Time for an Update: Three months

The pain is gone (again)! Since surgery I've been having pain in the upper portion of my open incision. It was a burning pain and lingered so long it really started to piss me off. The pain would go away, then come back in two weeks and I'd have to start up pain meds again... funny fat man story in 3...2...1

My pain had mostly gone away.  So, it being summer, I decided to take a trip to my family's summer lake cottage.  I brought a friend and we went boating to the sand bar (a portion of the lake that is only 4-5 feet deep.  So, my friend jumps in and encourages me to do the same.  Now, if you're anything like me, you have no problem getting OUT of the boat, it's getting back IN that's near impossible.  But I had a duodenal switch.  I've lost a BUNCH of weight.  I'm like the obese superman, I can do anything!  So, my rolly-polly ass jumps in the lake and has a great time splashing and swimming about.  Until - you guessed it - it was time to get back inside the boat!  My (skinny) friend got back in first.  Then I tried and there was NO WAY I was getting in.  My friend, freaking out that she was going to be stranded in the middle of some lake, starts yelling at me "get in, get in, you HAVE to pull had!"  Her special skinny self even offered to hold my hand and get me back in the boat... I laughed her for thinking that would help.  I'll have you know that I finally managed to pull myself back onto the boat... but it was the MOST unattractive, blubber shaking thing I've done in A LONG TIME.  AND I RE INJURED MYSELF!  But, the pain's gone now, so feel free to laugh.

This period of my recovery has been marked by Doctors appointments.  At three months I saw Dr. Lane again.  He was very pleased with my weight-loss progress but wanted me to start exercising more.  Walking, the all the movement my body does now, was really hurting my incision.  So, he told me about indoor rowing on a Concept 2 Rower - a no impact full body aerobic and resistance work out machine with a 500 pound weigh

t limit!  I bought one (used on the internet) and this is the most fun I have ever had exercising... it REALLY kicks your ass too!  Here's a picture of my baby:

(Athletic White girl, not included)

I also switched to a bariatric PCP.  He is wonderful.  He ordered all my labs and the results came to me... by e-mail!  Gotta love the Cleveland Clinic.  I have some low levels and so I need to start taking my supplements regularly (duh!).  I finally feel like I am able to take pills regularly without feeling queasy.  He also ordered an ultrasound of my gallbladder.  I have sludge, but no stones.  Not a problem, just gotta keep popp'en that Actigal!

And now, an inspirational ending.  My body is changing.  I feel new bones and muscles that I didn't have when I was a skinny five year old and have never felt in my adult life.  It is scary, terrifying sometimes, and painful.  Not physically, but to not recognize who the person in the mirror is.  It is like slowly giving birth to an alien.  But, I have not felt this good in a long time.  I would NEVER take back what I did.  I am a warrior and this is my battle.  But, more days than not I feel myself - and I love who that person is.  I celebrate him.  I am proud of him.  I anticipate the person he is becoming and I support him in getting there... wherever that is.

Peace, love, and a promise to post more.