Part of the problem for me right now is that I am still experiencing quite a bit of hunger. It's a manageable type of hunger, but I'm sad because so many people who have had the VSG say they woke up from surgery not being hungry and never felt hunger until several months out from surgery. I had EXTREME hunger the first several days after surgery... it has calmed down now, but I still feel hungry all day. Maybe my body can take more than the 1 oz of food every 2 hours, I don't know... but I am trying to hang in there because it is at least manageable, and I am hoping when I get to the next phase of eating at 3 weeks, it will get better.
Anyway, so here I am realizing that I AM one of these people who HAD weight loss surgery! This is my life now. It's done. I really couldn't be happier that I've actually gone through with it. I just know this is going to help me change my life forever. I have always been a planner, a researcher... I like to have lots of "stuff" to support whatever I'm doing (like all the small dishes and things I bought)... now I'm moving onto books :)
The other day Sarah and I went to B&N and I looked at lots of cookbooks. I settled on two diabetic cookbooks because they fit the requirements - high protein, low carb, contains all the nutrition info for each recipe. I looked at many and chose the two with the most recipes that appealed to me (the picky eater who hates mushrooms and tomatoes, which people seem to want to put in everything.) I also looked at the various "Biggest Loser" cookbooks and I liked the Family one (if it's kid-friendly, it's me-friendly LOL).
Even though I can't eat solid food for more than another month (boo) I am really excited about these :)
Also, I didn't think I would need the toddler spoons, but a regular spoon just does not fit into a 1oz shot glass (which I'm eating out of right now), so I went back and got the toddler spoons and now life is much easier!!!
In my research on Amazon now, I'm finding there are cookbooks specifically for bariatric patients (didn't see any at B&N)... so I'll have to read all the reviews and try to choose some. It's so hard for me to choose a cookbook from the internet because I like to look through it and see if the recipes appeal to me. But, when I get it all figured out, I'll be sure to post about what books I ended up with and what I'm happy with... I'm also looking at books about dealing with all the physical and emotional changes after surgery. Because hey - I had surgery! And this stuff could really help me! Wow. :)
Today, at 10 days post-op, I am already noticing some changes:
- Going up the stairs is easier than it used to be
- My wedding rings are so loose I can't safely wear them (they might fall right off)
- I'm not getting headaches (used to have them almost daily, have not had one since surgery)
- Smelling food can be almost as good as eating it if you have the right mindset :)
- Eating for hunger and not for taste cravings is a whole new thing, but I like it
- It is possible to have a life that does not revolve around food.
I popped over here from your digiscrap freebie blog and I just wanted to say thanks for posting all this on here! I'm considering my surgery options (though our insurance has a strict exclusion policy so I'll have to find a way to finance it first) and I love reading first-person accounts of surgery and results. It sounds like you're doing great!
ReplyDeleteSounds like things are doing great :-)
ReplyDeleteI was nervous about the hunger situation, but looks like you're using your mind powers to enjoy the smells and cravings. I'm still really proud of you and your progress through this. It is a life-changing thing, and you seem so much happier now then you were before.
Hey Kristi!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to that you're doing well! I know you hsve quite a road ahead of you..but for a note of encouragement...you will be able to do lunch with your sister at Olive Garden again someday. My MIL had GB in 2001, and it was a while, but she is now able to eat just about anything, but in very small portions. So usually when she goes out to dinner she has a lot of leftovers, which is fine with my DH, lol. But she enjoys the outings and has maintained her weightloss (even without exercise since she has bad knees). I think for her it is that she just can't OVEReat. So hang tough, keep the protein and liquids up, and get your exercise! You'll be recovered and "normal" (whatever that is in this crazy world) in no time! Kudos!
Liz
Thanks for posting on my blog! That 4 ingredient diabetic cookbook is probably the best cookbook ever!! I bought it when I first found out that I was a diabetic and I just love it (the household favorite is the cucumber dill salad - I think that's what it's called). Congrats on your surgery, I think it all becomes so surreal for all of us when it takes so long for it to actually happen. :o)
ReplyDeleteSounds like things are going great! :) I hope the hunger will subside for you soon, but it sounds like you've got a handle over it. I enjoy your updates.
ReplyDelete--Christine L, WA state