Well, it's been four weeks since my surgery. I can't believe how fast this first month has gone by. I went back for my one-month postop appointment yesterday and I've lost 40 lbs now. Isn't that incredible? 40 lbs in one month. I still feel like I have so far to go, though. I saw pictures of myself from Christmas and to me I still look like the same old fat Kim as always.
I was delighted to learn yesterday that I can now advance to Phase 3 of the diet, which means no more pureed food! I can eat regular food (proteins and veggies only) and can increase from 1.5 oz per meal to up to 3 oz per meal (preferably 2 oz of protein and 1 oz of veggies). I am excited about this - I get to CHEW finally. :)
The dietitian noted in my food journal that we seemed to eat out a lot. I told her this was an ongoing issue for me. She suggested planning meals more in advance so we don't have to fall back on dining out as an option. I told her about my horrible Sonic experience of trying to puree a cheeseburger. She said we will get sick from those fried or fast foods more quickly than anything else.
On Christmas Day I did overeat at Mumma's. I had turkey, okra, a few green beans, and one tiny teaspoon of mac & cheese. As I was eating I began to feel full very quickly. (Total food on my plate MIGHT have been 4-5 oz). Immediately after the last bite I had to run to the bathroom, where I did throw up some. It took about an hour to feel normal again. I felt very tired and queasy and like a rock was in my stomach for at least an hour. After that experience, I do NOT want to overeat again - ever!! It was very unpleasant.
I managed to catch a nasty cold while in SC. I was freezing the whole time we were there, plus two or three of them already had a cold. I'm sick of taking pills, between cold meds, vitamins, regular meds, etc!! I am taking 19 pills per day, not counting the cold medicine! Good grief!
We had a good Christmas - Logan seemed very happy with his gifts, and we had fun at our house with Mom, Kristi, Pig & Hannah on Wednesday night. Our trip to SC was good and we hated to leave. I certainly dreaded coming back to work today after 5 days off, but if I can make it through today and tomorrow I'll be off again for 4 more days! Woo Hoo!! I just love the family time at home.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
3.5 Weeks Out
Nothing really new to report. The pureed food is still going fairly well. I ate the wrong thing (filling of a Taco Bell taco) the other night and had my first real "clumping" experience. It was like really bad heartburn. Today after lunch I had a different clumping experience with extreme nausea. I think I overate, I may have measured out more than 1.5 oz of the wonderful turkey chili that Artie made, or I may have added too much cheese on top. Either way it wasn't pleasant. I felt like I was going to throw up any second, but when I ran to the bathroom I couldn't throw up. It was very unpleasant and I still feel icky, 2 hours later. There are so many little tiny adjustments, but we have our RULE OF 4: If we clump or dump, it was because we ate: Too fast, too much, too dry, or the wrong food.
I'm down 36 lbs. now. I bought a new comfy set for Christmas at Old Navy and it was a 2x and fits really well, even the pants are loose. I'm surprised seeing as how a 3x was tight just a few weeks ago. I'm anxious to see the first 50 lbs. disappear. I will be lower than I've been in at least 8 years at that point.
I'm certainly ready for this very long work day to be over because we are having Christmas at my house tonight with Mom & Kristi. I'm excited about that. Of course the boss is in his usual Scrooge mood, so that makes the day even longer.
I will share this embarrassing story. I was craving tater tots yesterday. Artie was taking the dogs to the kennel for Christmas boarding, so I told him I'd pick up dinner. I went to Sonic and got them burgers & hot dogs, so I got me a burger & tater tots. I went home, stuck it all in the food processor and pureed it. Yep, a cheeseburger and 3 tater tots. IT WAS NASTY!! It tasted all greasy and gross. I ate a few bites and threw it away. I don't know if it was because it was pureed or because I just won't like greasy food anymore, but it was NASTY. I don't think I'll be craving tater tots for a very long time!! (and I shouldn't be attempting to eat this fast food anyway, but we all have to learn one way or another).
Looking forward to the next 5 days off work and spending time with family!! Merry Christmas!
