1 month and 1 day post op

It's hard to believe it's been a month since surgery. This morning I weighed in at 235.8, so I'm 100 pounds away from my goal. I know it is still a long road with some bumps sure to come, but I'm feeling good about it! Noah will take a picture of me tonight, I promise!

Yesterday I took a walk with a good friend of mine. I took my toddler and pushed him in the umbrella stroller. It was the furthest and most physically intensive I've been post op. I was winded, but not like before. I felt so alive!

How I survive regular days (before going back to work):

It has been hard to really pinpoint my daily routine and diet because it frequently changes. I notice that overall I feel better when I drink liquids only. For so long I couldn't wait to eat regular food and I can't believe I actually can say that. Yogurt, cream of wheat, and my new fruit smoothies seem to just make my tiny tummy feel the best. Last night I made guacamole which was really delicious. I had 2 chips with a bit of "the goods", but it felt like it got stuck - not a good feeling. Eventually the feeling passes (may take up to 20 minutes to pass) but in the mean time I always wonder if it's going to come up because I've had that happen a number of times. Pre-op people, keep this in mind so I don't have to tell you "I told you so". Although chewing and crunching are more satisfactory mentally, physically sometimes it just isn't worth it.

Smoothies - yes. So Dole and Jamba Juice have a new line of frozen chopped fruit mixes. I picked up the Strawberry-Banana-Pineapple mix from Dole and the Crazy Strawberry from Jamba. I blend one cup of the mixture with about a cup of sugar free apple juice (milk is still just a bit too heavy for me), 3 ice cubes, and 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (26g protein). I have had zero adverse reactions (read - dumping syndrome!) and it's easy to go down. I hardly taste the protein powder which is great because I've hated protein powder post-op. I have enough for breakfast and lunch. I've been also eating cottage cheese and then try to eat something with my family in the evening.

The thing they tell you is that you eat all the time after surgery because you have to eat such small amounts. I don't feel like this at all. I was a big snacker before and for me to say I feel like I'm not eating all the time is good for me. I have no appetite and no feelings of hunger so I treat food intake like vitamins - you just have to do it.