rainstargal

Hey guys. My surgery was Sept. 11, so I am post op day 8. My program has us stay 2 nights in the hospital, and we are progressed to full liquids by the time we leave the hospital.
I went home with tylenol with codeine, but it didn't do too much for me. I last took pain meds on day 5. I am still very sore on the largest incision (under my left breast, where they remove the stomach), but it is more pain in the muscle, not the cut itself. I'm not allowed to engage my abs for 4 weeks (3 to go), or lift more than 15 lbs. Getting out of bed, or off the couch, has been very difficult, and I'm sure I've strained the muscle somewhat. What I ended up getting for the couch was one of those pillow chairs. It's a great support for my back, and reduces the distance when getting up. Like some of you, I have been having back pain. However, it is only on the left side, and I can tell it is from the muscle compensating for the weakness in my abs.
Now... about the food. It's been a ROUGH several days. I was on the Bariatric Advantage shakes pre op. I started adding them to my diet 4 weeks pre op. 2 weeks pre op I was only "eating" the shakes, sugar free Jello, broth (for a few days then it just made me want to puke), and string cheese. Now, I can't even finish one because I am just so OVER them. The Protein supplement I got to add into my Soups was GROSS. It didn't mix into my Soups, so it just was a hassle. I haven't been getting all my Protein in, I know for a fact. But, today I found a supplement that I am picking up tomorrow from The Nutrition Shop next to my house. The guy made me a sample. It's smooth as Water, mixes SUPER well, only needs to be made with about 6 oz of Water, and contains 32 gm of protein.
The soups... I went without salt and carbs for so long pre op, that I think my body is in a little shock. I love cream of potato, but didn't want to live on it alone because of the carbs. So, I have gotten regular soups and have just strained out the broth. Way better than just chicken or beef broth. Also... Last night was bad. I made instant mashed potatoes and made em soupy with beef brother. SUPER AMAZING. But I can't do that any more because it's feeding my head hunger and not my nutritional needs.
I've found it hard MENTALLY more than anything. I've never been at a decent weight (in my mind), so it's hard to imagine that this is actually going to work. I was super motivated before. Now that my friends have gone home and aren't here to help me, it's harder.
But I guess this is where we separate the old us from the new us, huh?
Today has been better... more walking, and doing stuff around the house. I'm also going to be off work for 5 more weeks.

Hey guys. My surgery was Sept. 11, so I am post op day 8. My program has us stay 2 nights in the hospital, and we are progressed to full liquids by the time we leave the hospital.
I went home with tylenol with codeine, but it didn't do too much for me. I last took pain meds on day 5. I am still very sore on the largest incision (under my left breast, where they remove the stomach), but it is more pain in the muscle, not the cut itself. I'm not allowed to engage my abs for 4 weeks (3 to go), or lift more than 15 lbs. Getting out of bed, or off the couch, has been very difficult, and I'm sure I've strained the muscle somewhat. What I ended up getting for the couch was one of those pillow chairs. It's a great support for my back, and reduces the distance when getting up. Like some of you, I have been having back pain. However, it is only on the left side, and I can tell it is from the muscle compensating for the weakness in my abs.
Now... about the food. It's been a ROUGH several days. I was on the Bariatric Advantage shakes pre op. I started adding them to my diet 4 weeks pre op. 2 weeks pre op I was only "eating" the shakes, sugar free Jello, broth (for a few days then it just made me want to puke), and string cheese. Now, I can't even finish one because I am just so OVER them. The Protein supplement I got to add into my Soups was GROSS. It didn't mix into my Soups, so it just was a hassle. I haven't been getting all my Protein in, I know for a fact. But, today I found a supplement that I am picking up tomorrow from The Nutrition Shop next to my house. The guy made me a sample. It's smooth as Water, mixes SUPER well, only needs to be made with about 6 oz of Water, and contains 32 gm of protein.
The soups... I went without salt and carbs for so long pre op, that I think my body is in a little shock. I love cream of potato, but didn't want to live on it alone because of the carbs. So, I have gotten regular soups and have just strained out the broth. Way better than just chicken or beef broth. Also... Last night was bad. I made instant mashed potatoes and made em soupy with beef brother. SUPER AMAZING. But I can't do that any more because it's feeding my head hunger and not my nutritional needs.
I've found it hard MENTALLY more than anything. I've never been at a decent weight (in my mind), so it's hard to imagine that this is actually going to work. I was super motivated before. Now that my friends have gone home and aren't here to help me, it's harder.
But I guess this is where we separate the old us from the new us, huh?
Today has been better... more walking, and doing stuff around the house. I'm also going to be off work for 5 more weeks.

Hey guys. My surgery was Sept. 11, so I am post op day 8. My program has us stay 2 nights in the hospital, and we are progressed to full liquids by the time we leave the hospital.
I went home with tylenol with codeine, but it didn't do too much for me. I last took pain meds on day 5. I am still very sore on the largest incision (under my left breast, where they remove the stomach), but it is more pain in the muscle, not the cut itself. I'm not allowed to engage my abs for 4 weeks (3 to go), or lift more than 15 lbs. Getting out of bed, or off the couch, has been very difficult, and I'm sure I've strained the muscle somewhat. What I ended up getting for the couch was one of those pillow chairs. It's a great support for my back, and reduces the distance when getting up. Like some of you, I have been having back pain. However, it is only on the left side, and I can tell it is from the muscle compensating for the weakness in my abs.
Now... about the food. It's been a ROUGH several days. I was on the Bariatric Advantage shakes pre op. I started adding them to my diet 4 weeks pre op. 2 weeks pre op I was only "eating" the shakes, sugar free Jello, broth (for a few days then it just made me want to puke), and string cheese. Now, I can't even finish one because I am just so OVER them. The Protein supplement I got to add into my Soups was GROSS. It didn't mix into my Soups, so it just was a hassle. I haven't been getting all my Protein in, I know for a fact. But, today I found a supplement that I am picking up tomorrow from The Nutrition Shop next to my house. The guy made me a sample. It's smooth as Water, mixes SUPER well, only needs to be made with about 6 oz of Water, and contains 32 gm of protein.
The soups... I went without salt and carbs for so long pre op, that I think my body is in a little shock. I love cream of potato, but didn't want to live on it alone because of the carbs. So, I have gotten regular soups and have just strained out the broth. Way better than just chicken or beef broth. Also... Last night was bad. I made instant mashed potatoes and made em soupy with beef brother. SUPER AMAZING. But I can't do that any more because it's feeding my head hunger and not my nutritional needs.
I've found it hard MENTALLY more than anything. I've never been at a decent weight (in my mind), so it's hard to imagine that this is actually going to work. I was super motivated before. Now that my friends have gone home and aren't here to help me, it's harder.
But I guess this is where we separate the old us from the new us, huh?
Today has been better... more walking, and doing stuff around the house. I'm also going to be off work for 5 more weeks.

I am the exact same way! The way I help my "mindset" is I go on utube and watch people's journeys. The feeling I get after, usually makes all my doubts disappear
Because that is exactly how I want to feel! ( and look;)
Hope this helps.......it helps me!

I think everyone goes through emotional extremes coming up to their surgery. I know I did. I wanted it so bad. Yet I was scared as hell.
There were a million different "What If's" running through my mind about the surgery, what if something goes wrong, what if this happens, what if that happens... Then I asked myself what if I don't get the surgery done, and thought about what life would continue to be like, and how long I might have left to live continuing on the way I was.