Thursday, December 15, 2011

BODY WEIGHT SAGA 5:

ONE WEEK OUT FROM BARIATRIC SURGERY

My one-week anniversary of my Gastric Sleeve finds me well and happy, bruised and recuperating.

BEFORE 12/5/11, 225#



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12/14/11, 213#
225# to 213# = -12#.    GOAL: 165# or 60#.
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I'll tell you an interesting story. When I awoke the next morning after surgery, I had a sharp pain in my left shoulder. I figured it was from my arm being held out from my body to receive anesthesia, but I learned that the cause was this: when they fill the abdomen with CO2 (so they can have room to work) removing the gas is imperfect, leaving some in the cavity. This puts pressure on the diaphragm. There's a nerve in the diaphragm that when activated gives phantom pain in the left shoulder! Isn't that something.

Still on clear liquids. January 7, 2011, is my EATING DATE! I get the 10 stitches out next Monday.

I'll report back on the one-month anniversary..

14 comments:

Ron said...

Don,

Are you hungry at all? I hope this works for you. It looks very painful.

Don Voth said...

Ron, No I'm not hungry. When they removed the stomach, it removed the area that produces Ghrelin, the hunger hormone!
There's a small amount of pain in the left side of my abdomen, but other than that there's NO pain. Thanks for asking.

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you lots and I am so happy that you are feeling happy and good. Love, M

Don Voth said...

Thank you Marilyn.

Ron said...

That's good to hear Don. It would be torture if you were just as hungry but could not satisfy it. I love to heat and I eat until I'm not hungry anymore. I can't imagine going to bed hungry. I've done it and it is not pleasant nor a normal way to live. Like tonight I just made a batch of chocolate chip mint (yes, MINT) cookies with black walnuts. I will eat as many as I can until I am satiated. To deprive myself would be torture. I'm glad you don't have to go through that. We're at the end Don and we should enjoy what few pleasures that are available to us. I wish you the best.

Ron said...

Actually my comment was "I love to EAT". Darn that automatic device that substitutes words! I'll have to find out how to disable it.

Anonymous said...

I saw your post on Ron's blog. I suggest giving peter at Tippin the Scales a read. He's in Amsterdam, has a great blog and went through the surgery almost 2 years ago (hence the name of the blog). He has a special tab that focuses on his weight loss journey.

http://tippinthescales.wordpress.com/

Good luck!

Don Voth said...

Thank you Sean. I'm now reading the blog with great interest.

Robert England said...

It's good to see your are starting to heal from the surgery. January 7 is the day after Epiphany, the 12th Day of Christmas. For you, it will be more like Christmas Day.

Don Voth said...

It's true!

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful!!!!! May I share? Louise Johnson

Don Voth said...

Of course you may.

Anonymous said...

Don,

How are you feeling? I’m doing well. I am down 12 pounds so far. Did you happen to get Cathy Todd’s email. I have Sprgfvr@??? Any help would be appreciated.

P.S. I love your blog.

Don Voth said...

Toni, I'm glad you doing better. You had a rough time at first. I'm down 18, but guys lose faster than girls. I don't have Cathy's email. Wish I did. Take care.