REPOSTING THIS FROM THE MAIN BOARD, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS FORUM WAS HERE!

Hey everyone: I wish there was a "new out of surgery" forum on OH that we could post on! I have a curiosity for all of you...I am 8 days post op, and bored. I just got my JP drainage tube removed, so I feel more mobile, and the pain has lessened. I am wondering how you spend your days, what you eat, and how you battle boredom. I myself am not great with idle time. Any and all feedback is welcomed! Thank you, good luck, and Happy New Year! Megan

HI Megan, I am six days out and I am trying to be as normal as possible. Today I went with a friend (I can't drive for 2 weeks) and we did a few shops and then sat a bit and did a few more. We ate at Marie Callanders where I wish I had brought a strainer so I could have had some soup. But I sipped water and my friend had lunch. I am not eating much - protein drinks, a yogurt yesterday and a SF pudding today. My legs are beginning to tingle in a stinging kind of way when I lie down and that's a bit strange. I am putting stuff away and wandering the house tossing stuff out. And yes, I am watching tv. What do you think? I haven't started walking blocks exactly, just kind of shopping walking. We may do IKEA or a museum or something like that tomorrow. nancy

Hi Megan, I had the same problems as you. Couldn't seem to sit and focus on tv or magazines and felt too weak to do much. I did try to start doing as much regular stuff around the house as I was capable of...loading the dishwasher and clothes washer, very light housework. Also I paced the house A LOT. It was too cold and slick to walk outside, I was afraid of falling. To keep my hands busy while I spent a half hour eating an ounce of liquid foods I knitted a muffler for my nut. Knit two rows, take a baby bite, knit two rows...etc. I also sat down and got all my thank-you cards written for the flowers and cards I got from friends and then worked on Christmas cards. Now I'm gearing up to get all the Christmas thank-you's written. Anything at all to keep busy! Glad you found this forum, it is interesting to see how people who have had their surgery so close to the same time are handling situations. Molly

I want to thank you for posting on the main board, that is the only way I found out about this site also. Thanks, Maryann

Honestly I sip, sip, sip some more. I will start getting in protein this week. I am now on full liquids. Diet snapple with water tastes great. Jello sf brand tastes ok. Hunts is not good at all. Milk was ok. Best wishes try new things. I am going back to work jan 2. I also plan to do a little housework in the am.

I think after all the feedback we've gotten, it is evident that we are all doing things a little differently, but are all on target. Though down the 12 lbs I gained from IV fluids in the hospital +2 additional lbs, I remain convinced that I will be the only person who has had this procedure not to lose weight. Odd, I know, but it's where I am at right now. I do what I can around the house, load the dishwasher, walk a friend's dog, use the treadmill for 10 minutes at a time, and watch too much TV. I battled head hunger something fiercely today (I am sick of liquids), and am so glad week # 3 is around the corner. I still have lower left quadrant pain in my abdomen (I was told by the clinic it is from my JP drain tube being in there for a week), but I think it's where they reattached the old stomach to the lower intestine, no joke. Anyone else have odd pain? I stopped the painkillers yesterday night, I was tired of freaky, wild dreams, and not sleeping well, and slept great last night without them. I am managing the pain today as well as can be expected without meds. Well, here we are! Almost through week #2, and have I said lately I can't wait for week # 3? I am dreaming of cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, and soupy mashed potatoes! Has anyone found a protein source they like? So far, the powders are icky, the liquid stuff is horrific, so I am counting on fish, dairy, and eggs (I don't eat meats) to pull me though once I can encororate them. Keep up the chatter! It's a very connecting thing to read updates from everyone! Best, M

Hi all, well I'm one week and 1 day out and things are getting better every day. I love, love love the broth from Campbell's 98% fat free tortilla soup and sf vanilla pudding. It's been about all I can tolerate. For protein I drink Unjury chocolate, it's the best, most tolerable one I've found and believe me I've tried a lot of them. Good luck to everyone and happy losing this new year! -Julie www.unjury.com

Hi Julie..my new friend, hey do you have to order unjury from there web site? or can it be bought somewhere? I checked it out, it says the can is 17 scoops . do you use 1 scoop per serving 3 x a day? I need to know so I know how much to buy. thank you Cissy

Hey Cissy, To answer your question...yes you have to purchase it from their website although sometimes you can find it on ebay. I use 1 scoop with 8 oz. of milk and it serves as 2 snacks. I can't drink the whole 8 oz at once, so it's lasted me a lot longer now. You can drink it 3x a day if needed, but I don't. They also have the unflavored one that I mix one scoop with my sf pudding. Holla back if you need more help. Take care and happy losing! Julie (aka Jules)