I'm down 36 lbs. now. I bought a new comfy set for Christmas at Old Navy and it was a 2x and fits really well, even the pants are loose. I'm surprised seeing as how a 3x was tight just a few weeks ago. I'm anxious to see the first 50 lbs. disappear. I will be lower than I've been in at least 8 years at that point.
I'm certainly ready for this very long work day to be over because we are having Christmas at my house tonight with Mom & Kristi. I'm excited about that. Of course the boss is in his usual Scrooge mood, so that makes the day even longer.
I will share this embarrassing story. I was craving tater tots yesterday. Artie was taking the dogs to the kennel for Christmas boarding, so I told him I'd pick up dinner. I went to Sonic and got them burgers & hot dogs, so I got me a burger & tater tots. I went home, stuck it all in the food processor and pureed it. Yep, a cheeseburger and 3 tater tots. IT WAS NASTY!! It tasted all greasy and gross. I ate a few bites and threw it away. I don't know if it was because it was pureed or because I just won't like greasy food anymore, but it was NASTY. I don't think I'll be craving tater tots for a very long time!! (and I shouldn't be attempting to eat this fast food anyway, but we all have to learn one way or another).
Looking forward to the next 5 days off work and spending time with family!! Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
2.5 Weeks Out
Well, I am now 17 days post-op and today was my first post-op doctor's appointment. I saw the nurse only, and she basically just weighed me and asked me a lot of questions, checked my incisions, etc. I go back on the 28th for my follow-up with the dietician and will probably be advanced to Phase 3 (real food!) at that time (per the nurse today).
Phase 2, the pureed foods, is going fairly well. The foods are a little bland and boring. So far my favorite has been spaghetti sauce made with ground turkey and Hunt's canned sauce, with a little parmesan cheese melted in. I also enjoyed some Jenny-O turkey shredded in the processor with a little mayo mixed in. Last night we went to IHOP for Kristi's birthday dinner, and I ate a few bites of egg & cheese omelet. That was really good and I did not have any ill effects as a result. Of course, eggs are on our puree menu, but that was my first restaurant food since surgery. I was surprised at how little I could eat.
At my weigh-in this morning I had lost 31 lbs since surgery. I suppose that's pretty good for 17 days, huh? Almost 2 lbs per day. My energy level is still low and on Tuesday night this week, I came home from work and was in bed asleep by 7:30 p.m.! And did not wake up until the next morning, either. I am trying very hard to get in my required 64 oz of fluid, 60 grams of protein, and at the minimum 30 grams of carbs per day, but that is a lot harder than it might sound.
My pants are getting very loose in the waist, and I was able to cut the tags off some pants that Artie bought me for Christmas about 2 years ago that I had never been able to wear - and wear them to work Monday.
I know this all might seem fast to the reader, but it seems minute-by-minute to me. I never get hungry, though. I still think about food, but not nearly as bad as those first several days. I do look forward to starting on real foods! I think the small portions will be a breeze as long as I can CHEW something! LOL
I survived Kristi's 40th birthday party with a ton of YUMMY hors d'oeuvres in front of me - but barely. That was probably one of the worst days/nights I've had since surgery. Of course, the food - and it didn't help that ARtie and I were responsible for the food. Then the fact that I had been up and worked all day since 7:00 a.m. and the party was still going at 10:00 p.m.!! I almost passed out at one point, how embarrassing. But the party was a great success and Kristi was shocked and thrilled, so it was worth it.
Tonight is my first support group meeting since surgery. I am tired, and still have therapy before support group, but am looking forward to it nonetheless. I definitely look forward to a few more days off over the holidays. Maybe eventually I will get that burst of energy that so many have talked about.
Keep me in your prayers.
Phase 2, the pureed foods, is going fairly well. The foods are a little bland and boring. So far my favorite has been spaghetti sauce made with ground turkey and Hunt's canned sauce, with a little parmesan cheese melted in. I also enjoyed some Jenny-O turkey shredded in the processor with a little mayo mixed in. Last night we went to IHOP for Kristi's birthday dinner, and I ate a few bites of egg & cheese omelet. That was really good and I did not have any ill effects as a result. Of course, eggs are on our puree menu, but that was my first restaurant food since surgery. I was surprised at how little I could eat.
