2 Weeks Post-Op

Pretty safe to say that I feel back to normal.  Or at least what my new normal is.  My incisions are healed up - and practically invisible.  All that's left on my belly is the adhesive and my docs initials.  Try as I might, they won't scrub off.  I might to after the grey sticky with some baby oil tonight.  I continue to struggle to get in my protein per day.  A shake (30 grams) and some Isopure (25 grams) gets me there but getting all that down is harder than it sounds when I'm also supposed to have 64+ ounces of water.  I need to be sipping all. the. time.  Not that easy when you've got three kids needing you or a job or both.  

My new love?  V8 Low Sodium.  I doctor it up with siracha or a dab of BBQ sauce or some steak seasoning.  It works really well for cutting the craving for food.  Because, honestly??  I miss the ACT of eating.  I miss creating bites with a knife and chewing them and enjoying the flavors in my mouth.  I miss fruit.  A LOT.  I graduate to purees today - so thicker than liquids but not 'soft foods'.  This is kind of perplexing to me because I'm not quite sure what these are but I stocked up on some thicker soups thinking that'd be a start.  Maybe see how cottage cheese sits??  We'll see.  

The scale has stopped moving.  I was on such a great ride for a while...every morning was a nice little 2+ pound drop.  I've been stuck at the same number now for 4 days.  Not that I'm complaining...I've lost a nice chunk already...and it's not like I can go out and drown my sorrows with a pizza or anything.  My new anatomy will not allow that.  So I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing.  Water, water, water, protein, water, water, protein, water.  

The other thing I miss, as long as I'm missing things, is being able to just chug water.  When it's hot and you're thirsty and you have a nice big glass of beverage - it's so nice to be able to take several huge gulps in a row - quench that thirst straightaway.  Not an option any more for me.  And take it from me, it takes a lot of sip, sip, sips before you quench a thirst.  I guess the first thought is 'prevent that thirst from happening' but still...not always possible.  

I'm back at work today.  I think I'm ready - I enjoyed my recovery time but it's time to re-enter the real world.  I honestly think that the reason my recovery went as well as it did is because I took the time to allow my body to heal.  I was NOT ready to return to work last week.  I'm thankful that my employer and my manager allowed me this time.  

More soon,

XO - Amy