One Week Update on Hubby!

I cannot believe we are one week past my husband's surgery and four weeks past mine!  Hallelujah!  We made it - now we just got to stick with the plan and make this tool work!  This past week my husband was home recuperating - was not his usual grumpy sick self (as with colds in the past) - he was quieter than usual but handled his surgery fine.  He never took the prescription pain medicine at home - a few Children's Tylenol but not many as he said he really was not in pain.  Yes, he was slow getting up and down and in and out of bed but did great.  He did visit our internist on Friday after Monday's surgery and I think that helped getting his blood pressure and blood sugar guidelines from the doctor that quickly.  He's off of HALF his medications.  I waited until the 2nd week to see the internist and by that time my blood pressure was too low and I was very weak.

Today he is back at work and started his pureed food diet - I packed his new Bento lunch box (from www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com recommendations) with two GNC Total Lean shakes, a Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt, applesauce, Campbell's Tomato Soup (heat in the can),  & 4 whole wheat ritz crackers.  I couldn't find the blue ice packs at our grocery store so went to our local Academy to find them - they were with the ice chests and hunting supplies.  He's looking forward to refried beans for dinner!

The main concern I have with my husband going back to work (desk job) is his commute - an hour there and home.  Hopefully his energy levels will be okay to handle the commute. As he was getting bored at home, I think he was ready to get his brain working again - how much Sportscenter, basketball, American Pickers & Pawn Stars  - can one watch?? He's planning on taking a nap at lunch! Life is getting back to a NEW NORMAL!!  Oh by the way - did I mention HE LOST 16 POUNDS THIS PAST WEEK??  WOO HOO!!

Pureed Diet Musings...

This blog is really a journal for me to remember this process - it may be a little boring as I journal my thoughts along the way.

This pureed diet is a challenge because I am lactose intolerant and also have a problem with eggs - that seems to be what's all on the list.  Yesterday I tried to make myself eat a little more to see how my sleeve would do and not be so dependent on shakes.  I tried the Instant Cream of Wheat package with 2/3 cup water (instead of having it runny like I did earlier in the week) with Splenda Brown Sugar  - I ate half of it - that was okay.  I had some chicken noodle soup that I pulverized in my little food processor for lunch and a few bites of lactose-free cottage cheese for dinner.  I had also had a shake during the day - so I noticed that on My Fitness Pal I was still running low on protein so I tried to eat some greek yogurt with a lactaid pill and I just couldn't finish it - felt bloated as I went to bed.  And I woke up this morning feeling bloated.

Okay - this paragraph may need skipping as I give out TMI on bathroom issues.  I always have had them with irritable bowel syndrome.  What I've noticed during the pre-op diet and since - is that I can't always tell what is just gas anymore and have had a few incidences where it wasn't - yes Al Roker - I can relate!!  Doing lots of washing.  I seem to be transitioning from diarrhea or all water the first week post-op to something with a little more substance.  As I wake up feeling a little bloated and like I need to go, my cream of wheat and a few sips of decaffeinated coffee seems to be doing the trick.  (I'm beginning to feel like my 91 year old mother who seems to be obsessed with her bowel movements - I'm so sorry - please God don't let me turn into her!!!) And I haven't lost anything in 5 days.

I think it's a lactose thing that is making me feel bloated even though I'm taking the lactaid - think I need to try some of the Synthrax shakes today that aren't milk based - have a sample of a Strawberry Kiwi one to try later on today.  I'm noticing that some of the protein powders I've bought have milk products in them - uh-oh - may need to send to my boys (who use protein shakes working out).  Maybe I'll try some pureed chicken salad today. Today my goal is to get 60 grams of protein in!  And to walk!  I've been neglecting walking since my energy was so low - it's getting better so no excuses nowfor starting a walking program.

Have a great day!!

Ann

One Week Out!

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

Wow!  I woke up this morning excited I was a week out but man - absolutely no energy at all today.  Thank goodness I did not have anything important going on and could rest today.  I also got to start on the puree stage - which makes me nervous about what I can eat.

I started off with a little bit of Cream of Wheat with some splenda - needed some butter and brown sugar!  Guess I still have a long way to go in conquering my food addictions!  I had some greek yogurt and a GNC Total lean shake - I like those!  My stomach felt a little upset - had some Tums and some Lactaid with the yogurt.  Hope I can eat these since I'm starting to become more lactose intolerant.

I called the doctor's office on my weakness - the nurse said I needed to get some calories in - that was hard to do on the clear liquid diet.  I can also take the chewable vitamins now and also a chewable B12.  Hope this helps.  My blood pressure was totally normal today without medication - weird since it was high Friday & Saturday with medication - guess the healing is taking place.  I will see my internist this week and am documenting the BP.

Good news is that I'm down 10 lbs since last Monday!!  Yeah!