Sorry guys - Things got a little crazy. First my husband and I have been prepping for the Holiday Retail Season that is fast approaching, and second - getting a gastric bypass is like a second full time job. If anyone tells you that they had RNY surgery and went back to work a week later - take a photo of them and sell it to the newspaper because you have just met a goddamn superhuman/alien.
So let's get into the meat of the SBB Surgery story.
Two Week Pre-Surgery "Liquid" Diet
My surgeon seemed a little annoyed when I went in 2 weeks before surgery and I'd actually gained a little weight - almost 8 pounds!! And little did he know I'd actually lost 7 lbs in the 2 weeks before I went to see him. Basically through August I was gaining weight from stress and quitting smoking AND starting birth control under my surgeon's orders. And September I was doing everything in my power to get it under control, but the surgeon was not interested in excuses. When I asked him about the extra weight, he said, (and I'm quoting) "Lose it."
Part of me wanted to throw my handbag at him at that point. OH GEE DOC REALLY?
Originally he'd said it wasn't necessary for anyone under 350lbs to do the "liver shrinking" diet, but I insisted I wanted to do it anyway. And I am glad I did. For the last four weeks I'd been struggling with doubt and frustration - mainly doubting my ability to be compliant with the post surgery diet. What if I'm one of those people that doesn't lose their hunger? what if I end up over eating and hurting myself? The surgery isn't going to change my brain - have I done enough therapy and work on myself yet? Am i capable of doing this?
These are no doubt questions that you guys have struggled with at some point if you're in the process of WLS, and they're pretty healthy.
Of course, all of this positivity is in hindsight. When I realized I'd really have to do this two week diet and my eating habits were going to change so drastically overnight without the help of the surgery, I admit it: I PANICKED. On the way home from the surgeon's office, I stopped at my favorite chili dog place and ordered boldly like I had nothing to live for, no shame, I didn't even get it to go and pretend it was for two people. "Two foot longs with chili, onions, mustard - a diet coke, and a side of fries. I'll be in that booth. Thanks." I made it halfway through the second dog before I managed to shake myself out of my panicked eating and send this email to my personal nutritionist (who specializes in eating disorders):
Hi! So I just saw dr *** this afternoon and he thinks I should do a Liquid diet starting asap to make the procedure safer. I'm freaking out a little bit, I'm scared that I'll mess it up . I want to make the surgery safer, I'll do whatever it takes to reduce my chance of death/complications, but 20 minutes ago on the way back from his office, I just panicked super hard. I got hungry (physically) while I was at the dr office for longer than I thought, and afterwards I just drove straight to jack and Jill's. Ordered 2 foot longs and fries. Can't believe it but I already ate both the footlongs and now I feel like I can think again. I also feel incredibly gross, overly full, and ashamed because I knew going into the 2nd one that I wasn't actually hungry for it. The fries are going to go into the garbage at least.
I'm experiencing total lack of confidence that I can actually do the liquid diet for a week and half- and now I'm freaking out the I'm not going to be compliant on the post surgery diet. I really want this Nd I know I need this. I just don't know if I can, and I really need someone to tell me that I can do it. Sorry to sound crazy over email- I'm literally still sitting in jack and Jill's.
Met with D*** too and she said that I won't even feel hunger after the surgery And it's going to change my feelings about food. That sounds so freeing, but from where I'm sitting (at jack and Jill's) it's really hard to even imagine.
I'm starting the liquid diet tonight - Hell or high water.
So just wanted to drop you a line; having a pretty rough day. We can talk about it tomorrow.
Best,
SBB
The next day was a whole new day. I started the diet, and And I was able to stick with it. For two whole weeks! I truly surprised myself, and gained a crucial bump in self confidence right before the surgery. Heck yes. I can do this. I am capable of following my surgeon's plan.
Two Week "Liver Shrinking" Guidelines - Low carb, Low sugar protein drinks with at least 20 grams of protein 4 times a day, plus a simple lean protein dinner with as many steamed green veggies as I could handle. No sauces or condiments beyond salt and pepper.
I fell in love with these amazing organic protein drinks that fit every guideline of my surgeon's plan - and tasted a whole lot better than Boost. For dinner I usually made a couple pieces of grilled chicken with a mountain of green beans.
The next couple weeks went by incredibly fast, and before i knew it - it was Monday October 6, 6:00am and I weighed 306 lbs before going under the knife.
Surgery - BIG DAY :)
First, pre-op photos!
