Rant - Protecting us from ourselves

DeLarla · May 13, 2004

This is cracking me up. My entire weirdo family would take up a whole row at every AA meeting if they knew anything free was being offered. And when the "donation" basket passed by, my brother would remove the contents while thanking the collector with no guilt whatsoever. Bunch of freaks!

I agree... this surgery might not have happened without this board. And I'd have given myself a full blown anxiety attack if you guys didn't get me through my leaking/weeping wound.

newlapper · May 14, 2004

i'M THINKING AND EVERYBODY THINK WITH ME. I still believe our little morning coffee's with maybe alittle fat-free carnation Creamer and splenda or equal will not hurt anything. Just think if we had pancakes, danishes, muffins, etc. So, let's all enjoy our coffee. lol What ya think?

DeLarla · May 14, 2004

I originally vowed that the one thing I refused to give up was my morning cup of Decaf with 2 TBSP cream and 1 sugar. However, today was the first time I was allowed to have it, and it wasn't very good. I wasn't sure if my body would accept it. Maybe I made it too strong. I'm not even sure if I'll try it again tomorrow, but if I do, it will be much weaker.

Meanwhile, I'm a bit concerned: today was my first "thick liquid" day. I made an 8oz Protein shake and drank half, but I could only have a few spoons of my blended cream of Soup at lunch. By dinner, I was pretty hungry, so I had half a can of blended Soup. But I was still really hungry, and I was able to finish the can with no problem. And within an hour I drank 8 oz of juice cause I was still hungry. Should I have been able to take in so much? I put the entire can of soup in the blender with 3/4 cup Water. Do I need a fill at 6 days post op?

Alexandra · May 14, 2004

DeLarla, you do not need a fill!!! I hope you were kidding. PLEASE remember that you will absolutely be able to eat more and feel more hunger as your stomach heals. It's NORMAL AND MEANS YOU'RE HEALING.

liquid goes right through and even a swollen stoma can easily tolerate it. Now your challenge is finding liquids that will keep you full, full enough so that you're not tortured by cravings for solid food you can't eat yet. Try egg drop Soup, meatless chili, hummus, black bean soup--all of these are high in Protein and will go a long way toward keeping you sane during this phase.

It's hard, I know, and everyone seems to come back with the exact same question. I did myself, when at one point I finished an entire can of Progresso soup (14 ozs) with no problem. But it's still liquid, and your band doesn't even know it's going down. So if you could drink it preband, you'll be able to drink it postband and you should NOT be alarmed or concerned.

You're doing great, not to worry!

Alexandra · May 14, 2004

Oh, and I was also going to say Hell Yes to the morning coffee without guilt!! I am addicted to caffeine and see no reason to try to kick that. And I use whole milk or half-and-half to lighten it. I want to ENJOY that cup or two in the morning!

There are enough things to feel guilty about in this world. coffee sure ain't gonna be one of mine.

DeLarla · May 14, 2004

Whew, thanks, Alexandra. Ya know, I did add 3/4 can of Water to my Cambell's cream Soup and blended it till it was very watery. Today I'm going to try adding less Water and blending a little less to keep it thicker. You are so very right (again) because I guess it all depends on what you try to eat or drink - this morning I wasn't able to finish my 8 oz Protein drink. I had about half but my belly is too full for the rest of it.

Feeling much better today. Belly still rumbling badly, but not as painfully. Still having diareah.

Oh, and my drainage stopped last night - then started again from the other end of the incision, only this is just a tiny little dribble compared to the faucet I couldn't stop yesterday.

newlapper · May 14, 2004

what kind of drainage?

DeLarla · May 14, 2004

One of my incisions has been leaking for 3 days. My doctors say it's normal - it's called "weeping." A clear orangish liquid seeps out of the wound. Mine was leaking like a faucet on and off for two days. Today it's slowed to a tiny drop. It's annoying, but they promise it will stop soon.