Hauntie

I've stalled, too. Are others still having pain? I still have pain at the larger incisions, that they pulled the severed stomach out through.

Saw my PCP today. I lost the 13 lbs water weight plus 5 real pounds. Woo Hoo!!!

I'm noticing some differences in post op diet stages. I had my surgery on the 18th. I was on water only post op day 1, clear fluids post op day 2, started protein shakes, cream soup (tomato only), pudding and yogurt on post op day 3.. I'm not having any problem meeting my protein or fluid goals. I'm on this until my MD apt on 8/2. After that I can add solid protein - chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, low fat cheese. No fruits, grains or vegetables - even if finely chopped or pureed. I'll be on this stage until I'm cleared to start a regular diet, hopefully by the end of August. Does anyone else have this restrictive a diet plan?

I had surgery on the 18th and gained 13 pounds. I'm still losing it. It was really slow at first, but I was peeing like crazy yesterday and lost about 5 pounds.

1 week out and I'm already so tired of the liquid diet. I feel hungry and I'm pretty sure it's not "head hunger". I'm not having any problem getting down enough protein or fluids. When I was struggling to get down a ounce of water an hour, I couldn't imagine that it would get so much better so quickly. I'm still losing the fluid weight I gained post op. That's typical for me, I always gain weight after surgery. Anyone else have this issue? It really started coming off last night. I was up peeing every hour. I'm almost back to my pre op weight. My two biggest incisions are still sore and I'm still taking pain meds. The pain from the gas in my chest is getting better. A friend suggested sipping very warm water and that really seems to help.

Save the little plastic medicine cups from your hospital stay or ask for a bunch before you leave. They're perfect for mixing your crushed meds with a small amount of protein shake, yogurt, pudding. I've found this much more palatable than dissolving meds in water or crystal light. Also make sure you have a good pill crusher. I found a great one at Walgreen's. It has a big, almost triangular shaped cover which makes it easier to close tightly, so the pills are really crushed into a powder.

I didn't get home until yesterday. I spent an extra day in the hospital. I ended up with a couple of bad headaches, probably from the anesthesia. I also had major pain in my chest, from the gas they use to inflate your abdomen. If I didn't know better I would have sworn I was having a heart attack. I'm in more pain than I expected from the incision where the drain was. All the others feel fine, but I'm still feeling burning/pulling at that site. Doing well with the liquid protein/limited soft protein stage (yogurt, pudding, cream soup). My MD doesn't let you start other proteins until 2 weeks after surgery. I think I could eat more substantial protein. I'm surprised, I didn't expect to be hungry this soon post - op.

I have an 8 a.m. check in time. I slept pretty well, thanks to a double dose of xanax. They won't let me take any pills this morning. I was hoping the double dose would hold me over, until they got me sedated. No such luck. Anxiety is building rapidly. Good luck and God speed everyone.

I have an 8 a.m. check in time. I slept pretty well, thanks to a double dose of xanax. They won't let me take any pills this morning. I was hoping the double dose would hold me over, until they got me sedated. No such luck. Anxiety is building rapidly. Good luck and God speed everyone.

Hi all. I just joined this site yesterday. Probably should have joined sooner. This is my first post. I'm scheduled for surgery, with Dr. Donald Hess at Boston Medical Center, in a little over 36 hours. It's been a 1 1/2 year journey to get from my first info session to this point. I've had lots of surgeries in the last few years - (double knee replacements, reconstruction on both thumb joints and - a prophylactic mastectomy - following successful surgery and treatment for breast cancer almost 18 years ago). This will be surgery number 7 in the last 4 years and I think this is the one, that has me the most anxious. Not necessarily the surgery, although that is kind of scary. It's more the aftermath and the changes that will follow - learning a new way of eating and living, sticking with it - and most anxiety provoking, the tremendous changes in my physical appearance that are to come. I'm even more anxious about the changes to my body, this surgery will bring, than I was about either of my mastectomies. Looking for prayers and healing vibes for a successful surgery, a smooth recovery, and most importantly, acceptance of the changes to my appearance and body image as I begin this new journey to a healthier me. This may be my first post, but I'm sure it won't be my last. Thanks for your support. Hauntie

I'm scheduled for the 18th as well. Anxiety is buiding. It's been a 1 1/2 year journey from intial info session to now. I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be, but that doesn't keep the anxiety in check. Thank God for xanax.