Now, Life After Surgery

Went to a monthly follow-up meeting last night, and Dr. Courtney Holbrook, who ran the session, gave me two  writing assignments.  This is The Second.

For this assignment, Dr. H asked us to write about what our life was like After surgery, to help us remember why we decided to have it. She suggested answering questions like these to focus my attention on the prospects and possibilities of change.

Describe how you have changed.  Major change so far is dietary compliance with my pouch, my "tool" that has replaced my former stomach. I eat three meals each day, focusing on protein first. About 1200 calories per day, emphasizing meat protein sources (mainly chicken and fish) and veggies.  And some fruit.  Much less carbs than I ate before surgery (BS), and less fats.  And smaller servings, no grazing.  No sweets, either.  The only real sweet thing I've eaten in four months was a partial piece of wedding cake at grandson Erick's wedding to Evangeline.  And I felt guilty for 3 days.

What are your dreams and how are you achieving them?  I'm not much of a dreamer.  There are a number of things I'd like to do on my Bucket List, and the major change offered by the surgery is to improve the odds of me being here to do them.

What is it like to live in your new body?  Pretty much like the old body.  I've lost 70 pounds, but I don't yet feel really different  Much of the weight loss has been from my arms and legs, and so my torso feels unchanged.  Now, in honesty, my pants sizes have dropped from a tight 46 to a loose 42. And today I'm wearing a loose comfortable shirt that I couldn't button two months ago.  But I haven't really made an emotional adjustment to a "new body."  Yet.

How do you define health for yourself?  Not being blind.  Not having my feet cut off.

What are you looking forward to?  Pretty much the same things I looked forward to BS.  Family life, friends, spending time with my wife, children, grandkids, and great-granddaughter.  Still working on my bucket list, and would love to take a tour that would travel over the route of the Lewis and Clark route to the west coast.  I'm hoping to organize a family reunion next year to celebrate the life of a great-grandfather who pioneered settlements in eastern Utah.  And I may go back to my writing job.

What interests that you had wished for when you were overweight are you pursuing now?  Uh, I still feel like I'm overweight.  Ask me again after I lose another 35-40 pounds! :-)