I forgot to mention that I found a better protein powder. I actually didn't really care for the Chocolate Mint. I started buying Body Fortress Protein Powder. It is around $14 for 26 servings. I have tried Strawberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Cookies and Creme. They are all so good.
Also I got a Cuisinart Yogurt and Ice Cream maker. I made the best recipe:
12 oz. Pureed Strawberries
2 Cups Plain Non Fat Yogurt
1/2 Cup skim milk
1/4 Splenda
Mix well and then pour into ice cream maker. It is SOOOOOOOOOOO good!!!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wow I thought I would be better at updating this!!
So It has been almost 4 weeks since I had my surgery. Things have been going fairly well. I have lost 25 pounds as of my follow up appointment on Tuesday. I also returned to work yesterday for half a day and I ended up working half a day today as well. I am very fortunate to have very understanding people at work.
So far eating has been going well. So hard to believe that I am only eating 1/4 cup of food at a time. My normal schedule is a protein shake in the morning and then I eat three meals throughout the day. Most days I am able to get in the 60 grams of protein that my doctor recommends. If I don't get enough protein I have another shake in the evening.
I have an area on the left side of my abdomen that has been a little hard. My doctor says that he feels that things will heal up and the hardness will go away. He says that it is nothing to worry about. I am able to start going to the gym on Monday. My friend has graciously agreed to go with me to the gym at 5 am three days a week. I'm actually excited to start going. For now I have been doing walking. I usually do two smaller walks a day.
So far eating has been going well. So hard to believe that I am only eating 1/4 cup of food at a time. My normal schedule is a protein shake in the morning and then I eat three meals throughout the day. Most days I am able to get in the 60 grams of protein that my doctor recommends. If I don't get enough protein I have another shake in the evening.
I have an area on the left side of my abdomen that has been a little hard. My doctor says that he feels that things will heal up and the hardness will go away. He says that it is nothing to worry about. I am able to start going to the gym on Monday. My friend has graciously agreed to go with me to the gym at 5 am three days a week. I'm actually excited to start going. For now I have been doing walking. I usually do two smaller walks a day.
Friday, June 17, 2011
First Week After Surgery
So it has been one week since I've had surgery. Things are going very well. I have stopped taking all pain medicine. I am excited at how fast I am feeling better. I was on a clear liquid diet until Wednesday. I had purchased two boxes of food from my doctor's office. They were clear liquids that were high in protein. I chose Beef Boullion and Kiwi Strawberry Juice Drink. The boullion was really good, the juice, not so much. I actually threw it away lol! They each had 15g of protein. I also ate jello, 100% juice and popsicles.
On Wednesday afternoon I moved onto full liquids. It's like there are so many more options! I told a friend that I never thought I'd be so excited for this. I am now drinking 6 oz every 2-3 hours. My doctor's office gave me a suggested schedule and I stick to those times. I am also eating sugar free pudding (important to note that the jello and popsicles are also sugar free.) I found that my protein powder is really yummy mixed into my pudding. So far the powder that I have is Chocolate Mint.. I have a WHOLE lot of it! I need to look into getting another flavor just so I can mix things up. I also have tried 98% fat free cream of chicken soup that is made with skim milk. I then strain it to get all of the pieces of chicken out. I added a little salt and pepper and it was yummy!
I'm thinking of making my first trip away from home today. Since I'm not taking the pain meds anymore I am able to drive. I still have to eat pretty frequently so that makes it a little challenging.
On Wednesday afternoon I moved onto full liquids. It's like there are so many more options! I told a friend that I never thought I'd be so excited for this. I am now drinking 6 oz every 2-3 hours. My doctor's office gave me a suggested schedule and I stick to those times. I am also eating sugar free pudding (important to note that the jello and popsicles are also sugar free.) I found that my protein powder is really yummy mixed into my pudding. So far the powder that I have is Chocolate Mint.. I have a WHOLE lot of it! I need to look into getting another flavor just so I can mix things up. I also have tried 98% fat free cream of chicken soup that is made with skim milk. I then strain it to get all of the pieces of chicken out. I added a little salt and pepper and it was yummy!
