Friday, April 30, 2010

2 Weeks Post-Op and Feeling Great!

Two weeks and two days since my surgery and this past week has been fantastic.  Let me give some highlights.

1.)  On Monday, I met with my surgeon and he took out my staples.  He informed me that I am healing exactly as I should, I have lost 50lbs. total since I started the whole thing and except for the little "incident" last week, I am the model patient and he asked me to come talk at his seminars.

2.)  In addition, he told me to progress "as I am comfortable" to real food.  I am taking that slow, but last night I had real chicken and broccoli with cheese for dinner.  Very excited about that. 

3.)  I started walking this week...I walk with my puppy and with my wife, so I actually and taking two walks a day.  I feel great and find that I am walking with a little more "pep in my step".  I guess being 50lbs. lighter will do that.

4.)  I am feeling great as far as the surgery itself.  I can move pretty freely now without any pain.  Bending over is not a problem any more and the only time I am a little uncomfortable is if I roll over weird in bed...sometimes it causes a little pulling (I still have a belly).  Other than that, I can sleep on my stomach again, so sleeping is becoming a much more comfortable situation.  Of course, my puppy sleeps between my wife and I, so the bed is getting a little crowded.  She even shares pillows now...funny, yet sad all at the same time.  I move her when she is dead asleep and she somehow works her way back up to our pillows. 

So, life is returning back to normal.  Since having major abdominal surgery, the recovery period has been progressing quickly.  I have already been to two rehearsals in NYC for a group I am singing with and have been able to sing without any major problems.  My breathing is still not perfect, but it's not horrible either.  The whole recovery process is going much quicker than I anticipated.  I have to be careful though, as I know I will push myself too far if I don't feel any pain to slow me down.  I am trying to watch myself and not over do it...

It has been a great journey so far.  As of today, according to my Wii, I weigh:  278.5.  I started at 330.  Not too shabby.  I have 94.5 lbs. left to reach my goal.  I have lost 51.5 lbs. since January 2010.  I have lost 26.5lbs. since the surgery on 4/14/10.  Happy happy joy joy!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Big Scare for a Small Problem

This past Wednesday was the one week anniversary post-op, as most of you know.  Well, per the doctors orders, I was permitted to take a shower and trust me - I was going to enjoy it.

So, I took off the large bandage that was placed over the drain site, which was now safe for open exposure and showers, I got in and started to wash up.

Well, about 3/4 of the way through my shower, I started to feel a little dizzy.  Then, my head started to feel like it was being crushed in a vice.  About 5 seconds after that started, it started to get very white.  I called for my wife and just as she came into the bathroom, I collapsed and passed out, hitting the back of my head on the tub.

After about 15 seconds, I started to come to, my wife screaming.  I was very nauseous and weak.  I started to regain my strength and after my wife finished rinsing me off (I still had soap all over), with her help, I got out of the tub and sat on the toilet.  I started to dry off and all the sudden, the process started over again.  I told my wife to call 911 and I nearly passed out again, though my wife was there to catch me that time.  The 911 operator told her to help me to the ground and to lay on my side.  Within minutes, police, EMT and Paramedics were at my house. 

So, besides the fact that I was completely naked with half of Barnegat looking on (my wife provided me with a towel to cover up), my blood pressure was low. 

Off to the ER I went.  When I got there and after being stuck 4 times by a nurse who definitely needs to take a refresher course in phlebotomy, they took blood and x-rays.  It turns out I had what's called a "Vagal Response".  I was on the same dose of blood pressure medication as I was when I was 330lbs, only now I am 280, I had surgery only a week ago and I took a warm shower.  The vaso-dilator along with the warm water (also dilates veins) caused my blood pressure to fall rapidly, causing my body to trigger this response...it forces the body into a horizontal position to save the brain from lack of blood due the drop in blood pressure.

So, after receiving a full liter of saline, I was tested and released.  I am now no longer on blood pressure meds and hopefully this won't happen again.  I truly thought I was having a stroke and even had my wife ask me questions and go through the standard stroke response to ensure I didn't have one.  It was extremely scary, but turned out to be a minor thing. 

Luckily, when I passed out, I fell in such a way that didn't rip out any stitches or staples and because we have a soft fiberglass tub, it gave enough when I hit it that I didn't have a concussion.  Luck all around...thank God.

So, I am down 50 lbs. since I started this exciting journey and I am just getting started.  Keep me in your prayers and I'll be back soon to provide more updates.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

One Week Post-Op - The Journey has Begun!

Today is Wednesday, which is one week Post-Op.  The first few days for me were filled with a mix of anxiety, pain and optimism for what had just happened and what was going to happen.

