5 Days Post-Op - I encourage those of you waiting!
I was hoping to have written my experience with my surgery and hospital stay by now but I haven't had the energy and, to be honest, the memory! The more time passes, the more my thoughts are fading. Hopefully I will feel like giving it a shot with hubby's help soon.
Last night after watching The Biggest Loser, it hit me. I am POST-OP! I did it! WOW! It still seems so surreal at times. I can just hardly believe it.
One of the things I wish I could go back and change was my anxiety and apprehension beforehand. I now see that I wasted so much energy on being fearful...even wanting to RUN when in holding for surgery in the hospital! I suppose that is par with the course, but everything went just as it should have and I am now recovering very well, enjoying the transition.
So what has it been like post-op so far? Well, I am tired! That is partly due to the lack of sleep for 4 days before and during my hospital stay, that my body has undergone a major operation, that it takes my body awhile to purge residual anesthesia, and that I am still taking pain medication (liquid Lortab which doesn't taste nearly as awful as I was anticipating!). About 20-30 minutes after a dose, I get the warm-fuzzies and tend to nod off if I'm not busy with something.
I finally slept throughout the night last night so when I woke, I realized I am definitely still needing my pain medication. I had been taking it every 4 hours but I am going to see if I can space it out every 6 hours today. I get to lay around and rest until next Monday when I hope to take back up my afternoon carpool routine for the kids. The pain is under my left breast in the lower left rib out at my side...think polar-opposite the gallbladder. That's where they get in there and do the majority of the digging around during surgery, so it's only natural that would be a painful area. It only hurts upon moving, particularly getting up and down, and feels like a really tight muscle pull/spasm...sometimes even having a dagger-like pain, but that is seldom since I do keep the pain med in me. It is absolutely tolerable! Nothing to fear!
I'm taking Nexium, my thyroid supplement, and a chewable Centrum each morning. I chew 2 Tums in the afternoon and again in the evening. Those have been super easy to get down. I don't need to do my sublingual B-12 just yet because they gave me a shot in the hospital and I think I may get another at my first post-op visit next Thursday. I'll be on regular Centrum and Citracal at 1-month post-op.
Getting hydration has been my focus and that has taken work. For the first few days, Crystal Light would make me have this full pressure in my chest upon every swallow. Water worked better but wasn't as palatable. Both leave me with a horrible aftertaste. We are going to work on finding something that sits better with me. The first couple days I only got in 30 oz. of liquid but yesterday I think I was right at the recommended 48 oz.
I came home on "full liquids" -- cream soups, egg drop soup, hot cereals (cream of wheat, grits, cocoa wheats), SF pudding, SF yogurt (low-fat smooth/creamy), soft-boiled egg...in addition to the clear liquids. I've tried everything now with great success and tolerate the "no more than 4 oz. per meal" as recommended, except for the denser hot cereal which I can't eat as much of. I try to eat something every 3 hours to keep my blood sugar stable and my energy level up. It all tastes wonderful and the warm foods are very soothing. I do notice that my sense of smell is sharper now. I've not begun recording my protein intake, but I should start doing that soon.
I advance to "smooth consistency" this Friday which lasts one week and adds things like: NSA applesauce, cooked veggies, pureed fruits, mashed potatoes, meatless soups, eggs, oatmeal, beans, peas, lowfat cheese, smooth lowfat peanut butter, crackers, etc. and goes up to 4-6 oz. per meal, separating liquids and solids. I am VERY happy with my eating plan and how it progresses. After my experience with the pre-op liquid diet, I feel quite fortunate now!
Hmmm, let me think... Oh! I have been able to do take the stairs just fine since day 1 of being home. I limit it to just once or twice a day and take it slowly. I'm not on a walking plan yet, but I do get up and putter around wiping sinks, tidying, and such several times a day. This morning I rearranged my clothes in my closet, tidied my bedroom, and I've made a mental note to clean out the medicine cabinet later. Just easy, light things like that with limited bending and no heavy lifting.
So that is how the first part of week one has gone for me post-op! I just want to encourage those of you waiting! We all have differences in pain/activity level, diet, tolerances, etc. but I want to tell you that my personal journey has been all-in-all pleasant thus far. I am so thankful to finally feel optimistic and hopeful about my future. My entire family is sooo excited and very encouraging. Since I started my pre-op diet on November 15th, I am down 13.2 pounds. I need to add my weight-loss ticker to my signature, which I think I will do now!
Good luck to you all! Remember to keep a positive, optimistic mental attitude! You'll do great!
Last night after watching The Biggest Loser, it hit me. I am POST-OP! I did it! WOW! It still seems so surreal at times. I can just hardly believe it.
