THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER SURGERY

It is somewhat amazing to me that I was released from the surgical center yesterday within 150 minutes from the time that I was first wheeled into the operating room. In modern day medicine when one reads that laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery is an outpatient procedure - they ain't kidding.  I think I have gone to the dentist and spent more time. When I am sitting still, I feel no pain no discomfort. If I should do anything like bend down, walk, sneeze or cough - then I am given a fresh reminder that I am recovery from surgery.  My first 24 hours were spent mindlessly watching Star Trek on Netflix. Perhaps this was not the most productive 24 hours I have spent in my lifetime - but the Netflix watching helped the time go more quickly.  

I asked my surgeon when I could start walking. His answer was that I should let pain be my guide. I do think that later today, or certainly tomorrow, I will start by talking a walk of some distance in the neighborhood. I need to be careful. The most important piece of advice that I need to follow is not to lift anything more than 10 pounds for two weeks. This is not going to be so easy - but I am eager to have a successful recovery - so I will do my best to follow this advice.

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Your Food Diary For:

Friday, April 29, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
100% Juice Fruit Punch 200ml, 13.5 fl.oz. / 200 ml	200	48	0	2	50	42
Animal - Crackers, 15 cookies	130	25	2	2	75	8
	330	73	2	4	125	50
L U N C H
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, 2 sandwich	520	70	30	18	700	26
Edy's - Slow Churned French Vanilla	600	96	18	18	210	72
	1,120	166	48	36	910	98
D I N N E R
Tangy Shrimp	300	32	100	22	1,100	0
Fried Rice	470	64	19	11	830	3
	770	96	119	33	1,930	3
S N A C K S
M&M's - Peanut Butter	240	26	13	4	90	20
York Peppermint Patty, 1 piece	140	31	3	1	10	25
	380	57	16	5	100	45
Totals	2,600	392	185	78	3,065	196
Your Daily Goal	1,945	243	65	98	2,300	73
Remaining	-655	-149	-119	20	-765	-123
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 15 extra calories from exercise today

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I need to get better soon... this lack of exercise has not been helpful in my weight control.  This morning, my weight registered 240 lbs.  I have gained 10 pounds during this month when I was sidelined and could not exercise.  It is going to be even harder to eat less, when all I can do for the next week or so is sit around the house. 

SURGERY SURVIVOR

Well it appears that I will have to pay for my surgery.  I survived.  Would it not be an improvement in the field of medicine if in the rare cases when the patient dies on the operating table, that at least one would not have to pay for the surgery? I think that Dr. Nick Riviera from the Simpsons has the right attitude regarding this.  Anyway, as I mentioned I did survive. So...I am grateful that I will have to pay for the surgical repair done early this morning.

A revolutionary idea in the field of medicine proposed by the writers of The Simpsons.

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My wife, Jennifer, drove us to the clinic and we left promptly at 5:30AM.  We arrived at the clinic just a few minutes before 6:00AM. It was a re-assuring feeling that the people at the clinic were expecting me.  I do usually get annoyed when I try to check into a hotel and they can't find my reservation - that was not the issue yesterday.  I was almost immediately prepped for surgery.  My surgeon arrived precisely on time at 6:55AM.  I was wheeled into the operating room at 7:04AM.  Including my surgeon there were five people in the room aside from me. Everyone was busy doing something. The last thing I remember was being given oxygen which either had a sweet smell (or I imagined it).  The next thing I remember, I was awake back in first room and my wife was there asking how I was feeling. I was given some juice and cookies. (animal crackers).  My last function before I was released was that I had to prove that I could successfully urinate. By 930AM we were on on our way back home. Once I returned home, I think I was half sleeping and half awake for about 4 hours. One thing that I can report, is that although no pain has yet to establish itself - I am not finding it easy to move. My hope is that the recovery curve will look something like the global warming hockey sticks graph that Al Gore is so fond of when he is irrationally screaming that planet earth is doomed due to radical increases of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in a short period of time. In my case, I am hopeful that my abilities to move about will increase at very fast levels as a function of time. I guess I am about to find out.

