Walks are a good time for reflection. The past week has been a blur for me which I attribute to anesthesia and IV pain medication. But it's still hard to believe that all the waiting and preparation is over and the surgery is complete.
The thing I thought about the most during my walk is the fact that 85% of my stomach has been removed. And that thought introduced some interesting emotions. I'm not quite sure how to write them out but I am going to say that one of the emotions is a mild state of shock.
It's not shocking the surgery is over or the things I have to do to recover, it's the fact that most of my stomach is gone and never coming back. Some of the other emotions are pleasing. This mostly has to do with the fact that I will never be able to eat the way I used to again and that my portion size will always be from this point forward small. I will never sit down to eat the same way again. And another feeling I had was motivation. The pre and post-op procedures are enough to keep me on the straight and narrow for a while.
I think something has changed since surgery. They were right when they said you have no idea how your thoughts and feelings for food will change after surgery. At times before surgery I was preoccupied with what I would eat after surgery and how I'm going to handle this and that but in reality, it's been a chore to eat and drink.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
5 days post-op
I was released from the hospital on Thursday evening. The surgery went well and the doctor estimates that he removed 85% of my stomach or leaving me with about two or three ounces. So far recovery has been progressing slowly but surely. Each day I feel better. I don't really have pain, it's more of a sore feeling in certain spots of my abdomen. I have used two pain pills since returning home. I'm not really a fan of them so the bottle sits there basically unused. However, due to the fact I decided on the VSG procedure I can take ibuprofen. I have been taking 400mg about every 6 to 8 hours and that really helps cut down on the soreness. I am able to sleep on my right side for the most part. I have never been a back sleeper and frankly cannot wait to sleep on my stomach again.
I'm not sure if this is a product of the pain medication, change in diet, or surgery itself but in the hospital my blood pressure was very normal. I believe the lowest reading was 112/57. I cannot remember my blood pressure being that low. So the doctor advised me to forgo the blood pressure medication and see what it is when I return for my 10-day post-op exam.
Since surgery my diet has consisted of clear liquids with the exception of milk for protein drinks. I looking forward to Tuesday when I can introduce "full liquids" into my diet. This consists of yogurt, thinned cream of wheat, blended soups and even blended chili.
Exercise has been progressing. Today I decided to hit the street and go for a walk. I'm disappointed I cannot bring the dog for another week but I'm sure he doesn't mind. His time at the doggy daycare wore him out. I'm not sure if I over did it today but I walked a mile. I guess I will know later. I think I'll do the walks in the morning since it's cooler at that time. However, I'm still not convinced I'll do any outside exercise when it's raining.
I'm not sure if this is a product of the pain medication, change in diet, or surgery itself but in the hospital my blood pressure was very normal. I believe the lowest reading was 112/57. I cannot remember my blood pressure being that low. So the doctor advised me to forgo the blood pressure medication and see what it is when I return for my 10-day post-op exam.
Since surgery my diet has consisted of clear liquids with the exception of milk for protein drinks. I looking forward to Tuesday when I can introduce "full liquids" into my diet. This consists of yogurt, thinned cream of wheat, blended soups and even blended chili.
Exercise has been progressing. Today I decided to hit the street and go for a walk. I'm disappointed I cannot bring the dog for another week but I'm sure he doesn't mind. His time at the doggy daycare wore him out. I'm not sure if I over did it today but I walked a mile. I guess I will know later. I think I'll do the walks in the morning since it's cooler at that time. However, I'm still not convinced I'll do any outside exercise when it's raining.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The pre-surgical diet
Last Monday I started my pre-surgical diet. This diet consisted of five days of eating 1000 calories or less and then three days of clear liquids. I'm currently finishing day number one of clear liquids.
My thoughts so far, the liquid diet is much easier than the food phase of my diet. I found myself very hungry at times when I was trying to eat 1000 calories or less. I attempted to eat high volume low calorie foods such as broccoli, green beans, and lettuce. I tracked my caloric intake and decided to established my own recipes and portions. I did not eat Lean Cuisine or other processed foods due to the nutrient depletion, preservative usage, and increased sodium content.
On the liquid diet, my choices are very limited. But I have made choices that I feel are best suited to my eating habits.
I recently reviewed Designer Whey's Natural French Vanilla flavor protein powder. I will reiterate that this stuff is awesome. It dissolves very well and has no aftertaste.
My first day of liquid dieting has consisted of the following:
64 oz. Swanson Chicken Broth (120 calories)
19.5 oz. Cherry flavor sugar-free Jello (60 calories)
40 oz. Whole Milk (750 calories) [considered a "clear" liquid]
3 scoops protein powder (300 calories)
Total calories: 1230
Total protein: 68g
Considering a bulk of my calories came from drinking the whole milk, I will use skim milk.
The one thing I find amazing is that I am sitting here not hungry and feeling very satiated. I believe the key to the liquid diet is consuming a lot of liquids. However, if I compare this morning to other the previous five mornings I was so hungry I was miserable. I'm very hopeful that today and tomorrow will be equally pleasant.
