didn't wake up today until Noon! Except at around 9am when Kayla and Jessica came and woke me up asking me to help Kayla. Seems her tooth was loose, and bleeding, and they wanted "Dr. Daddy" to take it out. Which I did. Now, if you were there last night, you know my ending joke is all about me being the resident tooth fairy at my house. So ironic that I have to play that role tonight. Anyhow, after I removed the tooth, I went back to sleep.

It was a great experience,and I look forward to doing it again. For now, it's back to rest time. Last night showed me, I'm not ready for to much activity or excitement, yet.

Oh, and as far as weight loss goes, I am now down to 259! I haven't seen the second number in my weight as a five since I first passed it in 2000. I am officially the lowest weight I have been since Kayla was born.

The Biggest Loss Is Time

So, here I am, six days of eating "real" food and I have noticed some big changes. One, I have a next to nothing appetite. Two, I don't miss food, I miss eating. Here's what I mean, whenever I have lunch by myself, I like to read. I almost have to read. I make sure I have my current book with me before walking in to a restaurant. I eat very slowly, even if I;m not reading, and relax and enjoy the time. Now, I don't need time. I can eat my lunch in two minutes, and as part of the eating change, you can't drink with or up to an hour after you eat solid foods. So wht took 20 minutes now takes two. That's why I am missing the physical action of eating.

I don't feel hungry though, I often feel very full, even after just sipping on water. My protein shake/drinks make me very full. Even now when I can eat more, I find myself not wanting anything to eat and have to be reminded it's time to eat. That's never happened before!

Skipped a Week!

So, here I am, one full week out, and doing great! I am recovering well and even went to the store today. I was the the groggy looking guy at Target using a shopping cart as a walker. Anyhow, I emailed my surgeon with how I was feeling, what foods I'm up to, and how my body is re-acting. As a result, he stated he did not see the need for me to come down to SF next week (Yay!!!!) and I can advance to the two week post-op diet. This is very good news! Real food! I've never been so excited to have one cracker.

I have had some similar questions from many people, so I will answer the most common ones I have gotten like, how does it feel and what are you eating, etc. How does it feel? Nothing different. I feel sore and uncomfortable and my body definitely yells at me if I move the wrong way, but I don't "feel" like I have a smaller stomach. I don't "feel" like my insides have been re-routed. It's early, but so far, I don't feel much different, just the same types of after surgery pain and discomfort I have felt before. That said, my Doctor has reminded me that though I am recovering ahead of schedule, and doing well, I still need to try to relax and take it easy to fully recover and not re-injure myself.

What am I eating? Since the surgery my meals have been minimal to say the least. Breakfast; a protein shake, lunch; a half cup of jello, snack; a sugar free Popsicle, dinner; a small bowl of chicken broth. Now I am allowed to move up to having a cracker, 1-2oz of tuna or turkey or cheese. That's about it.

Am I hungry? I'm not hungry, but I miss tastes. I'm tired of jello, but I don't want something else because I'm hungry, but because I want a different taste. I do not find myself ever thinking "damn, I'm hungry".

Oh, and the weight. When I started the program, I was at 316, today I am 50lbs lower at 266! Ten of those lost pounds are since the surgery.

I'm feeling good and ready for my big show on Saturday. I think I'll collapse and fall asleep on the way home, but I will give it my all, all I have that is.

Hope this was interesting, will update again later this week with how the new diet is working out.

Feeling It

Well, it was bound to happen, and it did. The feeling that I had major surgery, and the result of said surgery, have finally caught up with me.

Yesterday afternoon I started feeling it, and it has been worse today. It's not a fever or flu type sickness, but I feel worn down and tired as if I had the flu, without any of the symptoms. My energy has dropped in half and my pain has quadrupled. Ergh. Oh, and I'm out of my pain medication and my refill is sitting in Roseville, and it's hard for Jessica to pack up the kids and go down. Ergh again. I was doing so good, but today by far is the hjardest day since the surgery. Thank God I can sleep. Hopefully today is it and tomorrow I feel better.

"New" Body, Part Three

I can't believe it's Friday already! For not doing much, this week has flown by. It has been an interesting week. Jessica has been a great nurse, although we are both surprised that I need less help now than I did after my gall bladder/obstruction removal surgery. We both think it was the horrific obstruction removal surgery that made that horrible, not so much the gall bladder.

