January 19th - Pre Op Weight 265

Thanks to the advances in medical science, I have a new opportunity to make my eating habits conform with accepted medical research. My stomach got banded this morning and, except for the CO2 pain in my upper chest, I feel like I have some major help in getting my weight under control which will, hopefully, prolong my life -- taking advantage of my "long life" genes from the Ryan side of my family.:clap2:

January 20th

Lots of stiffness but good pain meds made the day manageable. Walked back and forth on the road (about 1000 feet one way) two roundtrips and then went to watch grandaughter Cassady's basketball game. Needed strong arm to push up off of the bleacher, but that's what sons and grandsons are all about. No hunger except for ice chips. The chocolate protein drink was not tempting, but sipped on it all day anyway. Slept in the bed for two hours, but went back to the recliner.

January 21st

Planned meds and naps so that I could drive from Magnolia back to Port Arthur to go back to work tomorrow. All I have to do is breath slowly and everything will be manageable. A body is all that is needed in my classroom tomorrow and that's about all they will get! Slept in the bed in two hour stretches. Had to get up and walk around and then lay down again, turning over is too painful.

January 22nd

The night was miserable - resolve to take pain meds for a few more days longer - must have more rest. Vegetable stock is very soothing to the palette. Finally able to drink a full can of protein drink. After work, felt bloated so laid down for a nap. Two-and-a-half hours later, much better. I putted around the apartment, loaded the dishwasher, did a load of laundry and then went back to bed for the night.

January 23rd - Weight: 257

Much better night! Took pain meds just before retiring last night and then again about 1 a.m. this morning. Got up with more energy and less depression. Thank goodness I'm just doing TAKS test relief - I will get plenty of walking around in short spurts. Who would believe that less than 2 ozs. of cream of potato soup watered down with chicken broth would serve as a filling lunch? I was amazed at how happy I was with just a few bites. Got lot of confusing information about protein needs from the Internet, so I guess I continue to drink Adkins shakes every day. I will need a short rest period when I get home, but not as much as yesterday.

January 24th

I had a long restful night - 6:30 to 5:45 with about 2 hours awake at 11 p.m. The meds are being tapered off and my morning strength is improving. The "Bloated" feeling from the abdominal swelling still occurs after lunch but it is less than it was before. The first of the steri-strips came off of the "port" incision. The new blood pressure medicine seems to be too strong. Guess I'm not getting enough protein. Mixing the crushed pill with the protein shake seems to work best - the water and juice cause it to clump and the after-taste is beyond gross. Sure wish I could have a soft scrambled egg, but opened another protein drink instread. Ice off and on all morning helped keep my mind off of no solid food.

January 25th

Good night last night - only problem was I drank a cup of coffee about 5:30 and could not go to sleep until after 10. It's hard to believe that I broke the coffee/tea/diet coke habit in just the pre-op and post-op time frame. Weight up a little this morning, guess I need to concentrate on water and walking. Drank Adkins for breakfast and then blended refried pintos with lots of beef broth to make some super runny brown grunge that tasted heavenly. My MEX fix worked. I'm not the least been hungry and it only took 1/4 to satisfy me. Had a cup of vanilla milk at 3 p.m. Didn't even know they made the stuff, picked up the wrong container in the cafeteria. Water and Adkins for supper.

January 26th

Hit the snooze and opened a bottle of water. Lay in bed and drank it slowly, hitting snooze a couple of times. Up for a shower and off to work, no pain meds needed last night or this morning. Adkins for breakfast and another bottle of water around 10. Doctor's office called and rescheduled 1 week check-up until Monday. Planning to eat with the "girls" tonight at Jason's Deli. French Onion Soup without the bread and the cheese on the side ought to do the trick.

Congratulations and Good Luck!!