3-4 days post op

Nothing really new to report. My appetite is better and I'm trying to distinguish between real hunger and not real hunger. Watching tv commercials makes me think I'm hungry when I'm not. But so far, so good.

I went to the grocery store and spent less than $30 and that food should last me almost the rest of my time on this 2 week diet. I have 10 days left on it. After that i will switch to a soft foods diet for a few weeks. I'm amazed at how little food it takes to fill me up. I am supposed to have meals consisting of 4 oz of liquidy foods. Have you ever measured 4 oz of milk? Yeah, it's not much. Neither is 4 oz of soup. Earlier I wanted a treat so I had 2 powdered donuts soaked for awhile in 4 oz of milk. It was a tiny amount of food but it filled me up. Earlier I had a tall (small) decaf sugar-free vanilla latte from Starbucks and it was almost too much.

It is hard trying to stay hydrated. I am used to gulping water, which I can't do anymore. I have to sip. I also can't have fluids when I start eating. Those are both tough and I am going to have to get used to them as I progress.

I went for longer than 6 hrs for taking my pain medicine and I slept better last night. I was worried about going back to work on Tuesday but I think I will be ready.

The kitties have been really sweet. They lay by me and purr, which is soothing and they have been on pretty good behavior.

First full day post op

Yesterday was my first full day post-op. My tummy was pretty sore and I had some diaphragm and upper back/shoulder pains here and there. The pain medicine helps with most of that. I usually only take 1 pill every 6 hours, but I can take 1 or 2 so last night I took 2 around 6 pm. It helped but also made me kinda dizzy.

I took my first shower after taking the bandages off. The wounds are actually smaller than I thought and look pretty good. I was really scared of taking a shower, so I just made it pretty quick, but it felt so good!

I had one 4 oz protein shake (have you ever actually seen how small 4 oz of any drink is? it's tiny), about 3 oz of ice cream and 3 oz of mashed potatoes. That's all I really felt like eating. I will try some yogurt, applesauce, and soup today for meals and protein shakes in between. I am still not very hungry but when I am, a little bit of food makes me satisfied.

I am doing pretty well overall, it was nice of the hospital to call and check on me yesterday. My mom and Will have been very helpful in taking care of me and Brandy has helped and answered some of my questions for me. My other friends and coworkers have been checking in too and it all means a lot to me :)

First day post op - March 28

Today is my first full day after surgery. My tummy is more sore than yesterday and I still don't have much of an appetite. The pain in my sternum/breastbone and upper back is pretty much gone, except a little twinge near my diaphragm once in awhile. It feels much better though. The pain is still not as bad as I thought it could be. I am trying to move around some too, tomorrow I might go for a short walk.

My diet for the next two weeks consists of:

Breakfast 4 oz of soupy-type food (yogurt, pudding, soup, oatmeal, soggy cereal, etc)
Snack 4 oz of protein shake
Lunch 4 oz of soupy-type food (same types as above)
Snack 4 oz of protein shake
Dinner 4 oz of soupy-type food (same as above)

I was really excited to eat some normal food, so I ate 3 oz of ice cream earlier and it tasted so good. I also had my 4 oz of protein shake. As I mentioned yesterday, the Hy-Vee vanilla carmel swirl is so good, mixed with 1% milk. I know the protein is very important for healing, so I am going to try to make sure to get those in even if I'm not very hungry.

I am going to take off my bandages and take a shower soon. I am scared about that, but they said I could after 24 hours and a shower will feel so good.

I am also trying to stay hydrated, sipping water is a challenge as I am used to gulping it. I also need to remember to not drink during meals or 20 minutes after, that is a big change.

Surgery Day March 27

First of all, thank you everyone for your prayers and positive support though this process. I am so glad I made this decision and am excited for the journey ahead!

My surgery was yesterday. My mom and I left my house around 5 to get to Boone Hospital in Columbia by 6:30. Caffeine would have been nice, but I am off caffeine and couldn't have anything to drink anyway. I'm glad my surgery was early because I would have been really hungry if I would have had to wait til later.

They took me back around 6:45 or so and got me set up in my room. The hooked my IV, which she numbed so it didn't hurt. I got a shot in my side of blood thinners and that did sting and burn for a  few mins. I loved when they put the warm blankets on top of me because I have been so cold lately (and still am!)

