Just an update for my April Avengers. My surgery was at 7:30 this morning. I was released to go home at around noon. Woo Hoo...day one of my recovery and it's not as bad as I was expecting. I'm glad I had this board to prepare me. I have been up and walking when I can. I am really enjoying my recliner and think I will sleep in it a couple of nights. It has heat and massage and I strongly recommend both for the gas pains. Gas pains have been off and on but not realy too bad. It just feels like bloating and a little pressure. Seriously ladies, I think my biggest obstacle is my little one year old Chiweenie. (cross betweet a Chihuahua & Daschund) In her mind I am her human and she is taking care of me. She won't leave my side. A few times she wants to crawl up on my stomach to get to my face and give me kisses. LOL Luckily she only weights about 3 pounds.

One thing I was not really prepared for was the dry mouth and sore throat. As far as pain in my abdomen, yeah...it feels like somebody punched me really hard. LOL It's not a constant pain by any means, just a little sore when moving around and getting in and out of bed/chair.

I am trying my best to get down the 48 oz of Water between feedings. So far I have 24 oz more to go. I am not hungry in the least little bit. I am taking 2 oz of fluids every hour and alternating chicken broth and juice. Let me tell you, the warm chicken broth felt good going down.

As far as pain meds, I have only taken one dose of Darvocet which has to be crushed and taken with juice. Uggh!! Not very tasty. They prescribed a liquid Vicotin but I don't do well with Vicotin. It makes me hyper and itchy.

I hope my fellow April 1st gals are doing well. I am wishing you a speedy recovery and hope to get in touch with you personally soon.

Well, I am off to take another quick walk arond the house and get my 7pm juice. I'm excited about taking this new journey towards good health and eating habits. Go Avengers!!!

Oh yes....one thing that helps with being on a clear liquid diet is my trident bubble gum. It helps with the urge to chew and is quite refreshing.

I will keep you posted. :frown:

Just dont swallow it!!! :tt1: That could be bad.

I am a gum swallower so no gum for me. :sad:

Hang in there Erika, you will make it through this. Wow, four weeks on liquid sounds tough. I wonder why different surgeons have different post op instructions? I kinda got a little hungry yesterday but the feeling passed. I had myself a banana popcicle and that did the trick. I am on all Clear Liquids and they recommend sugar free popcicles and such but darn it....I needed that banana popcicle and it was yummy!! LOL

The second week I can start on the full liquid diet. I am so looking forward to having something with substance. Hmmm, I have been looking forward to having some grits with cheese. That is on my menu plan, I promise!! Doesn't that sound delicious? (I am from the south...what can I say...born in North Carolina and raised in Texas) LOL

Here is a sample of my week 2 menu that I am so looking forward to:

8:00 am - grits with cheese

10:00 am - 4 oz sfree pudding with 1/2 scoop Protein

12:00 pm - 4 oz cream of tomato Soup

2:00 pm - 2 oz applesauce

4:00 pm - 4 oz milk iwth 1 scoop protein

6:00 pm - 4 oz baby chicken & apples or 4 oz pureed spaghetti

8:00 pm - 4 oz yogurt with 1/2 scoop protein

And here is even better news. I have a t-shirt on that used to fit so snug and showed all of my fat rolls. I am now wearing that same tshirt and it is fitting me better, almost kind of loose. That makes me so happy. I know we are having to deal with the aftermath of surgery but one good thing that I don't miss is the feeling I used to get after I would binge on junk food and fatty foods. You remember that miserable feeling you would get with no energy, feelings of guilt and just overall not feeling good about yourself? I don't have that feeling anymore. Woo Hoo!! I have a better energy about myself since my surgery and I am looking forward to my new beginning. I can't wait until I am healed. I just want to go outside and Water my plants and enjoy the sunshine. :frown:

I know there will be lots of ups & downs along the way but I'm certain that the journey is worth it. Are you with me April Avengers?? :tt1:

Thanks Allie..I am w/ya!!!