DeniseM

I put a handful of raw spinach or kale in my smoothie every day. I can't really taste it and it turns it a funky color, but the nutritional benefits, like with peppers, are great.

At five weeks post-op I was on a "regular" diet and could start eating anything I wanted. I've had red meat several times this past week, including steak, with no problems- just a few bites, but it did not feel like it got stuck in my stomach or make me feel too full. But, I am very careful to eat very slowly (I use a timer and take one bite every five minutes), and chew extremely well.

I also chose to not tell anyone for almost the exact same reasons. The only people I have told so far are my immediate family and my co-workers who see me on a daily basis. I don't want to be judged. I don't want them all staring at me every time they see me to see how much weight I've lost. And there is a small part of me that was afraid that this, like every other diet I have tried, will not work, and then I will be judged even more. Eventually, people will notice, and I will not lie about my surgery, but for now, I am keeping it to myself.

I didn't have a pain pump and I did just fine. The nurses were right on time every six hours with my pain meds. Only one time did I feel like my pain was unmanageable, and that was due to gas pains that resolved once I got out of bed and started walking a bit.