two weeks post-op

Just a quick two week update about my journey so far. If anyone has tips, suggestions, or questions, feel free to ask.

Wednesday marked two weeks since my surgery, and today marks two weeks since I was discharged from TEGH. It's been a surprisingly good road thus far. Got through the liquid phase on cottage cheese, greek yogurt, oatmeal, and protein shakes. I haven't had any issues getting my liquid or protein in, or keeping it down, just had to fight the boredom of having the same thing for two weeks. I was out all day on Wednesday, so it was easier to pack yogurt and ready-to-drink protein shakes in a cooler, than make something pureed. I started the pureed phase yesterday. I'm not a fan of cream soups, so I bought a can of Campbell's Light Chicken Noodle soup, added (2tbsp) unflavoured protein powder to it, and took a hand blender to it. Tasted good and felt a level of satisfaction after having it. I've had this morning marked on my calendar since I started Opti 7 weeks ago (yes, I did 5 wks of it) to have a poached egg and melba toast. It's the first time I have had something that I can actually "feel" in my pouch. I had 1 poached egg and 1 1/2 pieces of melba toast. It's been a few hours since I finished eating it and I still feel fully satisfied - almost full - I think, and so far so good. I stopped at a good time, because I'm sure finishing that last 1/2 piece of melba toast would have been too much. I'm going to family tonight for dinner, so I'll be bringing the leftover soup and a couple pieces of melba toast. I may try mashing some of the veggies being served, depending what they are.

And now for the positives...

• I've been off Metformin since the end of week 4 of Opti. That means, no more diabetes meds. (was never on insulin)  
• I'm down 23.2 lbs since coming home from the hospital (May 23). 
• That's a total of 48.2 lbs lost since the morning I started Opti (April 16).
• I saw my family doctor on Wednesday and I thought his (automated) blood pressure machine was broken because it was registering 2 digits for me!!! I'm now off 3 of 4 high bp meds. I have to do a blood test, but go back to see him in 3 weeks, and if everything is positive, I hope to be off the last bp med, off Allopurinol (for high uric acid / gout), and off the potassium supplement. That will accomplish the one big goal I have, no more meds. The one big reason I decided to have this surgery. 

I picked up a zucchini, some carrots, a sweet potato, and an avocado, to try them out over the weekend. Bought Cheerios too, so I'll try that too. 

My first "outing" will be tomorrow as I'm going to the Blue Jays game. Going to pack my lunch bag with some freezer packs and bring yogurt, ready-to-drink protein drinks, and my water bottle. It'll be the first time I'll be at a game where I won't have a stadium pretzel, ice cream or beer. 

Any other tips or suggestions for pureed meal ideas?

Thanks! 

I'm pre op so no tips from me but you sound like you are doing great!!! Keep the updates coming!! Very helpful for pre-op people :) 

OneByte I am a newbie and very pre-op but I read your post and just wanted to say congratulations!  I am so happy for you.  Yes, please, keep the updates coming!  I am sending you great big hugs!!!

5 weeks of opti?  you rock!  Was the metformin for insulin resistenace due to PCOS?  Mine is. I take the time released metformin but was told I may need to stop it while on opti.

Just wanted to thank you on your updates.  Really helpful and informative.  Gives me hope that there are people out there that DON'T have complications after surgery lol.  Looks like your on a roll, happy you're doing so good! 

Thank you everyone! I'll do my best to keep the updates coming. 

Great post. You have done great. I loved chili in that stage and I still eat it to this day. I made a big batch and then bought small plastic containers and portioned it out and froze it. Easy to prepare whenever you need it. Have fun at the jays game tomorrow!  I know I went to the show at about the same time and I packed some Greek yogurt, beef jerkey and cashews and water of course. It's all about being prepared!

Great update, and you are doing fantastic !!

I have no advice as I am a newbie waiting for an orientation date LOL  Thank You so much for your detailed post and CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Getting off all my meds is one of my top goals!!! I am on metformin, and they just added another diabetes med....trajenta, and also 3 BP meds and 1 cholesterol........all due to my weight!!!  HUGS from me to you!!!

Im new here and on the Pre op Optifast for 2 weeks,today is day 5 my surgery is June 18th and Im excited but nervous.I love the support and helpful people and reading the reply's it gives us newbies the tips we need and your successes are everyones!! Congrats on your great journey.Eating broccoli or cucumber,celery or lettuce each day is so blah! plain and Im sick of all the food commercials LOL best wishes Michelle