The day of surgery, I was asked to be at the hospital at 9:45 AM for an 11:30 AM procedure.  My father, bless his heart, worked the night before and still brought me to the hospital, waited during the procedure and met me afterwards (as much as I remember, anyway).  We got to St. Clare's Hospital in Dover at 9:50 (hit a little traffic) and I checked in and was almost immediately brought back to the surgical prep area.  The nurses were all lovely and, after I derobed and put on the 1/2 gown that allegedly ties in the back (nobody ever found the ties), walked me through all the paperwork and formalities and hooked me up to my IV's.  My Dad came back after all this to wish me luck and then I was quickly ushered down a hallway into the pre-surgical waiting area. 

A short note:  As they were wheeling me down the corridor, for about 5-10 seconds, it seemed like there were no lights on in the hallway...it was like I was being wheeled into the "closed wing" of a hospital for an experimental procedure.  I actually cracked a joke about it and the nurse who was pushing my bed chuckled and said that they joke about that, too.  Don't know if I was relieved or more scared when I heard that.

Anyway, so another few minutes goes by and I meet with the anesthesiologist, who was really odd who gave me his 30-second schpiel and then my surgeon came up to me.  He goes, "are you ready?" and I was like...no...I actually like the anticipation so much I want to wait like 10 minutes.  He laughed and informed me that we were 30-minutes ahead of schedule.  So, off we went.  I get into the operating room and they ask me to move over to the operating table.  They situate me and give me the first of two drugs, which made me woozy but didn't knock me out.  As I was used to getting one shot and "night night", I inquired as to whether it was normal that I just felt a little woozy and not asleep...the anesthesiologist said yes and that he hadn't administered the other drug yet that would put me out.  They did some more prep stuff as I got "comfortable" and then he said...ok, ready to sleep.  I said yes, he injected me and I had just enough time to tell the staff in the OR "thank you in advance" and off to sleep I went.

When I woke up, I was being wheeled into my room.  The surgery had gone about 1hr 45min and I was out for an additional 2 hours, so by the time I got to my room, it was about 2:30 PM (as best I can recall).  I was groggy and somewhat out of it, but I know my father was there and I think my surgeon came in, but I can't be sure.  I was told about the morphine pump that I was hooked up to for pain and how it worked.  After that, I think I dosed myself once and went to sleep.  My father left right before I passed out, as I told him I wasn't going to me much used to him any more and he had to go back to work soon anyway.  I then passed out and woke up several hours later (Criminal Minds was already on, so it had to be like 8:30 PM or so).  I was in a tremendous amount of pain, so I pressed the morphine button and it quickly dulled out everything, but really kept me sleepy.

During the surgery, they put CO2 gas in your abdominal cavity to create room to work.  The procedure consists of first dissecting the stomach into two pieces, the part that you will use, which is about the size of an egg, and the rest, which is not to be used anymore.  Then, a part of the intestines is re-routed and connected to the new "stoma" or pouch and that section by-passes a section of the colon that is responsible for the absorbtion of fats and nutrients (your body can still absorb some through another section lower in the colon, but the main absorber is by-passed, thus giving the surgery its name.  Anyway, the gas doesn't just disappear after surgery.  Your body has to absorb it and then pass it, which is a painful process.  Some equate the pains to thinking they are having a heart attack.  When it shoots up to your shoulder, you can think that.  However, I felt more like I had a large hunting knife jabbed into me and twisted in several different places, so the pain is real.  When I first got to my room, by blood pressure was 250/180 from the pain...it calmed down once I took the morphine and they gave me an injection of blood pressure meds (HCTZ). 

Also, I had a drain after surgery to remove blood from my abdomen.  At first, it was supposed to come out Friday before discharge, but on Friday, the doctor came in and said there was still too much drainage, so I had to keep it until the following Monday. 

During the first 24 hours, you are not permitted to eat or drink.  Considering how dry my hospital room was and how dry my mouth was, that was difficult.  From the second day until Sunday, I was on a clear-liquid diet consisting of broths, teas, jello and sorbet.  Yum! On Sunday, I started a full liquid diet, which included dairy products.

So, on Friday, I was still in pain but the surgeon sent me home with Percocet and well wishes and I was to come back on Monday to have the drain removed.  My brother picked me up at the hospital and off we went back to my Dad's house.  Since I live in South Jersey, it made sense to stay up North since I had a doctor's appointment Monday.  My wife had to work, so it was just easier to stay up North where there is always someone home.

Over the next two days, I was still in a tremendous amount of pain.  On Sunday, I actually thought I had torn muscles in my stomach because of the sharp burning pains I had.  Come to find out that the Percocet was actually causing more problems than good.  Percocet is a narcotic downer.  It dulls pain, but also slows muscle movement and was actually slowing down my body's ability to expel the gas, so every time I took one, the pain would go away for a few hours, but when it wore off, I was in even more pain because the gas had pooled up in an area and was creating a tremendous amount of pressure and pain.  So, at that point, I switched to Tylenol Extra Strength.  Funny, Tylenol has a massive recall in process making finding Tylenol very difficult.  Figures.

