5-Days Post-Op

Oct 31, 2011

Haven't been posting for a couple weeks.  Been busy with many things, mostly with prep for surgery.  And.... the day has come and passed (26th) and I am now on the road to health. 

I admit (mostly to newbies) that I was very scared of the surgery, the process, etc.  Even to the moments I was being prep'd for surgery in the pre-op area.  I was wondering if I was doing the right thing; what the h... am I doing to God's work?, how will I be able to cope with not having my best friend to lean on anymore?  However, with the wonderful support of my very good friend, other friends, my family, and my very good psychology doctoral student and the wonderful psychologist working with her, I was prepared.  Still scared but, able to face the fear and take action in spite of it... courage, I think it's called.  Who'd a thunk it!

So, I am now 5 days post-op and am beginning to feel a little more like myself; just without the food elephant in the room.  Well, the food elephant is still in the room, he's just a different color.  I had to stay in the hospital an extra night due to fever and some small trouble with one of the incisions but, that has passed.  I also had a problem with my blood pressure going too low; a complete opposite of my pressure issue.  Turns out I was given my BP meds the night of surgery and that is what caused the problem.

Bottom line, I am up and about though minimally and frequently.   I am totally off cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes meds (WHOOHOOO!), and I am now on the loser's bench. 

I, too, have problems getting all my fluids in and "eating" things... so, I am focusing on the fluids and drinking protein as I can.  For anyone looking, I have found Unjury Protein good, Optisource Strawberry OK, EAS Protein good, and I enjoy vanilla greek yogurt with lactade mixed in and sometimes added unflavored protein.  I can also handle broth (beef or chicken), jello, water, and crystal light.  I have heard here and in the doc's office that your tastes change after surgery.  So far, I haven't found that to be true for me.

I don't know how much, if any, weight has been lost yet and, ya know, I don't really care at this point in time.  I'm just focusing on getting recovered and used to a new routine and regimen for eating.  I have taken the requirements for my meds, vitamins, exercise, sleep, food and liquid, amount of sleep, and notes about emotional state, blood sugar, and blood pressure and put them all on a daily tracking sheet to help keep me on track and not miss anything crucial.  The docs have given me forms to do this and they are great but, I wanted one sheet for it all on my computer for ease of updates.  It is definitely a good tool for me.  Besides, the docs want to see what I'm doing, too, and it covers everything.

Thanks to everyone for sharing with me.  It's been a tremendous and positive help to me in my journey.  I will continue to share, respond, and update as my journey continues.  I hope you will do the same.  It is a lifelong change and I know I will need support forever.

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