Hi and congrats in your decision to change your life with the sleeve! =) I've come to realize that almost every dr has a different plan for their patient after the sleeve. Mine was like this: Week 1-Clear liquids ONLY.
Week 2 on-they told me I could start soft foods. I had to listen to my own body and what I thought was best bc I didn't think it was a good idea to go on solids yet. So,on week 2 I went instead from Clear Liquids to full liquids,then in week 3 went to mushies,then in week 4 went to softs. Now at week 6 I am allowed to eat any consistency. I can barely fit any solids into my sleeve so I def stick with lean Protein first,then veggies and fruits,no room for starches. =)
Well, here I am!! Five days post op and feeling more and more excited with every day that passes. I know I have made the right decision and its a great feeling to know i did something to better my life so drastically.
Suprisingly surgery and recovery is not as painful as i had expected it to be. I had my operation on monday morning at 7:00am, and by 4:00pm i was walking around the hospital floor... Its amazing to me how the body can recuperate so fast! My doctor (Dr. Sonnastine with Fresh Start Bariatrics in Columbus, Ohio) came daily to check on my progress, and all of the nurses were very friendly and made me feel very comfortable during my stay. I went home on wednesday afternoon on a full liquid diet, and the pain meds kept the pain tolerable for the most part. Im assuming because of the stress on my body and the hormone changes i started my period 2 weeks early, and that defintaly caused more pain for me, but my doc called in an anti-inflammatory med for me yesterday and i feel like new today! i have very minimimal pain and i feel alot less stiff. Im so excited that Ive gotten to his point, because im a very independant person and its difficult for me to rely on everyone else to prepare my meals and even help me bathe. Last night i slept through one of my scheduled times to take medication, and when i woke up i was suprised that i felt great despite that! so im starting to take only one pain med along with the anti-inflammatory and see if i can manage my pain on the lower dose :-D
The part that is proving to be the hardest for me is the full liquid diet. I know its a mental thing, but i just miss the texture of food. I spend alll day drinking either Water or protien smoothies, so i just yearn for that "real" food.. But I know that all in good time i will be able to get back on the diet i was on before surgery, and im looking very forward to that. I have noticed though that since surgery my sense of smell is amped up a lot! People's perfume smells make me nauseous, or even the smell of some of the foods i used to love make me feel sick to my stomach... Did this happen to anyone else? I hope it doesnt last!
I feel very optimistic about the future. I cant wait to recuperate totally and get back to little things that are easily taken for granted, like holding my baby boy and playing with him. I thank God that I was given this oportunity, and although i had to go though a lot ups and downs to get to this point, i wouldnt change it for the world.
The future is all mine to do whatever my heart desires.. and I cant wait to go on my first rollar coaster ride when i finally will be able to fit!!! hahah
So, this journey is challenging. There are the physical challenges and mental ones. But through it all, I am very happy. I feel like I can see myself changing for the better. Not just in the mirror but everyday in the way I think about like. I am able to push myself more, able to do more, able to see a brighter future. Thanks for all your support...I will probably complain to ya tomorrow. But, for now, I am very HAPPY!
