Post Op Day 6 - Life is getting better everyday

To give everyone an idea of my experience - I thought this email I sent to all my friends yesterday would give you a boost! AND - even the nausea left yesterday! I would have preferred to send each and everyone of you a personal note but since the papparrazi have been relentless I thought I'd just issue a press release! It is, unbelievably, post-op day 5 and I would have never guessed that I would be up and about and feeling pretty decent. As most of you know, the weeks leading up to surgery were extremely stressful...as a result I hadn't had a chance to really think about what was ahead until the two day clear liquid prep began...so cruelly the day after Christmas! How barbaric! But for some reason, the morning of surgery I woke up not scared, a little anxious, but by the time I got to the hospital I was in fighting form. By the time I arrived at the anesthesia prep area I was down right silly! They had the nerve to ask if I had any body piercings...I told them "Yes...but my husband INSISTED I take out my belly ring because iodine stains the gold!" They laughed and said I was pretty perky for someone about to have surgery...I thought so too...maybe it was delirium. My surgeon showed up and I asked him the usual pre-op questions "Did you have a good nights sleep?" "Did you do any illegal drugs last night?" He assured me he had been "clean for a few days" so I felt at ease. I begged the anesthesiologist to make sure I stayed asleep cause I didn't want to end up on 60 Minutes telling my tale. They guaranteed it and I made them put it in writing. Before I knew it I was in my room with my honey by my side and it seemed I slept for two days. My surgeon came to see me and told me that as I was coming out of the anesthesia I looked at him and said "Dr. Peters...what are my instructions now?" He said the whole O.R. was laughing. I guess I must have been entertaining as one of the scrub nurses came to visit me the next day and she was still laughing...of course by then I was drooling and whimpering. (Dilaudid was my friend!) I would have guessed I'd say something much more incriminating...maybe they just didn't tell me.... I came home in a record 2 days and never realized how bumpy route 1 is. YIKES! The hospital stay was uneventful with the exception of the big strapping guy who arrived to say, "Mrs Seeds I'm hear to d/c your foley"... Since I was limited to 1-2 oz of fluids an hour I still got to utilize my shot glasses so I felt like I hadn't missed a beat! Besides, vodka is a clear liquid right? Yesterday was a big day...I got to eat!!! Well, sort of. My first "meal" was a 3 oz chocolate protein shake and it wouldn't have tasted better if it had been chocolate mousse! This morning's gourmet meal was cottage cheese with applesauce and cinnamon and I'm in heaven! I would have never guessed it would take me an hour to eat a quarter cup of anything...or a quarter pound of anything for that matter! I have some mild nausea and tenderness, but otherwise can't believe I had surgery a few days ago...and more importantly I can't believe IT'S OVER!!!!! I realize the hard part is about to begin but I am so greatful that the surgical course was smooth sailing! Oh...and in case you are wondering....I've lost 14 lbs since 12/29!!! > >So...thank you everyone! All of your concern and interest and support has been crucial to my recovery. Special thanks to MAB-your visit was so wonderfully unexpected and appreciated....Corporate- your basket garden was just the pick-me-up I needed on a bad first post op day...Jeff for my snazzy "magic bullet" blender which should be part of the surgical package...and to my mom and hubby for being so sweet it makes me teary. Can't wait to be out and about again and reiking havoc on one and all! Till then...please keep in touch... Fondly, Beth

Congrats Beth, I am also a new loser. I am 8 days post-op. I am still on celar liquids until tomorrow then Full liquids for 2 weeks then move on to purees for a week, then finally soft but reg food. I also was out of the hospital in 2 days. My husband says that I am one of the strongest women he knows besides his Mom. I feel really good now. Keep up the good work Barb

I know...everyone keeps telling me its my attitude that has caused such a smooth surgical and post-op experience. I'm curious about the extended clear liquids...did something happen? I was so scared to start my pureed diet...but after 24 hours I look forward to it. Had a pureed scrambled egg today with a bit of sugar free ketchup and it was YUMMY! Keep in touch - loved to know how you are doing!

WOW Beth, you are doing great. 14 pounds is terrific! I am 8 days out as well, but just switched to Full fluids. My diet will be in a few stages each lasting a week. Clear to full to pureed to soft (reg foods). I too didnt have time to think about the surgery much Pre-op, but Ihad fought with my insurance company for a year and a half to get it, so it seemed surreal! I am looking forward to the real world with (semi) Normal foods. It sounds like you have a great team of support people around you! CONGRATS! ~Sweet Mammy

Wow...you had alot of perserverance and stamina. I was very lucky in that area. I never once had to deal with my insurance company... the surgeon's office took care of everything. Oh...and I came up with an awesome shake tonight....1/2 c Hood's Low Carb Chocolate Dairy Beverage (6gms protein), 1 tbls creamy peanut butter (4 gms protein), 1 scoop Beneprotein powder (6 gms protein), 1 small peice banana, and a handful of ice cubes. Put all in the blender. It makes an 8 oz shake that took me an hour to sip...but every sip was tasty decadence! YUM! And the bonus...it had a total of 16 gms of protein!!! You need things like that to get you to the real foods! I do have an incredible support system around me...I'm a lucky woman. My mom has been staying with us and can't stop telling me how proud she is, and calling everyone else and telling them the same thing. Keep it going...and stay in touch!