Question:
Looking for something to do during immediate post-op.....
I am 14 days post-op today and down 25 pounds! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!! Anyway.......I'm really mourning the loss of my comfort and companion.....FOOD!! I'm sure many of you have experienced this and I was wondering if you had any suggestions for new activities to occupy the time that I would have spent eating or wishing I was eating or dreaming of eating, etc....LOL. I am thinking about scrapbooking my weight loss journey for fun and was wondering if anyone has done this. Any creative suggestions? I've tried walking a bit and enjoy that but the weather here is fickle and being so new post-op the gym isn't really optimal. I am so disgusted with foods right now that I'm revolting and only taking in few calories per day which I know isn't healthy. I thought pehaps if I could find a new hobby that might help. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!! — denisel (posted on April 3, 2003)
April 3, 2003
Some thoughts: If you haven't already, re-organize your closet by sizes,
because you'll be breezing down through them before you know it. There's
nothing more annoying than missing something you could've worn for a few
weeks because your sizes were mixed up!<P>If you're feeling
sedentary, and you like computers, try teaching yourself some HTML -- then
you can design your own profile and help others with theirs!<P>About
the gym -- two weeks post-op IS too early. But four weeks probably won't
be (clear it with your doctor). I have found working out, and spending a
lot of evenings at the gym, has really helped me get outta the house and
away from food in the evenings, which were always my bad time as a pre-op
(and still remain a challenging time). The good eating and exercise habits
you build from the beginning will serve you well throughout your various
post-op phases. Good luck!
— Suzy C.
April 3, 2003
Hi Denise...I think the scrapbooking idea is super! I love crafty stuff
anyway. Something like that would be good because you can put it down when
you're not in the mood, or when you're tired. I found (and this is my
humble opinion) that the first few months post-op, for me, were
hellish...no energy, nauseous all the time, some pain, etc. I couldn't
really concentrate on anything major. But having a project like the
scrapbook to do can certainly keep your mind fresh and occupied. I think
it would be "healing", too. Once I could actually WALK a bit, I
began taking small jaunts in my neighborhood. Take it slow...some folks
push things, get back into things too quickly, and end up sick, with a
hernia, or worse. Be kind to yourself at this time, and baby yourself a
little bit. Researching things, cutting out articles, and making the pages
pretty and pertinent to YOU...I think it would be healing, helpful, and
educating as well. Have fun! Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
April 3, 2003
I am an avid scrapbooker- I wish I could have done this "brag
book" for myself. However I have found that I don't have many pix of
myself at my heaviest! I was always behind the camera. For those of you
still early Post-Op and you Pre-ops, start taking as MANY pixs as you can.
It is fun to see the dramatic drop and it helps visually when you THINK you
are stumped- but you're not. Whip out the pixs and compare. Wear the same
outfit and take a picture or two once a week, standing in the same door
way, etc.! Take pictures at your post WLS "first", the silly
moments such as "first time I road this rollercoaster cause I could
fit" or "look I can cross my legs!" and especially
"look at me tie my shoes" or "Can you believe I go to the
beach now?" or "Look at what the scale says" etc. There are
so many cute page ideas. Save all your mementos of other items to scrap as
well- your hospital bracelet, your new "size" tag (save them all
as you go down in size); your Doctor diet handouts; document your new
hair-dos, your possible TT or other plastic surgeries. Snap photos of your
Angel, your Surgeon or your fave Nurse. Get well cards and pressed flowers.
It would also be a good place to write your "ups" and
"downs" emotionally; as it happens and they say writing is a
great form of release and expression.
— Karen R.
April 3, 2003
The clost reorganizing is a great idea but it does involve some lifting and
stretching, which I was told to stay away from for the first month. What I
did was fix up my cookbook, doesn't sound like such a great idea while
mourning food, but I had the time and ended up being fine with it. I got a
nice book for xmas years ago I never used so I wrote all my recipes in it,
put all the recipe cards I had scattered everywhere in, organized it all,
glad I got it done. Also, I went to Giant Eagle and bought video tape
cases, 25 for a buck. I cut all our sons video sleeves apart and inserted
them in the cases so when he takes them off the shelf they don't drop out
the bottom. Stuff like that got me through my lonely boring days alone when
I had cabin fever. Just think of things you never have time to do or stuff
that takes a little concentration. I also organized my tupperware cupboard
and linen closet very well, it still looks nice!
— Dee ,.
