Ludia

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 I'm down 39.5 pounds. 

Went for follow-up visit today.  Having a lot of nausea.  My ANP (Nurse Practitioner) told me about "Queasy Pops" and I told her about Protein Bullets.  I'm ordering the pops, and tomorrow I'll pick up some crystalized ginger to hold me over.

I'm happy to be eating "regular-ish" food again!

My surgery was four weeks ago today.  I'm eating again.  I really struggled to eat for several days.  I'm very physically weak and I get light-headed when I walk around much.  I'm still struggling to get enough fluids.  My skin is so, so dry.

There's a been a bad flu going around that wasn't stopped by flu vaccines.  I didn't get it, but it made me very cautious about being around people.  The weather was very cold for a few days and I stayed in a lot this week.  On top of that, I was having a lot of abdominal pain and didn't feel like eating.  Drinking enough is always a struggle.  So I feel weaker than I did my second week out. 

Yesterday and today, I've gotten more on track, on food especially, but darn, taking a bag of garbage downstairs exhausts me! 

Before I had the surgery, I had a lot of people tell me that they were ready to go back to work in 2 weeks.  I can't believe that I'm scheduled to go back to work 2 weeks from yesterday!  I can't walk from Grand Central to my office, 3 blocks away.

The good news is that I've lost a little over 30 pounds!

Went for my follow-up visit.  The Nutritionist was out sick and the doctor was out of town, so I met with the nurse practioner. 

She asked what I ate yesterday (I didn't know there would be a pop quiz!) and told me I'm not getting enough protein.  She put me on more vitamins, too.

She told me that I have a little bitty "infant" stomach and I need to feed it only what I'd feed a baby.  That's a good way of visualizing it.  She also said that it's so important that I get more protein, that she didn't even care if I eat vegetables or fruit right now.

My Pre-Op visit weight was 271.5 lbs.  Today, 16 days after surgery, my weight was 249.5 lbs.  So I'm down 22 pounds, but...

After my appointment I reached into my pocket and discovered that I had weighed my cell phone.  WHOOPS!  I mean, it's bad enough that I have to wear my clothes when I weigh, but the cell phone adds... what?  ...about 5 pounds? 

So... I'm feeling better.  My stomach, no surprise, is sore and food and water hurts a bit still.  It feels like I have very big ulcers.  Warm foods and drinks feel a little better. 

I went to the grocery yesterday.  It was weird.  I didn't even like looking at some foods... but found myself attracted to odd things (peanut satay noodles) that I normally wouldn't buy because of all the artificial ingredients.  It's also really hard to remember how tiny my stomach is.  I could live off of Babybel cheese and pre-cooked chicken breast and milk.

Totally not how I usually eat. 

I'm not back at work and I miss some of the restaurants in the city.  FreeFoods Organic, especially.  They can make good food taste amazing.

I've also discovered that a cup of watery oatmeal every day is my new best friend.  With all the pureed foods, I need the fiber!  I eat it watery because it's easier on my stomach and I know I need water.

I've had a two days that I woke up dehydrated.  I've had bad dehydration before, so I know what that particular nausea feels like.  It's hard to remember to sip water all the time, especially when your stomach hurts.  Sometimes I substitute tea or Emergen-C drink.  It comes in different flavors and I make it with hot water.

Emergen-C has a Calcium & Vitamin D drink too.  Since I'm naturally low on those and have been told to take supplements, its an easy substitution.  I like to drink it warm, like tea.  It's mixed berry flavored and contains a small amount of fructose.

I know I should not be surprised at feeling weak, but I do.  Not only have I had major surgery, but my diet is reduced to around 500 calories a day.  OF COURSE I'M FRIGGIN WEAK!  Luckily, I'm staying with a friend, who "gets" it better than I do.

So that's where I am right now.  OH!  And I'm down 15 lbs.  (Can you believe that was an afterthought?)

:D)

Here's a hint...

(I'll count my victories where I can, thank you!)

I'm out!  I left the hospital today and am staying at a friend's house.  I only live a block and a half away, so I made a brief visit to feed the kitties and give them each a cuddle.  Gosh, I was missed!

Dr. Davis said that my surgery went very well, very textbook, no surprises.  He's looking forward to seeing the new me!

I had hardly any pain the day of the surgery or the day after, of course I had access to a morphine pump if I needed it.  I seem to have a lot more tenderness today, which is what I expected.  Two and three days after an "injury" or incision seem to be the worst.  I'd be happy to hear what kind of "pain timeline" other people experienced with a laproscopic gastric bypass.  I just like to know what to expect.

The only thing I've had trouble with so far is taking my "at home" pain meds.  I ground it up and downed it with water, then followed with a little YoGoat (goat milk yogurt).  The medicine burned a bit.

Other than that, the most pain I feel is when I do this burp/hiccup thing that I had no idea I did so much...  It's usually after eating and it is annoying.  I also feel like I have gas on my stomach, but I don't.  Just a feeling like there's a bubble that wants out.

Well, thanks everyone for the good thoughts and prayers on my behalf!  Things have been very smooth, so far.

Gratefully,

Denise (Ludia)

ARRRRRGGGHH!  I'm less than a week preop and my stomach is horribly upset.  I think I have a little bug.  Either that or I have an intolerance of Optifast.  Anyway, feeling really rough.  I'm so afraid they'll cancel the surgery!!!

I will get better.  I will get over this.  It's temporary.  Tuesday's the day! 

I'd appreciate your prayers and positive thoughts.

d.