081 Jimmy's Four Month Post Op Update

Yes! It's finally here! I know that you have been waiting for ever to find out about what Jimmy has been up to so I trapped him and got him to record a little four month update. I'm sorry if you are hoping it would be really long because it's only about a minute in length. Jimmy is even more full of energy now and I just can't keep him trapped for that long. So I hope you enjoy this little update and hopefully I will get back into posting more soon.

080 Foodie Pics

I was cleaning off Jimmy's phone for him today when I realized just how many pictures of food he takes. I thought it would be fun to post them all and let you figure out for yourselves which were before surgery and which were after. I think it should be pretty easy and maybe even fun!

074 Watch Jimmy Shrink

Jimmy showing off his new swim trunks
before we headed to the Y for his first
aqua exercise experience.

I don't know if you have noticed but Jimmy has lost over one hundred pounds! That's quite a lot of weight. I also don't know if you have realized that Jimmy and I have been keeping a photo gallery with monthly pictures of his weight loss history. You can view the photo gallery by clicking on "Photo Gallery" in the top navigation bar.

The fun thing about the Photo Gallery is that you can watch Jimmy shrink before your very eyes! The pictures are arranged from oldest to newest. This allows you to see what Jimmy was like from his high school graduation all the way up to this month. Check out the Photo Gallery today and see if you notice the difference!

073 Jimmy's Week Eight Post-Op Update Video

069 Home from the Hospital

For everyone who doesn't already know...

Jimmy got to come home from the hospital on Saturday. It's nice to be home and relax. Jimmy is doing better but has doctor's orders to rest and make sure that he is hydrated for a few days before he can even think about going back to his normal routine.

So for now he is kicking back, reading the books he got for Christmas, and drinking lots of water and low calorie Gatorade.

Thank you for all the prayers and concerns. They were felt and appreciated!

067 The Constipation Saga Continues

Last night was another long night. We are still dealing with Jimmy not feeling well. I guess last night it was just the last straw so we ended up in the emergency room.

Because of the pain Jimmy was having they first thought that he might have a fecal impaction so they did abdominal x-rays to check for blockage and one of the doctors stuck his finger up Jimmy's bum (T.M.I. I know!) to see if their was any hard blockage near the entrance of the rectum.

The Verdict
Jimmy does not have blockage.
Jimmy does not have a fecal impaction.
Jimmy did not have a septic bowel movement.
JIMMY IS CONSTIPATED.

Evidently constipation can cause diarrhea because the other poo is forced around the harder stuff in an effort to leave the rectum. In Jimmy's case, the frequent trips to the bathroom have aggravated his hemorrhoids and the wiping has made his bottom very raw and tender. This has resulted in all the pain and discomfort Jimmy is experiencing.

Because Jimmy went to the ER they also called Dr. Hornbostel. Dr. H says that Jimmy is supposed to call him today and he has to go back to the Liquid Diet until further notice. So I will keep you posted.

For now, I am going to try to focus on work through my haze of tiredness and this too shall pass (no pun intended). Hope your day is better than ours was yesterday.

066 A Rough Beginning to the New Year

I was at work on New Year's Eve waiting to surprise Jimmy with the fact that I was going to get off an hour early! I couldn't wait! Thirty minutes before I was supposed to leave I get a phone call from Jimmy that he is having an emergency but that he can't tell me what it is because he feels like he is about to throw up. So I rush out the door and catch my boss on the way out. She isn't thrilled that I want to leave a half hour before my already early hour out and sends me off with "Jimmy always seems to be having emergencies." Needless to say I am now worried about my husband, my job, and driving home in the snow.

When I get home, I find Jimmy in the bathroom. Evidently he has been in the bathroom for three hours now (maybe a little more). For the past few days, Jimmy has been feeling constipated and the nurse practitioner told us not to worry (because he will probably go less often now than before surgery) but to keep an eye on it. While I was at home for lunch today, Jimmy decided it was time to take a suppository to help relieve himself, and after I left he went into the bathroom and never came out.

By the time that I arrived he is tired, in pain from sitting on the toilet, light headed, and a little dehydrated. So we called the nurse. She said that he probably just has a lot to get out (gee thanks) but that he should make sure that he stays hydrated and that she would call in something for the nausea. So I go back out into the snow to buy sugar free Gatorade (which doesn't even taste good to Jimmy anymore) and to get some meds. The next hour is spent in the bathroom while he drinks the Gatorade and tries to stop going long enough to go out to the recliner and relax his back -- Oh! and did I mention we have company in town!

