One month out (long)

Well when I was a pre-op I loved reading update posts...so I decided I would make one that went over some of my experiences at 1 month out.

Surgery:

My surgey was lap.  Ended up having to stay in the hospital 3 extra days because I ended up getting some very gunky lungs.  Otherwise pain was controlled pretty well.  Actually felt pretty darn good leaving the hospital. 

Going home:  

Once I got home, things were a little more difficult.  I was tired and sore (obviously).  I was sleeping ALOT.  I was doing so/so with fluids...but basically eating nothing.  My doctor gives us a bunch of crap food that we are required to eat and the look of it seriously made me want to puke everywhere.  So I ended up eating almost nothing.  I finally got the physician's assistant to advance my diet early and started on pureed foods.

Things got a little easier at that point.  But I had a LOT of food envy.  I would watch my husband eat and just drool.  It was so much more emotional than I expected.  I mourned food.  I wanted to dive into a big bacon cheeseburger and fries but couldn't.  And it really took a toll on me.  I pretty much lived on soft scrambled eggs, and yogurt.  It was like the things I actually was allowed to eat, had zero appeal.  I would open the refridgerator and instantly want to puke.

The past 2 weeks were where the road got very tough!  I began have TERRIBLE nausea 24/7.  I could barely drink or eat.  I became dehydrated and ended up having to get 2 bags of IV fluids.  I was dry heaving all day and it began to cause alot of stomach pain. 

We finally found it was an acid reflux problem.  Prilosec once a day wasn't enough.  Once I began taking it twice a day, the nausea stopped.  Now I am doing much better, but still tire easily.

Food/vitamins/fluids:

 I already went over what I ate before.  But now I'm on a regular diet.  I stay pretty low-carb eating things like eggs, sausage, moist chicken, cheese, etc.  I also eat a lot of cashews.  I keep the container by me and munch on them throughout the day.  They are higher in carbs, but it's nice to have something that I can just take a bite or 2 of when I want.  I can eat about 1 egg, or 1 chicken strip in a sitting for reference.  Looking at protein shakes still makes me gag...I'm still searching for something I can tolerate.  This is one of my biggest concerns right now.

I have only recently started taking a multi-vitamin :(  My nausea prevented more.  I plan to begin Vitalady's plan very soon.

I still struggle with fluids.  Hot decaf tea is my saving grace.

And Poop (of course lol):

This was an issue that really scared me.  It hasn't been as bad as I thought.  I have not had loose stools at all...but I do have urgency issues.  Once I feel like I have to go, I have to GO!  There is no waiting around.  I also have oil slicks almost every time.  But  it is nothing that isn't controllable.  I'm not pooping myself.  I also don't eat many carbs, so the smell isn't as bad as I expected.

I do occasionally have some gas that stuns me though.  But I'm not a farting machine like many would assume.

So to sum it all up.  I have had moments of regret...but I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.  I feel I have made the right choice for surgery and look forward to my journey!  I will be going back to work in 2 weeks.  I don't think I could have done it any sooner (and I'm 28 and in good health).

Funny - I was loving on cashews during my recovery too.  My goofy fluid saving grace was green koolaid and decaf tea.  I, too, hated the shakes.  I endured a horrible rot-gut product called ProStat64 during recovery because it had 15g of protein in a teensy, tiny ounce.  I slammed it down holding my nose, then rinsed my mouth with peanut butter to cover up the taste.  My go-to food for high protein, though, is ricotta cheese.  You can mix it with eggs and a little splenda and vanilla and bake for an italian cheesecake kind of thing, or skip the eggs and it tastes like the inside of a cannolli.  You can add instant pudding to it and enough cream to get the consistency you like for what I call Ricotta Fluff Stuff.  I ate all kinds of that stuff!  You can then cross over to something savory with a little tomato sauce and melted mozzerella for the best part of lasagna.  It goes down easy and has 28g of protein in a cup's worth.  I also found that eating eggs was easiest in the form of custard, so I made a huge batch of custard twice a week (need to get back on to that).  It was those that got me eating my 100g without nasty protein drinks pretty quickly.

Thanks Valerie!

I actually tried Ricotta 2 different ways after being cleared for mushy foods......the one with spaghetti sauce and the ricotta fluff.  The problem is that both made me super nauseated.  And now I look at them, and it makes me want to puke remembering how it made me feel before.  (weird I know!)  Sometimes I feel like a pregnant woman!  The slightest look/smell etc will set me off!  I literally cannot look at anything powdered without running to the bathroom to dry heave :(

I'm trying to find a RTD shake that is high in protein that I can get down.  I can do Muscle Milk in small quantities, but the nutritional value is questionable.  But I NEED to get more protein in though.  But after my bought of dehydration, I'm just really focusing on getting my fluids first and foremost.  I already feel as though I've turned a corner, so I'm hoping in a few weeks things will be well enough for me to get down some shakes and be on a full vitamin schedule.

The best RTD shake, IMO, is Premier Protein.  Costco has it and so does Sam's.  It's relatively inexpensive ($1.30 per drink) and tastes good.  Choc or vanilla.  

This is an awesome post! Thanks for sharing! It helps to know what to expect. Keep going....you are doing great!

Thanks :)  That was my intent.  I researched for a year and half before going under the knife, so I really appreciated posts that gave me some perspective.  So I really wanted to pay it forward.  I'm obviously just a DS baby, but I am happy to answer any questions about my experience.

Good luck to you on your surgery date!

I'm about the same time along as you, and I can definitely relate.  My surgeon had me on a LONG food recovery schedule so today is my first day officially free from liquid or pureed diets.  The food envy early on was horrible, but I find I don't have it as bad any more.  Since I've been eating some "real" food - even when pureed - a little goes a long way and I'm just not hungry and just not thinking about food as much - FINALLY.  My problem is to eat slowly; the first bite tastes so good I want to bolt it down and soon I'm over-ful and feeling the need to throw up!  Still have a lot of trouble with bloating and I wish I could get rid of my "pregnant" belly!

So glad you are feeling you're finally feeling like your journey has truly begun!  We really did make the right decision, and we will get through the adjustment period.  Next year this time, we'll be one of the "vets" posting our wisdom on this sight!!!

Oh yes, that food envy is terrible.  My surgeon himself called me at home a few days after I left the hospital.  I told him (and I quote) "I am stalking my husband's food like a lion stalking a zebra".  There was an awkward pause and then a laugh.  In my defense, I was on a mix of pain medicine and valium lol.   

But yes, it does get MUCH easier.  I still really want to go stuff my face with a huge meal...but it doesn't make me want to cry while rocking in a corner anymore 

Ah, yes, the DS roller coaster is giving you quite the ride!!!  Glad you are thru the worst.  As you know, every day does get a little easier!!!  Hang on, it's one hell of a ride!!!!

I remember not being able to eat anything more than once a week.  What a pain in the ass to find new foods to eat that were high in protein.  I didn't really "like" any foods but there were ones I could tolerate. I couldn't stand the sight or smell of chicken or bacon for several months. Hot beverages were all I could drink.  I couldn't stand the thought of mixing a protein shake.  I am over 3 years out and still can't drink plain water.  Seriously!  

I am not sure when things changed.  I think it was slowly.  It got so much better and now I am normal and not much bothers me.  I also went from getting zero pleasure out of food to enjoying the taste very much....sometimes too much...damn you chocolate and ice cream.  Premier pre-mixed protein shakes and their protein bars are lifesavers for me. 

Nothing stays the same in the first year after a DS.  The bad will get better and the good will get worse and back again.  Then one day you will have amnesia about the whole experience until you read a post that makes you remember. 

Cheers,

Cathy