No matter which procedure you decide, they all have one thing in common – Hell Week. This is the first week or so post-op when all you can eat is broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free gelatin, sugar free juice and water. Trust me when I say popsicles will be your best friend.
Each doctor is different and, has their own post-op rules. The first week, I can guarantee the last thing on your mind will be food. However, the most important thing you will need to do is keep up with your fluids. My surgeon related the story of one patient who didn’t follow the rules. This individual, when he got home from the hospital, had a steak and baked potato! He ended up rupturing his pouch and had a whole mess of problems on his hands. Yes, there is a reason for post-op rules. Follow them, and you’ll do fine.
Hell Week is more than just not having an appetite. Although I did not have any complications, they do happen, and you must be prepared for them. Abdominal pain is common with most people. Remember, the surgeon is doing major rearranging of your innards, and there must be a healing period. Your new stomach is about the size of an egg, and is very tender and mad. It definitely doesn’t like being messed with, and will let you know about it one way or the other. Typically after your first week, things get progressively easier.
The main thing to keep in mind is not to rush it. Your new pouch won’t let you do it anyway! Enjoy the gelatin, and the popsicles! Follow your surgeon’s rules, and before you know it, you’ll be back on regular food – just eating a lot less!
By the way, as of today I have lost 55 lbs. and no longer classified as “Morbidly Obese.” A great milestone, and have 60 lbs. to go to my target weight.
