Am I Sure Weight Watchers Wouldn’t Have Worked One More Time??

It’s been 4 days since my surgery and boy am I glad the first phase is over! YEAH!!!

There will be video up on my Blog in about a week or so taken the day of my surgery, so I don’t want to write too much about that. But basically, I’m alive and well.

The surgery went well and Dr. Champion said I did a great job. When I woke up I was in such horrible pain and felt like I was going to throw up. After a few hours the nausea subsided but the pain remained. I realized that what hurts is where they sewed my port to the muscle in my stomach. The port is sort of like the “tail” to my band where they inject saline to tighten the band. The part of my stomach where the port is sewn still hurts pretty bad when I laugh or sit or cough or sit up, etc. I have 6 small scars on my stomach that are still bandaged. I can take the bandages off in a week. I can only drink liquids this week and eat some oatmeal and jell-o. Next week I’ll be able to start eating small amounts of fish and cheese which I am really excited about!

I went out to dinner with my mom, dad, sister and grandma last night – we went to Chicago’s. They all got french onion soup and main courses. I had a small plate of sweet potatoes. It was okay though! I was really proud of myself for being able to be in a restaurant environment this early on and watch my family eat dinner. In about 2 weeks I’ll be able to start eating regular foods again (only small amounts at a time).

Some other changes to my life:

1. I cannot drink liquids while I eat. This is a strange habit to break. The reason is that liquids (in everybody) dissolve food quickly, therefore, people are left hungrier quicker. Many ancient traditions and health guru’s don’t ever drink while they eat, so maybe I’m just joining an elite group of health nuts?

2. I can no longer take any Asperin products (Advil, IBpro, Aleve, Exedrine Migraine, etc.) I can only take Tylenol. This is because these products often cause ulcers and I can’t take any chances.

3. Spacing out my bites. I’m only eating oatmeal right now, but I’ve been practicing eating how I’m supposed to eat once I can eat normal foods. I am supposed to space out my bites in 5-minute incriments. This is also the case when I am taking all my pills. I’m on a lot of medication right now (about 4 vitamins, pain pills, anti-naseau, Nexium and some pill to help prevent Gallstones). Some of these pills I’ll have to take forever (mainly the vitamins) and others only for short periods of time (the Gallstone pills I take for 6 months. The Nexium I take for only one month). Needless to say, my day starts with about a 45-minute pill-taking ritual since I have to space out each pill in 5-minute increments.

I am happy that it is over. I am really, REALLY proud of myself for going through with this. I definiltey had a moment post surgery when I was laying on my hospital bed with my IV hooked up to my arm and I was in so much abdominal pain. I thought, “Am I sure Weight Watchers wouldn’t have worked one more time?”

But deep down, I know this is the most awesome thing I can do for myself. And if you know me, you know I usually do things with full heart and full throttle. Therefore, this only makes sense. Because this time, I want to succeed.