Week 3

Sep 26, 2010

I saw my surgeon and nurse on Day 15.  All is well.  I've been averaging 650 calories and about 60 grams protein per day during week 2, and lost about 10 pounds during the first two weeks.  They say I should aim for 800 calories.

I got clearance to start lumpy/soft foods, so added cottage cheese on saltines, mashed potatoes with gravy, and tilapia (frozen parmesan crusted filet from Safeway).  I still have a protein shake made with Lactaid for breakfast, just to make some headway on the protein and calorie requirements.  I'd rather eat real food, but it's hard to eat enough to reach the protein and calories...  So my first real food meal was 2 oz. tilapia, 2 T mashed potatoes, and 1 t gravy.  I had that meal 3 times (to use up the cooked fish).  The first two times, no problem.  The third time, I must have eaten too fast or not chewed enough, and I was in pain for about 20 minutes - ouch! 

My coworker's husband had the same surgery months ago, and my coworker brings in foods that he's found.  Yesterday it was a hearty lentil soup labeled Harry's, but I haven't figured out what store it's from.  It was delicious and went down easily. 

We're having a heat wave, and I don't want to walk in the heat.  Will do it at dusk. 

I've been at roughly the same weight for about a week now, maybe down a pound today.  I guess my body's just adjusting.  Not too discouraged, though.  One day at a time.  I'm still sleeping a lot, too.  My only pain is when I bend over on the right side.  No pulling weeds today!
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Days 1 thru 4

Sep 10, 2010

In case anyone is interested, here's my experience.  My surgery was Tuesday, Sept. 7.  I checked in at 5:00 AM, and had surgery at about 7:40 AM.  The surgery lasted til around 10 AM, and I spent about an hour in recovery.  I had no nausea (yippee!), but had a hard time getting a good deep breath.  The recovery room folks were discussing Ryan Airlines and I was a bit annoyed.  I opened my eyes a few times and could see that someone was sitting close by, presumably monitoring me.

When I arrived in my hospital room, my friends came, but I was still very out of it for another two hours.  I finally came to around 1 PM, and was soon enjoying ice pellets.  Really enjoying them!  My mouth tasted awful.  I stayed awake until about midnight.  I was supposed to have had a Bi-Pap machine there, but there was a mixup.  Although I asked for it at 5:30 PM, since I was sleepy, and kept asking every hour or so, it did not arrive until about midnight.  Once I hooked myself in, I slept well until 7 AM, despite some commotion in the other bed.

I needed only minor pain meds, and I think my main pain was gas.  I walked several times that first day, too, with no difficulty - just slowly/gingerly to avoid pulling my belly.

Day two is a bit blurry - clear liquids, a bit of pain meds, visitors, walking, and feeling pretty good.  I was released at 7 PM, came home and slept 12 hours.  I had a friend stay with me for 24 hours.  On day 3, I had too many visitors and phone calls, but also got two batches of homemade authentic Jewish grandma chicken broth!  At night I had my first "food" - 4 oz. of applesauce, spread over about a 4-hour period.

Day 4 - started with tea and about 3 oz. of Fage plain yogurt.  Later, more chicken broth, a high protein slim fast, and for dinner a cup of Lactaid with a scoop of protein powder in it.  Too many bubbles/foam, I think, as I had a belly ache for a while after that. 

I should be able to drive tomorrow, but probably will wait another day or two, since there's no rush.  I've lost some weight, but am not sure how much, since I have about 10 recorded weights with various combinations of home/hospital scales and clothes/shoes on/off.  At some point I'll decide which weight to use as my highest.

I'm a bit subdued, tired, but also excited.  No hunger.  I have a sensation like severe hunger occasionally, but it lasts only about 2 seconds.
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About Me
Walnut Creek, CA
Location
39.5
BMI
VSG
Surgery
09/07/2010
Surgery Date
Aug 15, 2010
Member Since

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