Post-op updates

[rox63]

Hi all - It's about 2 weeks past my gastric-band surgery, and I'm doing very well. Just started back to work today. That got approved because I have a desk job. If I worked on my feet or did any sort of manual labor, the docs probably would have wanted me to take an extra week before going back. Plus, I was getting bored at home.

I'm down an additional 13 pounds since the surgery, and I haven't even had the first 'fill' of the band yet. I'd already lost 30 pounds before surgery, so my total lost is now 43 pounds. The first week after surgery, I was restricted to a mostly clear liquid diet, with the addition of protein shakes a few days after the surgery. I am now on a soft/pureed foods diet, which I am supplementing with the occasional protein shake.

I have been trying a few 'regular' foods which might be considered soft by some people, and have had mixed results. Scrambled eggs, oatmeal, soups with very small chunks, and ripe bananas all worked out fine. Tried some tuna salad (really just canned tuna mushed up with some light mayo) on Sunday, and that was definitely a no-go. Would not go down at all. And what won't go down must come up.

I'm supposed to start transitioning back to regular foods (known as the 'Stage 3' diet) next week. But any sort of bread, pasta or rice is still off-limits until 3 months after surgery.

Thanks for all the support from DUers on this forum. I'll have more updates when there is more news.

Rox

[auntAgonist]

1. Hiya Rox!

So glad you're doing well. I was looking for an update from you but didn't want to 'push' heh.

You're so disciplined and that will serve you well.

I really liked mashed potatoes when I was recovering. I know, carbs but still they tasted SO good and the amount I was eating at any given time was minuscule. NO where near a full serving. Mushroom soup was another favourite of mine.
Can you handle cottage cheese at all.

Anyway, so glad you checked in.

Congrats on being such a good "loser"

kesha.

[rox63]

3. Mashed sweet potatoes and butternut squash are also working for me

Haven't tried regular mashed potatoes yet, but will likely try it soon. Cream-of-anything soup, yogurt and sugar-free pudding are also on my good list. I don't care for cottage cheese, but the Greek yogurt is a good substitute for me, since it has extra protein.

I'm really looking forward to getting back on regular food. I was hoping to take my Mom out to lunch for her birthday this weekend, so I'm trying to figure out if there is some restaurant meal that would work for me at this point.

Thanks for the congrats and encouragement.

Rox

[auntAgonist]

4. Mexican food, refried beans .. rice. Anything soft might work (?) n/t

[rox63]

5. Mom doesn't like Mexican food

But I think I found a couple of possibilities. A couple of places she likes serve moussaka, a Greek dish that is fairly soft. And another serves shepard's pie, which I figure should go down pretty well. I would love to do some sort of fish (which we both like), but I am wary after my recent tuna salad experience. A friend of mine said that some people have problems with fish for up to 2 or 3 months after surgery.

No rice, pasta or bread allowed for 3 months after surgery. So that limits things for a while.

[handmade34]

2. ...

[rox63]

6. Back to actual solid food this week

YAY!!! I've been looking forward to this for a while. It's been 3 weeks since the surgery, and 15 pounds lost during those weeks. Grand total of 45 pounds lost since February. I don't get the first fill of the band until 8/2. All is well so far.

[spinbaby]

7. Keep us posted

[madmom]

8. So glad for the update and happy you are

doing well. I went for my orientation seminar last night.Waiting for the nurse to call to set up an appointment for a consultation. Keep up the good work!

[rox63]

9. Good luck, madmom!

Although I seem to be stuck a plateau since I started back on solid food, I'm sure it will pass. I'm still very glad I went ahead with the surgery.

[rox63]

10. Learning lessons the hard way...

I've had a few incidents of food getting stuck in the esophogus/pouch, because I ate too fast or didn't chew my food well enough. Feels lousy until it either goes down or comes up. I knew before the surgery that it would take a few experiences like this until I learned to eat the right way. I got lazy today, and my body slapped me around for it.

[rox63]

11. Had my first band adjustment today

It's now been 6 weeks since my gastric band procedure. The doc almost didn't do an adjustment today, because I've been feeling some restriction without any fluid in the band. But we settled on a 2 ml fill, rather than they usual 4 ml for a first fill. I didn't realize I'd have to go back on a liquid diet for 24 hours after each fill. We'll see how things go from here. I'm back to see her in another month, to see where I'm at, and to see if I need another adjustment. I'm down a total of 49 pounds since February, 19 of those since the surgery.

Rox

[handmade34]

12. thanks for the update

[auntAgonist]

13. I am willing to bet you feel wonderful !!! Congrats on taking control of your life Rox!

Almost 50lbs gone forever!!



aA
kesha