Close call

Its been 5 weeks since the surgery and I've been happy and fascinated with the fact that I have not gotten sick or nauseated at all since I started eating food. I've been almost proud of that fact. Well...I almost had an experience with not tolerating my food this evening, and I was in a very public place.

I was eating chicken salad (that was made with a pretty generous portion of mayonnaise) and after several minutes and several bites I felt a tightness in the middle of my chest right between my breasts. I've felt that feeling before, very minor, and it feels like something is stuck there or is traveling down very slowly. As the minutes went by the sensation got worse and worse until my mouth starting watering and I started getting nervous. I was in an auditorium waiting for a meeting to start and soooo did not want to get sick. I quickly went to the restroom where I just stood around and waited for the sensation to go away. It subsided, but didn't go away entirely. So, I went back to the auditorium and sat down, only to have to get back up a minute later with that same intense discomfort in my chest. Whatever was there I just wanted it to go down, not come back up! I stood by the door in the back of the auditorium and just waited. I took a small sip of water hoping that would resolve the problem and not make it worse, and thankfully after about a minute the tight ball in my chest went away.

I think what my problem was is that I didn't chew my food as thoroughly as I should have...that, and I may have eaten too fast. I was talking on the phone while I was eating so I may not have been paying attention to my chewing. I must be more careful in the future because that was a close call and I don't want to experience that again!

1 month and feeling great

Four weeks ago today I had my surgery. I cannot believe that a month has gone by! I feel great...I feel like myself again. I have a slight uncomfortable feeling from my upper left incision but that's it..no pain or real discomfort. I've lost 23 lbs in the last 6 weeks, 17 lbs since my surgery. I've read about people losing crazy amounts of weight their first month, like 30-35 lbs. Obviously, that's not me. I'm just so grateful to be where I am right now...to feel good and not have any issues or complications. I haven't had a problem with food at all, and that, I have to say, is surprising. I did SO much reading before my surgery so I could know what to expect and exactly what I needed to do. I expected not to tolerate much food and be nauseous and vomit. That hasn't happened to me once! Now, that's not to say that it won't happen in the future, but as of right now I've tolerated everything that's gone into my mouth. I'm very happy about that!

I've also really stepped it up with exercising. My goal is to go to the gym, or at least exercise, 4-5 days a week. I live so close to my gym so that helps out a lot. I basically use the gym for the treadmill only. I go in, do 40-45 minutes on the treadmill, power walking or a slow jog, and then leave. What I do need to start doing is toning up. I'm going to start using a DVD for that...lots of squats, lunges, and resistance band work.

I'm so glad that I feel so good!

Vacation challenge

My family and I vacationed in Ocean City, Maryland all last week. It was a very nice time with very nice weather. This trip took a lot of planning on my part because since I'm only 2 1/2 weeks post-op I have to take all my supplements along with me and figure out what I'm going to do when the dining out situation comes up. We went out to eat four times and I was able to make healthy, high protein choices. Going out to eat wasn't the big deal I thought it would be. I had to carefully scan the menu and see what my options were. Appetizers and salads are always a good choice, if they're not fried. I had chicken salad twice, making sure to only eat the chicken and maybe some cheese, shrimp cocktail one night, and a mozzarella and tomato salad another night. Everything was moist and went down easily. The rest of the time we ate in our condo and I bought foods I could easily prepare and eat like tuna fish, yogurt, eggs, cheese, and popsicles. I even made my white chicken chili one night for everyone and it was a big hit...everyone loved it. I chewed my food slowly and was always the last one at the table eating. I never thought I would be going out to eat 3 weeks post op, but being on vacation I really couldn't help it. I just did the best I could, made the best possible choices, and it all worked out.

2 weeks out

Its been 2 weeks since my surgery. Time really does go by fast! I have to say that I am really impressed with my progress. I think that I'm doing really well. Since my surgery I've lost 14 lbs, but since my 2 week pre-op diet I've lost a total of 20.5 lbs. I'm pleased with that and am not giving myself any sort of time frame to lose weight. As long as I'm eating right and exercising the weight will come off. I'm doing really well with food and protein. I'm tolerating all the soft foods that I've eaten without any problems...no nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach...none at all. I'm doing great at getting in all my protein too. Its true what I've read...at this stage its impossible to get in all the required daily protein through food alone. You have to use supplements if you even want to get close to the required amount (70 grams a day). I've been using a nectar protein in cherry flavor, a vanilla protein powder, unflavored protein to sprinkle in food, and the Atkins Advantage ready to drink protein. Without those I'd probably be malnourished.

Exercise is slowly working its way back into my life too. Last week I walked around the neighborhood three days. This week I actually made it to the gym for the first time in 10 months. I power walked for 30 minutes and then did the stationary bike for another 10 minutes. I felt good afterward! Its time to start going back there on a regular basis.

Slowly things are starting to change. My husband told me he thinks I look a bit smaller in my mid section. I don't see it but I thanked him anyway. I can't wait until I start to notice the weight loss in my clothes and when I look in the mirror. It will come in time. As long as I do what I'm supposed to do, the weight will come off!