ABUNDENT OPTIMISM - 2 weeks Post-Op !!!

After a second week of constant nausea and zero appetite.....I was irritable, exhausted and my strength was waning on a daily basis. After researching, I finally realized that the symtoms were from severe dehydration. Did you know that dehydration can cause nausea? And that nausea and vomitting are 2 separate symptoms? And that you CAN eat through nausea? I sure didn't !!! So I am taking the anti-nausea meds, drinking water constantly, and am able to finally manage an adequate food intake and feel wonderful.

In addition to physically feeling terrific, the total of over 22 pounds already shed has filled me with such optimism. Mentally I am ready to start down this path to good health.

I just ordered a "Spirit Candle" called "Rejoice" from the Signals catalog.

"It looks like an ordinary white wax candle…until you light the wick. As the wax melts, a small bronze sculpture hidden inside slowly emerges. Because it happens over many hours, the sculpture becomes a symbol of patience and waiting for the good things in life."

What symbolism as the fat melts slowly off my body over the months to come, and I am released from the bondage I have felt for most of my life.

I ordered 3 candles - 2 are gifts for very, very special women I have come to treasure in recent months. Jenn, who was also banded by Dr Tull the week before me, and Ann who was banded a week and a half after me me by Dr Patel at Temple Jeanes hospital. These women are truly sisters in my heart, and I could not have made it this far without both of them. I have such confidence in our future success.

Both Jenn and I will be joining Ann for our post-op care at Temple Jeanes since the program at Abington Lansdale hospital where our surgery was done is closing its bariatric program in the next few months.

Almost 1 Week Post-Op

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

...that opening line from Dickens' classic novel accurately summarizes my first week post lap-band surgery.

Looking back, this whole surgical experience has been wonderful ! The simple things took me by surprise. Never realized how often I sneezed, blew my nose, coughed and had bouts of hiccups....until having abdominal surgery. They put great pressure on the sutures (holding a pillow tight against my tummy helped). Needed assistance getting up and down the first 3 days.

Slept partially sitting up on the sofa recliner for 3 nights (laying flat creating pressure in my chest & throat). Was never so happy to see my own bed on the fourth night !

Saturday (the 2nd night post-op) I had 2 episodes of intense nausea after eating only 1/4 cup of vegetable broth. Tasted so good, however it just didn't sit well with me. The nausea came on so suddenly & was so intense it took me completely by surprise.....and I was concerned because it is drilled into us that "NO VOMITING" is the golden rule for the first 2-6 weeks after surgery. I held a pillow tight against my tummy, took slow deep breaths, grasped a plastic bag just in case, and walked around the house with Brian following behind me rubbing my back the whole time (he's such a doll). After about 15 very loooooong minutes the nausea subsided so I went to lay down in bed. Less than a minute later the nausea was back worse than ever.....another 15 minutes of walking, and pillow hugging, and deep breathing, and plastic bag clutching, and back rubbing ....I was finally able to take the anti-nausea meds that dissolve on the tongue (THANK YOU Dr Tull). Completely drained (mentally and physically) I was able to slowly doze off sitting upright in the recliner for the night. Sunday I was hesitant to drink anything for fear the nausea would sneak back up on me.....thankfully that was the only episode.

My mantra has been "sip, sip, sip". Actually drank using a shot glass as a reminder, and of course used my new silver baby spoon !!! Since surgery, my daily regime includes flavored water (Fruit2O), tea, coffee (with a little Unjury protein powder added), watered down apple juice, Jell-O and popsicle sticks. Monday (day 3), I added back in protein shakes and 1/4 cup Trader Joe's Tomato and Roasted Pepper soup (YUM, my new favorite).

My abdomen is puffed out like I'm 9 months pregnant, and it makes really strange noises....even the dog looks at me funny :-) Thankfully I've had zero gas pains, and have been taking Gas-X strips twice a day to prevent it.

The biggest problem post op (aside from the bout with nausea) is boredom. Have done a little too much online shopping, and daytime TV is unbearable.

Another week of a liquid diet before starting on "mushy foods". Spending this time researching high protein, low carb, low fat recipes for my new "band-friendly" way of eating. STAY TUNED...I'll soon post a list of useful websites & recipes.

Looking foward to my first follow-up visit with Dr Tull this Friday !!!


Here is the full quote....how appropriate for this journey !:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way"