Surgery was done, the worst of the recovery was over, and it was time to learn how to eat all over again. For the first two weeks after surgery I was only allowed liquids. After the first few bowls of broccoli cheese soup or tomato, I was ready for something a bit more substantial! At my 2-week post-op check I was cleared to start pureed foods. Basically I could eat anything, so long as I put it in the blender. I was thrilled! Finally something with a bit more flavor to it. The first night I put a cheeseburger, minus the bun, in the blender with some Italian dressing. It tasted like heaven to me!
But, after the first few days the novelty wore off and eating started to become a chore. I couldn't just grab something to eat; I had to make time to put stuff in the blender, then make sure it was thin enough, but not too runny. Many times when I was hungry it just wasn't worth the effort to blend something for a snack, so I just waited till my next meal to eat. The weight seemed to be melting off though, so I wasn't too upset about that. As long as the weight kept coming off, I was happy.
One of the differences between gastric bypass and the band is that band patients do not lose weight as fast. With the bypass, the weight falls off very quickly. With the band, you are only supposed to lose a pound or two a week. That was fine with me. I hadn't told anyone outside my family and a couple of friends, so slower loss was easier to explain away due to Weight Watchers, which I had done before. After the initial weight loss of the first week, I was averaging about two pounds a week for the first month. But once I started solids that weight loss slowed considerably.
I was able to start solid, soft foods at six weeks post op. Soft fish, meats, potatoes, oatmeal, bananas, as long as I could mush it up in my mouth I could eat it. I still needed to make smart decisions about what I was eating, but it was much easier now that I didn't have to puree everything I put in my mouth. I need to eat lots of protein each day, so I have to eat a protein first, then veggies, and last starches. That way I was getting the good stuff my body needed first and the less important things if there was room.
I was also able to start exercising after two weeks. Nothing too strenuous, but I do lots of walking, some of the Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" videos, which I love, and my exercise bike. I cannot do any abdominal exercises for the first six weeks though so I don't pull at the port. But, only three weeks after surgery I had a bit of a setback when I hurt my knee playing soccer with my daughter. So, I haven't been doing as much exercise as I'd like, but I still try to walk every day.
So, here I am. It's been almost eight weeks since surgery and I've lost 23 pounds. Not too shabby!