At my weigh-in this morning I had lost 31 lbs since surgery. I suppose that's pretty good for 17 days, huh? Almost 2 lbs per day. My energy level is still low and on Tuesday night this week, I came home from work and was in bed asleep by 7:30 p.m.! And did not wake up until the next morning, either. I am trying very hard to get in my required 64 oz of fluid, 60 grams of protein, and at the minimum 30 grams of carbs per day, but that is a lot harder than it might sound.
My pants are getting very loose in the waist, and I was able to cut the tags off some pants that Artie bought me for Christmas about 2 years ago that I had never been able to wear - and wear them to work Monday.
I know this all might seem fast to the reader, but it seems minute-by-minute to me. I never get hungry, though. I still think about food, but not nearly as bad as those first several days. I do look forward to starting on real foods! I think the small portions will be a breeze as long as I can CHEW something! LOL
I survived Kristi's 40th birthday party with a ton of YUMMY hors d'oeuvres in front of me - but barely. That was probably one of the worst days/nights I've had since surgery. Of course, the food - and it didn't help that ARtie and I were responsible for the food. Then the fact that I had been up and worked all day since 7:00 a.m. and the party was still going at 10:00 p.m.!! I almost passed out at one point, how embarrassing. But the party was a great success and Kristi was shocked and thrilled, so it was worth it.
Tonight is my first support group meeting since surgery. I am tired, and still have therapy before support group, but am looking forward to it nonetheless. I definitely look forward to a few more days off over the holidays. Maybe eventually I will get that burst of energy that so many have talked about.
Keep me in your prayers.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
One Week Post-Op
So this whole process has so far been more difficult than I anticipated. The actual surgery was simple and quick, the time in the hospital wasn't so bad. I really haven't had any major pain except my JP drain was giving me some incisional pain before they pulled it out. The first negative thing I noticed was weakness and extreme fatigue. I know this is probably normal after any surgery and anesthesia, but for the 2 days in the hospital it was all I could do to get up and walk my 100 feet every hour or so and to go to the bathroom and back. I did go home on Wednesday as planned, and as soon as I got home I stopped the pain meds. That made me feel less foggy and lethargic.
The next really negative thing I noticed was that I MOURNED food. I mean, I thought about it non-stop and wanted food so badly, it seemed to me like what drug or alcohol withdrawal would be like. It probably did not help that I was lying around watching a lot of TV, where there are more food ads than anything! This was very severe and lasted three - four days.
I am now day 9 post-op and am feeling a little better. I do not have any real pain, just some minor incisional soreness at my "trocar" sites - the small 1-inch incisions where they placed their laparoscopic equipment. My small drain site has closed, but it is right where the bottom of my bra sits, so wearing a bra for any length of time rubs that area and is quite uncomfortable. My actual tummy "insides" don't seem to hurt at all. In fact, I have wondered more than once if they really did anything in there! LOL I do have occasional twinges of pain if I move a certain way, and one of the dogs accidentally pawed me on my belly button incision yesterday and it stung for quite a while afterwards.
I am not mourning food as badly as I did, but that may be partly because I attempted pureed food yesterday (6 days early!) I know I shouldn't have done this, but I did not have any bad reaction or result from it, thankfully. I pureed some canned chicken in the food processor and mixed it with a little mayo. I ate 1.5 oz. and it was yummy! Today I tried 1.5 oz. of refried beans with a little cheese on top, heated, and the beans were even better than the chicken. However, they do not have as much protein so they are not as good of a selection in that regard. I have not tried to puree and eat any "real" meat yet, as in rotisserie chicken or ground turkey, etc.
Artie has been with me 24/7 and we have certainly enjoyed all the time away from work and life stress. We have just been lying around the house, watching a lot of Lifetime movies! LOL He has been so considerate and is barely eating anything at all in front of me - salads, fruit, and a couple of sandwiches when he does eat. Logan of course, has eaten (microwave) lasagna, pizza, spaghetti and anything else he can get his little hands on. But he mostly eats in his room these days, which I'm not going to complain about until I can have real food again.
