1 week post-op and a few questions
Tomorrow will be my week post-op LBL and I'm doing great..my suregeon is simply amazed at how well I'm getting around. I went today and had 2 drains removed with the fourth and final to be pulled on Monday.
- I've takes stool softeners since before surgery and have had had BM twice with no straining at all-yet I have a huge hemorrhoid--is that normal/did u experience that?
- since everybody knows I'm an exercise freak, I'm having a hard time adjusting to downtime--and freaking out about my intake. I'm eating clean and high protein but also want to be sure I'm eating enough to promote healing. How did you adjust your calories?
- I took my first shower and I noticed I was swollen in the lower back area so I couldn't mentally get past that to take it all in. I know it takes months to see final results but at what point could u get the jist of your new shape?
Thanks to all and for all that you do!
- I've takes stool softeners since before surgery and have had had BM twice with no straining at all-yet I have a huge hemorrhoid--is that normal/did u experience that?
- since everybody knows I'm an exercise freak, I'm having a hard time adjusting to downtime--and freaking out about my intake. I'm eating clean and high protein but also want to be sure I'm eating enough to promote healing. How did you adjust your calories?
- I took my first shower and I noticed I was swollen in the lower back area so I couldn't mentally get past that to take it all in. I know it takes months to see final results but at what point could u get the jist of your new shape?
Thanks to all and for all that you do!
Be happy.
Good to hear you are doing so well!
No experience with the hemorrhoid- did it come up post op?
I spent a significant amount of time adjusting myself mentally to having to cut back on the exercise, while at the same time not being able to cut my calories. My surgeon told me the bare minimum was about 1800 cals a day, and couldn't just be gotten from drinking protein shakes. He said a balanced diet was the way to go to be sure all the phytonutrients were taken care of. Make healing your primary focus and you will be back at your regular workout faster than what it seems like it will be now.
I am six months out and I am still seeing small changes in my body shape, so I don't know for sure when it will all finally settle. Some folks say up to a year out is when it will finally be the final product.
All the best to you!
No experience with the hemorrhoid- did it come up post op?
I spent a significant amount of time adjusting myself mentally to having to cut back on the exercise, while at the same time not being able to cut my calories. My surgeon told me the bare minimum was about 1800 cals a day, and couldn't just be gotten from drinking protein shakes. He said a balanced diet was the way to go to be sure all the phytonutrients were taken care of. Make healing your primary focus and you will be back at your regular workout faster than what it seems like it will be now.
I am six months out and I am still seeing small changes in my body shape, so I don't know for sure when it will all finally settle. Some folks say up to a year out is when it will finally be the final product.
All the best to you!
(deactivated member)
on 12/16/10 5:26 am
on 12/16/10 5:26 am
Glad to hear your healing well - clearly you're off to a good start.
I've never heard of anyone here complain of hemorrhoids. Hopefully it will clear up quickly. I wonder if sitting/sleeping in that lounge chair position makes hemorrhoids worse? What does your Dr. say? Did they have any recommendations to help? Did you have them before and perhaps it's been exacerbated by the LBL surgery?
I'm eating "ad libitum" which means I eat until full - not stuffed silly, but comfortable full so I'm not hungry - I figure this McDougall diet helped me shed over 190 pounds, it will help me heal quickly without gaining weight. I notice that I am definitely more hungry and eating more food - particularly higher protein/whole food carbohydrates. I'm eating a lot more calories than normal yet I haven't gained any weight. I don't count calories so I have no idea how many I eat in a day.
As for exercise - LOL never thought I'd be frustrated with the post-op downtime but I am too. I'm almost 6 weeks. Each week I've seen big jumps in my activity level - you will too. I'm finally able to walk briskly - not quite where I was pre-op but finally able to feel my walking is a cardio workout.
I'm still dealing with body image - what I see in the mirror (which I believe is real) clashes with how my butt feels. Between the swelling and the numbness I feel like I have this enormous bubble butt when I sit or move around in bed - it's so weird and I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around it. However I'm thrilled how I look in the mirror even when wearing an abdominal binder under my clothes. I'm giving myself time to get used to the new me. I don't miss my panni or the belly button infections or the horrible butt in front that I had due to 2 abdominal c-sections. I'm sure you won't miss your hanging skin either.
I've never heard of anyone here complain of hemorrhoids. Hopefully it will clear up quickly. I wonder if sitting/sleeping in that lounge chair position makes hemorrhoids worse? What does your Dr. say? Did they have any recommendations to help? Did you have them before and perhaps it's been exacerbated by the LBL surgery?
I'm eating "ad libitum" which means I eat until full - not stuffed silly, but comfortable full so I'm not hungry - I figure this McDougall diet helped me shed over 190 pounds, it will help me heal quickly without gaining weight. I notice that I am definitely more hungry and eating more food - particularly higher protein/whole food carbohydrates. I'm eating a lot more calories than normal yet I haven't gained any weight. I don't count calories so I have no idea how many I eat in a day.
As for exercise - LOL never thought I'd be frustrated with the post-op downtime but I am too. I'm almost 6 weeks. Each week I've seen big jumps in my activity level - you will too. I'm finally able to walk briskly - not quite where I was pre-op but finally able to feel my walking is a cardio workout.
I'm still dealing with body image - what I see in the mirror (which I believe is real) clashes with how my butt feels. Between the swelling and the numbness I feel like I have this enormous bubble butt when I sit or move around in bed - it's so weird and I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around it. However I'm thrilled how I look in the mirror even when wearing an abdominal binder under my clothes. I'm giving myself time to get used to the new me. I don't miss my panni or the belly button infections or the horrible butt in front that I had due to 2 abdominal c-sections. I'm sure you won't miss your hanging skin either.
Hi there, I'm 10 weeks out from my LBL/BL. I didn't have the hemorrhoid issue either, but I'm sure it's clear up soon...just keep on the stool softeners for a few more days. I did get one after my wls and it was gone in about 7 or 8 days so I feel your pain.
My lower back is still swollen although it's much better. I think it's fairly common, just be patient. That's actually been the worst part for me...that darn lower back...but getting better every day!
I went back to weightlifting at 3 weeks out and am now back to full strength and have been since about 7 weeks post op. And I am a heavy lifter.
As far as calories, I didn't do anything special except increase my protein to 125 - 150gms per day. With doing that it was hard to get much else in and I still lost 8lbs and the Doctor only took off about 2.5lbs of skin. He did not want me losing any more and I tried my darndest, but it happened anyway. You'll be back in the gym in no time so don't worry too much about calories.
Laura
My lower back is still swollen although it's much better. I think it's fairly common, just be patient. That's actually been the worst part for me...that darn lower back...but getting better every day!
I went back to weightlifting at 3 weeks out and am now back to full strength and have been since about 7 weeks post op. And I am a heavy lifter.
As far as calories, I didn't do anything special except increase my protein to 125 - 150gms per day. With doing that it was hard to get much else in and I still lost 8lbs and the Doctor only took off about 2.5lbs of skin. He did not want me losing any more and I tried my darndest, but it happened anyway. You'll be back in the gym in no time so don't worry too much about calories.
Laura
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