nancybird
Almost 3 weeks since surgery
Mar 29, 2009
Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since surgery day. I've lost a total of 24 lbs. I am drinking about 3 protein shakes a day (made with skim milk) containing about 30 grams protein, 9 carbs each. Also I have either SF FF yogurt or pudding once a day, and a couple SF FF popsicles too. No problems getting in all my protein and water.
I can easily walk for 30 minutes, almost 1.5 miles. But sometimes when I get home from work I am just too tired to walk. On the weekends, I have plenty of energy, I walk and I work in the garden and clean house. I am not hampered by joint pains, so I can work longer than I used to be able to around the house. I sleep more too - I am often asleep by 9:00, and don't wake up til 6:00. Have recently started taking daily B-complex vitamins to see if my energy level goes up. Previously these were in my weekly B-12, but I'm supposed to get some daily. Also I wonder if I need some healthy fats, but don't know how to add them at this point. I'm getting 80-90 grams of protein and 600 calories a day. Still doing Isopure powder but now with skim milk. It's kind of frustrating only losing 2 lbs a week on that little amount of food, but I must be patient.
Oh, I have lost 3 inches from my waist, 2 from hips, 2 from bust and several more from other spots!! Dropped size from 22 bottom/20 top to 20 bottom/18 top.
First couple of weeks it was Liquid in Liquid out. Four days ago I took Immodium and haven't moved since then. Tonight I will try taking something to help get things moving.
Hunger: I feel a little something in my tummy at the times I usually drink my shakes, around 7:00, around 11:30 and 6:00. I could easily ignore it, it's barely noticeable, but I eat (drink my shake) because I think my body needs nourishment. I eat a yogurt in the afternoon and popsicles at night, in addition to my water, crystal light, etc.
Cravings: I haven't had many, even when I'm cooking for my husband. However, the other night he was eating a crispy pepperoni pizza - it smelled so good, I really wanted some. I remembered how good it tastes. But of course I didn't, and the craving went away.
BIG CHANGE: I feel like I have a huge burden removed from myself. The "monkey" was my obsession with food - the constant dilemma. (What is there to eat? Goodies in the break room? Ice cream in the freezer? Should I eat it? No, I shouldn't. Maybe just a little taste. It won't hurt if I eat one cookie. Yes it will, every calorie counts! But I'll do extra exercise, later. I deserve a treat! I don't care if I'm fat, I want cookies (pizza, ice cream, cereal, chocolate, cheez-its, etc) and I'm going to enjoy it. Life is short, and I feel so good when I eat.)
This monkey on my back interfered with every part of my life; at work it stopped me from diving into and completing a task. At home it kept me on the couch, internally debating what/when I would give in and eat. At social events, food was the ultimate goal, the more the better, especially if it was no cost to me.
I thought this would happen, but I was worried what I would do to soothe myself, instead of eating, since I literally can't eat at this point. I thought I would be anxious, climbing the walls, looking for comfort. It's not like that at all. I'm just .... OK, I'm content, I'm satisfied, it's hard to explain. I do get bored more. But I also do more active things, like just straightening up the house, gardening, when I used to just lay on the couch and watch TV. And the weekends are very active. I don't shop, because I have enough smaller clothes to wear for now, and don't want to buy something I only wear for a couple months. Have to save for that plastic surgery, lol. maybe.... I can't go to a lot of the festivals yet, can't eat normally yet, and don't like to be too far away from a bathroom, just in case. But I will be ready to try it in 2 weeks, when my friend comes to visit for French Quarter Festival. I will just bring my trusty pre-made protein shakes and drink water. I will be looking good and feeling great, I hope I can do a few turns on the dance floor! And then comes Jazz Fest....
0 comments
I can easily walk for 30 minutes, almost 1.5 miles. But sometimes when I get home from work I am just too tired to walk. On the weekends, I have plenty of energy, I walk and I work in the garden and clean house. I am not hampered by joint pains, so I can work longer than I used to be able to around the house. I sleep more too - I am often asleep by 9:00, and don't wake up til 6:00. Have recently started taking daily B-complex vitamins to see if my energy level goes up. Previously these were in my weekly B-12, but I'm supposed to get some daily. Also I wonder if I need some healthy fats, but don't know how to add them at this point. I'm getting 80-90 grams of protein and 600 calories a day. Still doing Isopure powder but now with skim milk. It's kind of frustrating only losing 2 lbs a week on that little amount of food, but I must be patient.
