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A little more than one week post-op update:

Pain - My incision pain decreased enough for me to feel comfortable most of the day on Tuesday, Day 6. As of today, Friday, Day 9, I can get in and out of chairs without feeling my incision pulling and needing to put pressure on it. I was able to drive my teen to work in the next town, with the support of a seatbelt pillow. I stopped by the local rail trail and had a short walk in the greenery yesterday. I'm planning to up my walking now that I don't have so much pain, but I want to take it slow so I don't overexert myself. My legs are starting to cramp from inactivity.

I've been building up to my hydration and protein goals daily, and worked up to 4 oz of liquid intake every 30 minutes. I didn't really have a schedule until I woke up on Wednesday, Day 7, feeling absolutely ravenous. The day before I had concentrated on hydration and come up a little shorter on my protein goals. So I made a spreadsheet, to plan out my protein and hydration intake according to what my stomach was capable of now, and discovered I could get a bit more in if I paid more attention to things. Yesterday, I made 72 g protein and 64 oz hydration/36 of which was clear liquids.

I have medications/vitamins to take 4 times a day, and I had been following the 30 min before/after for them, just in case, because I wanted to make sure they were absorbed. However, my dietician told me this morning that I didn't need to do that. So that clears up significantly more time for clear liquid hydration!

I weighed myself yesterday, and discovered that in the first week since surgery, I've lost 23 lbs. Part of me thinks that is a worryingly large number, but also probably a great deal of it is water weight. I did some measurements, and it appears that most of the weight has come from my arms and bust (of course). My clothes don't appear to fit differently yet, but I haven't worn most of them yet. I did notice while putting my face serums and creams on that my cheekbones and jawline seem more prominent.

One of my first NSVs is that my left ankle used to swell after sitting all day. Recently, despite sitting most of the day during recovery, my ankles have matched in size and slenderness. It's very exciting!

The best news of all is that I met with my dietician this morning and been cleared for advancing to more foods. Our program has weeks 1-3 set aside for full liquid diet, so that is what I was prepared for. My dietician said that starting today, I can start making protein shakes with fruit, and I can also have fully blended soups of any type. So that expands my diet significantly! Also, I am permitted to move to stage 3, purees, next wednesday.

good to hear you are doing well. Congrats on the NSVs! I'm losing per the scale, but don't see it yet.....too funny......Am I understanding correctly? Are you eating already? I'm still on full liquids...won't get advanced until at least Wed when I see the doctor. Pain last night, not sure how much was bowel/gas/or surg....it really didn't matter, it made for a rough night. I'm going to try to get out of the house today [thought i was going to yesterday...didn't happen :-)] Have a great day!

Hi Sarah! I was just thinking of you today and wondering how you are doing! Someone asked me what an NSV was and I gave your 'pants falling down' example...best NSV I ever heard!

It's weird going from having restriction right after surgery to having absolutely none now. I've gotten used to just eating like I used to and then along came the bagel! You're right, I need to remember that even with 0 fill it's still a funnel and I need to slow down! I can't wait for a few fills and to have that lovely restriction again.

Yep, my doc allows soda and any carbonation, I think it's after 6 mo. I'm not a pop drinker though, so it wasn't that important to me.

How are you doing? Are you having good restriction or still need more fills? How's the exercise part going...I'm finding that the hardest part for me...just trying to get motivated! Any more NSV's? -BG

I posted a new top yesterday about NSV's & it's had 109 views but no replies. I will consider that a BUST!

NSV: I bought and rocked 3-inch heels... a year and 100lbs ago that would've lasted less than 5mins before ankle swelling, knee and back pain and several days of charlie horses and regret and quite possibly a broken heel.lol No more boring flats & Im loving the mall again! That is all!

#NSV - I work out for 1 hour every morning. (cardio and strength training). Prior to the surgery, I couldn't walk around for 15 minutes w/o huffing and puffing.

NSV - I found out today that I can wear my size 16 jeans (with a slight muffin top) zipped and buttoned. I haven't worn this sizze since I was 16 (almost 12/13 years ago)

NSV! Finally, finally, broke the 300 barrier!! It is a good feeling, but boy, there is a lot more to go...Whoooo hoo!

NSV: Capri pants in a size 24, down from a 26 or 28, top in a 2x, down from a 3x.

NSV!!!! Jogged for the 1st time in 17 years!! :-)

Huge NSV today - Ran my first 5K on the treadmill! Yay!

Have to share my NSV today. I got into my old size 12 gap jeans today. I wore these before all the prednisone and kept them just in case someday may come. Well it's here and I'm so excited. I have to say thanks to Carolina girl for something she had said in a post about not getting discouraged when the scale isn't moving because we are still losing inches. This could not be more true!!! I haven't lost anymore but thought I would give it a try and I'm so glad...

Went into beauty shop Friday with my daughter , new haircut, had my eyebrows done.. and other things. NSV!