Week 20, I think...

It's been 3 weeks since surgery.  Got soup, yogurt with a little milk mixed in, things like that.  A word of caution of fellow and future sleevers.  Never put whey protein in something hot or heat it up.  IT doesn't work and the results are not good.  It clumps up and puffs up like teeny tiny popcorn and tastes gross.

I'm going through some emotional loops now.

A feast!

Today I had a holiday feast!  A third of a cup of soup and most of a pudding cup.  Not impressive, but it was nice to eat with the family.  I got to have a little egg nog this morning too.  Merry Christmas!

Full Liquids not-so-easy!

The highly anticipated switch to full liquids, like milk, has been harder than we thought.  Our stomachs aren't taking it so great and we can only have a little at a time, and we have to have clear liquids in between.  You don't wanna know what happens when we don't.  But this is only day 1 of full liquids.  I'm sure it will get easier, right?

Week 19 Review

Well, this was the first week of living with a tiny tummy at home.  It still hurts a bit, but only a dull ache and the occasional sharp pain if we move in a way our new tummies don't like.  All our incisions are closed up.  They're stiff and pink.  I hope they become less noticeable.  I don't really like them.  Been shedding lots of weight.  I'm down 16 lbs since surgery day.  Hubby's down 30.  I'm a little jealous, but he's a guy and he had a lot more to lose.  It shows too.  His face is narrowing and his gorgeous cheekbones show.

It hasn't been fun, being stuck on basically water.  We're both feeling pretty weak all the time, getting tired easily, stuff like that.  Really sick of it, but Tuesday this week is our big day; full liquids!  Protein shakes ahead!

Getting Out

We've been apprehensive to going out together, because we can't eat food.  We missed time out together very much though, so we went looking for places we could just have broth.  To our luck, we found a little Chinese/Japanese bistro that has soups we can eat the broths of.  It's called the Snowpea and we really liked it.  We got strange looks because the broth was all we ordered, but they were courteous.  We gave them a larger tip than what the little bill called for, because they did do the usual amount of work and of course should be paid for it.  We liked it so much that we went again, taking my sister, to test the real food.  She liked it too.

Itch of DOOM!

I know they say if your incisions are itching, that means they're healing, but they can be more than that!  People kept telling me I was healing and not to touch them, and by today they were very red and even painful!  After a little freaking out and calling the doctor, she called us back and told us to put benadryl on it.  Finally, some relief.

Oh, and we're both dying for the next level up on food, opaque liquids!

Week 18 Review

What a long week it's been.  It's still hard to believe my tummy is so small now.  Sticking to liquids has been easier now.  It's boring, but in one week I'll have more options.  The melty pills have been wonderful.  Things still hurt.

A friend came over on Sunday, brightened our boring recovery.  And my dad and sister have helped us every day.

Oh, and the boo boos itch.

Home!

Well, all the papers were signed, tubes and whatnot removed, and they wheelchaired us out to Dad's car.  We move at the speed of an elderly turtle, but we can get up and down stairs.  I'm now relaxing with a nice cup of water and protein powder, which will fill my now tiny stomach.

Thank you all for your love and support.  Now comes the next part of our journey, living with little tummies.

Let me out!

I can't wait to be free of all these tubes.  I hurt a bit, but I'll be fine.  Hubby is feeling worse than me.  He's napping.  I'm antsy!  Just two more hours...

A day in Recovery

Surgery was yesterday and went perfectly.  I was scared, but once they found a vein, it was easy from then on for me. .after I was done, I slept a lot.

Getting off the machines one by one has been rough.  I'm not in my happy place anymore, and things hurt.

But I can breathe, walk, pee, just can't eat yet.

Tada

I!mnout!!!  I did it!!!

The day has come.

I haven't eaten solid food in over 48 hours.  I haven't slept in over 24.  Now, in our PJs, we're getting ready to go to the hospital.  Next time I will post,I will be in the hospital, at the other end of the tunnel.  Wish us luck and check this blog everyday.

Friday's Appointments

Today went okay.  Lots of waiting.  Hubby's final FINAL weigh in was successful.  One less reason to panic.  Then, we find out the hospital stay is gonna cost us 300$ each.  Back to panicking.  More waiting.  Got to talk to a lady at the desk.  They can put off the payment until after Hubby's holiday bonus comes in.  Big sigh of relief there.

Then comes the tests and questions.

We're scared...

Ugh.  I just...  Wow.  It's coming so soon now.  Our whole life has been changing, and now it's going to be permanent.  Goodbye tummy.  It's been fun, but you're not good for me the way things are.

Hubby and I have been working on this since April.  First seeing the Lap-band people, then looking at other options, and finally deciding on the surgeon that our primary care physician recommended.  Then starting that surgeon's plan for preparing for the surgery.  We've had to gain weight, lose weight, change our diets completely.  It's been very hard, craving pastries and pizza.  Hubby without his peanut butter cups anymore.  Having to stick to our protein and veggies while the others at the table can have pasta and toast.  Missing pancakes.  Oh, missing pancakes so much...  So, here's the plan...

Week 16 Review

Had Thanksgiving, and lots of tummy problems, last week.  Some of it is probably stress related.  The rest is probably over-carbs.  I'm scared out of my skull.  One week left...

Went to the doctor's again today.  Despite Thanksgiving, I lost 2 more lbs!  Poor hubby gained a few. :(  Now he's on a strict diet of protein shakes and salad until we go on our liquid diet.  Liquid diet starts Saturday.

I really need a boost though, so I'm going to write a list of things that will get better right here!