Oh, I have lost 3 inches from my waist, 2 from hips, 2 from bust and several more from other spots!! Dropped size from 22 bottom/20 top to 20 bottom/18 top.
First couple of weeks it was Liquid in Liquid out. Four days ago I took Immodium and haven't moved since then. Tonight I will try taking something to help get things moving.
Hunger: I feel a little something in my tummy at the times I usually drink my shakes, around 7:00, around 11:30 and 6:00. I could easily ignore it, it's barely noticeable, but I eat (drink my shake) because I think my body needs nourishment. I eat a yogurt in the afternoon and popsicles at night, in addition to my water, crystal light, etc.
Cravings: I haven't had many, even when I'm cooking for my husband. However, the other night he was eating a crispy pepperoni pizza - it smelled so good, I really wanted some. I remembered how good it tastes. But of course I didn't, and the craving went away.
BIG CHANGE: I feel like I have a huge burden removed from myself. The "monkey" was my obsession with food - the constant dilemma. (What is there to eat? Goodies in the break room? Ice cream in the freezer? Should I eat it? No, I shouldn't. Maybe just a little taste. It won't hurt if I eat one cookie. Yes it will, every calorie counts! But I'll do extra exercise, later. I deserve a treat! I don't care if I'm fat, I want cookies (pizza, ice cream, cereal, chocolate, cheez-its, etc) and I'm going to enjoy it. Life is short, and I feel so good when I eat.)
This monkey on my back interfered with every part of my life; at work it stopped me from diving into and completing a task. At home it kept me on the couch, internally debating what/when I would give in and eat. At social events, food was the ultimate goal, the more the better, especially if it was no cost to me.
I thought this would happen, but I was worried what I would do to soothe myself, instead of eating, since I literally can't eat at this point. I thought I would be anxious, climbing the walls, looking for comfort. It's not like that at all. I'm just .... OK, I'm content, I'm satisfied, it's hard to explain. I do get bored more. But I also do more active things, like just straightening up the house, gardening, when I used to just lay on the couch and watch TV. And the weekends are very active. I don't shop, because I have enough smaller clothes to wear for now, and don't want to buy something I only wear for a couple months. Have to save for that plastic surgery, lol. maybe.... I can't go to a lot of the festivals yet, can't eat normally yet, and don't like to be too far away from a bathroom, just in case. But I will be ready to try it in 2 weeks, when my friend comes to visit for French Quarter Festival. I will just bring my trusty pre-made protein shakes and drink water. I will be looking good and feeling great, I hope I can do a few turns on the dance floor! And then comes Jazz Fest....
The first few days after Sleeve Surgery
Mar 15, 2009
Surgery was Tues Mar 10. The rest of the surgery day I felt pretty good, but I realize now that it was because of the morphine and the anesthesia lingering. The next day I was a little spacy feeling, but OK to be released. I went home with 3 prescriptions for ant-acid, anti-nausea and liquid Lortab.
First 4 days I was told to have only SF clear liquids and broths.
Days 1 and 2 at home I felt OK but still not very good. My daughter stayed with me and helped my with my regimen. Lortab helped with the pain. The pain wasn't too bad (for the ladies, it was less pain than a laparoscopic Hysterectomy, and of course much easier than a C-section - I have had both). Mostly gas-type pains, and my throat and head! I;ve been told that's from the anesthesia. I had trouble sleeping, not being able to get comfortable, etc. perhaps caused by the Lortab. No problem drinking the SF liquids, just drank slowly, got 60+ ounces in each day. I was worried I would get constipated because I have a history of that, but no problem there, things were normal after 3 days.
The feeling of 'sipping" was new to me. I was always VERY thirsty and could not drink as fast as I wanted. Also at night my nose must have been a bit stopped up and breathing through my mouth caused my throat to be painfully dry and sore. Some of those Breathe-Right strips helped with that immensely!
On Days 3 & 4, I was well enought to take a ride to the library, take short walks down my street (like 5 minutes), and do simple tasks around the house like light cooking for my husband. Then I had to rest up. Also, I was feeling a little weak or shaky. I started to feel more "heartburn" type feelings, so the Dr said to try Maalox or Tums. Maalox worked. Also I took my sublingual B vitamin.
