JeffA70

Wow. At every step of the process, I have been repeatedly told, by everyone in my medical team, that NSAIDs are absolutely off the table from here on it. I actually had to sign something that I understood! I had two pharmacy consults that went through my med list (which, thankfully, is nothing really....just Advil for back pain), and both pharmacists told me to toss my Advil and use something else for the rest of my life. There were things along the way in every other area that were presented as "Some people..." but this clearly wasn't one of them. God, I just cannot get over how different it is what we're all told. I'm sorry to alarm you...don't listen to me, listen to your doc! Again, sorry.

Glad to hear you guys are doing well. I'm so jealous of the sashimi!!!!!! I'm doing fine. The last two nights at dinner have been nice because I've been able to eat what the family was eating...sort of. I'm on the mushy food stage, so took their chili yesterday and pureed it a little more... And added my beloved sriracha!!!! It was only 2oz of chili, but felt 'normal.' Tonight, I cooked fish for them and took 2oz of the moist center, added in a little chicken broth and mashed, mashed, mashed it up with a fork. Tasted great! Still can't get over how different all of our plans are. I couldn't imagine JUST NOW moving to mush. I'm going into the third week of it! Really looking forward to getting cleared for normal food on Feb. 8. Can I say that I so hope we all stay in touch over the months and years ahead? It's really nice to have others that went through it 'with' you on that day.

One of my bucket list goals is to run a 5k, and I'm hoping to start the C25K this spring and summer in prep for a fall race. Best of luck to you! Please keep us posted! I HATED running in college, when I was slimmer, but that was 20 years ago and I'm a dedicated man now. Have a goal, and beat that sucker!!

Hugging a pillow there when I sneeze really helps the pain. On my first night in the hospital, I had hiccups, and they were awful. The only way I could stop them was hugging the pillow and holding my breath.

Huh. Thanks!!!!

No tingling, but my hands are always cold now. That what you mean?

I can't wait to throw 'the little monster' out the flipping window. Alas, I fear that I will have to go back to my sleep doc for official permission to stop use, which I presume will only come with yet more appointments, money and other sleep study. I'm at a 9 right now, and don't think I can adjust it myself. I hate every moment with the damn thing.

I use Flintstones chewibles with iron. I don't find them to be that bad.

You might not like the Underwood spreads then. I find them a great switch from the baby food meats. My blog is at: http://onelifetosleeve.wordpress.com My family had chili tonight. I pureed some of it. It was good, and nice to have the same thing they were.

Is it focused right under one of your incisions? I have a pain under my largest one. In fact, it's kind of a hard lump, which the doc said was normal.

I literally just made a blog post about some tips for this stage 30 seconds ago with a video. Try mashed up tuna or salmon with a bit of reduced fat mayo, and for a rare treat, try an Underwood meat spread. Really good!

I have vowed to never again walk into a Casual Male. I think Kohls is a good choice, from what I've seen walking around d one with my wife, although I need tall lengths, so they may be limited. JC Penney has tall sizes, so that probably will be OK for me. I like Lands' End for catalog shopping. NSV... was in Walmart the other day buying something else, and walked by the jeans. I wondered, 'Well, I'm down a bit... Let's see.' And I found a pair that fit well!!!! There was only one pair of 46-32, but I bought them! First time buying pants in a regular department store since like 2004ish!

Oh my god, I came downstairs to write almost the exact same thing!!!! I have five incisions. All of them LOOK fine (one's a little black and blue). But the biggest one, where my doc says that they did some under-the-skin suturing, where they removed my stomach from, etc. is sore. It hurts there when I sneeze, cough, etc. I lifted something this week that was probably too heavy, and it hurt the next day, etc. It's almost a solid ball under my skin, which he told me was normal. It's not unbearable pain. I haven't even been taking Tylenol for it. But it's there, and if possible, hurts MORE than it did last week???

Good luck. That's scary.

I've found the same. I also find that I can pretty easily drink liquids. I have to pause once in a while when feeling full, but I certainly can drink much, much more than 4oz in 15 minutes, which was my original target goal.

Fantastic! Totally savor that victory! Rock it!

JeffA70. Decided that I'm not going to go back to using it until I get to soft/real foods, which will roughly be when I get cleared to exercise as well. Looking forward to it, as I used to like MFP a lot!

I think I meant to write extract.