Finally things claim down enough that he can come out for about an hour at a time to visit and relax. We actually did have some fun hanging out with our guests but the majority of the night was spent in the bathroom and doctoring his poor, sore bottom. This continued throughout the night.

 Needless to say, Jimmy had a really rough beginning to the New Year. Butt (ha has) I guess we should look on the bright side, if this is the worst of 2013 at least it is already over! :)

In all seriousness we know that this will pass. Life happens. Enjoy the good moments and laugh about the bad ones when you can. May God bless you and keep you this year. May you find joy and peace as you have never known before and may your long awaited dreams finally come true!

Grace and Peace,

065 Happy New Year

Just wanted to take a moment to say "Happy New Year!" May your 2013 be filled with even greater joys, happiness, and blessings than 2012. God be with you as you celebrate today. Be safe and we will see you back here tomorrow on Jimmy Goes Gastric!

064 Post-Op Week Six Update

Here we are, everyone. It's New Year's Eve. Can you believe that another year is gone! As big as that all is, Jimmy has been marking his progress in much smaller units. Today he is sharing with you his Post Op Week Six Update. Find out how much he has lost and the latest things that have been going on--all in Jimmy's own words. I hope you enjoy!

062 Accomplishment of the Day

Today's accomplishment is that Jimmy was able to wear a shirt from 10 years ago for the first time in...10 years (almost)!

"Not Ashamed" from T.E.S.T.I.f.Y. Student Ministry from First Baptist Church of DeSoto, MO.

061 Merry Christmas & Congratulations

To all of our friends and family who follow the blog. Thank you for all of your love, support, and prayers this year. We truly couldn't do it without all of you backing us! You mean so much to us and we wish you the very best this holiday season!

I would also like to say, "Congratulations!" to Jimmy for the 105 lbs that he has lost since he started his liquid diet on Nov. 2nd! SO PROUD OF YOU!!! Total weight loss is a little higher but this is the most current number since Nov. 2nd.

055 Gastric Sleeve Post-Op Week Four Update

Once again I was able to wrangle Jimmy in front of the camera to give you an update on how life is treating him. In his gastric sleeve post-op week four update, you can look forward to hearing about some differences in portion sizes and some updated weight loss numbers. There is a full body shot but I wanted to get a better shot of him doing the 360 degree turn but he is really tall and your kitchen is really small so I apologize about the quality on that one. Still we did try!

This week is also the very busy lead up to the Christmas holidays. I wish you all the very Merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year. I look forward to telling you all about how our Christmas and New Year were different than in years past and hopefully about some new traditions we have started in the process. So many new experiences to look forward too!

Enjoy the vlog and come back to visit often.

050 Post-Op Week 3 Update

Happy Holidays! Yes, it's that time of year again. Can you believe it?

To me it is much easier to believe that it's almost Christmas time again than  to believe that it has already been three weeks since Jimmy's gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. I mean come on! Three weeks already! No way! Well I can deny it all I want but it is true.

So Jimmy has recorded a little week three post-op video for you to enjoy and to let you know how he is doing. He also wanted to let me know that it was really nice to see many of you at church yesterday. It was his first service he was able to attend since his surgery and he had really been missing everyone. Thank you all for all of the prayers and concern and thoughts that have been offered up on our behalf. We really appreciate all of them.

Before I start rambling, I better stop and let you get on with the show!

Thanks again,

045 Post-Op Week Two Update!

Good Morning! Good Morning to you! As those of you who follow us on Facebook already know, Friday was the two week anniversary of Jimmy's gastric sleeve WLS! It is so unreal that it has only been two weeks because it feels like forever (and then sometimes like no time at all--go figure)!

Anyway, to celebrate this momentous occasion I took Jimmy in to the weight loss center to weigh. He lost another 21 lbs since he weighed last Wednesday! That's a total of 73 lbs lost since Nov. 2nd, 2012!

I will let him fill you in on the rest as he has recorded a Post-Op Week 2 Update VLOG for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

044 Mind Hunger

"It's all in your head." You've probably heard that about a million times! I know that I have. Usually when people say that I just roll my eyes and sigh because they just don't get it. However, there are times that I would have to agree with them.