The surgeon came in and was pretty to the point. He asked if I had any questions and we had a few but I told him that I hoped the worst part was the 10 day pre-op diet. He said it probably was but didn't even ask if I did it, or if I cheated, or anything! I never heard if my liver looked good (that was one of the points of the diet, to shrink the liver) but I will ask next time I see him.

I got an anti-nausea pill with a sip of water, which tasted wonderful. Mom and I chatted and watched tv until the anestiologist came and gave me propofol and whatever else. I remember being wheeled back for surgery and they strapped my feet in then each arm. Then I was out. I think before surgery they also gave me something to help calm me so I felt pretty good. My blood pressure was good while I was waiting to go back too, I was surprised as nervousness usually makes it higher.

I woke up in recovery and the nurses were letting my know where I was. I felt really nauseous so they  gave me something for that but it hung around a while before I felt better. They did an x-ray to make sure the band was placed right and that hurt a little to roll around. I was kinda in and out until they took me to short stay area and my mom came back. Everything was a little fuzzy for awhile, but I remember I kept asking what time it was (that's totally me).

The nurse gave me a medicine cup of ice cubes and said if I kept them down for one hour, I could have 2 medicine cups for another hour or if I felt good, I could go home. Mom gave me my glasses, which helped me see better and I started feeling less drowsy. I was in and out a little bit but after the hour was up, I was ready to see if I could go home. Mom helped me get dressed and the nurse helped me to the bathroom. I asked for another sip of water (I was so thirsty!) and it was probably the best water ever. They got me a wheelchair and a nice man wheeled me out. It was about noon at this time, so I was in and out in less than 6 hours.

Everyone was so attentive and friendly at the hospital. The doctors were pretty quick and straightforward (but nice too) but that's what I expected from them usually. I would recommend Boone Hospital highly!

I kinda napped a little on the ride home and told my mom to stop at the mall at one store she wanted to go into and I stayed in the car. I was worried about nausea on the way home but it wasn't a problem. We stopped to get my pain medicine and I walked around Gerbes slowly but felt ok. I started to feel a little yucky right before we left and I was happy to be getting home to my own bed.

I couldn't fall asleep when we got home right away so I just walked around a little and lied down too. My sternum/breastbone and my upper back have given me the worst pain. I knew to expect that. It has something to do with the gas they pump you with when they do something laparoscopically and something with your diaphragm. My tummy didnt hurt except the abs when I would lie down or sit up (kinda like when you do a tough ab workout, nothing bad). The pain overall has not been unbearable. I have definitely had worse pain.

I wasn't hungry at all. I was trying to rehydrate myself because my calves were a little cramps because of the lack of fluids. I ate a few Popsicles to help with my scratchy throat. I had been coughing off and on all day because of the tube that was in my throat. Will brought a few movies for me and mom to watch but I was falling asleep in the couch so I went to bed at 9. I woke up at 11 to take my medicine again. I can only really sleep in 2-3 hour increments but that's ok.

I get to eat some real food around noon. By real food, I mean soupy or liquids food and only 2-4 ounces but I am excited! After 10 days of broth, Popsicles, jello, protein shakes (which were actually good, the Hy-Vee vanilla Carmel swirl powder is awesome!), I am ready for some yogurt, pudding, soup, etc. I did cheat some during my 10 day diet, but I was about 85-90% compliant, so I am ready for some different foods! I also get to shower around noon.

Thank you everyone again for your thoughts, prayers, and positive support. It makes me realize thati have a lot of people who care about me. I will keep posting updates so check back when you can.

I did the dreaded weigh-in and before pictures but I will wait to post them when I have some good after stats to report!

Day 10 video

Day 10 still hungry

Well, the hunger has not went away. I am still hungry but I am making sure to stick to my diet and drink at least 80 oz of fluid. That makes me pee all the time!

I will post updates on my weight and some pre-pictures later.

Day 9 pre op diet video

Day 9 - pre op diet

I haven't updated in awhile, but there isn't much new to update on. I've done ok on my diet, but I have a few cheats. I had a milkshake on Friday (instead of my evening protein shakes) and a salad and some soup. I never thought I would crave salad but I really have been. I also had a burger and salad and chips and salsa on Saturday. That was not a good thing, but I also walked about 3 hours, so hopefully I burned some of it off. I worked out at the gym for 35 minutes on Saturday and I was SOO hungry afterward, it was miserable just eating broth and jello.