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Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, April 28, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
3 Egg Omelette - Ham and Cheese, 1 Omelette	400	1	30	40	1,225	0
Kirkland - Bacon	240	0	18	18	1,050	0
	640	1	48	58	2,275	0
L U N C H
Quaker - Chewy Granola Bar	200	38	4	2	150	16
Weight Watcher's - Cabbage Soup	100	10	0	2	79	6
Homemade - Crockpot Pot Roast	300	0	5	15	273	0
	600	48	10	19	502	22
D I N N E R
Orecchiette Pasta, 0.75 cup	300	62	2	11	0	3
Beet Gemelli Salad	150	31	1	5	0	2
Teriyaki Salmon Steaks	540	6	16	93	730	10
	990	98	18	109	730	15
S N A C K S
Entenmann's little bites - Little Bites	190	27	9	2	135	17
	190	27	9	2	135	17
Totals	2,420	175	85	188	3,642	53
Your Daily Goal	2,413	301	80	121	2,300	90
Remaining	-7	126	-4	-66	-1,341	36
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 483 extra calories from exercise today

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AMAZINGLY USELESS FACT:
Today the  MARC JACOBS WEIGHT LOSS JOURNAL is publishing its 500th post. I am certain that at least a dozen of them have been interesting.  Perhaps if I was being charitable to myself, perhaps even two dozen. I try to be at least a little bit interesting every day. At least I try to try.

My last session on the treadmill prior to surgery on Friday morning

HOW BEER COULD HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS

This was the title of an article that I saw yesterday posted by Fox News. Fox News was once a news outlet known as the home of a politically conservative viewpoint. This was long before that network became the personal publicist for the Trump campaign.  As an actual conservative, I have found that network to become a sad excuse for news. The biggest disappointment has been Sean Hannity who daily sucks up to Trump  with more vigor than a supercharged Dyson Vacuum.  Uh... I think I may have gotten off topic... Back to the Beer....

One thing most of us learn early in life is that writers of newspaper articles are NOT the authors of the headlines. Headlines are meant to attract readers - not necessarily to impart important information regarding the content of the copy. Here's an example: HOW BEER COULD HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS

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I have copied the complete story below which was written by Brittany Anas and originally published in Men's Journal.

When it comes to health benefits and alcohol, antioxidant-rich red wine is usually the drink drawing all the praise. But beer — carbs and calories notwithstanding — also has its upsides, with studies showing the beverage can help prevent kidney stones, strengthen bones, and aid your digestive system.

Expand / Contra

Now, scientists have discovered another health advantage in your brew: A compound called xanthohumol, a flavonoid naturally found in hops, can be a boon for weight loss and may help scientists create a novel approach to addressing obesity. Tests have also shown xanthohumol can lower cholesterol and blood-sugar levels. 

No, drinking beer won’t help you lose weight. A pint of IPA (India Pal Ale) contains only 0.0757 mg of xanthohumol, says Cristobal Miranda, a research assistant professor with Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute and lead author of the study, published in a special issue of Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics.  

To derive any benefits of xanthohumol from beer, you’d have to do the impossible and guzzle 3,500 pints per day. But, researchers say, in the future, a concentrated amount of xanthohumol could be packed into a supplement and taken once a day. The supplement could be a low-cost and effective treatment for metabolic syndrome, the set of factors that increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other health problems. About one in three Americans have metabolic syndrome, estimates the American Heart Association, so this could be a welcome innovation. 

Studies on the health benefits of xanthohumol so far have been carried out in laboratory animals and in cell culture, Miranda says. The results have shown the compound holds promise, potentially reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. Before we know its safety and real efficacy for fighting obesity and more, though, studies will have to be conducted on humans. 

For the study, lab mice were fed a high-fat diet and given varying levels of xanthohumol. The rats given the highest dosage of xanthohumol cut their LDL or “bad cholesterol” by 80 percent and their insulin levels by 42 percent. Their levels of IL-6, a biomarker of inflammation, was reduced by 78 percent. The lab animals were all fed the same rich diet and given the same amounts of food, leading them to gain weight.

But weight gain was 22 percent less in the mice receiving xanthohumol in their diets. 

Researchers have long been interested in the health benefits of flavonoids, exploring the compounds found in tea, garlic, chocolate, apples, blueberries, and other foods. Miranda says xanthohumol found in hops is unique because of its potential to address so many health problems, and to do so dramatically. 

Xanthohumol is only found in the hop plant, and is not naturally present in any other plant, Miranda says. Any product like beer, hop tea, or a beverage or dietary supplement in which hops, or hop extracts, are used may contain xanthohumol, he says.  

For now, we'll hang tight until we can apply for a human beer-drinking trial.

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Here is the bottom line on this report... There is apparently a trace compound in beer that can assist with controlling metabolism - but actually drinking beer will NOT help anyone lose weight.  Now or ever. My recommendation would be to drink as little beer as possible if one is trying to control one's weight.

This is my calm before the storm.  Today is Thursday. Tomorrow morning, at 6:00AM Central Time I will be under the care of my surgeon who will be repairing my hernia.  Since I will have plenty of time to sit home doing nothing for a week or so, it is my intention that blog post of Friday will be posted when I return from this surgical adventure. See you tomorrow.

