Another new Februarian :)

Greetings, everyone. I keep finding cool new boards on OH. My name is Susan. I'm 52, single, a medical transcriptionist, and I live in Atlanta, Ga. I had my surgery on 2/10/2004, rudely developed a small leak the next day and had to have emergency surgery to repair it, and was finally discharged two weeks later with a PICC line and 10 more days of home nursing and IV antibiotics. Fortunately, that's all behind me now and my biggest worry has been where to get new clothes. I'm also an amputee who uses crutches because my artificial leg has never fit right in 32 years due to be weight, so I'm looking forward to having a new leg built pretty soon to get me more mobile (which my remaining very bad knee will also appreciate). The bummer is, and I guess it will be a happy problem, the minute I put on that artificial leg, I gain back about 10 pounds That's just wrong. I'm relieved to see from the posts here that I'm not the only one who ha**** a killer plateau so soon, but I can't complain--I've lost 43 pounds pretty effortlessly, though it's been very slow going for the last 3 weeks. I applaud those of you who are getting in 64 ounces of water; water is like medicine to me and I think on most days I average about 40 ounces (plus my protein drink). I'm working on it (I just can't drink the Crystal Lite or Kool Aid stuff--they are unbearably sweet to me now). Life has gotten much better since I've been able to add a variety of foods to my diet, and I've been disciplined about staying away from the simple carbs. I really haven't had much craving for them. Shrimp and Wendy's chili are my favorite things to eat out. Enough about me...what do you think about me? I look forward to reading everyone's posts!! Susan InGa Atlanta postop 2/10/2004 259/216/129

Hi Susan, Welcome to the group. Wow, you had a rough start with your surgery/post op experience. So glad you are doing so well now. Since you don't like sweet, how abou****er with some lemon or lime juice in it --- a couple of spritzes goes a long ways with you add them in for flavoring. Or may herbal or decaf ice tea or hot tea. I've only eaten a couple bites of bread ... try to keep high carb foods out of my diet. I like that I can do variety now and am doing pretty good with that. Mary

Hi Susan: Welcome to the board, I look forward to reading your posts. Glad to hear your doing well now. I'm about where you are with water also. But, some days are better than others. Looks like your doing well with the weight loss! Eileen

Hi Susan, You really have a great outlook. I can tell you have a wonderful personality by the way you write. I'm glad you joined our February board. Looking forward to your success. Debbie -40

Hi Susan - Welcome! I would keep experimenting with the Crystal Light thing. I could not do the pre-mixed bottles no matter how I watered them down. I kept on trying though since I loved the stuff pre-op. I have found that some flavors like the strawberry-kiwi I still cannot tolerate, but the new sunrise orange and the pineapple-orange go down very well. I also find that if I start my day with a cup of hot lemonade (just ho****er with 1 pack Splenda and a splash of lemon), I can get in more water and fluids for the day. It sort of jump starts my pouch for the day. I hope this helps! Gloria

Susan, It is great to meet you! Looks like you had a rough time in the begining, but are doing well now. Hope you are finding some great sales on new clothes! Have you tried tea to drink? My surgeon recommends drinking hot tea to help soothe the pouch and the stoma. I also find that drinking unsweetened ice tea helps me get all of the fluids in for the day. The good thing about tea is you can add flavor or sweetener if you want. I even bought some of the flavored teas and they are pretty good. I like Lipton's Chai tea for something different in the morning. Liz