Good To Go!

So I know I never really finished my surgery story. Partly because I feel like I tell it all the time and I highly doubt that anyone wants to read about it too. But I'll try to finish it in this post.

I wake up from my second surgery in the ICU. I don't remember a lot, but looking at the clock and seeing that it was 6am. I remember signing tube and trying to figure out when it was going to be taken out. I was in the ICU for 2 days. I had family come visit and a few really close friends - no one else was allowed in. After I was transferred to a regular unit. I was warned that after my second surgery, they had to put in a gastric tube. The tube connected straight to my bowel and came out on the side right my left breast. That tube was to release evreything in my bowel into a bag. I had to have that tube for at least 4 -6 weeks. The tube was the hardest part to deal with as it was stitched right into my skin and it hurt every time I moved. Thankfully my bowel started to work a week after my second surgery. If it didn't, I may of had the gastric tube for life or had to have a third surgery.

With my second surgery, I was cut from Breast bone to belly button, and it was stapled shut, well it decided to get infected. Since I have a lot of fatty tissue in my stomache area (hense the RNY) I am at more of a risk to get infections from open wounds. And that's what happened. It got infected, in two places. So instead of just having it heal, they had to open up my wound in two different places and "let it air out" I was in the hospital for two weeks after my second surgery and had to deal with my wounds for another 2 months after they were first opened.

It was quite the experience, but honestly, I don't regret my decision. I started my weight lose journey at 360lbs or 163kgs. As of today, I am at 267lbs or 121 kgs. That is a total weight loss of 93 lbs to date. Honestly, I can't believe how far I really have come. I have lost the size of a little person - or the size of the non-verbal boy that I watch. That is just CRAZY!

So after everything, I saw my surgeon on a pretty regular bases. But today when I saw him, I got the all clear! I don't need to see him again unless there is a problem and that is something I am definately not planning on.

Ponderings

So I am about two and a half months from my surgeries. and I have been finding that I am starting to notice/realize the smaller things that I never have before.

1) I have a collar bone. You can't see it quite yet, but if I put my hand on my neck, I can feel it sticking up. Which is honestly super exciting for me. Why? Because that was one of my main goals - to actually be able to see my collar bone.

2) My butt hurts! I can't sit for more than 2 - 3 hours at a time and that is even pushing it. Why is my butt hurting? I think it is because my tail bone is no longer surrounded by lots and lots of padding.

3) I need to stop buying new clothes. After the surgery I knew I would be losing weight. But I didn't realize how fast the pounds would be coming off. I bought "later jeans" for 2 -3 months from now but I'm now wearing my "later jeans" - 2-3 months early. Same with my winter jacket from last year - I figured I could still wear it this winter, but when I went to try it on again, I can wrap myself in it - so that won't work.

4) I love working out. I want to start doing different activities for working out. I like how I can go to the gym and work out and actually feel the sweat - it makes me feel like I really am doing something to better myself.

5) I have my own cheering section. The people I have met on this journey are all cheering for me, along with my friends and family. I couldn't be more blessed with the group surrounding me and cherring me on.

6) I am not the only one going through this weight loss journey. I have met some great and extremely helpful people that are willing to share their experiences - good or bad - with me.

7) I need support. I need to ask questions. Again, I am not the only one going through this. I have some of the same questions that other people probably have had. I can also help other people that are just starting their weight loss journey. Forums and message boards, meeting with friends, support groups can only help me.

8) I need to trust my body and my doctors. Especially for the amount and types of food I can now eat.

9) My brain will eventually catch up to my body. I have moments where I'm like "that shouldn't fit, it will be WAY TOO tight" or "I can eat all that food no problem" but in reality, that shirt or pants fit me fine, if not a little too big now. Or I can't eat all that food...I'll just end up sick.

So there you have it, 9 little things that I have learnt since surgery.