My thoughts so far, the liquid diet is much easier than the food phase of my diet. I found myself very hungry at times when I was trying to eat 1000 calories or less. I attempted to eat high volume low calorie foods such as broccoli, green beans, and lettuce. I tracked my caloric intake and decided to established my own recipes and portions. I did not eat Lean Cuisine or other processed foods due to the nutrient depletion, preservative usage, and increased sodium content.
On the liquid diet, my choices are very limited. But I have made choices that I feel are best suited to my eating habits.
I recently reviewed Designer Whey's Natural French Vanilla flavor protein powder. I will reiterate that this stuff is awesome. It dissolves very well and has no aftertaste.
My first day of liquid dieting has consisted of the following:
64 oz. Swanson Chicken Broth (120 calories)
19.5 oz. Cherry flavor sugar-free Jello (60 calories)
40 oz. Whole Milk (750 calories) [considered a "clear" liquid]
3 scoops protein powder (300 calories)
Total calories: 1230
Total protein: 68g
Considering a bulk of my calories came from drinking the whole milk, I will use skim milk.
The one thing I find amazing is that I am sitting here not hungry and feeling very satiated. I believe the key to the liquid diet is consuming a lot of liquids. However, if I compare this morning to other the previous five mornings I was so hungry I was miserable. I'm very hopeful that today and tomorrow will be equally pleasant.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Psych Evaluation
At 3pm on Monday, I sat down to fill out a five-page questionnaire examining my current psychological affect, and my feelings, emotional desires, and psychological triggers as they relate to eating and food.
I am pretty sure the questionnaire’s goal is to recognize poor habits and to recognize self-destructive thoughts and feelings.
Anyways, after I completed the questionnaire I met with the psychologist for about an hour. It was very informal and much like therapy the meeting was an ebb and flow of various topics. We discussed my psychological health, my food triggers (boredom), and my eating habits and patterns.
Boredom…
She was very interested to know how I overcome my boredom trigger.
I learned a long time ago that I like to snack when I am bored. Unfortunately for those who partake in this particular food trigger we usually go straight for the high calorie, high carbohydrate goodies like cookies, chips, breads and the like. It’s easy to kill time snacking and we really don’t realize that we’ve eaten the entire bag of chips until we reach for a few more and there are no more left.
I would not say I’m completely cured of this type of food trigger but I do know how to manage it pretty well. I simply don’t buy quick foods, snack foods, and junk food when I go grocery shopping. Well, with the exception of popcorn. But I have learned over the years that if I actually have to cook the food (i.e. defrost a frozen chicken breast or haul out the pots and pans) I will not eat and the trigger will pass.
I very freely admit, it’s very hard for me to pass up the quick things like cereal, snack crackers, pizza rolls, and chips but I take the advice of one of my favorite chef Alton Brown, “Just walk away.” Over the years, the battle has gotten considerable easier.
I’ve replaced a lot of my snacking items with fruit. I have found that I really enjoy certain varieties of apples and if I need to keep my hands busy I will eat an orange or two. I really do not limit my intake of fruits. I consider them to be an excellent aspect of a well-balanced diet.
So what was the conclusion the psychologist and I came to? I am a fairly well adjusted individual who is self confident, balanced, and doesn’t abuse food as a coping mechanism. I am ready to make the lifestyle changes necessary to be a successful weight loss surgery patient.
I am pretty sure the questionnaire’s goal is to recognize poor habits and to recognize self-destructive thoughts and feelings.
Anyways, after I completed the questionnaire I met with the psychologist for about an hour. It was very informal and much like therapy the meeting was an ebb and flow of various topics. We discussed my psychological health, my food triggers (boredom), and my eating habits and patterns.
Boredom…
She was very interested to know how I overcome my boredom trigger.
I learned a long time ago that I like to snack when I am bored. Unfortunately for those who partake in this particular food trigger we usually go straight for the high calorie, high carbohydrate goodies like cookies, chips, breads and the like. It’s easy to kill time snacking and we really don’t realize that we’ve eaten the entire bag of chips until we reach for a few more and there are no more left.
I would not say I’m completely cured of this type of food trigger but I do know how to manage it pretty well. I simply don’t buy quick foods, snack foods, and junk food when I go grocery shopping. Well, with the exception of popcorn. But I have learned over the years that if I actually have to cook the food (i.e. defrost a frozen chicken breast or haul out the pots and pans) I will not eat and the trigger will pass.
I very freely admit, it’s very hard for me to pass up the quick things like cereal, snack crackers, pizza rolls, and chips but I take the advice of one of my favorite chef Alton Brown, “Just walk away.” Over the years, the battle has gotten considerable easier.
I’ve replaced a lot of my snacking items with fruit. I have found that I really enjoy certain varieties of apples and if I need to keep my hands busy I will eat an orange or two. I really do not limit my intake of fruits. I consider them to be an excellent aspect of a well-balanced diet.
So what was the conclusion the psychologist and I came to? I am a fairly well adjusted individual who is self confident, balanced, and doesn’t abuse food as a coping mechanism. I am ready to make the lifestyle changes necessary to be a successful weight loss surgery patient.
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