ReadytoMaintain

Hello all. Just wanted to say that I got my period officially on Tuesday and it was the WORST one of my life!!! I have NEVER had cramps and never suffered from PMS or PPMS or anything else. If I did, I just thought it was a tummy ache and it would go away and then the next day I would get my period and I would be like "oh! that's what the tummy ache was about!" But, let me tell you, I was so unprepared for this. Monday my stomach felt so bad and it was sooooooo bloated! My insides hurt and I didn't know what it was all about. I thought it was because I had cheated on Sunday and ate some mushy food even though it was a week early and maybe I over did it. I barely ate anything because I could not tolerate the pain. A hot shower and my big hefty warm cat laying on me like a hot Water bottle made most of the day tolerable. Eventually, I HAD to take a pain killer. After that kicked in, I was soooooooo much better (of course!). I am still in some pain but it is so much more manageable. Anyway, just my thoughts on this topic. Thanks! ReadytoMaintain

Hey there. I'm with you at 3 weeks out. . . But, I have not really had hunger. A couple of times I did, but I not HUNGRY as you are describing it. My diet from my doctor is not mushies yet. I am on full liquids with Protein supplement. Are you supplementing with a protein? Maybe you should do that to help with the hunger. ReadytoMaintain

Congratulations!!! It is indeed soooooooo EXCITING!!!! Made me smile just reading your excitement! Thanks! ReadytoMaintain

This is AMAZING!!!! I was doing the same thing today!!!! I wore some pants that I always hung onto just because I liked them so much - but I hardly ever wore them. Some size 16 clothes still fit while other pants with a size 14 tag on them fit also. So who knows! LOL! But, I just zipped up some jeans that I last wore 9 years ago. It's so exciting!!!! But, you know the best part? It's the thought that hit me while doing all of this that I will NEVER EVER have to worry about regaining all this weight again so I don't have to keep the clothes - you know the thought - "just in case" I regain. So Happy for everyone! ReadytoMaintain

Newmom, sorry, I do not know if they sell samples. I ordered the dutch chocolate - tasty for me. ReadytoMaintain

Congrats! Very inspirational! Thanks! ReadytoMaintain

I have this Protein powder called juice Plus+ Complete. I had to order it. One scoop equals 13 grams protein. I am looking at the can right now. I don't see/read anywhere on it that may contain shellfish and no sucralose in it. "sweetend with natural fructose" is what I have read on it. Google it and see if this may help you. ReadytoMaintain

I have been totally fine with regards to urination. Within a few hours of the nurse removing my catheter the day after surgery, I had to urinate. Since then, I have not had any problems with regards to urgency, (non)frequency, pressure . . . nothing. I drink; I urinate like I have before. My two cents. ReadytoMaintain

RubyTuesday, Your doctor doesn't have any concerns about you weakening the staple line . . . or something to your stomach? What about lifting more than 15lbs.? My doctor and most of what I have read has been about not lifting anything too heavy for too long too early in recovery. I am in awe. I don't feel pain. But, of course sometimes, a certain stretch just the right way and I have some discomfort/tinge of pain. But that's really it. You had surgery within the last 2 weeks, correct? Thanks for your response. ReadytoMaintain

When did "you" get back to exercising? My husband and I take salsa lessons and have for a long time now so it is not something "new" for us. The class can be intense but only for brief moments (spinning a couple of times during the routine) and for the most part it is not really intense. First hour is usually the learning period of the moves, the second hour is the time that has the "periodic" intensity as previously described. I felt really good today and wanted to join in but abstained with the thought that what if someone bumped into me and hurt my abs or stomach. I think that one or two more weeks and I may be feeling pretty darn good to rejoin. Thoughts? Thanks for your help. ReadytoMaintain

Liz, this was my very FIRST surgery in my whole life. I am 38 years old. Never had a broken bone in my life and never had to be in a hospital for anything. So I was sooooooo nervous about my operation as well. I had mine done in TJ, Mexico. Even though I did not need it, they still gave me a pill prior to surgery to calm my nerves and make me more relaxed. Didn't even know when I got the anasthesia, came to, fell asleep in the recovery room, taken to my room. When I woke up about 1/2 hour later, I talked on the phone with a friend of mine to tell her I was well and safe, albeit a little "high". She said I sounded happy but out of it at the same time. There is some major discomfort with the surgery but nothing that a few days of walking and burping won't cure and BREATHING won't cure. My stomach felt like I had the WORST ab workout of my life. That feeling went away by the second day out of surgery. Really, the worst part about the whole surger was the drain tube. THAT HURT when they removed it. No, not "major discomfort". PAIN! But it was over very quickly, thankfully. Your husband is scared and nervous. He will come around. He should read through the forum as well. Take care and good luck! ReadytoMaintain Surgery Date: 10-29-09

Oooo! Good luck! Take care! Keep us posted! ReadytoMaintain

Itstime: My surgeon was Dr. Liza Pompa with the LIMARP surgery center in TJ, Mexico. You won't read too much about her here but I found other information about her and contacted her directly for information. I was treated well and so far so GOOD! If you want to know anything or something specific, just ask I will answer the questions to the best of my abilities. ReadytoMaintain

So, last night we were invited to go over to my sis-in-law's house to have BBQ and drinks and hang out. Well, since I am only one week out from surgery I did not think that the 8lbs that I have lost are that noticeable. So, I just put on some jogging pants and blouse that I would always wear. THE FIRST thing my sis-in-law said was that she could see I was losing weight! Mind you, they do not know about my operation. I was so happy on the outside and jumping for joy on the inside! It was my first family gathering since the surgery. It did not bother me that everyone was eating and drinking around me. I took my little can of Soup and drank it there with them at the dinner table. And drank two bottles of Water while I was there. BTW, they still don't know - I also have a cold so they figured I was not in the mood to eat nor drink and completely understood. It was great! ReadytoMaintain

JudyJudyJudy and Cajun, I am in the liquid phase right now and my diet is not calling for any Protein until the third week. So, I am not counting carbs/sugars right now. I am on the full liquids without protein stage. Next week, I will make sure I complete Proteins BEFORE adding something like a veggie drink. BTW, it was 3 carrots, 1 celery stick, 2 small granny smith apples. That was all the carb and sugars I had for that day. Thanks! ReadytoMaintain