On Day 5 (today) I am allowed to add "clear proteins" to my diet. I was prepared for this with some Isopure vanilla protein powder and a new blender! I can't use milk yet, but I mixed it with water and a little SF choc syrup and SF DaVinci coffee flavoring, and it tasted just wonderful!
I don't know if it's the protein or the Vitamin B, but I feel so much better today (Sunday)!
Weight Loss or Gain: The day I returned from hospital I had gained 12 pounds since the day before when I went in. The doctors office says this is not uncommon, especially for women. They pump you full of saline solutions in the hospital, but still - I had lost 11 lbs pre-op and now regained all that and more!!!, sort of disappointing. Now 5 days later I've only gained 5 lbs since surgery. I suffer from edema in my legs and arms, and normally take water pills, but Dr said not to take them yet, to avoid dehydration.
Hunger feelings: I haven't had any hunger yet, mostly thirst and stomach pains that are heartburn like. I don't even mind preparing meals and sitting at the dinner table with my SF gelatin. My husband can eat a pork chop, vegetables, and rice in the same time it takes me for the Jello.
Hopefully I have avoided any serious surgery complications, but I am still following all the rules strictly (sip, walk, sip, rest, take medicines as prescribed)
So on we go! I see my Dr on Tues for a one week follow up, and my exciting journey continues. Then back to work Wednesday.
0 comments
First 4 days I was told to have only SF clear liquids and broths.
Days 1 and 2 at home I felt OK but still not very good. My daughter stayed with me and helped my with my regimen. Lortab helped with the pain. The pain wasn't too bad (for the ladies, it was less pain than a laparoscopic Hysterectomy, and of course much easier than a C-section - I have had both). Mostly gas-type pains, and my throat and head! I;ve been told that's from the anesthesia. I had trouble sleeping, not being able to get comfortable, etc. perhaps caused by the Lortab. No problem drinking the SF liquids, just drank slowly, got 60+ ounces in each day. I was worried I would get constipated because I have a history of that, but no problem there, things were normal after 3 days.
The feeling of 'sipping" was new to me. I was always VERY thirsty and could not drink as fast as I wanted. Also at night my nose must have been a bit stopped up and breathing through my mouth caused my throat to be painfully dry and sore. Some of those Breathe-Right strips helped with that immensely!
On Days 3 & 4, I was well enought to take a ride to the library, take short walks down my street (like 5 minutes), and do simple tasks around the house like light cooking for my husband. Then I had to rest up. Also, I was feeling a little weak or shaky. I started to feel more "heartburn" type feelings, so the Dr said to try Maalox or Tums. Maalox worked. Also I took my sublingual B vitamin.
On Day 5 (today) I am allowed to add "clear proteins" to my diet. I was prepared for this with some Isopure vanilla protein powder and a new blender! I can't use milk yet, but I mixed it with water and a little SF choc syrup and SF DaVinci coffee flavoring, and it tasted just wonderful!
I don't know if it's the protein or the Vitamin B, but I feel so much better today (Sunday)!
Weight Loss or Gain: The day I returned from hospital I had gained 12 pounds since the day before when I went in. The doctors office says this is not uncommon, especially for women. They pump you full of saline solutions in the hospital, but still - I had lost 11 lbs pre-op and now regained all that and more!!!, sort of disappointing. Now 5 days later I've only gained 5 lbs since surgery. I suffer from edema in my legs and arms, and normally take water pills, but Dr said not to take them yet, to avoid dehydration.
Hunger feelings: I haven't had any hunger yet, mostly thirst and stomach pains that are heartburn like. I don't even mind preparing meals and sitting at the dinner table with my SF gelatin. My husband can eat a pork chop, vegetables, and rice in the same time it takes me for the Jello.
Hopefully I have avoided any serious surgery complications, but I am still following all the rules strictly (sip, walk, sip, rest, take medicines as prescribed)
So on we go! I see my Dr on Tues for a one week follow up, and my exciting journey continues. Then back to work Wednesday.
About Me
New Orleans, LA
Location
32.6
BMI
Surgery
03/10/2009
Surgery Date
Jan 12, 2009
Member Since
