Thank you for the encouragement Not being able to afford the surgery here, has its disadvantages. One being part of a support group. We met another patient while we were in Mexico, who referred this site to me. She and I have been keeping in touch through e-mail. Her surgery was rescheduled, and she'll be going in at the end of this month.
Anyway, I was on liquids the first week, then graduated to creamy things like yogurt, cream of wheat and oatmeal. This doctor has a different recommendation than what I have heard from others. Doesn't seem as strict. My primary doctor here recommended sticking to it. I think the longer you can go with the softer stuff, the better. The "strict" may be better overall. I snuck a few things here and there, and must say, I did regret it. I would try a bite here and there, and if it works, then I try it again another day. The broth and liquids were giving me a huge stomach ache several times a day.
Yes, the port side has been quite painful. Nobody ever talked about that, so I didn't expect it. My husband felt it too. Our bandages were off after about a week. Our incisions were closed with some kind of "glue." I had two stitches, and my husband had 3, which are also out now. We're almost healed except for one long incision that is about 3". I think the port is under there because we can feel a bump. I am usually allergic to adhesive, so I understand what you went through. I started using rubbing alcohol as soon as I could get near the areas to get the sticky stuff off.
Yes I have heard that men lose quickly. My husband is just in heaven, telling me his watch keeps flipping around now, and that he is on the last notch of his belt. I'm proud of him. He used to eat about 5 full dinner plate sized meals a day. Now he can only eat a cup at a time, and hasn't needed any insulin because his body is making just enough. His doctor is monitoring him, so please, don't anyone out there just go and do this on your own. Blood sugar levels are not something to mess with. He has been a diabetic for 14 years, and his top weight was 330. I did this for myself, but also to support him.
We have a 14 year old son, and a 12 year old daughter, and look forward to having more energy and spending more time with them before they are grown.