On occasion your brain reads things in peoples words and actions that aren't there. There are also the times that it tells you to do things out of habit. Or maybe you are really bored and your brain starts telling  you that you are sleepy but as soon as you quit whatever you are doing and start something else you are suddenly wide awake.

The human brain is an interesting organ. The mind is even trickier. Today I am sharing a video with you about the struggles Jimmy has had determining whether he is actually hungry or if it's just something his brain is telling him out of habit. I hope you enjoy!

041 Gastric Sleeve Stage 2 Diet

Morning. Morning. I hope you have been staying up on everything that has been happening around here lately. If not then feel free to read back a little to get caught up or to find out what the heck I am going on and on about :) Anyway, if you have been following Jimmy's journey then you have probably been wondering what exactly this Stage 2 diet I keep talking about really is. Well, today I am going to tell you!

Before I get into that, I wanted to stop and say a HUGE THANK YOU to my Mom (Janice) who came up and stayed with us for the whole first week after Jimmy's surgery. Mom being here took a ton of stress off me and allowed me to be able to go to work (since I have limited vacation time) and know that there would be someone at home to help Jimmy (and keep him in line :) . Things really would have been a whole lot harder without her around. Thanks, Mom! You are greatly appreciated and we couldn't have done it without you!

Mom and me enjoying our time together!

Jimmy's Post-Op Stage 2 Gastric Sleeve Surgery Diet
This includes everything that Jimmy was allowed during his Post-Op Stage 1 diet (Refresh Your Memory Here) plus the following foods/drinks:

• Eggs (poached, steamed or scrambled & may add melted cheese for protein)
• Cottage Cheese (nonfat or 1%)
• Yogurt that does not have fruit chunks in it (must be no sugar added and have less than 20g Carbohydrates per serving)
• Fat Free of Low Fat cream soup (strained--no chunks) or Fat Free Tomato soup
• Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat (no sugar added and thinned with skim or 1% milk)
• Sugar Free Pudding
• Applesauce (no sugar added)
• Mashed Potatoes, sweet or white (thinned with milk but may add melted cheese for extra protein)
• Sugar free ice cream or frozen yogurt. Avoid sherbet.
• Sugar free jello
• Sugar free popsicles
• Herbs, Spices, Salt, & Pepper
• Creamy peanut butter (less than 5g of Sugar per serving & may be used in small amounts to add protein to foods such as oatmeal, yogurt, and/or protein drinks)
• Protein drinks (a minimum of 15g Protein per serving and less than 20g Carbs per serving)
• Powdered protein drinks may now be used.
• Skim or 1% Milk
• Soy Milk (less than 20g Carbohydrates per serving)
• Tomato juice, V-8 juice, Diet V-8 Splash. Avoid V Fusion products
• A Maximum of 4oz. Fruit Juice per day (100% juice with no sugar added)

Serving Size: 2 - 4 Tablespoons (1 - 2oz) of food, 3 - 4 times a day. NO MORE THAN 1/4c AT A TIME!

Duration: Follow this diet for Weeks 2, 3, & 4 following the surgery or until your doctor advises differently

Krystal and Dr. H said that Jimmy will move on to the Stage 3 Diet on December 16th barring any unforeseen issues. His One Month Post-Op appointment is scheduled for Thursday, December 27th.

*Please keep in mind that every surgical program is different. You need to follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. Please consult your doctor before starting any new diet or weight loss program*

POST DELAYED

Hey, everyone! Happy Day After Thanksgiving! So I woke up this morning expecting to post pics and Jimmy's first week post-op update and found out the internet at our house was out AGAIN. It has been out on and off for the last couple days. So annoying! Anyway, just dropping you a quick line from work to let you know that I will attempt to post pictures at 7:00 P.M. tonight if the internet is working when I get home and I will post Jimmy's One Week Post-Op update video on Monday.

Sorry for the delay! Happy Holidays!

037 Jimmy's Surgery Day in Pictures

Hello, everybody. How do you do? My name's.... Oh wait I think I just ripped that off a song. Oops :) Anyway, today Jimmy is going in for his first post-op appointment. We are really excited that Dr. Hornbostel wanted to see him on Wednesday (because of the Thanksgiving holiday) instead of making him wait until the following Monday. Friday will be one week since Jimmy's surgery. Obviously I don't have any information about his appointment yet so I wanted as this point so I thought I would share all the surgery day pics with  you instead. I hope you enjoy Jimmy's surgery day in pictures.