briebrie77

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This well-meaning nurse at the hospital told me as I was being discharged that I shouldn't need a stool softener since I had only been drinking clear liquids while hospitalized. I should have ignored him and started taking one daily immediately upon my arrival home because being severely constipated one week out from abdominal surgery is very UNCOMFORTABLE!!! I have since started taking the stool softener, but it is not working as quickly as I would like : / I am a nurse, should have known better, but between the pain meds and the million distractions on the road to recovery I just forgot. Now I am paying for it. Bummer! In case anyone wondered - it is very common to get constipated after surgery. Use stool softener and drink plenty of fluids to avoid this. Don't be like me!!!

On a more positive note, despite the aforementioned problem, I am up and moving around much better. I keep up with my fluid intake, protein and walking. So far so good!

Blessings!

Brie

The pain wasn't as bad at the hospital as it has been at home. Maybe because the hospital bed sat up mechanically and my bed at home does nothing of the sort. Aside from pain, now I can't even finish one of those sugar free Jello cups. I have been sipping my water religiously. My surgeon told me to focus on getting enough fluids first and foremost and sip on protein shakes/ drinks as I am able. The worst pain is in the two incisions closest to my navel. I pray for speedy healing from here on. Feeling a little tired, but I was blessed to be able to go home yesterday rather than having to stay in the hospital two days or more.

Surgery is tomorrow. My parents are coming from Tulsa to drive me to the Hospital and be there when I wake up. This is something I have waited for and dreamed of for a long time, but it now seems less magical than it used to. Maybe it's that I am on my third day of an all-liquid diet that really kicked my butt? Anyhow, I will hopefully post more on here when I am on my weight loss journey post-op. I am looking forward to two weeks out when I can start to eat soft foods again. I want tuna and well-cooked chicken and perhaps some spinach. Those are what I am hoping to make staples in my diet afterwards. I am making a huge investment financially and physically and I want to take care of myself from here on out in the best ways possible.

Blessings!

Brie

I finally got used to the essentially no-carb pre-op diet, now for full liquids starting tomorrow until the NPO after midnight on the night before surgery. It was quite a stressful and emotional rollercoaster for the first few days, but I held on dearly to the few "free" items I was allowed such as sugar free Jello, chicken broth and Crystal Light. It became crystal clear through the last week exactly why I am fat. I ate to medicate myself and stuff down emotional discomfort far more than I knew. I have lost 10 lbs from my heaviest weight ever (just before I joined this group). I am feeling much more serene and blessed to have great family and friends who are supporting me through this process. My friend who is having the very same surgery in the next couple of months has been following the preop diet with me. I am so thankful for her, because without that help I might not have been so successful. I can honestly say I have not cheated once on the diet. Well, here we go - counting down the last few days until my VSG surgery. Praying for the very best outcome ever!

My mood has been sour since yesterday afternoon when my carb cravings started kicking my butt. It's like I am having withdrawals! I am getting a headache, dizziness and blurred vision...lol. I checked my blood sugar at work and it was fine. I am just uncomfortable because my usual diet is high in carbs and things like cereal and bread. I miss them in a way, but am aware they are the very things that have kept me fat all these years because I overindulge on whatever tastes good to me. It should get better in the next few days according to my dietician. For now I am whiny and cranky.

Came across OH and it is awesome to see an active community of people who are going through - or have been through what I am dealing with now. I am grateful to be here and my journey is just beginning. My surgeon has been wonderful so far and on 12/11/13, we will see how it goes : )