Two weeks post-op

I am still not to normal activity. I have this pain just to the left of my belly button that has not gone away. It has diminished somewhat but hurts quite a bit when I stand up, cough, get up from bed or bend over. Other than this one pain I feel great. I called my doctors nurse and she said that about 50% of patients get this and it's nerve damage from where the laparoscopic instruments went in. It should heal in 2 more weeks. It's a bit of a bummer because I'd like to start exercising.

I am still taking my liquid Hydrocodone at night. When I try to not take it I just don't sleep well. This pain I am referring to keeps waking me up when I move in bed. The pain medication allows me to relax enough to sleep on my back and stay put throughout the night. I am a side sleeper normally so when I don't take the medicine I toll on my side during the night and then bam, I'm awake because the pain just woke me up. It's annoying. So I will continue with the nightly pain treatment until this nerve damage has healed.

Now, for the exciting news. I have lost 24 pounds!!!! Incredible, huh? This is going from the beginning of my liquid diet which was at 1 week pre-op. so that's 24 pounds in 3 weeks. It's amazing. Yesterday, Robin, who is my nurse, said that the average weight loss at 3 months is 50 pounds. I still can't imagine that. I know I will get there but it's all so surreal.

I also feel really good. My energy level improves every day. I am doing more every day. I am getting around 70 grams of protein a day and I don't feel hungry.

The liquid diet isn't fun but it's manageable. My biggest challenge is drinking my protein every hour. But I do my best. If im going somewhere I fill up these tiny Rubbermaid containers with my shakes, throw them in my purse and I'm ready to go.

Overall, I'm very happy with how things are going.