5 days post-op

Surgey was at 8am on Friday. The surgery itself went pretty well and I was in recovery an hour and s half later. Recovery has been a bit slow at times. I react to anesthesia so I would up in recovery for 8 hours while they tried to get a handle on my oxygen levels and then my blood pressure. Unfortunately they would not even let my mother come in to see me because they didn't consider me stable. I was brought to my room at 5:30pm and remained on oxygen until 8am the next morning.

I spent a few days resting at my parents place where they took care of me and my daughter. As of last night, I'm back home in my own bed!

I have been struggling to get my protein in. I found my taste buds drastically changed after surgery so I had to buy a new kind of protein today because I could no longer tolerate the taste of my old favourite! I had my post-op follow up with Dr. Freedhoff today and Rob my dietitian. They were great. I'm healing well. They were concerned about my caloric intake being low and only managing about 40g protein per day at this point. Of course o then worried tried to force in my 60g today. I managed close to 50g but then called it a day. I've gone to bed with such an uncomfortable feeling in my tummy from trying to do more than I could handle. Lesson learned! I will try for 60g again tomorrow but listen to my body. For now I'm using heating pads and ice packs to help with the aching and discomfort. They both seem to help!

Before starting Opti I was 295 lbs, the morning before surgery I was 278 lbs. As of today I'm 266 lbs! That's 12 lbs since surgery (5 days ago). According to my dietitian that is too fast for his liking and likely do to my low protein and low calories. By day by day I will get better and the loss will slow down.

I have found a great local support group that has been wonderful with my daily questions post-op. I'm no longer worried about my protein and know that I'm doing quite well for just a few days in. Hoping to start purées on the weekend if my tummy can handle it! Fingers crossed.

I lost 15lbs the first week of surgery, then I slowed down to 1-4lbs per week, with some stalls.  I think that huge jump the first week is normal, especially with your hospital complications.  You probably ate little or close to nothing for 2 days.  Do your best with the protein, but I wouldn't worry about it so much this early out.  As you heal, things will get easier.  

Thanks you for the reassurance. I figure the weight loss will slow after this week. Will just take things slow and do my best. That's all I can really do, right?

Hey Laura!

Welcome to the post-op life. You sound like you are right on track for some people at this stage of post-op. Yes, it will be hard to get in all you protein right now. Yes, it will be hard to get all your water in right now. And yes, your weight loss is high, but that is too be expected for the low calorie intake you have at this time. 

Do your best to get your protein and calories in. You should be at a "Full-Fluids" stage right now, so even sugar free pudding that might have a full calories would help. Make sure you keep hydrated. As hard as it is, your body will need all the water that you put into it. 

As for your protein, you mentioned going from one kind to another... was Premiere Protein from Costco one of them? Many people like that because it is pre-made and has a good taste. If you are using a powder, have you tried adding flavours to it? Maybe Crystal Light or some kind of sugar free flavour shot. I use powder(chocolate Kaizen from Costco) and in the early stage, I added a bit of flavour... just to keep my mind entertained. :) 

Again, do your best and keep at it. Good luck!

Cheers,

Skotti

Thanks! Yes, Premiere is the kind that I picked up yesterday. I have the vanilla so I'm going to try to stop by Starbucks today and maybe pick up some sugar free flavours to add to it. Recovery is slow but I'm trying to just take it easy and know that my body will do what it needs to when it's ready.

Greek yogurt was a big help in getting my protein in.  I also put non-flavoured protein in my soups.

Congratulations!! Thank you for the update, it helps the pre op people like me. I'm sure you'll perfect your schedule and that will make life easier. I look forward to reading more updates.

Yay, congrats!!!!!

You mentioned you were using a heating pad for aches? Whereabouts is the pain?

Yes, I've used a heating pad and ice packs. Both help. It's my tummy where the incisions are and sometimes just the internal aching from some gas pains or bloating. I've been off of all pain meds (including Tylenol) since Monday morning so one times tell changes just help to make things a bit more comfortable. :)