Just Kim
8 Weeks Post-Op
Aug 06, 2009
Well its been 8 weeks today and I’m doing well. I have lost 38 lbs so far and I am learning my body all over again. This surgery has changed everything from eating and drinking to bowel movements and menstrual cycles. For the first 6 weeks I suffered with constant constipation.
It was the WORST and I definitely had buyer’s remorse during those “difficult moments”.
But now I take Colace 2x a day and that seems to keep me regular. I sometimes drink a cup of Smooth Move Tea if things seem to be getting a little strained and it flushes everything right out. I don’t like that I have to take something on a daily basis to have regular bowel movements but from what I’ve read constipation is common for us, so I’m dealing with it.Protein - I started with the RTD Zero Carb Isopure and Atkins but by the time the stock pile was gone I was tired of them.
Now my new favorite is Nectar Roadside Lemonade with Wild Strawberry Crystal Light and Nectar Lemon Tea with Lemonade Crystal Light. I am going to get some more Isopure because I like having something RTD on hand in case I don’t have time to mix something up. I ordered and will pick-up today a Magic Bullet. I’m hoping to use this mostly for mixing protein powder with yogurt that I can have for breakfast. I had no success in getting a smooth consistency using a spoon or whisk. I started mixing protein drinks in the blender last weekend. They really blend better (smoother consistency and better taste) but they come out really foamy. I usually have to let them sit in the fridge overnight to allow all the foam to melt. I was told that this occurs because of the air that gets in when mixing it in the blender. They foam up in the shaker cup too but not as much. I’ll keeping testing things until I find something that works well.Fluids - I can no longer drink a glass of ice cold water. Every time I try it hurts my pouch and I get a wave of nausea.....WTH??? Before surgery I would get the biggest cup I could find, fill it with ice water and drink all day. Now I have to use Crystal Light and I have to let the water warm a little before I can drink it. I’M SICK OF SIPPING!!! It is getting better as time passes but I’m waiting for the day when I can just pick up a cup of something and drink it normally. There have been times when I forgot to sip and within a few seconds it feels like somebody kicked me in my stomach.
Food - Honestly, I have tried lots of things and the only thing that made me dump was peanuts and that was my own doing because I tried them to early. My only advice in this area is take small bites and chew everything well. I have had steak, chicken, hamburger, meatloaf, crab cakes, shrimp and scallops. Shrimp was a bit difficult but everything else was fine as long as its moist and/or chewed well before swallowing. Of course I can only eat a few bites at a time but I am truly satisfied and I don’t feel deprived or hungry at all. I have dined out with no problems and this week I finally had the salad I had been craving – no problems with that either. I’m also eating fruit almost daily as a mid-morning snack. I’ve tried fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, apples and pineapples – no problem with any of them.
I have a confession - I have also had Doritos, Cheez-Its and cookies. For the Doritos and Cheez-Its, I only had the single serving bag but I turned 1 serving into 3 servings so it really wasn’t much. As for the cookies, only one at a time and I’m not indulging daily. I think I was just curious as to how I would react to these foods because I certainly don’t crave them.
Vitamins - I’m doing very well in this area. I take them everyday and have rarely missed a dose. When I see my PCP to get blood work done for my 3 month follow-up with the surgeon, I’m going to ask about getting off the HBP meds and getting monthly B-12 shots instead of taking the 1000 mg sub-lingual every other day.
Exercise - I have not done any with the exception of an occasional walk around the block. This is definitely my area of weakness. I have a treadmill at home and absolutely no excuses for not using it. At first my energy level was low and I did not feel like exercising. But as of last week, I’m feeling normal again and I should be exercising. I’m vowing to change this. I think I will join one of those daily accountability groups. Maybe that will get me going since I would have to report my progress daily.
Weight - Just like all newbies, I wish I was losing more but I have never lost 38 lbs in 8 weeks so you will not catch me complaining about stalls and how much weight I have NOT lost since the surgery (maybe in the future).
My highest weight was 317 lbs. and I was 310 lbs on the day of surgery. Today I am 272 lbs. and comfortably fitting all my size 20W clothing. I truly enjoy getting up and getting dressed. In the year before deciding to have surgery, I had gained so much weight that almost all my clothes from the previous summers were too small or tight as hell. It feels really good to go to the closet, have a selection and not worry about if it will fit. Although I am looking forward to losing more weight, I am almost positive that I will be sad and depressed about letting go of all my clothes. I hope to cure my depression with shopping for new clothes in a smaller size instead of with a prescription Wellbutrin....LOL.
I’m thinking about photographing outfits and selling them on e-bay. If that doesn’t work out, I will be happy to freely give things away but I want the recipient to wear and take care of the clothing. I have really nice quality clothing (IMO) and if someone else could wear them and be fly like me, its all good.Overall, life is good. I’m preparing for my wedding in Hawaii this October and enjoying this weight loss journey. I have to update this blog more frequently. This is too long. Thanks to all for reading.