A very sweet nurse (clearly a morning person) took my husband and I to a private pre-surgery room where I changed and they verified all the details of the surgery and my medical history. They also gave me an acid reducer, a shot for blood clots, an IV of saline or whatever, and some fancy socks with tread.
Next thing I know, my eyes are closed and I'm sort of opening them and there's a lady telling me to wake up. Apparently satisfied that I'm alive and breathing on my own, they let me go back to sleep. And next thing I know - I'm waking up in a very nice private room with my husband by my side.
Day 2: They bring a PUPPY to my bed so I can pet it. Her name was Sophia and she was a labradoodle therapy dog. I can breathe without the nose oxygen thingie. Except later I take a nap and all the nurses come rushing in because I'm not getting enough oxygen, so they put the nose thing back in. :( They teach me how to empty and clean my drain with alcohol swabs.They forget to mention that I need to change the bandages daily once I get home, but I figured that out on my own later. Spend most of the day sleeping, walking with a nice lady named Wendy, and showing my mom how to put Real Housewives of New Jersey on my room tv. Then we get to do the barium swallow - which actually involved swallowing two weird liquids and two x-rays. Barium tasted like strawberry milk with chalk in it. I am leak free.
The next week kind of all blends together - with one overwhelming theme: My friends and family are amazing. Every day someone was there to walk with me or check in on me to make sure I was still breathing and moving. I still get a little emotional when i think about how great my girlfriends were - and how unexpected it was - I guess I never thought I deserved that much attention, but knowing that people cared about me made next couple weeks feel so much easier.
My Advice: Walking alone is a little scary after surgery. Get at least 3-4 walking buddies on call -Work around their schedule. But try to keep track of who is available, while being considerate of their schedule. It's great motivation - and if you have a dog, your buddy can walk the dog while you hobble alongside.
Now: 3 weeks post surgery
Well I've had to get my pain medication refilled 2 times - there's a stitch on my side that is incredibly painful if I overexert myself or try to use my abdominal muscles too much. Today I am pain-medication free for the first time, but by the time I get home tonight I'll probably need a little bit to help me sleep without pain.
Walking is my new favorite hobby. it's freakin' gorgeous outside, the leaves are changing and my neighborhood is fully Halloween'ed out. I bought new walking boots, and I'm getting between 2-3 miles a day- exploring parts of my neighborhood that I didn't even new existed. Even found a nicer walking route to work!
Hunger was nonexistent for the first 3 weeks. Now I'm starting to recognize when I need to eat. If I haven't had enough protein, my energy level plummets at about 6pm and I can't even think straight. But days like today, where I get in 40g of protein by lunchtime, I actually feel pretty great even at 6pm!
Now that I'm on pureed foods, getting in the protein is a lot easier. Pureed tuna and cottage cheese are my main methods of getting it now - So sick of protein powder and broth, but occasionally I have to still make a cup of hot chicken stock with Unjury Chicken Soup Flavored powder if my protein levels are low and I know I need to get something in me. And I discovered an easy way to mix up my Unjury Chicken Soups, by adding a little spoonful of pureed cannelloni beans with herbs and garlic to thicken and flavor. Scrambled eggs used to be one of my favorite foods - now they taste awful, so sadly not for me anymore.
Dumping: I've only had one bad reaction to food. Week 2, I tried some cream of celery soup and it ROCKED my guts. I was nauseated, bloated, grumbling, and shitting for 3 hours. I can't even look at canned soups anymore. it was disgusting, and I couldn't bring myself to eat anything but broth and water for the next 36 hours. I know it will happen again if I stray, so I'm almost glad it happened. I am walking the straight and narrow from now on. There's a tray of candy on the desk at the shop for halloween (ironically KitKats and reeses cups) and they hold zero appeal.
Not having hunger is absolutely FREEING. I am so happy I can't stop smiling. I feel like this huge weight has lifted off my shoulders, and while I know my hunger will come back sometime in the next six months to a year, I'm really enjoying this opportunity to live without my food preoccupation.
Weird Temperature Stuff: Sometimes after I eat I get freezing cold. My hands and my feet are literally cold to the touch, and I get the chills. I've been spending an hour after each meal snuggled under a blanket. Alternatively I walked to work today (3/4 mile) and while it's not the easiest walk - it's not like a march through Death Valley. Nevertheless now I can't seem to cool off! I've been here an hour and my skin is still hot. My face is so flushed that the mailman just asked if I have sunburn!
Highest Weight: 320
Weight at Surgery: 306
Current Weight: 287
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