So, Monday, I saw the surgeon and told him about my pain.  He looked me over, removed the drain and informed me that the pain was normal.  First, he used a long-acting Lanocane which takes 48 hours or so to wear off...so that was masking some pain initially.  In addition, the drain creates additional irritation which can increase pain and bruising around the incision sites, which is normal, also causes additional pain.  Everything was normal.  I was informed to keep doing what I was doing, I could take a shower after Tuesday and I could start eating soft foods on Thursday or Friday. 

So, today is Wednesday and I am feeling much better.  I have a large hematoma on my stomach above my navel which is creating some pressure and pain, but slowly I am recovering.  I am on full liquids including cream soups and so far it has been uneventful. 

I was never big on sweets, so eating puddings and jell-o and the like has not sat well with me.  I couldn't even eat pudding...it turned my stomach.  Eating strained cream soups has been just wonderful I can enjoy real food flavors instead of just sweets.  You have to try new things...if you don't like something, move on.  Your tastes definitely change some after surgery, so it will take a little bit of trial and error.  Things you could tolerate before surgery may not be tolerable after.

I am down to 289 lbs.  I was 304 before surgery, so I have lost a total of 15 lbs. in a week.  I'll be able to drive soon and get back to singing next Monday and I also have an appointment on Monday to have my staples removed (they are holding my skin together while the incision sites heal. 

It's a process.  Most important for me to remember was that this was MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY!  Just because the incisions are small, the changes inside were huge.  It takes time to heal and I have to give my body time to heal.  It's a struggle at times, but I am really excited and already seeing changes is really awesome!  My legs, arms and face are already thinner.  In two weeks, I will be 275.  It's been a long time since I saw that number.  The whole process is very exciting.

So, I will be back next week to give you an update.  Thanks for reading.

18 Hours to Surgery - An Intro to My New Best Friend

Doctor's orders: Drink 8-10 oz of Magnesium Citrate (a strong laxative) when you wake up and immediately follow with water. Continue drinking water throughout the day. Stop all fluids after midnight.

Question: How does one successfully continually hydrate if said person cannot stay out of the bathroom long enough to make it to the kitchen?

So, with that being said, I would like to introduce you to my new best friend,the porcelein throne itself, John L. Crapper.

I have a strong feeling in my gut(something like an alien about to pop out and start singing at a diner counter) that a majority of the next 18 hours will be spent with my friend, pondering life and the human digestive system.

The Klumps talked about a colon cleansing...I'm pretty sure they meant systematic colon erradication.  I highly doubt there will be anything left. My body doesn't seem to want it anymore. Given the current state of things, I don't blame it.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

36 Hours to Surgery - The Countdown Has Started

When I started this journey back in September 2009, I thought it would take forever to get to this point.  When I found out that it would take six (6) months of pre-surgical testing, dieting, exercise, insurance approvals, etc. etc. etc., then actually scheduling the surgery...I figured it would be forever before I actually saw the operating room.  Well, it has now been eight (8) months and here I am...36 hours before surgery and I am running around completing last minute errands.  All the planning, waiting and anticipation is nearly over...

So today, Nicole and I went shopping.  I started my liquid diet today so that my liver would shrink before my surgery.  This apparently helps the surgeon when he gets in there.  So, soups, broths, pudding, jell-o, whipped cottage cheese and protein shakes.  On Tuesday, it's clear liquids only until midnight, then nada.

After the surgery, I will be on a clear liquid diet for at least a week.  Once the doctor approves it, I will transition to a full liquid diet, which includes dairy and anything that can be diluted enough to fit through a funnel (warm cereals like Cream of Wheat, etc.).  I'll be on that for a few weeks.

So, today we bought all sorts of drinks, pudding, yogurt, broth, etc.  Our fridge now looks like a drink cooler at the local convenience store.  No solid foods, just yogurt, cottage cheese and all sorts of drinks.  Oh yeah, and ricotta cheese.

So, the whole thing is for real.  On Wednesday, I will arrive at the hospital, get prepped and then in I will go.  Laproscopic surgery, so I will not be cut open, but instead have a few holes.  The surgery takes about 1hr 15min and that's it.  The new life begins.

Support has been great...my family and friends have been supporting me the whole way.  All that support got me here and will keep me going after the surgery.  Everybody has been asking me, "Are you scared?" and my answer has been, "No...excited as hell!".  That is the truth - I can't wait to begin this chapter of my life where  I can take control of my life and do the things I have always wanted to do...like become a police officer.  I have very clearly defined goals.  I will be able to run 5 miles.  I will qualify and become a NJ State Trooper (if the State doesn't fire everybody first), I will be in fantastic shape and have the body I have always wanted.  I will live a healthier life and enjoy time with my children (when we have them next summer, hopefully).  So, this is such a monumental step for me.

I will have my wife's phone while I am in the hospital, so I will be able to blog...I'll be able to give you real-time updates of how I feel, what is going on and my overall impressions of how it goes.  This is going to be great!

Stay tuned, I'm just getting started!