Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Professor Clump Makes a House Call!
NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH! Can you believe it? After 50 days, Gene finally had a "clumping" experience! Since this blog is for more than just my family, I feel I must share this information because it is far more common than our single experience with it and anyone considering the surgery needs to be aware of the possibilities.
To brush up, there are primarily two adverse reactions that a Gastric By-pass patient might experience adjusting to their new stomach. One, called "dumping" is exactly what it sounds like and since we all do this to some extent, while it can be a big deal, it hasn't been for Gene.
"Clumping" is throwing up and while that may sound fairly innocuous, a Gastric By-pass patient does so in a rather violent way. Oh well. Here are the reasons one may clump: 1)eating too fast, 2)eating too much (remember, still only 2-3 oz. per meal), 3)food too dry, 4)wrong food (refined sugar, "bad" carbs). Considering that Gene's total caloric intake on Sunday was less than 400 (today has only been around 500), it seems that clumping should not have been part of his day. But it was.
After all was said and done, Gene determined that he ate the little bit of food he had (2 oz. tilapia and 1 oz. refried beans) too fast, they may have been too dry and there was too much!
In all actuality, the clumping was a blessing. It is the one thing that he been terrified of since the very mention of the surgery but now he has done it and lived to tell about it. Yea for Gene! He even tidied up after (don't let that one out or his man-license may be rescinded!).
So, remember: this is not the "easy way"; it is merely a tool. Thanks for caring, listening and learning!
To brush up, there are primarily two adverse reactions that a Gastric By-pass patient might experience adjusting to their new stomach. One, called "dumping" is exactly what it sounds like and since we all do this to some extent, while it can be a big deal, it hasn't been for Gene.
"Clumping" is throwing up and while that may sound fairly innocuous, a Gastric By-pass patient does so in a rather violent way. Oh well. Here are the reasons one may clump: 1)eating too fast, 2)eating too much (remember, still only 2-3 oz. per meal), 3)food too dry, 4)wrong food (refined sugar, "bad" carbs). Considering that Gene's total caloric intake on Sunday was less than 400 (today has only been around 500), it seems that clumping should not have been part of his day. But it was.
After all was said and done, Gene determined that he ate the little bit of food he had (2 oz. tilapia and 1 oz. refried beans) too fast, they may have been too dry and there was too much!
In all actuality, the clumping was a blessing. It is the one thing that he been terrified of since the very mention of the surgery but now he has done it and lived to tell about it. Yea for Gene! He even tidied up after (don't let that one out or his man-license may be rescinded!).
So, remember: this is not the "easy way"; it is merely a tool. Thanks for caring, listening and learning!
Friday, July 18, 2008
The "Skinny" on Fat
As of Tuesday, July 15, my Gene-o had lost 46 pounds (and that is in 35 days, friends!) shocking the staff at Dr. Boyce's office. I tell you, this man is on a mission!
Surprisingly, quitting eating has been the easy part! Because his stomach "pouch" is so small and holds so little, it is easy for Gene to know when he has enough and know that if he forces more food down, it will most certainly, come back up. However, his brain has not caught on to that quite yet.
It's summertime, the best time of year to eat the good stuff: corn on the cob,fried okra,macaroni and tomatoes,fruit cobblers,you get the idea. And while one day those foods will be reintroduced (in moderation of course),the desire for them now continues to be strong. So in this, as in so many other areas of life, he is learning to deny himself the temporary pleasures looking forward to the long-term satisfaction discipline brings. Or, better said in Hebrews 12:11 "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." We also expect it to yield better health, enjoyable outdoor activities and a more active social life.
So this time next year, when corn is bursting from the shuck, Gene will enjoy an "ear" or two and be done. Outside of fabulous weight loss and overall good health, I can't think of any greater gift that he will receive from all of this hard work than an ability to exercise moderation in all things!
