2 wks out tomorrow

Hi everyone! 

I hope it's ok that I just kind of jot down the experiences I've had in the last 2 weeks. Maybe it will help a pre-op or a new post-op! 

So my recovery has been really easy in that I don't have trouble getting in my fluids, and I get close to 60g protein most days. I'm not sweating the protein right now as I am more concerned with hydrating myself, but will ramp up my efforts to get all my protein in starting today. I've had 33g so far, hope to get at least 60 today! 

I discovered that Unjury protein powder is super tolerable in fruit juice! THANK GOD, because the chocolate shakes were getting to be too much.

The worst problem I've had, and it's been really bad, actually, is acid reflux. I ran out of the Nexium prescribed/given to me by my surgeon, and my PCP is out of town, so I couldn't get more til my mom comes home from Mexico on Friday. So I started back on the Prevacid I had taken before surgery due to my hiatal hernia (that I didn't know I had). I had no idea what I could take at night--the acid would bubble up my esophagus and I couldn't sleep at night due to the pain and coughing. It was awful. I finally heard back from my surgeon's office, though, and they told me to buy Gaviscon--OMG IT SAVED MY LIFE! (ok, that's dramatic, but you get my point.) I am sleeping elevated, and last night I was able to sleep in MY BED all night! THANK YOU, GAVISCON. I think I love you.

Okay, so that said, my birthday is on Jan 7. I was hoping to be below 200 lbs by my birthday. I weighed in today at 199lbs!  That's about 13.5 lbs since my surgery! 

Soups are going really well for the most part. Broccoli cheese didn't sit all that well, but V8 creamy broccoli with a little olive oil mixed in is REALLY good and sits very well! I get to start soft foods and purees on Thursday!! 

I think that's about it. :) 

Abby

Great update, Abby. I'm glad you got things figured out and doing so well.

--gina

 What great progress you're making! How exciting. 

Take good care of yourself.

Hugs, 

Abby, sounds like you are doing great.  Sorry you had to deal with the heart burn but glad it is under control.  I didn't do very well with brocalli cheese soup in the beginning either but it is fine now as is plain brocalli.  And Happy B day a little early.

Sounds like you're doing well Abby.  Keep up the great work!  Cindy

Abby, sounds like you have got it under control and doing great.

Congratulations on the 199.

Linda

Thank you for posting. You helped me bunches. Hope you and Gaviscon have a short relationship, and that you can dump him after you get further down the road.  Hmmm.... dump isn't a good word, is it?

Also, could you tell me what Unjury protein powders you used?  The unflavored ones for fruit juice?  Are you putting it in anything else?  (I'm getting ready for my 1 wk of fluids before surgery and need to buy things a bit at a time before that.)

Congrats again.

Thank you! :D I hope I have a short relationship with Gaviscon, too, but I'm all for using him until I don't need him anymore, as long as that takes. ;) 

Oops! I thought I specified--it's the unflavored. I haven't tried any of their other flavors at all, and I was desperate for something I could mix into anything. The unflavored works very well for me in juice and flavored tea. It does make things very slightly thick/milky-looking, but it doesn't taste bad. A much-welcome change from the chocolate protein shake. I think they sell sample packs that would allow you to try it.

Abby

Thank you everyone for all the support!! I really appreciate it! :) 

Abby

I have always liked chocolate unjury, but at about 2 weeks out I needed to heat it a little to tolerate.   Then all of a sudden it seemed ok cold.  Now I mix it in a little FF milk and coffee.  You may find you dump on the fruit juice, so keep an eye on that.  If you feel like you are extremely tired and need a 2hr nap shortly after drinking the fruit juice, you are dumping.  Good luck on your journey.Lin