It's 5 weeks and 3 days away...

My LBL is Dec 10th...I am so nervous for some reason. Had the BL/BA in June and the soreness from that was unreal and sometimes I don't think I'm back 100% from that (still feel at odds with the girls)..

So, I have a few more questions (and I'm sure more will come as it draws closer):
- what can I do now to prepare? I've been working on back, leg, and core to maximize strength in those areas
- my p.s. didn't seem to be a huge proponent of significantly increasing protein intake right now although I've read otherwise and my friend who is a nurse said so, too. I currently do about 75-90 grams per day.
- my p.s. said I will come home with 4 drains and a catheter and will go back into his office the next day to have the catheter removed.
- I return to work on Dec 27th..desk job..will i be ok? that's a slow week for us so if i need to do half days it should be fine.
- this will be around Christmas and the junk food (aka sugar) will be in full force! I'm an avid exerciser and am scared of the inactivity and gaining weight! HOw long was it before you were running again?

These weeks will surely go by quickly. Working on your leg, back and core strength now is critical to a good recovery. Also, any cardio you do now will only enhance your recovery, as well.

I am a big proponent of high protein pre plastics (150 g. per day) and especially afterwards. I upped mine for 4 months post plastics (bl/ ba, lbl) and still get in around 100 g a day. I've had excellent healing.

You will probably be a little sore and slow moving when you go back to work, but with a desk job, it will be easier.

I am an avid runner. I could start limited cardio at 2 weeks out (10 min. a day of step aerobics) and upped it 10 min. a week.  I could also start with 5 lb. weights the second week out and very gradually increase that. I think I was 6 weeks out or maybe 2 months when I could start jogging again- and then only a quarter mile. I could increase it by a quarter mile each successive week.

Shelly,
How do you get in 100 grams (and 150 post op) on a daily basis? I do 30 gm protein shakes, but on the best day can only get 3 down. Usually I do 2 per day.

What is your trick, and can you give me a few suggestions for your higher protein items that you take in? My 3 procedures are in 6 weeks, so I really have to step this protein thing up a few notches.

Thanks !

Immediately post op, it was diificult because I had no appetite. I did find a protein powder at GNC that is 33 g of protein for a half serving that also has the enzymes and amino acids I want, and not too terribly many cals. I had: three of those shakes a day; a serving of a high protein skim milk (called Mootopia) with 12 g of protein; tvp; as much lean meat as I could handle; and I ate so much Greek yogurt that I think it runs through my veins now. I also threw in some jerky from time to time.

Now, I've backed off one of the shakes and still try to make everything count that I eat. I really believe that the high protein intake helped me heal so quickly, as well as intensive cardio pre-op.

Your post sounds just like mine about a month ago!  I am on day 7 and my appetite is back and every morning I just have to commit to eating the way I should.  It is a struggle and on Halloween...yep I caved and ate a bunch of candy from my son's stash. 

My workout routine is an hour at the gym before work and then an additional hour to two hours after work biking, running, kayaking, something like that.  So i understand the fear of not being able to burn the calories like you are used to.

My plan is to stay home one more week and return on Nov 15th.  If these drains come out soon I don't think it should be a problem.