Surprisingly, quitting eating has been the easy part! Because his stomach "pouch" is so small and holds so little, it is easy for Gene to know when he has enough and know that if he forces more food down, it will most certainly, come back up. However, his brain has not caught on to that quite yet.
It's summertime, the best time of year to eat the good stuff: corn on the cob,fried okra,macaroni and tomatoes,fruit cobblers,you get the idea. And while one day those foods will be reintroduced (in moderation of course),the desire for them now continues to be strong. So in this, as in so many other areas of life, he is learning to deny himself the temporary pleasures looking forward to the long-term satisfaction discipline brings. Or, better said in Hebrews 12:11 "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." We also expect it to yield better health, enjoyable outdoor activities and a more active social life.
So this time next year, when corn is bursting from the shuck, Gene will enjoy an "ear" or two and be done. Outside of fabulous weight loss and overall good health, I can't think of any greater gift that he will receive from all of this hard work than an ability to exercise moderation in all things!
Monday, July 7, 2008
In Spain They Call This "Tapas"
But in Rockford, we call it a "wee-nee" (my apologies to those north of the Mason-Dixon line) . To be exact, an Oscar Mayer Turkey Frank which provides 100 calories, 2 g. carbohydrates (not to exceed 30 g daily), 5 g protein (75 g required daily) and, most importantly, 69 delightful bites! Yes, we cut 'em small around here! For added taste, he dips each bite in either yellow mustard or salsa. Quite the connoisseur, that Gene-o.
Gene is moving along steadily, gaining strength each day. Hannah commented today that it looks like he is losing weight from his head down and I agree. As a matter of fact, during a recent backrub, I discovered what appear to be "shoulder-blades"! At first, I suspected a tumor, but upon further examination, found the mass duplicated on the right side and came to the conclusion that they are, indeed, regular, everyday body parts. I can only imagine what we may find next! (Not that I am looking, mind you!)
And so, on we go. Tuesday, July 15, is our next appointment with Dr. Boyce and we are going to hold off weighing until then, so please check back for the next big announcement.
Gene is moving along steadily, gaining strength each day. Hannah commented today that it looks like he is losing weight from his head down and I agree. As a matter of fact, during a recent backrub, I discovered what appear to be "shoulder-blades"! At first, I suspected a tumor, but upon further examination, found the mass duplicated on the right side and came to the conclusion that they are, indeed, regular, everyday body parts. I can only imagine what we may find next! (Not that I am looking, mind you!)
And so, on we go. Tuesday, July 15, is our next appointment with Dr. Boyce and we are going to hold off weighing until then, so please check back for the next big announcement.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Maybe I'm not telling you everything...
It occurred to me last night that what I have written on this blog may lead some of you to believe that this process has been, and will continue to be, a walk in the park. And while it is for me, I am reminded that I am not the one doing the sacrificing!
For example, on Saturday, Gene got in most of his protein and fluid requirements and STILL only consumed about 550 calories. Therefore, his energy level is pitifully low. We went to a nephew's birthday party last night, and while his brothers stood in solidarity with "Jr." and didn't eat, that didn't lessen the fact that cake and ice cream may come and go, but Gene will stand by and watch. I drove us to that party and back because Gene said he just didn't feel "right". These observations that I have made are minor in comparison to the internal battles minute by minute that he doesn't share with me.
Of course, we NEVER want to get back to where we were. Where were we? Living in the land of Food, where Gluttony is the capitol and the inhabitants of the land pay homage by planning lavish gatherings filled with delicasies approved by our beloved leaders, Excess and Indulgence. Those days and that reign must end.
So this is for those of you who may be considering the surgery. It is not a "cakewalk" friends, and you need to go in with your eyes open and your chinstrap buckled! And for those of you who want to keep up with Gene's progress, perhaps you could add these issues to your prayer list for him.
Thanks for listening.
