Apr 10 2008

Ten Days Post Op

Tag: Bariatric Bypass Surgery, Exercise, Weigh InRussell @ 8:01 am

This morning my weight is 365.8 lbs.  I am very happy with that!  I have been working extremely hard to achieve that, though.  I’ve been exercising 3 to 4 times per day.  Yesterday, for example, I took two walks, once with 1-pound weights on my wrists, each walk about 1 mile/20 minutes.  I also rode the elliptical twice yesterday, once 2.2 miles in 20 minutes, and then the second time 2.4 miles in 20 minutes.  I have been very conscientious to make sure I am getting plenty of protein.

Speaking of protein, I am really starting to dislike the protein supplements I am taking.  I have been using the Nectar protein products.  At first they weren’t so bad, but I’ve slowly developed a strong distaste for them.  Right now I have been using primarily the cappuccino and twisted cherry flavors.  Before my surgery I was mixing them with large quantities of water (about 32oz).  Post-surgery, I simply cannot take down that much water at once, so I’ve been mixing with 8 to 12 oz of water.  It’s sickeningly sweet and leaves a horrible after taste.  I have some Lemon Tea flavor that I haven’t been using; I think I will try it today.  I may have to consider an alternative product.

I am feeling very motivated and good overall.  My body continues to recover very well.  This morning I changed the water tank on the water cooler and had absolutely no pain or discomfort at all lifting that much weight.  I think my exercise regimine in conjunction with the large amounts of protein I’ve been consuming has really helped to speed my recovery along.

On Monday the 14th I will be returning to work, but I will be working from home the first week.  It’s been very easy and convenient to exercise while I’ve been off work, but now I am going to have to start focusing on adhering to a schedule to accomodate my work day.  Shouldn’t be a big issue.

That’s about it for now.


Apr 09 2008

Elliptical

Tag: ExerciseRussell @ 8:30 am

2.4 miles in 20 minutes


Apr 09 2008

Exercise + Eating small meals = weght loss

Tag: Bariatric Bypass Surgery, Exercise, Weigh InRussell @ 7:26 am

This morning’s weigh in:

369.0 lbs

It seems that exercise plus eating small meals throughout the day is getting my metabolism going!!  This morning I am going to do at least 20 mins on the elliptical.


Apr 08 2008

Making progress, feeling better every day

Tag: Bariatric Bypass Surgery, Exercise, Weigh InRussell @ 8:52 pm

This morning my weight was 372 lbs.  I am already more than half way to my first major milestone, 50 lbs. lost.  Physically I am feeling alot better…not quite 100% yet, but getting there.  I have been very good about exercising every day and that makes me feel good about myself.  I’ve been walking 2 to 3 times per day and getting in about 60 minutes of brisk walking every day.  This is more exercise than I’ve had in a long, long time and I have to admit, it feels good.  Tomorrow I think I will try getting back on the elliptical.

Today the doctor told me that I had to wait 6 weeks until I could swim again, which is a drag becuase summer is coming and we have a pool in our backyard.  Hopefully that 6 weeks will go by quickly; I think it will.

My attitude the past several days has been really down.  I’ve been very grumpy and irritable.  Not only have I not been eating but I’ve also stopped drinking alcohol and smoking.  Today my wife pointed out that I have been very distant.  That was a bit of a reality check for me and I appreciated it.  I will work on my attitude in the coming days.  I must stay positive and focused.

It’s been extremely difficult, but I am doing it and every day is a little easier.  It’s definitely nice not to have to worry about work.  Speaking of work, I will be back in action starting this coming Monday but working from home.  Hopefully I will be able to ease into things and there won’t be a maelstrom of work waiting for me…

As far as diet goes, up until yesterday I’ve been purely on water, vitamin supplements, protein supplements and the occasional canned chicken or beef broth.  Yesterday I had about 4 oz of chicken cream soup and a couple water crackers.  Today I tried 4 oz of yogurt, 4 oz of chicken cream soup and for dinner I had some scrambled egges made from egg beaters and a couple very small pieces of mexican cheese.  I am tolerating this food very well.  It will be interesting to see how my weight loss is affected.  The whey protein supplement that I add to water is becoming extremely distasteful to me.  It has a very unpleasant after taste, but it’s very important that I get at least 60 grams of protein every day, so I will keep drinking it.


Apr 08 2008

Had to replace my router…

Tag: TechRussell @ 3:30 pm

Sorry I haven’t written anything in a few days, my Verizon router failed on Sunday.  They just replaced it today.  I will write something later today…


Apr 05 2008

Weight 5 days after surgery

Tag: Bariatric Bypass SurgeryRussell @ 9:38 am

375.6 lbs

:-(


Apr 05 2008

Feeling better, getting better

Tag: Bariatric Bypass SurgeryRussell @ 9:35 am

I am feeling much better today.  A friend reminded me that if I am walking an hour a day that I am likely building some muscle, especially if it’s after a long period without exercise.  I am not as bothered by the fact that the numbers on the scale are not going down as fast as I had hoped.  My wife tells me that I definitely look like I am losing weight, and that’s good enough for me.

The human bodies capacity for healing is remarkable.  It’s been less than 5 days since my surgery and I already feel so much better.  When sitting comfortably, I basically have no pain at all.  When trying to get up or doing anything that uses my stomach muscles, I have dull pain.  The incisions on my stomach are healing nicely.  They are starting to itch quite a bit, which I think is a good sign of healing.

Today I will go for a long walk outdoors (so far I’ve been doing all my walking inside, mostly becuase my most comfortable, loose-fitting clothes are pajamas).  I am almost looking forward to it…


Apr 03 2008

Hope it gets better

Tag: ExerciseRussell @ 9:53 pm

Just finished walking for 30 minutes, still not feeling too sharp…


Apr 03 2008

3 days post op

Tag: Bariatric Bypass SurgeryRussell @ 6:03 pm

This has been a very rough week, and the funny thing is, it’s not even because of the surgery or the diet at all.  These feel like they are the least of my problems right now, but I won’t go into that here…

I am feeling very discouraged.  I just stepped on the scale.  My weight was 377.4 lbs.  That’s 3 lbs over my last weigh in the day before the surgery.  I haven’t eaten anything in 11 days.  I do not understand how on Earth I could have possibly gained 3 pounds.  I’m taking in less than 1 gram each of fat and carbs per day and less than 300 calories per day.  I have to admit that today, right now, I am starting to worry that maybe this surgery was a huge mistake…

I have alot of abdominal gas and cramping; it’s very uncomfortable.  The pain is not so bad.  I have some pain medication that I take every 4 hours, and that really helps.

I’ve been walking at least 60 minutes per day since Tuesday.

I don’t have too much else to write today, I am feeling very defeated and distracted and just don’t feel like writing…


Apr 01 2008

30 Hours Post-Op

Tag: Bariatric Bypass SurgeryRussell @ 4:35 pm

I had my surgery yesterday morning and I am already home.  I have to say I am feeling much better only one day after the operation than I though I would.  It’s a struggle to drink anything, but I am trying to just take alot of little sips as often as I can becuase it’s important I stay hydrated.

I will write some more when I have more energy.


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