Real life thread

I thought I'd let you guys know, I'm going into Hospital on dec 6th for a fairly major operation, so I may be a bit quiet on here for a few weeks afterwards. I'm having a Gastric mini Bypass, as I have a condition called Gastroparesis. Basically my Diabetes has killed off a lot of the nerves and muscles in my digestive tract. Food backs up in my stomach for seven days instead of seven hours, and it's only the next thing I eat that pushes things through. I'll spare you the grisly details of other effects it has, suffice to say everywhere I go I know exactly where the Toilets are...

It's a three hour op. Not that I care, I'll be drugged up to the eyeballs for the duration. I'll be in hospital for two days afterwards whilst they check I haven't sprung any leaks, then six weeks at home on the most restricted diet imaginable. For the first two weeks I'll just be allowed half a glass of water a few times a day ad a multi vitamin pill. Or something like that,, my mind keeps blocking out the details. Then I progress to pureed food for a couple of weeks and almost real food after that. It'll be a quiet Christmas in this household, I'll tell you now!

Actually the diet starts two weeks before the op, on the 22nd. I have to stop eating real food and switch to Slimfast and similar drinks, in order to reduce my Liver's size before the op. They need room to work apparently...

Anyway here's some pics of me before Gastroparesis (2014), and more recent pics:View attachment 49803
Me and Steve Hackett of Genesis. We share a birthday. He's as mad as me!View attachment 49804 Me as the 4th Doctor. I often wore this on stage!View attachment 49805 Also the Doctor, minus hat coat and scarf;View attachment 49806 On stage with my band last year;View attachment 49807 Again with the band. Nobody points a camera at me unless I have a guitar these days!

Well, wish me luck, keep 'em crossed, whatever floats your boat. I do know the surgeon is apparently the best in Europe, he lives in Guernsey and only works one day a week in the UK! I am honoured. I'll be a round for a while yet but time flies when you don't want it to, so
GERONIMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck with the surgery and hope your recovery is as smooth and quick as possible.
 

Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
I'm back! Had the op last Thursday and now predictably I feel like crap! But not as bad as you'd think. Discharged last night, I'm looking after myself with several holes in my stomach and lots of wonderful new drugs to play with! This is me after the op, the camera is working fine, it's the General anaesthetic which made me a bit blurry for several hours!20181207_065254[1].jpg At least I had a nice view from my room. Now no food for six weeks! Lovely...
 

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
I'm back! Had the op last Thursday and now predictably I feel like crap! But not as bad as you'd think. Discharged last night, I'm looking after myself with several holes in my stomach and lots of wonderful new drugs to play with! This is me after the op, the camera is working fine, it's the General anaesthetic which made me a bit blurry for several hours!View attachment 50322 At least I had a nice view from my room. Now no food for six weeks! Lovely...

You'll be hooked up to an IV for six weeks? Hoping you'll make a complete and speedy recovery!

Any friends/family coming over during the Holidays? I can attest that visitations can definitely lift the mood. Also, if you are not impaired by tubings/IV, try moving around a little bit every day based on the doctor's recommendations. This way you can exercise your muscles and take your mind off the ordeal.
 

B.I.B.

Captain
I'm back! Had the op last Thursday and now predictably I feel like crap! But not as bad as you'd think. Discharged last night, I'm looking after myself with several holes in my stomach and lots of wonderful new drugs to play with! This is me after the op, the camera is working fine, it's the General anaesthetic which made me a bit blurry for several hours!View attachment 50322 At least I had a nice view from my room. Now no food for six weeks! Lovely...

Hello there 'rocker' at least you look better than Keith Richards.Did they ever give you the daily injection in your abdomen to prevent blood clots..I hated them as they stung like heck. I use to pretend to be asleep when the nurse came around to give the injection, but it was to no avail as she stayed there and shook me until I had to pretend to wake up.
Anyway,because you cant do much, you can stay on Sino 24/7....ilive chat and all that.Anyway all the best for Xmas and I'll have one for ya.
 

Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
Hello there 'rocker' at least you look better than Keith Richards.Did they ever give you the daily injection in your abdomen to prevent blood clots..I hated them as they stung like heck. I use to pretend to be asleep when the nurse came around to give the injection, but it was to no avail as she stayed there and shook me until I had to pretend to wake up.
Anyway,because you cant do much, you can stay on Sino 24/7....ilive chat and all that.Anyway all the best for Xmas and I'll have one for ya.
Yes I have those, Heparin I believe. I have a whole pack of them to inject myself with. Being Diabetic, I inject insulin everyday anyway and I've never had a problem with needles. Don't enjoy them, but they're a minor inconvenience to be tolerated rather than a major problem to be feared. I had two cataract operations a few years ago (which is why I don't wear glasses anymore) and they involved a lot of needles going in and around my eyes! It's Ok, the first one numbs you up completely so you don't feel the rest!
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
I thought I'd let you guys know, I'm going into Hospital on dec 6th for a fairly major operation, so I may be a bit quiet on here for a few weeks afterwards. I'm having a Gastric mini Bypass, as I have a condition called Gastroparesis. Basically my Diabetes has killed off a lot of the nerves and muscles in my digestive tract. Food backs up in my stomach for seven days instead of seven hours, and it's only the next thing I eat that pushes things through. I'll spare you the grisly details of other effects it has, suffice to say everywhere I go I know exactly where the Toilets are...

It's a three hour op. Not that I care, I'll be drugged up to the eyeballs for the duration. I'll be in hospital for two days afterwards whilst they check I haven't sprung any leaks, then six weeks at home on the most restricted diet imaginable. For the first two weeks I'll just be allowed half a glass of water a few times a day ad a multi vitamin pill. Or something like that,, my mind keeps blocking out the details. Then I progress to pureed food for a couple of weeks and almost real food after that. It'll be a quiet Christmas in this household, I'll tell you now!

Actually the diet starts two weeks before the op, on the 22nd. I have to stop eating real food and switch to Slimfast and similar drinks, in order to reduce my Liver's size before the op. They need room to work apparently...

Anyway here's some pics of me before Gastroparesis (2014), and more recent pics:View attachment 49803
Me and Steve Hackett of Genesis. We share a birthday. He's as mad as me!View attachment 49804 Me as the 4th Doctor. I often wore this on stage!View attachment 49805 Also the Doctor, minus hat coat and scarf;View attachment 49806 On stage with my band last year;View attachment 49807 Again with the band. Nobody points a camera at me unless I have a guitar these days!

Well, wish me luck, keep 'em crossed, whatever floats your boat. I do know the surgeon is apparently the best in Europe, he lives in Guernsey and only works one day a week in the UK! I am honoured. I'll be a round for a while yet but time flies when you don't want it to, so
GERONIMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I missed this Obi-Wan, praying your recovery is completely successful, you're looking well, perhaps you can post a picture of the new healthier you brother,,,

Pray for my Brother Jim, he's currently undergoing chemo for Pancreatic Cancer,, only a divine miracle will save his life at this point, so he would appreciate, as would I all your prayers....

Blessings to you Obi-Wan, diabetes sucks, each day should see you feeling more like your old self brother, and we look forward to a "good report"!

Merry Christmas to all the "Merry Men" of SDF, Blessings of Life, Health, and Peace to each of you! brat
 

Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
Thought I'd give you all a bit of an update, I'm 2 and a half weeks post op now and started on solid food a few says ago, albeit very small quantities. No feasts for me anytime soon! On the plus side since my op, my daily insulin dosage has been reduced by 75%! I've had my stitches out last week and I'm pretty mobile too. Things are looking up!
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
Thought I'd give you all a bit of an update, I'm 2 and a half weeks post op now and started on solid food a few says ago, albeit very small quantities. No feasts for me anytime soon! On the plus side since my op, my daily insulin dosage has been reduced by 75%! I've had my stitches out last week and I'm pretty mobile too. Things are looking up!

Awesome Bub, Merry Christmas, I'll eat some Turkey or Steak or whatever you like for you, just give me the word, Hell, come on over and I'll grill you a BIG STEAK!, when you're well of course!
 
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