ChrysalisEmerging
16 Days Post-Op and Feelin' Fine Oct. 20, 2007
Oct 21, 2007
Well, it's been 16 days since my lap band surgery and I am feeling pretty good. I am still on liquid / mushies, and figuring out how to get all the protein in, but I am not starving, and feel more and more like myself every day.
This has been an interesting adventure. The surgery went very smoothly. In the hospital, they never had to tell me to walk, because I wanted to, just to get out of bed. The hospital was very accomodating, and let me get out of bed whenever I wanted. I hardly ate anything at the hospital, broth and juice was about it. Their protein drink was horrible, but I forced myself to drink some of it. I am glad I wasn't hungry! My surgery was at 7:15 in the morning, and I was in the hospital until 4:00 p.m. the next day.
My first days at home were tough. I could not bring myself to drink the protein drinks. I had tried them pre-surgery and knew they were ok tasting, but the thought of drinking a sweet drink nauseated me. I was only allowed clear drinks and protein drinks. By my fourth day home I was very dehydrated and hungry, and contemplated checking myself back into the hospital. But I pushed myself and guzzled a protein drink, and then had a very soft piece of lite cheese, letting it melt and drizzle down my throat. I felt better, and after that, I called the doctor and asked if there was any real food I could have. They started me on liquid mushies (yogurt, watery cream of wheat, blended soups) and that is what got me going again. That first bit of blended split pea soup was soooo good! And after that, I was fine drinking the protein powder with milk drinks (gave me 40 grams of protein per drink!). The pre-made canned protein drinks were still too sweet for a while.
I went back to work on the 12th day post op. I work 42 miles away, and take a vanpool to work. I am usually a driver, but I let others drive this first week. It was really strange how weak my legs are. They have always been the strongest part of my body, and I have been walking. I guess the surgery really does take a lot out of you. Eating was actually ok at work, since I brought in my pureed soups each day, with yougurt and a protein drink, and then I had 2 scrambled eggs from the cafeteria each morning. On Thursday, I even went out to eat with my partner! We went to California Pizza Kitchen, where they have pureed soups. That's what I ordered, and chewed any little bits in the soup really well. I only ate half the bowl, and was satisfied.
The strangest thing since banding is figuring out when you are hungry. It feels different then what being hungry used to feel like! It is more of a tightness up in the center of the chest, and a hollowness. Sometimes, it just feels like something isn't right, but when you eat it goes away. Ok... I'm starting to get it... Feel weird = Eat. I was given the AP band (no idea what size) and have no restriction. It is kind of hard to tell when to stop eating, so I am just starting with small amounts and then waiting to see if I am still hungry. It will be interesting to see what life is like with restriction!
My clothes are already looser, and my coworkers have noticed the difference, especially in my face (thank God for that!).
Stats so far: Pre-Op = 235 Day of Surgery = 227.2 Now = 219.4
This has been an interesting adventure. The surgery went very smoothly. In the hospital, they never had to tell me to walk, because I wanted to, just to get out of bed. The hospital was very accomodating, and let me get out of bed whenever I wanted. I hardly ate anything at the hospital, broth and juice was about it. Their protein drink was horrible, but I forced myself to drink some of it. I am glad I wasn't hungry! My surgery was at 7:15 in the morning, and I was in the hospital until 4:00 p.m. the next day.
My first days at home were tough. I could not bring myself to drink the protein drinks. I had tried them pre-surgery and knew they were ok tasting, but the thought of drinking a sweet drink nauseated me. I was only allowed clear drinks and protein drinks. By my fourth day home I was very dehydrated and hungry, and contemplated checking myself back into the hospital. But I pushed myself and guzzled a protein drink, and then had a very soft piece of lite cheese, letting it melt and drizzle down my throat. I felt better, and after that, I called the doctor and asked if there was any real food I could have. They started me on liquid mushies (yogurt, watery cream of wheat, blended soups) and that is what got me going again. That first bit of blended split pea soup was soooo good! And after that, I was fine drinking the protein powder with milk drinks (gave me 40 grams of protein per drink!). The pre-made canned protein drinks were still too sweet for a while.
I went back to work on the 12th day post op. I work 42 miles away, and take a vanpool to work. I am usually a driver, but I let others drive this first week. It was really strange how weak my legs are. They have always been the strongest part of my body, and I have been walking. I guess the surgery really does take a lot out of you. Eating was actually ok at work, since I brought in my pureed soups each day, with yougurt and a protein drink, and then I had 2 scrambled eggs from the cafeteria each morning. On Thursday, I even went out to eat with my partner! We went to California Pizza Kitchen, where they have pureed soups. That's what I ordered, and chewed any little bits in the soup really well. I only ate half the bowl, and was satisfied.
The strangest thing since banding is figuring out when you are hungry. It feels different then what being hungry used to feel like! It is more of a tightness up in the center of the chest, and a hollowness. Sometimes, it just feels like something isn't right, but when you eat it goes away. Ok... I'm starting to get it... Feel weird = Eat. I was given the AP band (no idea what size) and have no restriction. It is kind of hard to tell when to stop eating, so I am just starting with small amounts and then waiting to see if I am still hungry. It will be interesting to see what life is like with restriction!
My clothes are already looser, and my coworkers have noticed the difference, especially in my face (thank God for that!).
Stats so far: Pre-Op = 235 Day of Surgery = 227.2 Now = 219.4