For example, on Saturday, Gene got in most of his protein and fluid requirements and STILL only consumed about 550 calories. Therefore, his energy level is pitifully low. We went to a nephew's birthday party last night, and while his brothers stood in solidarity with "Jr." and didn't eat, that didn't lessen the fact that cake and ice cream may come and go, but Gene will stand by and watch. I drove us to that party and back because Gene said he just didn't feel "right". These observations that I have made are minor in comparison to the internal battles minute by minute that he doesn't share with me.
Of course, we NEVER want to get back to where we were. Where were we? Living in the land of Food, where Gluttony is the capitol and the inhabitants of the land pay homage by planning lavish gatherings filled with delicasies approved by our beloved leaders, Excess and Indulgence. Those days and that reign must end.
So this is for those of you who may be considering the surgery. It is not a "cakewalk" friends, and you need to go in with your eyes open and your chinstrap buckled! And for those of you who want to keep up with Gene's progress, perhaps you could add these issues to your prayer list for him.
Thanks for listening.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Refried Beans and Cottage Cheese!
On this happy day, 17 days post-surgery, Gene has heard (and seen, check out the pic!) the good news of a 29.5 pound weight loss!
As if the massive weight loss weren't enough to set his head a'spinnin', he now gets to add some pretty tasty provisions to his daily diet. Check it out: small curd cottage cheese, no sugar added juice (off canned fruit), refried beans, scrambled eggs, oatmeal and chicken! Of course, these items will be eaten only 3 times a day, 1.5 oz. at a time. He still has to drink his 64 oz. of approved liquids and get in 75 g. of protein daily, but these additions will make that seem like a walk in the park! We are both "super-excited"!
To celebrate Gene's grand news, we took the fam to see "Kung Fu Panda"...and oh my, some among our happy band felt a certain kinship to that fluffy fellow! Be that as it may, we had a good time and looked a little like tourists with our giddy picture taking before the show. (And yes, Gene LIKES white shirts. Note the presence of ink pens in the pocket but the important ABSENCE of a pocket protector!)Embarrassing? We moved past that a long time ago; you have met our family haven't you?
Well, Gene and I will now head to bed excited...because when we wake up, he can actually have FOOD to eat instead of merely a protein shake (shame on you for thinking what you were thinking!)!
Happy chewing!
As if the massive weight loss weren't enough to set his head a'spinnin', he now gets to add some pretty tasty provisions to his daily diet. Check it out: small curd cottage cheese, no sugar added juice (off canned fruit), refried beans, scrambled eggs, oatmeal and chicken! Of course, these items will be eaten only 3 times a day, 1.5 oz. at a time. He still has to drink his 64 oz. of approved liquids and get in 75 g. of protein daily, but these additions will make that seem like a walk in the park! We are both "super-excited"!
To celebrate Gene's grand news, we took the fam to see "Kung Fu Panda"...and oh my, some among our happy band felt a certain kinship to that fluffy fellow! Be that as it may, we had a good time and looked a little like tourists with our giddy picture taking before the show. (And yes, Gene LIKES white shirts. Note the presence of ink pens in the pocket but the important ABSENCE of a pocket protector!)Embarrassing? We moved past that a long time ago; you have met our family haven't you?
Well, Gene and I will now head to bed excited...because when we wake up, he can actually have FOOD to eat instead of merely a protein shake (shame on you for thinking what you were thinking!)!
Happy chewing!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
STARDATE 06212008 WIFE'S LOG...
Encountered older looking gentleman yesterday who goes by several names,"Gene","Jr.","Big Chief", and who claimed to be celebrating his "date of origin".When asked why the strange flaming sustenance on the plate before him, he explained the odd tradition of "cake, candles, ice cream" he once used to celebrate previous dates of origin (this being his 54th). Interesting indeed. His plate did not appear to hold any of the above and when queried responded by explaining that a protein shake would not support a candle, hence the well-chopped scrambled egg.What fun that must have been for him.
Will check in on the old fellow in coming days.
Will check in on the old fellow in coming days.
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