Frequently Asked Questions

Because, apparently, inquring minds want to know


Since my return to the workplace following my surgery, I've had people asking a lot of questions about my operation, how I've gotten along with recovery and other miscellaneous things.  So I thought I would take a moment and address some of those questions and answers here in case anyone else was curious about this process, and my progress with it.

1.  How are you feeling?

Pretty decent most of the time, considering the extent and invasiveness of my particular procedure.  I am a month out from surgery and my incisions are all healed.  I still have some internal soreness, especially around/behind my belly button right now, which may be normal.  I have an appointment with my surgeon soon and I'll be asking about that for sure, among other things.  I don't have a ton of energy yet, but I am hoping that will improve with time.

2.  What can you eat/what have you been eating?

For the first 4 weeks it was all liquids, but I have within the last couple of days graduated to the "puree' phase", which means that I can now add mashed beans and fish to my intake, as well as some yogurt and peanut butter.  (I could add eggs and cottage cheese, but I hate them so, thanks, but no thanks.)  It is still all protein foods, so I am still consuming a lot of the high-protein liquid supplements from the doctor to make sure I get enough protein, or at least, nearly enough protein, each day.  After 4 weeks of liquid diet, I have never been so excited about mashed beans or fish in my life!

3.  Do you get hungry?

Yes...and no.  I can tell when my stomach is empty and I need to put something into it, and since I can only consume limited amounts, that emptiness happens more frequently and I need to eat more often.  But as far as just thinking, "Oh, I'd like to get a bite to eat", not really.  Frankly, right now, eating is an effort and I have to remind myself to do it.  And that is totally strange.

4.  Do you get cravings?

Not really.  I mean, I remember the things I loved to eat before, but the thought of them doesn't really stimulate my appetite, and in some cases I get a little queasy thinking about them.  As I mentioned before, eating now is an effort, so it's really just about sustaining myself.

5.  What exactly did they do to you/how much did they cut you up?

My surgery was laparoscopic, so I have 7 small incisions, sort of in the shape of a smiley face.  (Yes, it is weird.)  The "eyes" were where the surgeon inserted some instruments.  The center of the "smile" is a vertical incision where the camera was placed so my insides were visible and my surgeon could see what he was doing.  On either side of that incision, there are 2 horizontal incisions where various other stuff happened, including possibly more instruments and one where the removed portion of my stomach was pulled out.  I know, right?  Gnarly.  I hope there are pictures of my insides that I can see, because medical stuff fascinates me. 


6.  Is your weight loss on schedule?


I'm really not sure, to be honest.  That's another question I'll have at my next visit.  I want to lose quickly enough to stay encouraged, but not so fast that I end up with health problems because of too-rapid shrinkage.  If I follow doctor's orders and my food and exercise plans, I can expect to get rid of 75-80% of my excess weight by the end of the first year.  Including the weight I lost prior to surgery, I am 1/3 of the way to my goal, which is great.  Surgery is not a magic bullet or a quick fix.  It is simply a tool, often a really effective one, to assist in major and lasting weight loss.  I still have to do the work.  Surgery just makes the work a little easier, in some ways.  I am expending more effort in other areas, such as making sure I consume enough, and enough of the right things.


These have been the most-asked questions, and these are the best answers I can come up with for them.  As I travel farther down this path, I'll learn more, know more and I hope that, once I do, I can pass along what I've learned to someone else who is starting the journey.  I am certainly grateful to those ahead of me who have shared their experiences and tips with me to make my journey easier.  Paying that forward will be an honor and a privilege, and another way I can serve God by serving another person along the path.