What I did to prepare for Meta and a little more

Some people have been asking me what I did to prepare for surgery. I have scattered throughout my blog the different things I did to prepare but I think it would make sense to mention it in a post specifically.

I will also go back and try and tag the posts that I did previously.

To prepare for surgery I started taking cranberry extract pills to promote urinary tract health. I also started taking vitamin C to boost my immune system. I began trying to drink more fluids but wasn't as successful pre-op as I could have been.

I also had been saying for weeks that I wanted to get back in the gym and workout. About a month before surgery I finally got off my butt and got my membership. I worked out 4-5 days a week. Focusing on my core and cardio. This resulted in me losing about 6 or so pounds and building muscle which was great for such a short amount of time.
I also worked on doing a lot of stretching so that I wouldn't stiffen up so easily post op.
I also made sure to increase my fruit and veggie intake

In terms of medically I made sure to see my Primary care Physician and get a physical done about 6 or 7 weeks prior to surgery to make sure that if there was any issues they could be addressed in time for surgery. I had an EKG done which came back fine. I had other surgeries in the past so it was actually quite easy for me to deal with anesthesia. I guess I should also add that I am allergic to eggs and the one they most commonly give people has an egg based ingredient so I can't use that one. It seems lucky for me because I never feel nausea after anesthesia. I just feel like my eyes are heavy for a few hours. I am always completely alert but just can't keep both eyes open at the same time. I can only open my eyes one at a time because they feel like they weigh a ton. Outside of that I bounce back from anesthesia quite fast!
I also donate blood a month before surgery. The reason for this was 2 fold 1) I build up red blood cells more now since being on T and donating blood regularly keeps my RBC count in the perfect zone for me.
2) I get time off work for being a regular donor.
The time off came in handy to see my doctor to get my medical clearance for surgery.

I guess that is all

Update!

Only about 17 days left til surgery. Yeah! I got some loose shorts that are breathable so that when I get back from surgery I have more options. The shorts are softer, roomier and seem great for recovery post op. I am excited yet for some reason I feel like I am dreaming. I want to fast forward to being Post op.

I have been doing extra cardio at the gym to help me with my recovery post op. I have aso been taking vitamin C and a cranberry vitamin that will Aid in my Urniary tract health.
I was feeling a little bad that I have not blogging everyday but I thought about it and once I have surgery I will be posting about my healing everyday and possibly even multiple times a day just so I don't forget anything.

Getting my body ready

I am very proud of myself because I feel my body getting stronger. Not just in the physical sense but also the spiritual sense. I have been going to the gym and really focusing my energy. Since joining the gym I have mentally been in a better place. I feel really calm despite all the stuff going on with me and around me.

I started taking vitamin C today for my immune system. I also started taking a cranberry pill to promot urinary tract health since I am getting urehtral lengthening. I will take it up until the week before surgery then start back up after surgery. I also have been drinking more water and eating more fruit. I feel like my health and fitness is the only thing left for me to control while I count down the days.

24 days left til surgery!

I really like my new gym

I worked out again tonight and it was AWESOME. Tonight there were a lot more people at the gym but there was still space for me to work out and not have to wait so that reinforced the fact that I made a good pick. I also have a friend who worked out with me 2 times of the 3 times I went to work out and he is turning out to be an awesome gym buddy. In the past my workout buddies have been guys who are already set in their workout routine and they are trying to help me get on one. He hasnt been working out too consistantly either so both of us as basically starting fresh to develop good habits and since we are in the same place I feel it is easier for us to support each other.
I also like the fact that we can workout together on the same muscle group but also separate and do our own thing. In the past I felt pressured by my workout buddies to be their shadow and do exactly as they did if I wanted to see results. I am really liking my new gym and I am kind of sad that I will only be able to work out for a month then I have to stop because of my upcoming surgery. I do plan to put in as much gym time as possible pre-op and after surgery really get in there. I plan to have my body looking the way I want it to by next summer. It is nice now but I want it to be SMOKING next summer. I want heads to turn. lol. Every once in a while a little extra attention is nice.

I found me a gym!