I think if someone asked me right now would I do it again, I'd have to say I'm not sure. I know that once the weight really starts coming off in significant amounts I will probably say yes. However, desiring food I can't have, missing those yummy, comforting meals I used to indulge in, and feeling weak all the time are not so great thus far. I have lost 16 lbs. since surgery and 7.5 inches. Artie is helping me measure every 2 weeks. If the weight loss continues, I will soon be seeing numbers on the scale that I have not seen in a VERY long time. When I hit 250, it will be the first time in probably 8 or 9 years. If I make it down to 200, it will be the first time since before Logan was born - 11.5 years ago!
I have a lot of great support - my family has been great, work has been great, and my support group from Dr. Boyce's office, as well as my friend and mentor, Angel. I know I'll get through this rough patch and look back and say what? Of course this was worth it! I am healthier, I look better, I feel better, I can breathe and tie my shoes and SEE MY FEET! LOL
Just an update so far. Keep me in your prayers if you are reading this.
The next really negative thing I noticed was that I MOURNED food. I mean, I thought about it non-stop and wanted food so badly, it seemed to me like what drug or alcohol withdrawal would be like. It probably did not help that I was lying around watching a lot of TV, where there are more food ads than anything! This was very severe and lasted three - four days.
I am now day 9 post-op and am feeling a little better. I do not have any real pain, just some minor incisional soreness at my "trocar" sites - the small 1-inch incisions where they placed their laparoscopic equipment. My small drain site has closed, but it is right where the bottom of my bra sits, so wearing a bra for any length of time rubs that area and is quite uncomfortable. My actual tummy "insides" don't seem to hurt at all. In fact, I have wondered more than once if they really did anything in there! LOL I do have occasional twinges of pain if I move a certain way, and one of the dogs accidentally pawed me on my belly button incision yesterday and it stung for quite a while afterwards.
I am not mourning food as badly as I did, but that may be partly because I attempted pureed food yesterday (6 days early!) I know I shouldn't have done this, but I did not have any bad reaction or result from it, thankfully. I pureed some canned chicken in the food processor and mixed it with a little mayo. I ate 1.5 oz. and it was yummy! Today I tried 1.5 oz. of refried beans with a little cheese on top, heated, and the beans were even better than the chicken. However, they do not have as much protein so they are not as good of a selection in that regard. I have not tried to puree and eat any "real" meat yet, as in rotisserie chicken or ground turkey, etc.
Artie has been with me 24/7 and we have certainly enjoyed all the time away from work and life stress. We have just been lying around the house, watching a lot of Lifetime movies! LOL He has been so considerate and is barely eating anything at all in front of me - salads, fruit, and a couple of sandwiches when he does eat. Logan of course, has eaten (microwave) lasagna, pizza, spaghetti and anything else he can get his little hands on. But he mostly eats in his room these days, which I'm not going to complain about until I can have real food again.
I think if someone asked me right now would I do it again, I'd have to say I'm not sure. I know that once the weight really starts coming off in significant amounts I will probably say yes. However, desiring food I can't have, missing those yummy, comforting meals I used to indulge in, and feeling weak all the time are not so great thus far. I have lost 16 lbs. since surgery and 7.5 inches. Artie is helping me measure every 2 weeks. If the weight loss continues, I will soon be seeing numbers on the scale that I have not seen in a VERY long time. When I hit 250, it will be the first time in probably 8 or 9 years. If I make it down to 200, it will be the first time since before Logan was born - 11.5 years ago!
I have a lot of great support - my family has been great, work has been great, and my support group from Dr. Boyce's office, as well as my friend and mentor, Angel. I know I'll get through this rough patch and look back and say what? Of course this was worth it! I am healthier, I look better, I feel better, I can breathe and tie my shoes and SEE MY FEET! LOL
Just an update so far. Keep me in your prayers if you are reading this.
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