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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Second Nature - Wholesome Medley Trail Mix	840	84	54	24	210	54
	840	84	54	24	210	54
L U N C H
Wasa - Sourdough Crispbread, 10 slice (11g)	350	90	0	10	450	0
EARTHBOUND FARM - ORGANIC SPINACH	40	0	0	4	130	0
Campbell's Chunky Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
	630	126	6	24	2,180	6
D I N N E R
MARIANO'S SIMPLY ROUNDY'S - PIZZA	450	50	18	20	750	4
Minestrone - Homemade, 2 cup	394	67	5	23	680	7
	844	117	23	43	1,430	11
S N A C K S
Baked Shrimp Chips	520	76	24	8	920	4
	520	76	24	8	920	4
Totals	2,834	403	107	99	4,740	75
Your Daily Goal	2,197	274	73	110	2,300	82
Remaining	-637	-129	-33	10	-2,440	7
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 267 extra calories from exercise today

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ALL SYSTEMS GO, CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF

It is very possible that I am being overdramatic about my surgery. Yesterday I passed the last hurdle that was gnawing at me. I returned to my family doctor on Monday for my blood chemistry test, EKG and physical exam which was required by the surgeon prior to surgery. I was nervous about one issue. I was anticipating one possible problem that had the potential to delay the surgery. Last spring when my anemia was discovered, I spent the the summer visiting a gastroenterologist who seemingly tried very hard to find some cancerous, life-threatening explanation for my iron deficiency. After a series of procedures (for example, a colonoscopy) and tests which actually included a full-body cat scan - nothing was found to explain the deficiency. This seemed not to bother the gastroenterologist one bit and no explanation for the deficiency was ever offered. As I wrote at the time, I needed to be thankful to God that I didn't have some life-threatening problem. I admitted that I wondered why God found it necessary for me to spend $5000 to discover that I was healthy, which is what I thought I was before the anemia was discovered. Nevertheless, on a followup visit with my family doctor, I was given a prescription to take iron pills. I might have done a far better job following this course of action had the pills not been required to be taken three times per day with each meal. Not only was it an annoyance, but one evening at dinner one of the pills got lodged in my throat. Apparently a 325mg ferrous sulfate tablet does not slide down the esophagus with the carefree ease of a butterscotch hard candy. My throat was irritated for nearly 12 hours after this, and I was coughing with great irritation the whole night that this happened. This cured me of my desire to accept the advice of my doctor and take iron pills. I never even finished the first month supply of these pills. I effectively took myself off the iron pills during September of 2015. 

So, fast forward to yesterday. Since I had not followed the advice of my doctor to take iron pills, there was the chance that if I was still iron deficient, that I might not be approved for surgery. It was a nice happy surprise that my blood work came back with my iron levels back to where they belonged. The  current advice of my doctor is to DISCONTINUE THE FERROUS SULFATE TABLETS WHICH I WASN'T TAKING ANYWAY. Consider it done!  The bottom line - I am good to go. Ready to be anesthetized on Friday morning, cut up a bit, patched up a bit more and sent on my way with my hernia issue resolved. I am looking forward to Friday, in that I cannot start mending until I get past the laparoscopic outpatient surgery that awaits me. In the calm before the storm, the persistent pain that I had been feeling is currently gone and on Monday and Tuesday I was able to walk on the treadmill for a full hour. This resurgence of the ability to exercise at all is about to be cut short on Friday morning for at least a week or so. For the next two days, I will enjoy my treadmill hour just a little bit more than usual.

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Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Omelette - Ham and Cheese	400	1	30	40	1,225	0
Instant Oatmeal - Original	300	57	6	12	225	0
	700	58	36	52	1,450	0
L U N C H
Homemade - Crockpot Pot Roast	500	0	9	24	454	0
Manischewitz - Matzah, 2 Matzah	200	42	0	6	0	0
Roundy's - Peanut Butter- Creamy	360	16	30	14	280	6
New England Clam Chowder Soup, 2 cup	360	36	20	10	1,780	2
	1,420	94	59	54	2,514	8
D I N N E R
Homemade - Crockpot Pot Roast	500	0	9	24	454	0
HUGE SPINACH SALAD	250	0	0	0	0	0
	750	0	9	24	454	0
S N A C K S
Apples - Apples, 2 medium apple	160	44	0	0	0	32
	160	44	0	0	0	32
Totals	3,030	196	104	130	4,419	40
Your Daily Goal	2,213	276	73	111	2,300	83
Remaining	-817	80	-31	-19	-2,118	43
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 283 extra calories from exercise today

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After a one month break - I was able to use the treadmill for two consecutive days for one hour each. 

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anesthetize

[uh-nes-thi-tahyz]

verb (used with object), anesthetized, anesthetizing.

1. to render physically insensible, as by an anesthetic.

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I get a kick out of this definition. On Friday I am going to be rendered physically insensible.
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Thinking of being cleared for takeoff, reminded me of this dialogue from the hilarious 1970's movie, Airplane!

