A quick update

It’s been two weeks since the surgery and I’m feeling fine. I’ve had zero pain since the second day after the procedure. I’ve lost weight and my sleep has already improved somewhat. Between that and quitting one of my prescription medications beforehand, I can now sleep about six hours every night with pretty-good consistency. Also, if I wake-up too early, I’m actually able to fall back asleep some of the time now… something I hadn’t been able to do for several years.

I’m still having some daytime sleepiness. It’s hard to know if this is due to insufficient sleep, or insufficient calorie intake. The doctor warned that during the first month or two, there’s a chance of some lethargic tendencies, but this was normal and will eventually go away. In the meantime I just need to follow the prescribed eating plan and make sure I take the vitamins and supplements. Pretty easy.

For the first few weeks, I was only allowed to have a few types of food (water, Propel, broth, sugar-free jello, sugar-free Popsicles, etc.) Soon after, I worked my way up to soupy foods (Cream O’ Wheat, creamy soups etc.) and now I’m up to mushy foods (soft cheese, oatmeal, pureed meats and fruits.) Everything has to be moist and soft or mushy for now. Pretty-soon I’ll actually be able to eat things that can actually be chewed.

I’ve had my first post-operative follow-up and everything looks good. In about three more weeks I’ll have my first Lap-Band “fill.”

I’ve been cleared to drive, and given the green-light to ramp my physical activity back up. So I’m doing 30 minutes of activity every day again now. So far it’s been mostly walking. I’ll introduce biking again soon, then start going to a monthly exercise class, which the doctor requires us to attend. I have some ideas for other stuff, too.

I was just thinking about some of the pleasant “side effects” today:

• I’ll be able to buy clothes at regular clothing stores, instead of just Casual Male XL.
• I’ll be able to fit on some of the roller coasters that I couldn’t fit into before.
• Many asthma sufferers report improvement after weight-loss surgery, and I have mild asthma.
• This may sound weird, but I’m already spending a lot less time sitting on the toilet. (Sorry for the TMI.)
• I’m obviously spending a lot less money on food.

MANY thanks to everyone for your well-wishes. I am really trying to catch-up on all your e-mails… please be patient with me!

So far, things really haven’t been difficult at all. And finally I wake-up feeling like I actually slept (instead of feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck.) I still have a long way to go. But I’m seeing improvement already.