KateJoeMama

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I got my doctor's approval to run with the solid diet!  I have been really scared to do this, and I'm not really sure why.  So I went ahead and gave it a try starting with dinner.

I fixed the kids some chicken (boneless, skinless) with some plain cooked veggies and quinoa.  I had about a three small bites of the chicken, two tablespoons of veggies and a tbsp of quinoa.  I chewed and chewed and chewed!  I knew that was all I should eat, so I stopped.  That was an hour ago, and my pouch seems okay right now. 

It is really awesome that that small amount of food left me feeling full. YAY!

So now starts my new life getting to a smaller, healthier me! 

Awesome. Sauce.

I had my RNY surgery exactly three weeks ago, and I am feeling pretty normal again, for the most part.  My tummy is still a bit sore.  But I am all about progress, even just a little.

My eating has changed radically, of course.  I spent two weeks on clear liquid, and last week started some pureed foods.  Campbell's tuscan chicken and white bean soup was awesome!  and Farina is lovely.

The first two weeks, I had to walk carefully and lie down or turn over very carefully.  Yesterday, I walked at a moderate pace for a lap around the mall (in heels, no less).  I can do yard work and clean the house.  So I am happy with my progress there.

I am rewarding myself today.  NOT with food.  I am getting my hair done at the salon!  I just put on makeup and am heading out the door. 

Today is a good day.

Yesterday's exercise in pain made me reexamine that shake I had.  The one new element was lactose free milk.  It is probably not the milk itself, but the fact that milk bubbles bond together more strongly than water.  I tried the shake again this morning after letting it sit for 10 minutes to dissipate any foam.  I've had two ounces with no trouble, but I am taking it very slowly. 

If the milk is the bad guy, then I will say "Adios, milk!" And find another option.  I did tolerate almond milk okay, but it had a weird aftertaste I didn't like.

So, my food adventure continues.  

This morning I slept in late, since it is a holiday. I didn't drink a shake or eat soon after rising.  I was making pancakes for the kids and cleaning dishes.  So it was about two hours after I got up before I got around to making a shake.  I drank it too soon after blending it, and I drank it too fast (which was really not that fast, I thought.)

Within 15 minutes, I was in serious trouble.  I had no idea how much I had drunk, which is a no-no to me.  I try to always have an awareness of what I am eating or drinking to avoid mistakes.  I was literally writhing in agony on the couch feeling like someone had punched me really hard.  My throat felt funny.  What the heck had I just done???!!!!

I tried walking around, like they encouraged at the hospital.  It made everything worse.  It kept hurting more and more.  I went into the bathroom, finally, and tried to make myself throw up the shake.  (it is amazing what you are willing to do when you hurt that much.)  That also made it worse.  I pleaded to God to please help me.  I hit my head against the door a couple of times.  (note to self:  that never works.)

I was beginning to believe that something had gone seriously wrong with my surgery and considered going to the ER.  I looked up my doctor's instructions and possible complications, but my symptoms pointed to "dumping syndrome."  I also had begun to feel bubbles moving around in my system.  This all took place in a period of about 30 minutes after my onset of pain.

My husband helped me lie down on the bed with pillows propping me up a little.  I finally found some relief this way and sipped a very small amount of very weak water and baking soda tonic.  If I sat up suddenly or shifted, though, it started hurting really bad again. 

I started feeling better, and could get up after resting this way for about two hours (and burping repeatedly).

I can clearly see what I did wrong.  Slow down and wait for the bubbles to dissipate.  Feed the pouch within 20 minutes of getting up.  Don't gulp, EVER!   

And remember: bubbles are bad.  Seriously.

I enjoy living in the South.  Not the deep, "real" South, just Florida.  I get to see green all year round.  Although it is very humid, all that moisture is good for my skin.  The warmth is good for my arthritis.

I am taking a plunge today and starting my workout plan in earnest.  It is nothing major, just walking for 20-30 minutes.  It has always been difficult to keep to a routine, but I had the surgery and now I have to make commitments to myself to honor that big change. 

So, today I will take my sweet dog, Moses (a.k.a. Momo), for a walk through my neighborhood.  My strategy is to make this enjoyable and look for nesting cardinals and finches. 

My other strategy is to feel like one of the "haves" and not a "have-not".  Instead of seeing beautiful, fit people and hating them, I am going to feel kinship with them.  They have taken steps to ensure their health, and so have I. 

Positive changes.  Moving forward.

I have been on the clear liquid for two weeks, and I got to try cream of chicken yesterday.  Today I tried cream of potato thinned with chicken broth.  WOW!  It was really good, and my pouch seemed pretty happy at about four ounces worth. 

I am seriously hoping this doesn't make me ill, because I sure like it.