Solid Food and Easing Back Into My Life

Yesterday, Wednesday, I had my first post-op appointment with my surgeon.  She was pleased with my healing and progress.  I also got her to explain that the stomach, liver and pancreas are still attached because they still produce fluids that help the body absorb nutrients.  I've posted a video of how my innards are now arranged in the "The Surgery" tab at the top.  Don't worry, it's a cartoon - no blood or sharp objects.

I also had a group nutrition meeting where they handed us the next diet phase: introducing solids.  There are a lot of rules in this new phase and I'm still reviewing the material to figure it out, but I will post what I understand in a tab above, like the ones for previous stages.  I'll update it as I understand more and make a mini-post announcing the updates.

Today I had some sort of solid at each meal.  I made an omelet (that's probably the best description) with egg whites and low-fat cheese, eating about 2/3 of it for breakfast.  At lunch I had cottage cheese, and I finished the day with some milk and the rest of my omelet.  I had string cheese for dinner last night.  It's been hard trying to get all of my clear liquids today, and oversleeping definitely didn't help.

Unless you are familiar with post-op life, you probably wouldn't believe how long it takes to eat now.  All of my bites are supposed to be no bigger than the nail on my pinky finger.  They have to be nice and moist, and then I have to chew them to a pulp.  Basically, my food prep and mouth have to do all of the things that my stomach used to do.  The Binder says that it should take about 10 minutes per ounce.  The Binder is the resource provided by the Weight Center with details of the diet stages, descriptions of common problems, tips, contact information, and more.  I'm supposed to bring it to every appointment.

During my visit, I also had a weigh-in.  My last weigh-in at the Weight Center was August 12, 12 days before my surgery. Since then, I've lost a little over 25 pounds - almost a pound for each of the 27 days.  It's kind of exciting, but I know this is just the start.

While my mother was here, we read a book together called " Women Food and God" by Genene Roth.  It got a bit new age-y at points, but there were some really good points about emotional eating and healthy practices.  The main thrusts were that we need to listen to our bodies' signals of hunger and fullness, notice how different foods make us feel, take time to observe how foods actually taste and feel, etc. I was reminded of it during the nutrition visit yesterday, because they talked about eating mindfully: breathing and putting down the fork/spoon/whatever between bites, seeing how the stomach feels, and stopping when it feels like another bite would make you feel too full.

This is good advice in general, but especially relevant to gastric bypass patients as they start eating again - don't force yourself to eat more if you can't handle it.  I need to hear it in particular, since I feel like I have to get all of my protein - no matter what!  I do the same with my walks and my schedule.  I push myself, which can be good, but I can't do it at the expense of my body and recovery.  It feels almost like I'm learning how to live all over again.

Since my mother left, I've been adjusting to my new life in stages.  Remembering when to have meals, taking walks on my own, starting to work from home this week, getting back on public transit, etc. I'm supposed to return to the office next week, which entails a 50 minute commute each way, mostly by train.  I took two trips into the city yesterday, which exhausted me, so I will need to build up my transit stamina.

Finally, I've been trying to figure out how to enjoy meals with friends.  Many have felt uncomfortable eating around me since my pre-surgery diet started.  Yesterday's visit was good news for that: I will have real food in front of me, and it will take me so long to eat that they won't feel like I'm starving.  I think a chili party is in my future - after I get used to working at the office again!