Question:
From the time you wake up to the time you go to bed...

I was just wondering from day 1 from the hospital to oh lets say the 1st month, what is an everyday routine for you from the time you wake up to the time you go back to bed? as far as vitamins, protiens, food, excerise and just EVERYTHING !! I will be post-op as of sept 4th, just trying to get my notes gathered up.. Thanks    — kelkel319 (posted on August 29, 2003)

August 29, 2003
Kelly, this is a big order. In the hospital, the morning after surgery, I was up at 5 AM taking a shower. Doctor made rounds at 7 AM and then I walked several times. No food or liquids allowed so I walked and slept. Second day was the same, except that I hurt my knee (bad arthritis) and couldn't walk as much as I couldn't put weight on it or bend it. I was in the hospital 4 days after the day of surgery and got liquids on day 3. So add to the above, three meals of juice. The pain wasn't bad after the 2nd day - except for the knee. I was discharged on day 5 after surgery - went to stay with a friend. My bedroom was upstairs and because of the knee injury my days were limited. I slept, watched tv, went to the bathroom, drank, drank, drank, drank, and drank some more. I was on full liquids - diet consisted mostly of V8 Juice, sugar free popsicles, Crystal Light, and strained soups. This continued for a week til I went back to have my staples out. I was then put on soft foods. I started with soft cream of wheat and then had scrambled eggs, baked potato, tuna salad (tuna and light mayo only), canned salmon, etc. I returned to work at two weeks post op and also was cleared to drive then. By three weeks post op I was eating baked fish, grilled pork chops, chicken, and soft well-cooked vegetables. At six weeks out, I had steak and Caesar Salad for my son't 18th birthday. I went back to work full time two weeks out and had no problem. I was tired every evening and napped when I got home but an hour recharged me. I was still unable to do much more than walk a little because of the knees but I tried to walk as much as I could. If there was any part of my recovery that wasn't perfect, it was the lack of exercise - and I still can't do much in the way of lower body exercise because of the knees. I just had one total knee replacement and will have the other one done sometime next year. I am 20 months post-op and have lost 181 pounds. Hope this helps.
   — Patty_Butler

August 29, 2003
First two weeks - Walked as much as I was able around the house and yard (hot in July in Texas, tho.) 2 chewable kid's vitamins a day and a clear liquid diet (broths, popsickles, diet jello, juices, Crystal Lite). Liquid pain meds as needed. Second two weeks - Walked around the block each morning. Full liquid diet (fudgesickles, cream soups, protein shakes, things made in the blender)yogart and sugar free pudding. 2 kids' vitamins, no pain meds. Third two weeks - Walked 2x around the block. Still on kids' vitamins, now on 2 chewable calcium tabs also. Foods are refried beans, chili(no beans) anything in the blender (even hamburger), cottage cheese, applesauce, mashed potatoes, tuna, chicken in a can, sugar free frozen yogart. Always, with each of the weeks, 64 oz of water or juice daily. (RNY 7/10/03 - down 30 lbs at 6 week check up)
   — Margaret G.

August 29, 2003
I can't say much about my hospital visit because I only remember bits and pieces! i do remember my schedule after I got home. I'm a retarded person when it comes to time and remembering to take vitamins and eat and drink. This surgery give you clock-itis! lol You're always looking to see what time it is. I'm a house wife so I keep my tv on all day ( I watch soaps anyhow) everytime I see a food comercial, I take a sip. My vitamins i take when Regis and Kelly ; All My Children, and oprah come on. I eat in between thos activities. I walk first thing in the morning ( speeds up all your bodys activity in cluding digestion) and in the evening with my husband. You should walk at a pace that is slow enough for you to talk with out losing breath. Walking is our alone time together. Wish you the best! Annie
   — Annie Hightower