One week post-op appt.

Hello, I went for my first post-op appointment this morning and boy was I glad to have my staples out. No infections so I was happy about that. I am down 18 lbs. in 10 days!!! Wow I can't belive this. I am very dehydrated though and need to keep drinking if I don't want to end up in the hospital. This has been the hardest week of my life! I know if I can just make it to that 1 month mark I'll be okay. I am going to try and stay off the scale and only weigh myself every Monday but it's just so tempting. I'll try and keep everyone posted on my progress and if there are any pre-surgery people out there that have any questions please let me know. Karen

Congratulations, Karen! It sounds as if you are doing great. How do you feel? I have my surgery scheduled on August 1st, and I'm so afraid I'll spend the rest of my summer feeling awful. You don't sound like you feel awful, so I'm hopeful Continued good luck!! Anna

Anna, I have my good days and bad. Right now I'm batteling a pain around my belly button. I still am enjoying summer though. We had people over last night for a BBQ then we all walked down to a nearby school for fireworks. Good luck on your upcoming surgery. karen

Karen~ What a great job you have done! I can't wait to be one week POST op. My surgery is scheduled for Aug. 31 and everytime I eat, I can't help but think to myself "I won't be able to eat this anymore after surgery." It must be mentally very hard. What is the most difficult thing so far? I want to be prepared. I know I am going to miss Diet Pepsi a lot.... that is my biggest worry right now. Michelle

Michelle, Soda is pretty hard to give up but just think of the outcome. The hardest thing is breaking old habits. Taking water instead of soda, not finishing leftovers off my daughters plate, going for a protein drink instead of chips. I found myself at the deli counter one day eating a piece of cheese that my daughter didn't want. I did it out of habit and thought to myself what did I just do. If you can try to break some habits before surgery it will help with the transiton afterward. Congratulations on your surgery date and if you have any other questions please let me know. Karen

I had a hard time staying hydrated right out of surgery also. Do the very best that you can to get those fluids in. Dr. Abkin won't hesitate to send you back to the hospital for IV fluids if you get too bad. Let him know if you get lightheaded, dizzy, or can't keep anything including liquids down. He's a great surgeon. Good luck as you continue your journey. It does get easier. Did he release you to soft foods today? I remember getting home from my 10 day appointment and having my first few bites of a scrambled egg. It tasted like heaven and I hated eggs pre-op. Best wishes, Jen

Jen, Did you have to go back to the hospital for IV fluids? Yes he did tell me that I can have soft foods as long as I up my water intake. I had an egg the next day and it was funny how it tasted like I was eating a million dollars. Thanks, Karen

I'm reading your note and laughing because I hate eggs and my surgery is scheduled for 7/17 and I'm thinking, what soft foods am I going to eat - I hate eggs! Reading this note, I guess there is hope for me liking eggs! Donna C.

Yes, there is hope. Although not everyone can tolerate eggs post-op. One of the soft foods that I really enjoyed was stuffed shell filling (ricotta and low-fat mozzerella with some seasonings) with a little sauce over it. I had that many days for lunch and dinner. You learn to get creative.

Karen, Keep up the good work. The first four weeks were very difficult for me and drinking all tha****er is especially hard. Just keep sipping and you'll do fine. I am seven weeks post op now and am just starting to get the water thing down. I was a diet pepsi addict and water was tough for me but I'm getting used to it. Before you know it the first month will be history. Amy