Anyway, here are some general observations I have thus far. One, I don't feel like I have a smaller stomach. Though I know it is the size of a really big grape, it doesn't "feel" it. I have noticed I have no hunger, but I think that may be just from the fact I had surgery, regardless what type. The first day home, I could barely drink a glass of water, let alone my all-to-important protein drinks. Yesterday I was able to finish a protein drink and had several glasses of water, and even a popsicle. That's right, a genuine sugar free popsicle. Jealous?

My second general observation is, I feel better physically than I though I would. Don't get me wrong, moving too much or twisting towards the wounds hurts. But when I think of what was done inside... well, I'm waiting for it to hit me. Whenever I get up or walk, I feel it, but laying in bed, not so much. That wasn't true on the car ride home, where I felt every pothole Caltrans has yet to think about between SF and here. In fact, I'd say I'm more uncomfortable than in pain. But if I don;t take my horrible tasting liquid vicodin on time, then the pain starts to overtake the discomfort.

Third general observation, I may not be "hungry" but I do think a lot about the foods I can never have again. I was watching a show where they started talking about peanut M& M's and I got sad, realizing I can never have one again (can't have chocolate candy and can't have nuts). Then I tried to put it in perspective, would I rather miss my life or M&M's? That helped, but I still wanted one :)

Overall, things are going well. Today I move on to yogurt and pudding! It's the simple things that get me excited. I appreciate all the support my friends and family have given and feel truly blessed.

First Day with "New" Body, Part Two

Okay, actually second day. Yesterday went so well, apparently, my surgeon sent me home almost a full two days early. Got home last night (Tuesday) at around 10:30pm. A very long day indeed. I got a lot better sleep at home though. So far the pain meds are working okay, I'm uncomfortable but not in serious pain. I haven't had any of the normal complications (knocking on wood) and am walking okay. Will continue to spend most time down this week though.

So far biggest issue is watching so I don't drink too much at one time. My stomach is now smaller than my mouth, so I can't take a swig of water, have to sip.

Heading Home

I'm heading home from the hospital in South San Francisco. This is going to be a long painful car ride.


-- Post From My iPhone

First Day with "New" Body, Part One

Well, it happened this time, I now have had the gastric bypass surgery. Today is my first full day with my new anatomy and just now at 9am am able to put something in my new stomach, water of course. Next I get jello! Feeling okay, hurting but not gut wrenching pain, but they just took me off the good stuff medicine wise, so we'll see how that goes.




-- Post From My iPhone

Out of surgery...

From Brian's wife Jessica...I am so thankful to post that Brian is out of surgery and doing ok. He is in the recovery room and is resting for now. The surgery was successful and we know Brian is going to be pleased to know that.


-- Post From My iPhone

Night Before

It's 8pm the night before my gastric bypass surgery, well, the second attempt at said surgery anyhow. I find myself much more worried that the surgery will not actually happen than anything at this point, since the first experience. Boy, not many people can say they went in for gastricy bypass surgery twice! I feel I will have a hard time sleeping tonight. Thanks again to Jerry and Maggie for allowing Jessica and I to stay at their house tonight (and Jessica until I'm out of the hospital) and to Suzanne for watching the girls, who I miss already.

Today I went in for my pre-op blood work at the South San Francisco hospital where my surgery will be. After that was done, went to the movies with Jessica. We saw "The Hangover" and "Public Enemies" TH was funny, PE was long and not nearly as good as I thought it would have been.

Well, now all I can do is hope for the best and pray I actually get the surgery this time. Of course, tomorrow afternoon I may be praying I didn't. Until tomorrow...

Pre-op, again

Today, July 7th, I went down to South San Francisco, for the pre-operation consultation with my new surgeon and the anesthesiology department. Things went very well.... whew

First off, my new surgeon has a much more pleasant bedside manner. Not that the last one wasn't good, he knew his stuff, just a little cold. Second, he completely understood my desire to be the first surgery of the day, and actually made the call while I was there to move me (was on for last) to first and said to freeze it that way. THANK YOU! The sooner it's over, the sooner I'm home. That move may save me from an extra night in the hospital.

Anesthesiology was nothing, I do thank them for getting me in early so I could get out of the Bay before the big traffic rush. All they really worry about is first-timers under anesthesia, which obviously I'm not. When I pointed out I was under just a month ago, the conversation moved pretty quickly.

So... right now it's on, and for the first surgery of the day on the 13th (less than a week). Here's hoping they ACTUALLY do the surgery this time!