Thursday, August 27, 2009
in DS
My new system is 21 days old!
The scale read 249.6 this morning.
- 3.8 pounds since last week
- 13.9 pounds since surgery
- 30.4 pounds overall
Not too shabby. I had hoped to be lower so I could meet the goal of 241 pounds the graph listed on my 1 month surgiversary. It is still possible to make that goal – 8.6 pounds in 11 days – but I think not losing anything for 7 days (16th-23rd) really set me back. We shall see, I could very easily be wrong. But at least I am over the initial mini “OMG! Famine!” stall, which makes me very happy. To be fair to myself, I also did not get the “easy 10″ pounds that a lot of people lose when they first start a diet – I lost that pre-op.
I have been trying a lot of different foods and so far [knocks on wood] all but two things have agreed with me. Hard boiled eggs make me burp but to not cause other GI issues. Taking something with Simethicone first to prevent gas should help.
My current favorite breakfast is a protein shake made with 8 ounces of whole milk (12 carbs, 8 protein), one packet of vanilla sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast (12 carbs, 5 protein) and one scoop of vanilla Champion Nutrition Pure Whey (1.5 carbs, 26 protein). I could make it without milk or the Carnation Instant Breakfast to lessen the carbs but I am using it as a meal replacement, and I do need the vitamins and energy right now to heal. I often make it with the chocolate versions, which has a bit more carbs and 3 grams less protein.
Even with the ER visit and all the blood work highs and lows, I am still very happy I had the Duodenal Switch.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
in DS
The new food for today is… beef pastrami.
Good beef pastrami was one of my favorite sandwich meats pre-op and I cannot tell you how sad I would be if I could not tolerate beef pastrami. (Turkey pastrami will be an experiment for another time.)
I ate 4 ounces plain for a snack and it sat well. I did take a Gas-X, but I had already been feeling gassy. A few hours later I tried pastrami and cream cheese roll-ups and had zero problems. No bubbling or belching. It actually seemed to do better with the cream cheese which is a bit surprising since I have not taken Lactaid in a few days and a lot of people have lactose problems this soon after surgery. [knocks on wood]
I will consider this a success! This means I have a new portable finger food that is perfect for the DS.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
in DS
[knocks on wood]
An hour after dinner and so far the Great Alfredo Chicken Redux has been a glorious success. We shredded store bought rotisserie chicken and added the same Alfredo sauce as yesterday. Other than some very minor burps which are normal at this stage post-op, the Alfredo chicken is agreeing with me. There is no lead brick feeling in the stomach and no urge to hurl the chicken like yesterday, where within 5 minutes I knew if was a FAIL.
[crossing fingers]
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
in DS
Last night and most of this morning were spent camped in the bathroom. My system decided it did not approve of the chicken with Alfredo sauce the Rogue cooked for dinner. My system reacted similarly to Friday night with the fish, but thanks to the beloved Zofran, I did not vomit.
I think it was the way the chicken was cooked. Pan cooked is just not going to do it for now. I need rotisserie, roasted or crock pot until falling apart so the meat is softer and easier to digest. Melt in my mouth food – or something I could give a toothless toddler. [sighs]
I do not think it was the Alfredo sauce. My system has thus far liked cheese and milk. I think I will do an experiment tonight – the same sauce with rotisserie chicken and see how my system does.
Monday, August 24, 2009
in DS
I went for my post-ER appointment with my doctor at the VA today. The nurse ordered a ton of blood work for me, including the list of post-op labs that Dr. Husted orders. Some of the labs had come back by the time I saw my doctor. The bad news is my iron, potassium and protein levels are a bit low and my liver enzymes still elevated. The good news is my cholesterol is back within normal range. More blood tests were ordered including the entire Hepatitis alphabet. A cup of pee, 21 vials of blood and 3 blown veins later, I have to come back on Thursday for follow-up blood work.
My life as a Pill Popper continues. I walked out of the VA with a huge bag of prescriptions and I am shocked to say I did not get everything she ordered. Bless her, she gave me 90-day prescriptions for more Zofran, plus Reglan and Phenergan. No horrible puking anymore for me! I even got Imodium and Gas-X! I love when the VA pays for my OTC meds. [bliss]
Sunday, August 23, 2009
in DS
Last night we went to our first social event post-DS. At the ER doctor’s suggestion, I just stayed on fluids for the day to rehydrate and give my system a chance to heal a bit more, plus made sure to take Imodium and Gas-X before we left. There were no embarrassing “newborn digestive system” issues nor did I have to stink up their bathroom. [cheers] Apparently that is very impressive this soon after a DS. I am not complaining!
It was a BBQ and I could not partake of any of the food, which did suck, but better than the alternatives. It would have been horrible to have to leave early or have what I ate backfire on me (literally).
This gives me a lot of hope for when I am working Dragon*Con. I would be so embarrassed if I had system issues while talking with Leonard Nemoy or William Shatner or Patrick Stewart. Could you imagine?! The horror!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
in DS
I ended up at the Emergency Room sooner than planned. After I fainted in the bathroom, the Rogue made the executive decision to call the telephone advise line at the VA. The nurse said to get to the ER immediately, so he did. We figured since fainting was not on the list Dr. H gave me, he would have told us to go anyway.
I am really glad I went to the VA instead of a closer hospital. Bet you never thought I would say that, did you? Me either. The ER doctor on shift was knowledgeable about bariatric surgery and was familiar with the DS. He immediately ordered an IV for hydration and blood work, plus Phenergan for nausea. Bless him. After a couple of hours when the Phenergan stopped working and I started having major acid reflux, he gave me some prescription Zantac plus Zofran for nausea. Let me tell you, I am in love with Zofran. It does not make me groggy like Phenergan and in made the nausea vanish. I was amazed. I wanted to propose to the doctor when he gave me a prescription of the Zantac and Zofran to take home to get me through until I can see my primary care doctor.
After a couple of hours, the ER cleared out and I was the only patient. It was amusing BSing with the staff. It was so peaceful. They said it is rarely that empty.
I ended up with another blown vein but got in a bag of fluids, which made me feel better than I have in days. I had to hang my arm off the bed and slightly twisted for hours else the alarm go off on my IV, but it was so worth it.
Tagged as:
emergency room