I'm still struggling with the eating, I am so hungry all the time. I have been really good today and yesterday with my eating. I am not missing the caffeine or soda, but I feel like I don't have much energy. I thought I would get to a point where I didn't get as hungry after the first few days, but I am still hungry all the time. The littlest amount of food fills me up though, for instance when I ate that soup and salad or the hamburger.

I will get a call tomorrow with my surgery time for Wednesday. I am looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to my diet after the first 24 hours of liquids. I can add in things like soup, yogurt, pudding, applesauce, and other foods that aren't solid. I will have that for 2 weeks but that's going to be so many more choices than what I have now.

Day 4 preop videos

Videos from last night. I didn't post them last night because I taped them late when I got home from class and just now got around to it.

Halfway

As I was complaining to my good friend Brandy (and everyone else around me), she said that after today I will be halfway through my starvation period. That's the new name for it.

Today I have been super hungry. I can't seem to get full. It's tough. But, I haven't cheated. I am going to have a drink of my protein shake in a little bit to tide me over until I can deal with having more broth. It's really getting old. I never thought 4 ounces of protein shake would fill me up, but it keeps me somewhat sustained and keeps me from hiding in my car with a huge box of donuts.

I keep thinking that the hospital will call me and say "the joke is over, you can start eating again!" but I won't hold my breath for that. 

Just over five more days to go. I am going to be so hungry when I go in for surgery that I will probably just pass out from lack of food and starvation, they won't even have to use anesthesia on me.

I have realized that I have a lot of people who are supporting me through this. I have received text messages, phone calls, and encouraging words from my friends and family. I am so thankful for that and I am so thankful for them.

Day 3 pre-op video

Have you ever noticed that every other commercial is a food commercial? And you will notice every fast food restaurant that you drive by when you are hungry?

Don't mind my appearance. No food makes me tired and grumpy and not look cute.

Day 3 pre-op

Ugh, last night I cheated before bed. I had about 10 tortilla chips.

Today I cheated too. I don't do well when food is put in front of me. I had some salad and green beans, not a huge amount. And then I had a small piece of cake. Bad deal. But I was so hungry and that small amount of food really filled me up, I was surprised. But that will be similar to the amount I will eat after surgery.

I guess I cheated because there wasn't really anywhere for me to heat up my broth and after my experience yesterday, I didn't want to answer questions or get extra attention. I only have 2 more work days and no food will be put in front of me again, so I am not worried about cheating anymore.

I really just want a cheeseburger, but I guess I will go have some broth.

Tomorrow will be a challenge. Work then class and I won't get home til probably 9:30. No caffeine and no real food. It will be tough. But then it will get easier because I will be off work.

Day 2 pre-op diet

Today is Day 2. It was tougher than yesterday. I don't think I've ever peed so many times in my life, I have a headache, and I am super tired.

Let's hope tomorrow is better!

Day 1 pre-op diet
Video Diary

Day 1 - preop diet

Today was Day 1 of my Pre-op diet. Here is what I can have:

16 oz of protein shakes (divided up into 4 oz portion)
Up to 16 oz of Gatorade, juice, or 1%/skim milk
Unlimited broth
Unlimited sugar-free (SF) jello
Unlimited SF popsicles
Decaf coffee or decaf tea
Water

So, today hasn't been as bad as I thought. This means no normal food, no soda, no regular coffee. I did ok with the soda today, but tomorrow will be a challenge. I drank my limit of Gatorade, dramk my limit of protein shakes, had some decaf coffee (it wasn't good, so tomorrow I am going to mix about 4 oz of my milk amount and some sugar-free vanilla syrup to make it better hopefully), 3 bowls of broth, probably 5 SF popsicles, and lots of water. I didn't realize how many commercials are about food, WOW!

Tomorrow is a work day and I have to be at a work training event, so it's gonna be rough. I think I am just going to say I'm on a "medically supervised" diet and not explain anymore than that. Obviously people will wonder and ask why I am not eating normal food and why I'm doing what I'm doing.

I will share more in an upcoming blog about my journey to get where I am. I wanted to save more of that on a day when I didn't have much else to talk about. I will also include video diaries along the way.