I found the perfect gym FOR ME yesterday. Everyone was telling me oh try this gym or that gym for X, Y, Z reason. That seemed very reasonable but didn't work for me. I found a gym that had a child care option during certain hours which conveniently is during the hours I plan to work out anyway. It also has the equipment and max amount of weights I was looking for. The gym locker room didn't smell funny which wasa plus. They have showers that are private in case I want to take a shower before I leave. The environment also seems very chill. I don't feel like I would be judged there. I went today for the first time to workout and I got a good vibe. There were all kinds of people there and it felt right. I almost slammed the weights by accident and didn't have to worry about a random alarm going off accusing me of being a "lunk."
I think this could be the start of a BEAUTIFUL relationship.

One month to go!

I have exactly 30 days until my meta with hookup which I am very excited about. I am currently working out to get my body into the best shape possible for surgery. I have already been cleared by my PMD and I got the clearance in the mail yesterday. My insurance stuff is all set. I am just waiting for my packet from the Surgeon's office which should have been here by now. I will email them tonight about that though and hopefully it is either in the mail already or will be in the mail ASAP. I think it has been sent though and just hasn't gotten here.
I just need to book my flight and hotel which is why I need the packet because it has hotel discount and travel information in there.

It still doesn't feel real yet so for now I am still just going through the motions.

Another productive day!

I rode 17.14 miles total today. I will feel it tomorrow! I am proud of myself. I rode at high speed in each direction which shocked me. I was trying to keep up with a buddy who is in peak shape and has been cycling for weeks for me to keep up let me know my body is stronger than I thought.

I am taking it one day at a time and not waiiting to have some big fitness epiphany but rather doing everything physical I can to get me burning the calories. Another successful and productive day!

Sweating and more sweat!

I just busted out some cardio. I was already sweating from it being so damn hot. I did some rope cardio and that really got me sweating so much I couldn't see. My shoulders were really starting to feel it when I was done. I had a nice protein shake. Cooling down now then shower and bed. No more excuses!

Getting back on track!

I just did some dumbell curls at home and drank a protein shake. I know it isn't much but I figured instead of me waiting for some grand beginning to get me back into working out I need to just take babysteps and do what I can because something is better than nothing!

I am officially getting back on track!

Getting in the Gym

I am finally gonna bog down and get a gym membership. Now that my daughter is settled in a schedule it makes more sense for me to do it now. I tried the whole workout at home business and I was able to do it for a while but now I really can't because when I am home there are too many distractions. I know if I have a membership I will be paying money and I don't like to waste money so that will definitely be enough motivation to get me there in the beginning. The results and the increased strength will be what keeps me going.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Life is moving forward

I will keep it as brief as possible by sectioning things off. Here we go!

Hysto

Day 7 post Hysto and I am doing GREAT! No pain just the mild discomfort still upon urination due to bladder spasms which are fading. No bleeding to date.

Lower surgery

I called my insurance regarding the letter the conversation was very good, better than I thought it would go. My documentation has to be reviewed and I may need to update some paperwork but things are looking good. No matter what I am happy I went forward with the submission of documents. I called surgeon's office to follow up regarding the conversation and things on their end. Things on their end is looking up.

Higher Education

I was going to put off my application process for the Master's Progam I wanted to do but decided to take the plunge. My application is already submitted and everything has been a go. I hope to hear soon. I have been wokring on this half assed for over a year but decided to confirm my desire to enroll in the program and hopefully I can get started soon. It seems like I am doing a lot but it is just enough.

Physical Fitness

I was going to get a family gym membership because my wife and I both need to work out more. We discussed it and decided to enhance our "home gym" (which so far consists of yoga mats, cardio rope, dumbells, curl bar, ab slide,, exercise ball, iron gym and perfect push up). The "enhancement" will lead to me getting some boxing gloves which I was interested in getting anyway. Once I can commit to doing it at home then I can revisit the formal gym issue. With the baby, the potential return to school and need for actual sleep I think this would be the best option. Plus I have my biological brother and enough friends with gym memberships that If I really need a formal gym day several have offered to have me go to their gym with them as a guest on the weekends and my days off.

Liver health

I have my appointment friday to see if those silly doctors will finally leave me alone OR if they would like to do more test to figure out why my liver looks crazy on imaging but lab wise I am still in awesome health. Nomral liver function, normal liver enzymes, All labs normal not one lab too low or too high. It has been like that for a long time. Specifically the past 5 months it has been checked it has been the same.

That's all for now! Life is moving forward