"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!