A New New Dawn

So glad you are staying strong and not giving into the junk food.

In western suburbs...

Since the surgery, I have noticed my left side (port side) is very uncomfortable. It isn't pain, it feels like my insides are pushing into my ribs. I am not sure if it could be the tube or what it could be but I find myself pushing in on my side as it takes the pressure away from my ribs or I find myself trying to stretch/lean over to my right side or have to stand up to make the unfortableness go away as it helps "unsquish" my insides. Part of me thinks maybe once I lose more weight it will go away but not sure what this is. I am 5 weeks post-op and see my surgeon next Tuesday. Anyone else have a similar sensation/issue? Thanks!!

LOL, too funny. I am sure many of us can relate. Post op, while on the liquid phase still, I was dying for the tomatoes that were ripening on my vines. I actually cut a few open and drank the juice out of them ~ man they were GOOD!

I agree w/ all the posters - call your surgeon asap please.

Friday will be here before you know it. Can you afford to get a few things (just for you)? Some protein items?

I agree with everyone. Perhaps, rather than waiting for the OMG I am starving signal at 4 hours, you could have a small, healthy snack in between (yogurt, cottage cheese or something) to help "top you off" so you don't all of a sudden get the urge to snarf (sorry, couldn't think of a better word) something down? Do you think that may help you? Enjoy your trip.

LOL.

By the way, if you are one that does get sick from anesthesia (if you have had it before and know this), tell your dr. They can give you meds to counteract it. I had an appendectomy some years back and was MISERABLE after surgery w/ nausea. I told them this time so they put some meds in my iv during surgery and a patch behind my ear to counteract it and I had no issue with it this time.

Wow - that is awesome! Your before and after pictures look great!! I cannot wait to get there myself.

You want to get moving around (as tolerated) to help move some of that gas out and help your recovery along. Also, take the pain meds they gave you too if it is that bothersome. Glad you are doing your breathing exercise, that is important! Best of luck (this will pass soon)

The squeaky wheel gets the grease - stay on top of them (respectfully, of course). I know my surgeon's office took a bit to submit everything (I think just due to the volume) and finally I got a call it was submitted and a few days later the call to schedule the procedure. Patience is hard sometimes but it will come!

That is awesome! Great job. I cannot wait until I get back in the onederland myself (50 lbs to go). I, too, will be celebrating. You look great!

Congrats on your surgery! Part of the reason there are so many different responses on here is that everyone is different. We all have different beginning circumstances, different level of pain tolerance, etc. The one thing we can all say is we got through it. For me, the surgery was uneventful (good thing) and my recovery went well. Make sure you have items at home that you will need afterwards (protein drinks, Soup broth, cream Soups, etc). I spent one night in the hospital due to my sleep apnea. By day 2, I took one dose of the pain meds and didn't need them anymore. It was a beautiful thing! Best of luck to you!!!

Have you tried the egg whites? Egg beaters have a lot of other ingredients. There are a couple that are actual egg whites and nothing else. They are not bad (in my book).

That is awesome. Great job. Any pointers you can share?

Good luck to you. Kudos for recognizing where you are struggling and getting back on track. Gotta love being the one that had the most endurance during the hiking too.

At the support group I've attended at my hospital (which is moderated by my dietician) they have had no issue with popcorn. In fact, they joke about how it comes up everytime. Many of the attendees are big fans of "skinny pop" popcorn that you can buy already popped. I tried it and it is very tasty and only 39 calories per cup.

I was looking at this blog and noticed your surgery date was very close to mine. I had mine on 7/25 at the same hospital as you but with Dr. Klem. How's it going for you so far? It was a great feeling at work today when a woman I don't see very often said "wow, you look like you lost a lot of weight..." Hope it's going well for you! I lost 10 lbs during the preop and 22 since my surgery. Woo hoo!!!! Loving it!

If you are able to remove it or clip it go for it provided the incision has healed/closed enough. I thought my incision was infected and it turned out I had part of them that didn't dissolve. My incision healed over it and it was inflamed and sore. The surgeon had to reopen the end of my port incision to remove it. It wasn't too fun. He said they tie a knot at the end and sometimes people's bodies don't dissolve it.

It took a few weeks for all the bruising on me to go away. I am 4 weeks post op.

I had the steri strips. What they told me is to have my back to the water so my belly didn't get too wet. They seal/stick firmly so water doesn't get under them. They wanted me to leave on for a couple weeks so the incisions closed up properly. I took off just before two weeks as they itched so bad and began irritating my skin.

Personally, if you have a Sam's Club or costco, the Vitamins are MUCH cheaper. I am using the gummy vitamins and they taste good actually. I don't like gritty chewable vitamins but that is my preference. Also, you may want to buy some individual Protein drinks and find which ones you like now. Personally, I didn't care for the premade so I use Carnation Instant Breakfast (no sugar added - comes in blue box). I add 2 1/2 T of powdered non-fat milk (for extra protein) and 1 c. of skim milk. I put it in my blender w/ ice and it is very tasty (and filling). Good luck to you!

No time like the present!!! Good for you. Have you tried out some of the new foods you will be having? I bought Protein drinks and low sugar Protein Bars to try out beforehand so I knew which ones I liked, etc. for post surgery. I found that helpful.

Perhaps you can change some of the "don'ts" into what you can do. There are some that are flat "no-no's" with the band but I think if you can make a list of what the "do's" are that will be more motivating. It may feel self-defeating to have a list of what you can't do and more self-serving to focus on what you can do. (Kind of the glass half full approach). Do chew your food thoroughly Do get 3 ounces of Protein in each meal Do enjoy the journey Do keep the faith ~ you can do this! Best of luck to you!