One of the things I wish I could go back and change was my anxiety and apprehension beforehand. I now see that I wasted so much energy on being fearful...even wanting to RUN when in holding for surgery in the hospital! I suppose that is par with the course, but everything went just as it should have and I am now recovering very well, enjoying the transition.
So what has it been like post-op so far? Well, I am tired! That is partly due to the lack of sleep for 4 days before and during my hospital stay, that my body has undergone a major operation, that it takes my body awhile to purge residual anesthesia, and that I am still taking pain medication (liquid Lortab which doesn't taste nearly as awful as I was anticipating!). About 20-30 minutes after a dose, I get the warm-fuzzies and tend to nod off if I'm not busy with something.
I finally slept throughout the night last night so when I woke, I realized I am definitely still needing my pain medication. I had been taking it every 4 hours but I am going to see if I can space it out every 6 hours today. I get to lay around and rest until next Monday when I hope to take back up my afternoon carpool routine for the kids. The pain is under my left breast in the lower left rib out at my side...think polar-opposite the gallbladder. That's where they get in there and do the majority of the digging around during surgery, so it's only natural that would be a painful area. It only hurts upon moving, particularly getting up and down, and feels like a really tight muscle pull/spasm...sometimes even having a dagger-like pain, but that is seldom since I do keep the pain med in me. It is absolutely tolerable! Nothing to fear!
I'm taking Nexium, my thyroid supplement, and a chewable Centrum each morning. I chew 2 Tums in the afternoon and again in the evening. Those have been super easy to get down. I don't need to do my sublingual B-12 just yet because they gave me a shot in the hospital and I think I may get another at my first post-op visit next Thursday. I'll be on regular Centrum and Citracal at 1-month post-op.
Getting hydration has been my focus and that has taken work. For the first few days, Crystal Light would make me have this full pressure in my chest upon every swallow. Water worked better but wasn't as palatable. Both leave me with a horrible aftertaste. We are going to work on finding something that sits better with me. The first couple days I only got in 30 oz. of liquid but yesterday I think I was right at the recommended 48 oz.
I came home on "full liquids" -- cream soups, egg drop soup, hot cereals (cream of wheat, grits, cocoa wheats), SF pudding, SF yogurt (low-fat smooth/creamy), soft-boiled egg...in addition to the clear liquids. I've tried everything now with great success and tolerate the "no more than 4 oz. per meal" as recommended, except for the denser hot cereal which I can't eat as much of. I try to eat something every 3 hours to keep my blood sugar stable and my energy level up. It all tastes wonderful and the warm foods are very soothing. I do notice that my sense of smell is sharper now. I've not begun recording my protein intake, but I should start doing that soon.
I advance to "smooth consistency" this Friday which lasts one week and adds things like: NSA applesauce, cooked veggies, pureed fruits, mashed potatoes, meatless soups, eggs, oatmeal, beans, peas, lowfat cheese, smooth lowfat peanut butter, crackers, etc. and goes up to 4-6 oz. per meal, separating liquids and solids. I am VERY happy with my eating plan and how it progresses. After my experience with the pre-op liquid diet, I feel quite fortunate now!
Hmmm, let me think... Oh! I have been able to do take the stairs just fine since day 1 of being home. I limit it to just once or twice a day and take it slowly. I'm not on a walking plan yet, but I do get up and putter around wiping sinks, tidying, and such several times a day. This morning I rearranged my clothes in my closet, tidied my bedroom, and I've made a mental note to clean out the medicine cabinet later. Just easy, light things like that with limited bending and no heavy lifting.
So that is how the first part of week one has gone for me post-op! I just want to encourage those of you waiting! We all have differences in pain/activity level, diet, tolerances, etc. but I want to tell you that my personal journey has been all-in-all pleasant thus far. I am so thankful to finally feel optimistic and hopeful about my future. My entire family is sooo excited and very encouraging. Since I started my pre-op diet on November 15th, I am down 13.2 pounds. I need to add my weight-loss ticker to my signature, which I think I will do now!
Good luck to you all! Remember to keep a positive, optimistic mental attitude! You'll do great!
keep up the great work!! WOOHOOO Shauna is a big loser 
Oh yeah! That's me! LOOOOSER! lol Thanks, Darc! 
The Gold Star Goes To Shauna!!!!!
Remember to keep a positive, optimistic mental attitude!
I could not of said it better myself Shauna.
Sounds as if you are going right along as planned.
What I was told I to this day try to follow it is always listen to your pouch when the pouch says your full I stop.
Many times I will take a breal about 10-15 minutes and try to eat a little more but I try not to pu****
Sometimes I can be stubborn and pu**** but usally will suffer for it later.
Warning becareful with those eggs.
Egg beaters seem to be a little softer at the start.
