5 Days Post Op

And I feel pretty good! I'm not going out dancing or anything, but I don't feel awful! Every day I feel a little bit better. Let me recap the last 4 days:

Day 1-Surgery Day

I reported to the hospital at 615am. Checked in, dressed in my johnnie (sp?), and waited for anesthesia. I remember being put under, and just as I started feeling drowsy, I realized I wasn't drowsy, but being woken up to the sounds of "you're all done, you did great!" I was in recovery for a couple hours, and then moved to my room where my husband was waiting for me. I was a little groggy, and had a bit of a sore throat from the tube, but it was not as bad as I thought. I did have a catheter, which I never had before, but could hardly feel it. I also had a pain pump, which I hardly used, and a "Q Pump". It's this little ball of medicine you carry around in a little bag and is attached by 2 catheters in your abdomen that automatically showers your internal wound with medicine. I don't have any major pain, so I guess it works! I did however feel when I tried to adjust myself in bed-bad idea! That hurt, and needed some help to do so. I was glad to have some family and friends visit me, and snacked on some ice chips during the day. As it was a hospital stay, there was not a lot of sleep!

Day 2-Let's Go Walking!

There is no fooling around here! After a breakfast of some lemon sorbet and some vanilla shake, it was time to get moving. I went for a couple of long walks down the hallways, and was told I did much better walking than most people! It's a little tough getting up by myself, but walking was no problem, in fact I actually felt much better after each walk. Broth and sorbet for lunch and broth and sugar free pudding for dinner. By the way, just because both were served does not mean that both were eaten lol. It's amazing-a few spoonfuls of broth, and I am full, a couple spoonfuls of sorbet or pudding, and I am full, it's craziness!

Day 3-Time To Go!

Yup, day 3 (as long as there are no complications) you are out of there! The Doctor came by around 11am and said I was good to go, and that I could leave as long as I went for another walk with stairs. Around 3:00 I arrived home, and it was kind of like "what do I do know?". I rested, drank my fluids and protein, and rested some more. Again, not a lot of rest in the hospital. My mom came over, while my husband went to pick up my prescriptions.
Here is what I got:
Percoset, for pain (I take 1-2 a day, don't really need more than that)
Colace, stool softener (percs make you constipated)
Prilosec, for heartburn and reflux
a pill for nausea, if needed (I have not been)
Lovinox-blood thinner shot 1x daily for 20 days. My mother comes over every day to give me the shot.

Day 4-Adjusting

Slept on the couch last night. It's still a little too difficult to get in and out of my bed, besides I am supposed to be slightly elevated, so the couch it is. I was able to get up on my own without my husbands assistance, which was good since I did not have to wake him up for my middle of the night bathroom trips. Oh yea, I pee constantly! I am a little uncomfortable because I am gassy, and am constipated (I know it's TMI, but I said I would be honest about this!). Today was great because I got to SHOWER today! No sponge bath, a real shower. Yes, hubby had to help me, but it was so nice to be in my shower, with my shampoo, and bath gel, and facial cleanser. And my own clothes! I could not wait to get into my own clothes! Now that I was all showered and clean, let me share my gastric bypass eating guidelines:

Week 1
Goals: Fluids 64oz/day
Protein 40-65 grams/day
chewable multivitamin 2x daily

protein supplements: sugar free carnation instant breakfast, 1% milk, thin cream soups, light smooth yogurt, greek yogurt, sf pudding/custard

fluids: water, sf gelatin, broth, sf popsicles, crystal light, sf hot chocolate, diet Snapple, decaf coffee or tea NO CARBONATION

4oz every hour, alternating protein and fluid

It's really not so bad. At least there is some variety. If you told me it was all breakfast shakes, then we would have a problem! But, I love soup and yogurt, and sf pudding and jello, and I always drank Crystal Light anyways, so I am doing pretty good!

Day 5-Sip Sip Sip!

The Gastric Bypass mantra! Basically if you are not sipping your protein, you are sipping fluid! I am pretty happy that I have had most of my fluid and all my protein intake! It's not easy, but I'm doing it! Still constipated, still peeing constantly. First week is almost up, which means....soft foods! I can't wait!!