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Thank you for the prayers, everybody. The day of surgery was very rough, and I was in a lot of pain. They sent me home at 10am the day following (Friday). Friday was pretty tough because they took away the "good stuff". Saturday was a little better, and today was better yet.

I’m still pretty sore today, and covered in bruises. There’s 5 incisions on my abdomen so anything that uses stomach muscles hurts. But I am getting better and pain is becoming much more manageable. I was able to down a couple of Tylenol around 5am this morning, and those stood me in good stead for most of today until I took one hydrocodone this evening. That’s an improvement over yesterday when I had to take 2 hydrocodones during the day.

I was able to shower today, which was a nice change. Also, I’m getting up and walking around a little more today than yesterday. As of this morning, I’ve already lost 23 lbs since 10/21 when I started the pre-op liquid diet. My total weight loss goal is 170 lbs. My dietary goal is to be able to eat normal foods—albeit in very reduced quantities—by Christmas.

My ongoing struggles are these:

1. I can’t seem to reach my minimum fluids daily goal. My stomach is so small now that just a few sips of water fills it right up. But if I overdo it by even a little bit, it’s quite painful. I’m a little worried about becoming dehydrated. A nurse from the hospital called me this afternoon to follow up on my progress and I told her about it. She said to just do what I can for now. In a few days it’s going to get easier.

2. Nutrition… I’m supposed to also be drinking these clear protein drinks that are kind of like those vitamin water flavored drinks, but while they tasted fine to me before the surgery, now they seem so cloyingly sweet that I can’t stand them. The nurse also told me not to worry about that for the next few days either. By post-op week 2, I’ll be able to start drinking protein shakes again, and I’ll start getting caught up a bit.

I’ve been in touch with friends who’ve undergone the same surgery, and they’re helping me to keep a right perspective and to be focused on my goals. They have also encouraged me through their own examples.

I will say this for anybody who is considering this type of surgery……do it while you’re young. At age 69, this was a real beat down, and it was really hard. Of course throwing in a hiatal hernia repair didn’t help.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the prayers and encouragement. I really do appreciate it.

I’ll be having gastric sleeve surgery done today at 12:15, at Baylor Trophy Club. I’d appreciate prayers for everything to go smoothly, for minimal post-op pain, and for a quick recovery.

I started the pre-op liquid diet back on 10/20, and as of yesterday am already down just shy of 19 lbs. but my weight loss goal is 170 lbs, so I’ve got a long way to go yet. So also, I’d appreciate your prayers for continued discipline, and success in reaching that goal. I want my life back.

Thank you.