THE FIRST 72 HOURS AFTER SURGERY

It is now becoming increasingly clear to me that the biggest challenge facing my complete recovery from my hernia surgery will be successfully refraining from doing too much too quickly. Too much in this case is going to be defined as lifting more than the prescribed amount (15 pounds) before my doctor gives me clearance to do so. I say this because yesterday my family joined me on a walk around downtown Chicago. No lifting was involved, and therefore no risk to my recovery was involved. It is still true that I sit down and sit up with some trepidation, and a clear cut reminder that my midsection was recently patched up, but the actual walking about was completely pain free.  I had (repeatedly) asked my surgeon the question about walking. He was quite clear in his response: 'Let your comfort by your guide.' Well, yesterday, bopping around town, I felt no pain. This is in direct contrast to the walking in Minnesota with my daughter one week prior to my surgery. Although, I was walking in the Mall of America and the City of Duluth, there were times during that trip when I was clutching my abdomen in great pain. Yesterday, I was able to move about without any regard to my hernia. I suppose that I can be forgiven for thinking that I no longer have a hernia. Medically, this may be the case. Right now I do not have a hole in my muscles where my intestines are popping out. So, by that definition, I no longer have a hernia. This could be the simple explanation why I walking around pain free, and why the 4 mile walk around downtown Chicago was so enjoyable with my family yesterday. It could have been even more enjoyable had it been a nicer day. What's the deal with it being so cold in May? Yesterday's temperatures in Chicago were under 50° F.

Back in the 'old days' (last month) I would walk around town at and average 13 minute miles. My four mile walk yesterday was closer to 18 minute miles. Still, I am only within 72 hours of my experience on the operating table - so I currently have no complaints.  I am mending.  Right now, I am grateful for my mobility.

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Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, May 1, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
Malt-o-meal Cereal - Honey Nut Scooters	480	96	6	12	840	36
	575	121	6	13	842	55
L U N C H
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, 2 sandwich	520	70	30	18	700	26
	520	70	30	18	700	26
D I N N E R
Havarti - Costco Dofino - Cheese	220	1	18	12	420	0
Pepperidge Farm - Sourdough Bread	240	44	3	8	440	4
Minestrone - Homemade	400	68	5	24	690	7
	860	113	26	44	1,550	11
S N A C K S
Dreyer's - Outshine Fruit Bars Creamy Coconut, 2 bar	240	40	6	8	80	36
	240	40	6	8	80	36
Totals	2,195	345	68	82	3,172	128
Your Daily Goal	2,620	327	87	132	2,300	98
Remaining	425	-17	19	49	-871	-29
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 690 extra calories from exercise today

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THE FIRST 48 HOURS AFTER SURGERY

It is hard for me to know precisely where my discomfort is coming from now. I have had the hernia surgery and a mesh has been placed over the torn muscles so that my no part of my intestines are poking about where they should not be. I either am no longer feeling pain in my abdomen or imagining that I no longer feel pain in my abdomen. I believe most of my discomfort is localized in my belly button area where the surgeon made one of his incisions. It is still difficult to sit up, sit down, sneeze or cough. When I am actually walking, moving about, I don't feel so bad. I have stopped taking the pain medication because I guess I don't feel enough pain. I think that the physical discomfort that I do feel should be utilized to more accurately assist me in assessing my rate of healing. I feel that it will not be a good idea to further mask the discomfort. I have not lifted anything heavier than a gallon of milk, and that it going to be the biggest challenge going forward. Not attempting to over-exert myself based on doctors orders. I certainly do not want to risk causing the surgery repair to fail.

Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, April 30, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Special K - Original	480	92	2	24	880	16
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
	575	117	2	25	882	35
L U N C H
Omelette With Ham, Spinach and Swiss Cheese	600	9	33	64	696	2
	600	9	33	64	696	2
D I N N E R
Roundy's Organics - Cheese Pizza	560	74	16	32	1480	2
	560	74	16	32	1480	2
Totals	1,735	163	44	105	2,317	38
Your Daily Goal	1,930	241	64	97	2,300	72
Remaining	195	78	20	-7	-17	33
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar

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LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA SURGERY

Apparently I was very mixed up about when my initial visit with my hernia doctor was going to be. First I thought that the appointment was on Friday April 22nd, then I thought it wasn't and then I found out that it was just as I had originally thought. Apparently hernias affect the ability to think clearly.

I did visit with my surgeon on Friday. The appointment was very short. He quickly confirmed that I had a hernia after a couple of quick coughs.  He quickly explained how the repair is done with a mesh placed over the hole in the muscles. He sent me on my way to schedule the procedure with the receptionist and that was that. The bottom line is that I will be starting my recovery on Friday Morning April 29th, at 7:00AM.

During Week 1: rest/walking
During Weeks 2-3: light activity
After Week 3: normal activity
Recurrence rate: <5%
Pain: 3-6 days

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Anyone can purchase this book at amazon.com for  $272.95. I am under the impression that my doctor will have studied from this book or others like it.  This is the description of the book on the amazon.com website:

Repair of simple and complex abdominal hernias by the laparoscopic technique is now the method of choice in many centres. Laparoscopic repair offers equivalent outcomes to open repair, with the additional benefits of greater patient satisfaction and reduced hospitalization. For some hernias, notably incisional and hiatal, the outcome appears to be superior using the minimally invasive technique.

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Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, April 23, 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
Chicken Breast - Chicken Breast Cooked	374	0	8	70	200	0
Traditional Sage Stuffing	400	43	21	7	1,133	7
Potatoes, red, flesh and skin, baked	200	44	0	5	27	3
	974	87	30	82	1,360	10
D I N N E R
Beef, cured, corned beef, brisket, cooked	500	1	38	36	1,939	0
	500	1	38	36	1,939	0
S N A C K S
Vanilla Cupcake With Frosting and Sprinkles	485	63	24	4	95	49
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 2 medium apple	190	50	1	1	4	38
	675	113	25	5	99	86
Totals	2,949	377	101	139	4,198	179
Your Daily Goal	2,463	308	82	124	2,300	92
Remaining	-486	-68	-18	-15	-1,897	-86
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 533 extra calories from exercise today

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