First Post-Op Visit

[WillowsKnot 71]

Well, I had my first post operations visit yesterday with my doctor and coordinator. Here is the scoop on what they had to say. I asked if I could go back to swimming, walking in the pool, lifting light weights for toning and to my Zumba class. I was given a big fat NO on all of them until I am at least 6 weeks post-op. Walking just gets too mundane for me after a while. I really like variety and I love to swim, so I guess I will have to wait it out for a bit longer on those activities. I still have one more week of lifting restrictions. No more than 15 pounds until I am at the end of my 4th week. I have lost 17 pounds since April 9th - my last visit with them prior to surgery.

I was told not to worry about 64 oz. of fluids. The doc said that if I could drink that much in a day at this point then he failed to do his job. My sleeve should be too small to take that in. Just to keep sipping and staying hydrated. He said the 64oz. goal is for when things are completely healed. For me, he said that would be when I am able to start whole foods or the end of August! He said to concentrate on the Protein, getting some food sources of protein and start getting some veggies and fruits in.

I have on incision that is not quite healed yet, but they are looking good. He was happy with where I am right now. When I talked to the program coordinator (RN and also a bypass patient herself) and said I was worried that I was not losing fast enough she said "Honey, we really don't want you losing more than 2 to 3 pounds a week. When it happens a lot faster, there are health issues. You are doing great just as you are. Just stick to the eating plan, try to get between 800 and 1000 calories a day and the weight will come off just fine."

A victory for me out of the whole thing is that I can start to take pills whole again!!! Ok, not big pills, but I can take my meds. I can swallow my omeprazole, my Prozac, and any other small pill that is about that size. She also said that I can take Tylenol capsules (the red and white ones), but that I may need to take one and then an hour later take the second one. This made my day as I really need the Tylenol for my fibromyalgia pain.

Well, that is about it. I go back August 2nd for my 3 month follow-up which will include fasting lab work to check to make sure I am doing ok on that front. Oh, and the doctor's nurse told me that she could really see a change in my face. That made me feel really good. Hope everyone has a good Friday and weekend

[kczar 166]

Congratulations on having such a good follow up appointment!