Life Update: Gallbladder Grossness, Surgery, and Rambling

The other day my dad asked me if I was going to be updating my blog with what's been going on with me. I'm not used to sharing life stuff on here so my initial response was a no. Then I got to thinking though...this isn't a beauty blog anymore. It's a lifestyle blog about my life and I suppose to truly embody that and make it what it is, I should be sharing my life with you all. Some of you might relate to it and who knows if maybe it'll be helpful to some of you, plus it's a way for you to get to know me and vice versa. So, why not?

Ah gallbladder grossness..it was about 3 months ago (maybe 4) when I really started having attacks. When I think back it was even longer than that, but at the 3 or 4 month mark it got really bad. For those that don't know what the gallbladder does, it basically aids in your body's ability to process fat. It all started when I began to feeling like there was a huge, heavy lump in my upper right abdomen. When I laid on my stomach or sides (especially my left side) the pain was nearly unbearable. Sometimes I would feel nauseous, dizzy, and totally exhausted. Through a little Google search I self-diagnosed that it was my gallbladder. I made some dietary changes...went vegan and low-fat...and it helped. That's when I really started to notice that when I didn't eat low-fat or vegan, I'd feel even worse, further solidifying my idea that I had gallbladder problems. Not long after the relief started though, the illness kicked back up again so I decided to go to the doctor. I had an ultrasound that confirmed that I had gallstones and not long after, on October 31, I ended up having my gallbladder totally removed.

On Halloween, in my jack-o-lantern pajama bottoms, I went to the hospital bright and early in the morning. Actually it was still dark when I got there but whatever~. The surgery...uuuuuugh...not fun. It was done laproscopically so it wasn't a majorly invasive procedure. But, it was my first surgery ever so I had no idea how I was going to feel or react. That anesthesia was just rude. It made me feel terrible. I was super sick for days after it, and I swear I was wondering what on earth I had done to myself. Then there were my anti-inflammatory pills; they totally made me even more sick and gave me super vibrant, weird, sometimes creepy dreams. Alice In Wonderland style but weirder. Now though, a week later, I'm feeling a lot better. I'm not in constant pain. I'm not dizzy, no nausea. OMG though. My stomach was HUGE after surgery. I looked like I was 9 months pregnant. Then it went down to 7 months...6...3...now I think I'm good. There's still a bit of swelling around my belly button though. My biggest complaint now is my back. It hurts from having to lay on it for days. I still have to, but I'm borrowing this handy heating pad from a friend and it's like the best thing ever. It helps a lot.

Now that the surgery is over and my gallbladder is long gone, I'm pretty much allowed to eat whatever I want and won't have to worry about the attacks I was having for months. I do have to control my fat intake though, but I have the freedom to deviate from that from time to time. It's mostly a portion control thing. Through it all, I've lost almost 20 pounds so I figure sticking to a similar diet would be a good idea. Plus I want to play with new recipes and stuff. Like my baked tofu...I used to fry it all the time, but with having to watch my fat intake, I had to try something new.

It really is just nice to have it over and done with. My follow-up appointment is coming up. The glue on my incisions is wearing off. And now I'll have some cool scars on my belly for a while. I'm actually really excited to get to start exercising again. I haven't for months because I just didn't feel up to it and I was a little afraid of what would happen if I went at it to hard. I'll have to ask my doctor what's appropriate for me to start with but I really need to do something. I feel like a potato...or a log.

So, that's that. I know I've been a bit quiet after I said I was returning to blogging, and this is why.

Alright...bye!
xoxo
Jacqueline~ Visit ABrilliantBrunette.com for more posts like this and much more!