On The Mend

Surprisingly it has been over  a month since my gallbladder surgery. I recovered fairly quickly, with an exception of one incision that still has not healed (keeping and eye on it). I really expected it to be "life altering" and it really has not been.  Gallbladder removal effects people so different. I was amazed to find out how many people I know that have had the surgery. Some (like myself) had little or no effects to cause a change in their dietary habits. Yet others had combination of not being able to eat:

• Chicken
• Beans
• Red meat
• Broccoli
• Nuts
• Spicy food
• Fried food
• Milk products

As I stated there really have not been any changes since the surgery. When I had my follow up the surgeon I found out possibly why, seems my gallbladder may have pretty much none functional. Enlarged, (inflamed) full of stones and cholesterol. The cholesterol part kind of surprised me since only one blood test I have had indicated I had borderline high cholesterol. Even more surprising since in the past 18 months I have eaten better than I have in years. Guess the damage had already been done. Granted I would not be where I am if I had been taking better care of myself for years. Can't change that but I am taking better care of myself now.

But my gallbladder removal is not the only medical fun I had. When I have my scope prior to surgery the gastrologist did other tests. I was a bit surprised that 48 hours after the procedure he wanted to seem me again. I couldn't figure out why since I had already had my gallbladder surgery scheduled. So I had a follow up with the gastrologist as well. Lucky me I also have GERD.

Yes it is as icky as it sounds.  GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is a chronic digestive disease. Apparently caused by acid reflux and heart burn I didn't know I was experiencing. Pretty sure  I can thank the Lap Band for this one. Thankfully it is something that can be further controlled with diet (seeing a pattern?) and medication. Granted the medication they started me on I may be allergic to it. Swelled up and had bit of a rash, but I was taking it at the same time as the pain meds from the Gallbladder surgery and after my Lap Band surgery I started to have a reaction to the meds after about 4 days so pretty sure it was case this time as well.

I am not it pain so that is a huge bonus. Over the past month I have had plenty of time to reflect and decided how I was going to further change my lifestyle with nutrition and exercise. Have to say that it was frustrating not to be able to work out for three weeks. But I was cleared a week ago and started up with the exercise again.

This surgery and being diagnosed with GERD just further motivates me to make more changes. I am refocused and am excited to move forward in changing myself for the better. After all that is why I endured the Lap Band surgery 18 months ago.