April 3, 2003
I took up thread crochet to keep my hands occupied and am making doilies
and curtains for several windows in my apartment; I painted my bathroom at
2 weeks post-op (I've been feeling really great physically); I will be
making curtains for my bedroom and a new shower curtain for the bathroom
this weekend; when I can afford the paint, i will be painting my bedroom,
entry way, and possibly the kitchen; I'm looking to join a community
chorus; I've read some good books; I have a puzzle to put together; I want
to make some 'photo-transfer' pillows. I also want to return to doing some
volunteer work in my community. I'm busier than I've ever been and really
enjoying the increased physical energy that I've experienced post-op. Many
blessings to you, Robin
— rebalspirit
April 3, 2003
Denise,
I'm not much of a crafty person, never have , never will be. What I did,
was I tended to walk more each day, keep yourself busy.... go out and
window browse the stores......
I also stayed home and watched tons of Movies those 14 post op days..... I
walked and took it easy.....
The head hunger in which we get it'll be hard but you'll fight it off,
right now your tummy owns you,..... your head's just not in tune..... I
know how it is, I couldn't stand to even check the mail, to see the
advertisements for Pizza Hut! , Man I hated that, but you'll get over it...
trust me, Keep busy, even play on the computer.......
Lost of Hugs ! And strenght....
Post op 10 months down 127 pounds
— tannedtigress
April 3, 2003
One of my favorite pasttimes is reading. I'm not a big TV fan but once I
got in my walk for the day and did the little non-strenuous housekeeping
tasks, I would read or write in my journal. I found that if I'm getting my
thoughts down on paper, I'm so much less likely to crave bad things and
seek out food for comfort. Good luck to you.
— Yolanda J.
April 3, 2003
My dh suggested that "normal" people clean but I think this is
just a nasty rumor.
Actually, I knit a sweater for my oldest son while I was recovering. I
started it preop and finished it in the month I stayed home, I don't sit
still well. I'm currently knitting socks - they are small, not heavy but
still a challenge.
— Sunny S.
April 3, 2003
I made myself a list of easy projects before I had surgery. One was to
clean out and organize the kitchen junk drawer! I washed and dried
pillows. I started walking the dog (good for both of us!) And, hey, we
walked in almost every kind of weather - didn't go out in pouring rain or
-20 degree wind chill, but regular rain and snow did not stop us! (I had
surgery at the end of October.)I sorted papers and went through recipes and
organized them, cleaned out underwear drawers and so forth.Actually, I went
back to work before I finished my "jobs"!
— koogy
April 3, 2003
One project that kept me busy, was organizing that big box of pictures I
had into albums. Also, took the digital pictures that I had been piling on
the hard drive, and organized them and burnt them to a CD. Kept me busy
for days. Stay away from the TV - there is nothing of value there! Good
luck, and enjoy the spring weather.
— Laura B.
April 3, 2003
Original Poster here: Hi guys! Just wanted to thank everyone for their
well thought responses. All of the ideas are great! Thanks again!
— denisel
April 3, 2003
if you are able to walk around in the mall i have a good idea. during bad
weather walk the mall, look at all the new fashions and styles that are
out. and think about how cute you will be in them! while walking you could
even stop and get a free make-over. then if you really wanted to be
daring.....you could go to a salon in the mall and get a total hair
make-over. since i have been wearing plus size clothing for so long my
choice will now be so different(and thank goodness for that! lol) then
later that nite have a long hot bubble bath with candles. make it a
"SERIOUS GIRLIE DAY"! LOL good luck to ya!
— franbvan
April 6, 2003
Well I took up drinking and smoking! LOL, Just kidding. When you are able
to exercise, that will help. It's unbelievable how the endorphins make you
feel! Since surgery I have found great ways to "treat" my body.
Exercise is one way, and NO, I was not an exerciser before I became obese.
I go to Curves for Women. They are great there, and you don't have the
pressure of working out in front of men or really skinny women. Another
treat I have discovered for myself is a manicure and I had my first
pedicure last week! Boy have I been missing out! I also picked up a smutty
novel, wow!
It's really hard at the beginning because of the limitations. Walking was
a great way to spend time. I read a lot and did some quilting. I wasn't
interested in the computer for the first couple of months, so I steered
clear of that. But this is a great time to find out what else interests
you. Take up a new hobby. Go to the book store and find a book to teach
yourself to do something that you have always wanted to do and either never
had the time or were afraid to do. If you can go through this surgery, you
can learn to play the guitar, piano, or quilt! Go for it! The sky's the
limit! Good luck!
— wiggie34
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