How is everyone doing? Board is awfully quiet.

How is everyone doing in their journey as a post-op? My open RNY was 2/25 (almost 3 weeks ago). I'm still on full liquids (a little boring, but manageable) for at least another week. Find out Thursday if they want me to do full liquids for 6 weeks. Hoping it is only 4 weeks but time will tell. I'm walking and/or using my Tony Little Gazelle (walking motion only) each day. I haven't been released to exercise yet. My incision has healed beautifully and I haven't had any problems as a post-op. Last week my PCP allowed me to quit my blood pressure meds. Such a blessing as I had been on them for years. I'm down 15 lbs in 20 days for a total of 65 lbs since last year. Really feeling good. Energy level is good, altho some days I do tire out so have to slow down just a little. I've been amazed at how quickly I've bounced back. Really feel a lot of it is due to the high protein/low carb diet as a pre-op (I dropped a total of 50 lbs) and the fact that I exercised almost daily before surgery. Hoping others will post. It would be great to have this board more active as we all share the same surgey month and so many similar experiences. Mary

Hi Mary, I'm kind of down in the dumps today. I think it is PMS for me. I'm eating good, and drinking much better. I'm also walking on the treadmill about 3 times a week. I have worked up to a mile, and my goal is to walk 3 miles. I'll get there. I really hate being on the treadmill though. I think I might get my husband to walk outside with me, when I build up a little more endurance. I have lost 25lbs since 2/5/04. I think it is a little slow, but it is 4.72 loss per week average. That is more than I ever lost on a diet. I just need to keep it up during the *honeymoon phase* Have a great day, Debbie -25

Debbie, I think you are doing GREAT. I'm down 15 lbs in 20 day so about 5 lbs a week for me. I have found that I have a little bit of emotional ups and downs too. I'm sure a lot of it is because of the change in eating and the fact that our bodies are still recovering. I agree that walking outside is much more envigorating and fun than doing the treadmill. I have a harder time on concrete because of arthritis, so we often head to the mall and I walk it. I'm using the Tony Little Gazelle (walking movements only****il I get released to exercise. Then I'm headed to the pool and my exercise bike. Mary

Mary the next 2 weeks are about to really improve for you. Weeks 4 and 5 you'll see huge improvements. I had open RNY and was miserable until they took my G-tube out the end of week 3. I don't have as much pain eating anymore, I actually get to eat pretzles and saltines now. Thank god for the crunch. I really missed being able to chew something crunchy the first 3 weeks. I wasn't hungry, my teeth just wanted to crunch something. I'm now up to mall walking about an hour and 45 minutes a day and I think that really helps. I should be going back to work full time on Thursday and I'm really worried about keeping up with the excersize after that. I still get tired after about 3 hours up and about doing things. Wednesday afternoon I see my surgeon again and I hope she clears me to do more activities. Eileen

Eileen, Sounds like you are doing well also. That is great. I've somewhat satisfied the need to crunch/chew by doing snow cones. That has been a lifesaver. I see my surgeon on Thursday, so hope he will release me at that time to exercise more. Mary