1 week Post OP :)

Well its hard to believe that exactly 1 week ago today - and at this exact time - I was literally walking into the OR.

I wasn't nervous at all - which is kind of strange - but I was relaxed and ready to change my life and start living!

It has been a great experience - and I feel wonderful - considering surgery was only a week ago.

• I'm eating without difficulty
• I'm drinking without difficulty (usually getting 4 to 6 glasses a day so far)
• I do forget to eat - as I have not been hungry once since the surgery
• I have lost 24.6 lbs since starting SlimTime Shakes on Jan 9th
• I have lost 10.2 lbs since my surgery date
• I can see a difference already in my face when I look in the mirror (I was a bit worried, when I was in the hospital - my face looked saggy - but it has caught up to me - and has tightened up)
• I sleep really really good now at night - don't even wake up to pee
• Have lots of energy during the day
• Very little pain - and have not taken any pain killers since Thursday - I really didn't feel good when taking them - I do take Tylenol usually once or twice a day
• I'm walking a little bit every day
• When out shopping for a bit yesterday - felt good to get out
• I do feel kind of "drunk" or "groggy" when I first get up - and from what I can see - it's likely still all the anesthesia and pain killers making their way out of my body
• The gas - is nothing like it was the first 2 days - that was awful - today it is manageable - walking is the key - and just moving in general
• I've already noticed a difference in the way my clothes fit - YAY!

I think that about sums it up!

Thank you all for the wonderful messages - they have really meant a lot to me - and have helped me through the process

Skinny...here I come!

This is great news! Sounds like your recovery is going great! Congratulations on the weight loss!!!

When you say that you are eating...what does this mean? For some reason I had the impression that food didn't happen for weeks...is their stages similar to after having a lap band?

I guess I should clarify - yes there are stages like with the lap band - however they seem to last a bit longer with RNY

Right now all I have "eaten" is

• Apple Sauce
• Cream Soups strained
• Yogurt
• Pudding
• Jello
• Oatmeal
• Cottage Cheese
• I have not tried Tomato Juice yet - but it's allowed

Basically - if you follow the guide in the nurtrition guide from TWH - they give you some sample menus - because things really slide now at this stage - you basically try to eat about 1/2 cup of food every meal - they give you suggestions like 1/4 oatmeal and small yogurt cup for a meal.

I am eating 1 TBSP every 5 mins - so if you measure that all out - it takes about 40-45 mins to eat.

Some days I do eat it all - other days - I just don't want it all - 

The next stage is pureed - so the measurements come down to about 1/4 cup per meal - because this will sit in your pouch longer before sliding down

Thank you! 

Wow - so you aren't stomach hungry at all?

I remember those stages with Lap Band and I was starving (physically)

never hungry at all - I know my stomach is empty - but i;m not hungry - it's really weird.

I never had that "satisfied" feeling with the lap band - I only stopped eating because I was tired of fighting to get the food down.

Wow, you are doing great!  It's so hard to believe that 1 week has passed so quickly!

I'm really happy to hear that you aren't in any pain, and that you are feeling so good at just 1 week post-op!  It must feel great to be able to have soups and oatmeal and apple sauce, etc., after all of the shakes. Let us know how you do with cottage cheese (that's what I'm looking forward to the most, lol). Do you have to mu**** up first or is it Ok as is?

I'm flying from SSM to Toronto tomorrow morning at 11, and have to be at St. Joe's by 7:30 AM the day after tomorrow for my surgery (God willing).  I still have a bit of a dry cough but it's better than it was so I'm hoping they won't cancel my surgery.

I can't believe today is Day 20 of Optifast for me.  Tomorrow is my last day; the 3 weeks just flew by.

Any advice for going in to the hospital?

Your day it almost here - YAY :)

I have no problems with Cottage Cheese - I do chew it though - but that seems to be enough.

My "go home" instructions were to eat 1 TBSP every 5 minutes - and that is what I stick to - I actually look at the time on my phone with every bite - so far I don't believe I have become lactose intolerant.

Advice for the hospital - I brought too much stuff with me...lol - I had visions of putting my own clothes on - but to be honest - the gowns were good enough for me :)  Bring a book or an ipad or something to entertain you - TWH has free Wifi - not sure about St Joe's.  Don't be a hero - ask for meds when you need them - let them know when something doesn't feel right.  Walk as much as you can - sip your liquids (funny thing about the liquids - I thought we had to sip that little cup for 15 mins - the nurses said to take it like a shot - 1 every 15 mins...lol)

I don't know the process for St Joe's - but TWH was extremely organized - and to the minute with everything.

The cough should be ok - my fingers are crossed for you.

Keep us posted

1 TBSP every 5 minutes all day long, or until the food is gone, lol? 

I'm bringing my tablet and even if there's no wifi, it will be OK as I downloaded some books to read.  I plan on taking every pain med offered to me, lol. 

That is funny about the water; I would have guessed we'd have to slowly sip it too!

Thanks for the advice.  I'm hardly coughing at all now so hopefully it will go away altogether by Wednesday morning.

Take care,

Kathy

1 TBSP until it's gone - so you have to measure - basically everything is 1/4 cup on this stage - and it should take you 30-40 mins to eat - so if you do the math - and take 1/4 cup X 2 (because they usually suggest 1/4 cup of Oatmeal and 1/4 cup of Yogurt as a meal) - then if you eat 1 TBSP every 5 mins - it equals 1/2 cup of food

The first couple of days - I doubt you will be able to eat that amount - I think for the first 2 or 3 days I ate about 1/2 of that.

But I honestly have not been hungry at all - not even a bit

You will do amazing!  

Not long now :)

I'm so glad you're feeling great! Keep it up!