Roger Murdock: Flight 2-0-9'er, you are cleared for take-off.

Captain Oveur: Roger!

Roger Murdock: Huh?

Tower voice: L.A. departure frequency, 123 point 9'er.

Captain Oveur: Roger!

Roger Murdock: Huh?

Victor Basta: Request vector, over.

Captain Oveur: What?

Tower voice: Flight 2-0-9'er cleared for vector 324.

Roger Murdock: We have clearance, Clarence.

Captain Oveur: Roger, Roger. What's our vector, Victor?

Tower voice: Tower's radio clearance, over!

Captain Oveur: That's Clarence Oveur. Over.

Tower voice: Over.

Captain Oveur: Roger.

Roger Murdock: Huh?

Tower voice: Roger, over!

Roger Murdock: What?

Captain Oveur: Huh?

Victor Basta: Who?

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I sincerely hope that the banter in the operation room on Friday morning is a bit less confusing among the surgeon, and his assistants...

* * * * * 

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FIRST WORKOUT IN ABOUT ONE MONTH

It was back on March 29th when I could no longer deny that there was something wrong in my groin area. Tuesday, March 29th was the last time that I had broken a sweat during a 6 mile walk through Bloomington, Illinois. During the ensuing weeks, I rested under the false impression that I had only a groin pull. Then I discovered that what was really ailing me was a hernia. Yesterday, I visited my doctor again in order to satisfy the requirements needed by the surgeon to insure that I am ready for surgery. During my discussion with my doctor, he re-itereated that I could workout as long as I wasn't lifting anything. For the first time in nearly 4 weeks, I stepped onto a treadmill and walked 4 miles in 65 minutes. Since I was given the 'OK" to do this, I felt no pain. Assuming that my surgery goes on as scheduled on Friday morning, I intend to enjoy three more days of treadmill work today, tomorrow and Thursday. After my surgery, I will even be forbidden from driving a car for one week - so I can assume that walking will also be out of the question.

This cartoon does not perfectly capture my energy level on the treadmill yesterday, but at least I was on the treadmill!

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Your Food Diary For:

Monday, April 25, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Instant Oatmeal Apples & Cinnamon	640	132	8	16	800	48
Mcintosh - Apple, 2 medium apple	160	44	0	0	0	34
	800	176	8	16	800	82
L U N C H
Cabbage Soup	100	10	0	2	79	6
Costco - Cheese Pizza Slice	700	70	28	44	1,370	7
ORGANIC BABY SPINACH	40	0	0	4	130	0
	840	80	28	50	1,579	13
D I N N E R
SPINACH SALAD	250	0	0	0	0	0
Costco - Cheese Pizza Slice, 1 Slice	700	70	28	44	1,370	7
	950	70	28	44	1,370	7
S N A C K S
Manischewitz - Matzah, 4 Matzah	400	84	0	12	0	0
Peanut Butter	300	9	25	11	237	5
	700	93	25	23	237	5
Totals	3,290	420	90	133	3,986	106
Your Daily Goal	2,250	281	75	113	2,300	84
Remaining	-1,040	-138	-14	-20	-1,685	-22
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 320 extra calories from exercise today

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65minutes, 375 calories an actual workout was accomplished yesterday for the first time in nearly one month.
After surgery Friday, I will be in 'retirement' again at least for one week or so.

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MONDAY MORNING, SURGERY IN FOUR DAYS

My agenda today is simple. I need to organize 'clearance' from my regular doctor for the surgery which is now scheduled for Friday morning. As the office was closed Friday afternoon and Saturday, I needed to wait until today to make arrangements for the EKG and blood chemistry that is prescribed before the surgeon can do his thing. So, that's what today is about.

EKG and BLOOD TEST required so I can get cleared for hernia surgery

Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, April 24, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Instant Oatmeal Apples & Cinnamon	640	132	8	16	800	48
Mcintosh - Apple, 2 medium apple	160	44	0	0	0	34
	800	176	8	16	800	82
L U N C H
New England Clam Chowder, 2 cup	360	36	20	10	1,780	2
Butterball - Bacon Style Turkey	210	3	18	12	900	0
Manischewitz - Matzah, 4 Matzah	400	84	0	12	0	0
	970	123	38	34	2,680	2
D I N N E R
Costco - Cheese Pizza, 1 SLICE	700	70	28	44	1,370	7
Macaroons - Coconut, 6 macaroons	510	51	21	3	105	36
	1,210	121	49	47	1,475	43
Totals	2,980	420	95	97	4,955	127
Your Daily Goal	1,937	242	64	97	2,300	72
Remaining	-1,043	-178	-31	0	-2,655	-55
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 7 extra calories from exercise today

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