Poop

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery alters the digestive tract in very significant ways.  It reduces the size of the stomach, but it also removes a good bit of the small intestine, reducing absorption.  It can be a very effective tool in the pursuit of weight loss goals, and that has been true for Master.  The effects of the surgery, a year later are, of course amazing weight loss, but mostly just unbelievably improved health and well-being. 

There are still challenges to living in the aftermath of the surgical alteration of His digestive tract.  Eating is still something that we have to pay attention to.  We have to attend to the daily nutritional requirements, and we have to make sure that He gets all the supplements that are needed to ensure good health.  Some foods are still a real challenge.  We are only now finding that it is possible for Him to eat many of the vegetables that are commonplace on some tables.  The same is true for much fruit.  Beef and chicken are both sometimes very difficult.  Preparation makes a difference. 

One of the things that no one really told us about before the surgery is the dramatic impact that has been made on His bowel function.  After the surgical removal of small intestine in the first surgery, and then the resection of His bowel as a result of the bowel obstruction last November, we find that His insides are very touchy and that managing that to ensure His ongoing health and physical comfort is a tricky process. 

We rely heavily on twice daily doses of Benefiber and He routinely uses stool softeners to prevent serious constipation.  Our daily conversation always involves at least some variant of the "Did You Poop?" question. 

Who knew that the new skinny life He leads would be so continually focused on the workings of His bowels?

swan