I'm thinking of making my first trip away from home today. Since I'm not taking the pain meds anymore I am able to drive. I still have to eat pretty frequently so that makes it a little challenging.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Day of Surgery and the First Few Days After
So my surgery was on June 10th. I was scheduled to be at the hospital at 11 am for a 1pm surgery. At about 8:15 pm I was finally taken into surgery. (That was a very long time in pre-op!) In pre-op I was given special cloths to wash my stomach area, stockings to help with circulation and an IV. They also put these compression things on my legs that inflated and deflated to keep my blood circulation. I was out of surgery around 11pm and was taken to my room around 12:30 am.
I don't remember too much about right after surgery. I know that my oxygen levels were low so I had to be put on a CPAP machine to help me breathe. This machine was pretty uncomfortable. They took my vital signs every 30 minutes. Around 4:30 am I asked to be taken off of the CPAP. My oxygen levels were doing good until I would start dozing off. So the put on a nasal cannula to raise my oxygen levels.
I was also allowed 1/2 cup of ice chips every 2 hours. So that was nice to have. My throat hurt from the breathing tube during surgery.
Around 9 am I got out of bed for the first time. I became extremely nauseous and had to sit down. Once they gave me some medicine I was able to get out of that hideous hospital gown and into some of my own clothes. The rest of the day was pretty good. My pain wasn't too bad, in fact I had hardly used my PCA (Pain medicine pump that the patient controls.) The doctor came in and asked if I wanted to go home. At that point I wasn't sure. I was feeling pretty good, but I was a little hesitant.
About 2 hours later another doctor came in and asked how I felt about it. At that point my pain had increased and I wasn't to sure about going home. He told me that he understood and that it would probably be best to stay over another night.
That night I slept a lot better and was feeling pretty good in the morning, glad to be going home.
I don't remember too much about right after surgery. I know that my oxygen levels were low so I had to be put on a CPAP machine to help me breathe. This machine was pretty uncomfortable. They took my vital signs every 30 minutes. Around 4:30 am I asked to be taken off of the CPAP. My oxygen levels were doing good until I would start dozing off. So the put on a nasal cannula to raise my oxygen levels.
I was also allowed 1/2 cup of ice chips every 2 hours. So that was nice to have. My throat hurt from the breathing tube during surgery.
Around 9 am I got out of bed for the first time. I became extremely nauseous and had to sit down. Once they gave me some medicine I was able to get out of that hideous hospital gown and into some of my own clothes. The rest of the day was pretty good. My pain wasn't too bad, in fact I had hardly used my PCA (Pain medicine pump that the patient controls.) The doctor came in and asked if I wanted to go home. At that point I wasn't sure. I was feeling pretty good, but I was a little hesitant.
About 2 hours later another doctor came in and asked how I felt about it. At that point my pain had increased and I wasn't to sure about going home. He told me that he understood and that it would probably be best to stay over another night.
That night I slept a lot better and was feeling pretty good in the morning, glad to be going home.
Before Surgery
Abotut three weeks before surgery I began drinking protein shakes. My main reason for doing this was that I am a picky eater and I was afraid that I wasn't going to like them...lol But I did actually, I really like them.
To prepare for my time after surgery I purchased chewable vitamins, B-12, protein powder. I also went to the Weight Loss Clinic and purchased the food items that I needed for the 3 day clear liquid diet. It is difficult to find clear liquids that are high in protein. I will be on clear liquids for 3 days, full liquids for 10 days and then soft foods for about 3 weeks.
To prepare for my time after surgery I purchased chewable vitamins, B-12, protein powder. I also went to the Weight Loss Clinic and purchased the food items that I needed for the 3 day clear liquid diet. It is difficult to find clear liquids that are high in protein. I will be on clear liquids for 3 days, full liquids for 10 days and then soft foods for about 3 weeks.
Decision to Have Gastric Bypass
For years my doctors were telling me that I should look into Gastric Bypass. I tried once, but was embarassed and didn't pursue anything. I just kept telling myself that I could lose the weight on my own. But that never happened. Finally in December 2010 I called the Weight Loss Clinic and made an appointment. I was very surprised at how fast the process went and I actually had to delay the surgery about 2 months so I had more vacation time available.
I chose to have Roux en y surgery because of some other pre-existing conditions that I have. It has a larger effect on metabolism, which the doctor stated would be best for me.
So after meeting with a nutritionist, having blood work, EKG, EGD, ultrasound, and more blood work I was set for surgery.
I chose to have Roux en y surgery because of some other pre-existing conditions that I have. It has a larger effect on metabolism, which the doctor stated would be best for me.
So after meeting with a nutritionist, having blood work, EKG, EGD, ultrasound, and more blood work I was set for surgery.
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