U hoo Princess Christine...

As I sit here sipping my soup at controlled 2 minute bites I was wondering how you are doing and what your daily food intake is like? Mine is as follows... 8am crushed meds in no added sugar applesauce. 1030 1/4 cup pudding sf 1230 1/4 cup soup strained or broth 3pm sf jello 1/4 cup or sf popsicle 530 sf pudding and or soup 1/4 cup 7pm jello or a nibble of yogurt. I just called my coordinator today about lack of protein as I am unable to get anything down as far as a protein mixture I just gag. I was told to still stick to my liquids till week 3 post op. I asked what about an egg poached? No. What about grits? No. Cream of Gag Wheat? No. Okie. So I said I was worried about lack of protein to which her responce was..."We don't expect you to get all your protein in the first three weeks out." *sigh* I just don't want to end up looking all haggard and old from lack of protien. Ya know? How is your luck with the whole deal? How are your incisions healing up? Do you still have your drain in? Mine are healing nicely the drain hole is a little behind the rest though as it did not have dermabond like the rest. All the dermabond incision sites are beautifully healing. *smiles* Hugs! Shele

U hoo! Shele!! LOL You are so good with the times and all...I just write down what without times. I am not really able to handle much pudding, yogurt or jello...they are filling me up too much. I have had to have most things at room temp because I am getting crampy when I eat cold stuff. I also can't tolerate most things at "full flavor". That being said, I've been drinking diluted grape juice and crystal lite. I've had V8 which was really yummy. Lots of broth and decaf hot tea. Today I managed a bit of sf pudding (one of those little cups) and 2 oz of yogurt. I am having a real hard time with the gas. My belly is distended and I look about 7 months pregnant (I really never had much of a belly so this is really uncomfy and keeps me feeling very full all the time). So, I have been afraid to add the protein yet because I am afraid it will make matters worse. One of my friends just took me to the drug store and I got about $25 worth of stuff hoping that SOMETHING will relieve this! Ugh! I also bought some oj because my potassium is low and I am getting cramps in my calves which is making it tough to walk. However, I still don't regret this decision because I know that within a week this gas problem should be resolved. My incisions are itching so I am thinking that that is a good sign. My drain is out and that incision was still draining quite a bit but today it has slowed down and looks good...still wide open but good. Anyway, all in all, I feel pretty good and can't wait to feel 100%. I haven't taken pain killers since I've been home...only tylenol. Hugs! Christine

Yes Party Princess..This is the worst part of it. It gets better from here. I don't even remember the strife of it all at first. It is amazing how the brain tends to forget pain. Right now you need to walk off all the fart !!!!! Are you sure you had pizza for your last super..or a bag of pinto beans??? Dang...I would be afraid to be by you right now...a gut distended like a 7 month pregnant woman??????? How much air did your doc need to inject you with? Did you tell him you were NOT a helium balloon? When you let it blow..shoot...may cause a Tsunami in the Chesapeake Bay over there !!!!..hehehehehe ( Sorry, I am over here amusing myself !!!!! You know I love ya !!!) Smooooooooooooooooooooooooooches, Dana

Thanks buddy! Unfortunately I will not be able to create a tsunami as I have accepted an invitation to do the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC!! How exciting!! I will be replacing Mighty Mouse, I think! LOL

Poor Party Princess !!!! If only Gas X would help out in this case !! Has any of it absorbed yet? I was cracking myself up last night over this ( doesn't take much to amuse me as you see !!! ) Can't wait for you to be feeling better so we can hit the town !!! I don't think we would stop laughing !!! Hugs, Dana

Shele and Christine, The yogurt is a big help in the protein department. Even now I turn my nose up at many meats and the yogurt and cottage cheese are a Godspend. I get most of my protein in liquid form. It is the simplest way for me to get it in and I am thankful I like it. Good luck, you two, on your gas attacks. I was fortunate to not be troubled with gas at all--although my roommate in the hospital probably was disturbed by it . I had no trouble passing it from any orifice so never felt bound up or blown up at all. I had been expecting the worst, because I did have troubles with that after my Caesarians. Lucky me. I am happy you two are feeling so well. Enjoy watching those pounds fall off! Lois

Hey Christine...don't fret the gas will pass. I noticed I burped more than anything. See...my gass never went south it only held up around my breast area. I would lay in bed with a heating pad on my tummy and gently tap tap tap on my tummy. I would burp. That was how I got most of mine out. Just today I am noticing that I can get closer to what I need to keep me up and going as far as eating goes. It is slow but everything will come along nicely. I too have been drinking hot decaf tea. I got the peppermint kind which I like. I haven't added any Splenda to it yet I might soon though...it will just add a touch of sweetness to it. I notice now that my problem is SLOWING down when I eat. It is like it all backs up then WHAM it goes down into the pouch and I feel SO STINKIN FULL! LOL The first few days home my stomach was rumbling and grubling all over the place. It was talking more than my 6 y/o daughter and that is A LOT! *smiles* Over time I think the temperature thing might level off for you...we are so tender now you know? Nothing you have said sounds unusual from the rest of us though. I hope you are able to get that gas going. Today is a good day for me...better than yesterday and way better than my day of surgery! Each day is a new experience! I wish you well honey! Hugs! Shele

Hey Shele! I am happy to report that the gas is on the way out! I was constipated too so I took some gas x, dulcolax and fleet suppositories and prune juice over the past few days. Well, apparently they all kicked in at once and I feel like I'm on bowel prep!! (Never thought I'd be so happy to be running to the bathroom...at least it is adding to my exercise) LOL. Anyway, As of this morning I had lost 5 pounds (in 4 days) which is good I guess but I was getting a bit discouraged but I'm sure it was everything "locked up". I am hoping to see a nice little jump within the next day or so. I am having the same problem with too fast and too much! I just remembered that they said we would have trouble getting in all of the fluid the first week or 2 but I have been getting in 60plus ounces per day. That may have been adding to the perpetual full/bloated/gassy/constipated feeling. So, how much have you lost so far? Also, I thought you were moving to the VA Beach/Norfolk area? When is that supposed to happen? Talk to ya soon! Hugs! Christine

Hey Shele, Take notes and keep them close by and you will be my best buddy when my first few post op days roll around. I am dreading and looking forward to July 3rd. Dreading because I am scared to death......excited because I want this journey to get on it's way. I am having open RNY because I want Dr. Hutcher and he only does open. My boss is looking to have me back to work in 3 weeks. We will see how that goes. Of course my boss HASN'T been the most supportive person to deal with. Seems that everyone is a critic. Take care and be in touch Lots of Love Kathy-26 days & counting

Hey Kathy! Keep counting those days girl! Once you hit about 10-15, they will F-L-Y!! Anything that I can do to help, I will be glad to. I probably wouldn't plan to be back to work in 3 weeks with open. You may want to check with someone who had open. My understanding is that the recovery is a bit longer. I am anxious to go back to work as well and started with 1 week (plus my actual surgery day and the day before) but after talking to others, I have increased that by a week (and I had lap). The most important thing that I have learned through the boards and research is that you need to take care of you first...it's about time!! If you need a month, take a month! And I will do the same! Good luck honey! Christine