Yes I can totally relate to how wonderful everything taste in fact it still does. LOL
I think my favorite soft food was refried beans with cheese OMG I did see some refried black beans which I never bought but if I see them again I am going to buy them I love black beans.
Annie
Remember to keep a positive, optimistic mental attitude!
I could not of said it better myself Shauna.
Sounds as if you are going right along as planned.
What I was told I to this day try to follow it is always listen to your pouch when the pouch says your full I stop.
Many times I will take a breal about 10-15 minutes and try to eat a little more but I try not to pu****
Sometimes I can be stubborn and pu**** but usally will suffer for it later.
Warning becareful with those eggs.
Egg beaters seem to be a little softer at the start.
Yes I can totally relate to how wonderful everything taste in fact it still does. LOL
I think my favorite soft food was refried beans with cheese OMG I did see some refried black beans which I never bought but if I see them again I am going to buy them I love black beans.
Annie
Thanks for the gold star, Annie. 
I've been trying to make whatever I eat last almost 30 minutes. I'm using iced tea spoons. Yeah, the handle is long, but the spoon part is small! I don't fill it, but take tiny bites, maybe one or two, then put the spoon down. I find that I can't be thinking about other things (like computer time) or I eat too fast...and mindlessly. If I do those tiny bites, relish the taste/texture, put the spoon down, take a few breaths, then pick the spoon back up, the meal lasts awhile and I am sooo satisfied when it is over. Wow, this is way different, but so much more enjoyable! The poached egg I had last night sat a bit heavy so I will remember the Egg Beaters. I like them, especially scrambled with cheese on top. I will add that to my list for this weekend...you can be sure the refried beans with cheese is already on it! lol I am so happy to be *enjoying* food this early on. And, I'm not grieving over any particular foods or portion amounts. It's such a pleasant surprise.
I've been trying to make whatever I eat last almost 30 minutes. I'm using iced tea spoons. Yeah, the handle is long, but the spoon part is small! I don't fill it, but take tiny bites, maybe one or two, then put the spoon down. I find that I can't be thinking about other things (like computer time) or I eat too fast...and mindlessly. If I do those tiny bites, relish the taste/texture, put the spoon down, take a few breaths, then pick the spoon back up, the meal lasts awhile and I am sooo satisfied when it is over. Wow, this is way different, but so much more enjoyable! The poached egg I had last night sat a bit heavy so I will remember the Egg Beaters. I like them, especially scrambled with cheese on top. I will add that to my list for this weekend...you can be sure the refried beans with cheese is already on it! lol I am so happy to be *enjoying* food this early on. And, I'm not grieving over any particular foods or portion amounts. It's such a pleasant surprise.
Yes, Annie, and isn't it amazing that when you measure out the 4 ounces and then mindfully eat it, you are SATISFIED?! You taste it, you enjoy it, and you feel satiated. It's such an awesome feeling...one that noone can believe unless you experience it yourself. I should have been more specific in saying that I'm not grieving over "larger" portion sizes...I'm completely content. It's great to know that you, and others, understand just what I'm talking about!
BTW, I am dying to get the tree up this weekend so I can put my darling Tinkerbell on the tree. It will forever be a reminder of our friendship and the beginning of my journey that took place just before Thanksgiving. It was too perfect a gift!
BTW, I am dying to get the tree up this weekend so I can put my darling Tinkerbell on the tree. It will forever be a reminder of our friendship and the beginning of my journey that took place just before Thanksgiving. It was too perfect a gift!
Vera, It's so funny that I'm still not convinced that the weight will fly off! lol But, I am ready for it to happen and will be so excited when it does.
My patience level is partly what motivated me to have the RNY instead of lapband, so I understand where you are coming from. That impatience comes from so many years of dieting and the desparation for *results*...quick results!
I have to tell you, however, I am sooo impressed with you lap-banders who are losing 40-50+ pounds in your first 3 months. Heck, you're seriously keeping right up with the RNY'ers. And what is awesome is that no matter what WLS we choose, in the long-run, we are all going to reach the same goal.
No regrets, dear friend! One of my favorite quotes is: "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." I find that I am doing just that these days and it feels good. Luv ya!
My patience level is partly what motivated me to have the RNY instead of lapband, so I understand where you are coming from. That impatience comes from so many years of dieting and the desparation for *results*...quick results!
I have to tell you, however, I am sooo impressed with you lap-banders who are losing 40-50+ pounds in your first 3 months. Heck, you're seriously keeping right up with the RNY'ers. And what is awesome is that no matter what WLS we choose, in the long-run, we are all going to reach the same goal.
No regrets, dear friend! One of my favorite quotes is: "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." I find that I am doing just that these days and it feels good. Luv ya!
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