Changes.

Two weeks post op and I'm seeing changes in his body. His face, neck, and shoulders are slimmer. I can see his colar bones now and his shoulder bones. His calve muscles are much more defined when he walks or moves around. He still lacks energy, and he stays cold most of the time. He is noticing small changes too. He is able to prop his legs in positions that previously he couldn't, or that would have been very uncomfortable. As of today, he weighs 412 lbs! Look out 300's, here we come.

A Little Set Back.

Back to the ER we go. They weren't able to give us a definite answer, but they're trying to reassure us it's not a blood clot. Possibly gout, so taking meds. Also a small possibility it's a stress fracture from all that walking around city lake, even though the X-rays don't show anything. We're going to baby the foot for a few days and see how it feels then. We will just keep on keeping on. 

My Suggestions So Far.

So what have I learned these past two weeks.....plenty, and not nearly enough! 

If someone interested in this surgery were to ask my opinion, I would have to tell them that this isn't an easy trip. Not for the patient, or their caregiver. It is a physical battle, as well as a mental battle for both of you. If you do not have someone to be your full time caregiver following the surgery, I would say this surgery just isn't an option for you IF you're severely overweight. People with lower and lower BMI's are having this done all the time, and in many ways it is an easier transition for those individuals. They tend not to struggle with every day activities to the same extent morbidly obese people do. Things like walking, or dressing themselves. 

I don't regret Bobby's decision to have this surgery, personally, but I will say that in many ways it's like having a baby again. We have to preplan any trip outside the house. We have to pack a bag for sippy cups, foods, medicines and vitamins, and of course, the schedule so we don't forget what gets taken when. Every day has to be pre planned. Prepping is a big key to our success I am finding.

I would also suggest, to anyone severely overweight, that your spouse or caretaker take just as much time off from work as the patient does. In the beginning they will need basic help that anyone following a surgery will need. After they begin to heal, they will need your encouragement and support with keeping active. About 2 weeks in, they will need you there for full time mental support. I don't have this luxury because I just started a new job and still in my probation period, but every day I long to be home with him and keep his mind active.

We are starting to become more settled with this new lifestyle but it's still very taxing. Finding ways to destress is important at this stage.

Let's Get Physical.

Today is the first day that Bobby woke up with any level of energy. Even on his good days, he's woken up sluggish and had to work up to his good mood. He suggested we go for a walk around City Lake. He did fabulous! He walked from bench to bench, resting between spurts. It was very difficult for him. His knees were killing him, he was easily winded, and he felt so weak. It was a tough mental battle, as much as it was a physical battle. He felt very defeated when he wasn't able to complete an entire lap around the lake. It's a total of .6 miles around, and he made it to .5 around. He was very close, but the last stretch didn't have any benches and he was afraid to attempt it being so worn out at that point. I, however, was beyond proud of him. I wasn't sure he'd get even half a lap in, but he pushed himself and accomplished so much. He is battling knee pain, weeks of inactivity, a major surgery, and a lack of food. It's a rough journey, but he's doing it!

Trial & Error.

I am so tired of buying replacement items!!!!!  Ok, just saying that helps me feel a little bit better.  We went shopping before surgery to make sure we were stocked on the 'must haves' on our list.  There were vitamins and supplements, medicines, protein, calcium, antacids, juices, water, spoons, sippy cups, yadda yadda yadda. It was overwhelming trying to guess what we would use, and what we wouldn't. After analyzing everything, we finally felt prepared.....and then we came home from the hospital!  We had 4 new prescriptions to fill.  Half of the vitamins we bought ended up being too difficult for him to swallow, even being cut in half.  He struggled getting them down, and couldn't stomach them crushed.  So we had to find replacements.  Double the cost, double the stressing over whether they would work.  In the end, it wouldn't have mattered if we had waited to buy them or not.  We still would have chosen the options we originally did, and would have had to find replacements at some point.  There just isn't any way to know what will work until you actually try it.  We bought some baby food fruits and veggies (because they are approved options for his new diet plan) and he isn't able to stomach those either. The taste makes him gag.  I try not to laugh, but it's hard!  :)  So finding veggies I can make at home and puree is just another added stress.  Things we commonly eat like green beans aren't so bad, but others are difficult since no one else will eat them and making very small amounts seems ends up being kind of wasteful. We've tried various forms of water flavors, protein flavors. and juices.  Ended up ordering specialty items online from a bariatric supply company because they have the best options, even though it's twice the cost. When we end up finding something that works, it almost makes me want to do a little dance.  I think this has been the most draining part of the process for me.  All the shopping, replacing, and trying new this or that.  I know we will eventually get it all worked out, but it feels stressful at the moment.

One Week Post-op.

I notice a big change today. Day 5 he felt great, day 6 not so much, day 7 so-so, but today is another great day. He's spent a good portion of time visiting with family and friends and that is so reviving to the soul. These past days he's mostly felt like sitting around, not much energy. Today he's more energetic and even making plans to get some exercise by walking around the city lake. An activity he would never have mentioned before! He's lost all the extra weight the surgery caused, plus an addition 12lbs. Today he weighed in at 422lbs. I can see some change in his shoulder/collar bone area, and in his legs. He's become more accepting of his new schedule of consuming liquids and such. We aren't as overwhelmed now, and he finally had his first bowel movement at 7 days post-op. I'm starting to glimps a little light at the end of the tunnel.

A Breath Of Fresh Air.

Today has been a very reviving day for us all. 5 days post-op, it's sunny and warmer outside which is putting us all in a much better mood. Bobby is feeling much better today, so much so that he even took the golf cart out for a stroll. He went very slow, but it didn't cause him any discomfort. He took a shower and didn't get worn out. He's also had a few visitors today, which is always good for the soul. He is back down to his original weight prior to surgery. With swelling and fluids, he weighed 23 lbs. heavier the day he was released. Today is the first day he has made his fluid intake goals. He got in two protein shakes, two bottles of water, and some juice. I am really proud of him. I know it's hard sipping something throughout the entire day.