It has been seven weeks and two days since my surgery. I am down to 260 lbs., which is 70 lbs. lighter than my original weight of 330 lbs. and I am 45 lbs. lighter since the surgery. My cholesterol (specifically, my triglycerides) are down 120 pts. since my surgery. I now walk 1.5 miles a day and I am starting a more rigorous exercise routine next week that will include cardio, weight lifting, core training, etc. I am feeling great and getting past the issues that have plagued me for a few weeks now. Speaking of which, let me take a moment to go through that.
Since my hospital visit, I was put in contact with a fantastic gastro doctor in Denville (Dr. Emiliani from Morris County Gastro Associates) who ran blood tests and today dilitated my anastamosis. The anastamosis is the connection between the new stomach and the by-passed intestines. Due to my severe acid reflux, which didn't totally subside after the surgery, the connection became ulcerated and strictured (constricted) to 1/2 the size it needed to be. As a result, I couldn't eat solid food as it would immediately come back up because it had no where to go...the hole was too small. Today, they did an endoscopy and placed a catheter with a balloon down my throat and into my stomach and expanded the anastamosis to the proper size. It was a procedure that lasted about 15 minutes and I was able to eat by 9:00 AM this morning, which I did with much ease. The procedure, so far, has proven successful. There is a possibility that the stricture may return to some extent, but that is normal. It sometimes take 2 or 3 dilitations before the problem is resolved. However, for now, I am able to eat and that is a wonderful B-Day present! I had a slice of pizza tonight...yeah...only 1...but that is all I can eat...however, I was able to actually eat it without throwing up. Huge success.
I also have diverticulitis, however, for the moment, it has calmed itself. If I stay hydrated, I am hoping to avoid another flare up until I lose all my weight and they can operate to remove the section of damaged colon.
So, the process can continue. I am feeling much better and I have reduced my body weight by over 20% so far. There have been some bumps, but the process is proving to be a positive change overall. Nothing comes easy and nothing comes without a price. However, the health benefits outweigh the risks and so far, nothing too terribly serious has come down the pike. So, onward and upward.
I will talk to you all soon! Thanks for the support and enjoy the weather!
Congrats and Happy Birthday!
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