I know when we lose weight it releases estrogen which can cause mood swings. I’m wondering about other toxins: I’m having a day when I feel really achy, and wondering if it could be something weird in my system.
Skinny Feet
My feet are thinner. Ankles too. Yesterday I wore a pair of sandals I haven’t worn since COVID. After dusting them off (!) I had to tighten all of the straps.
Weird
New Foods
I made a mash of salmon, ricotta, and marinara sauce. I had a bit last night and a few bites at lunch today, along with refried beans. So far so good.
I’ve been doing so well tolerating foods that I’m trying to be patient, not move too fast. So far the only thing I haven’t tolerated well was some pureed salsa: it was just spicier than I’m used to. The mild stuff was OK.
9-day Update: Food, Pain Meds, Diabetes Meds
I’m continuing pureed foods, what Dani calls my “goop”. I’ve added small amounts of cottage cheese (pureeing that too), and I seem to be tolerating that well. Will slowly add in some other foods over the next few days.
The best news is that I’m off pretty much all pain meds. Even those I was taking before surgery! I still have back pain, but the pain level is about what it was before the surgery, but without meds! I’ve lost about 10 lbs since surgery, but I’m having a hard time believing that just that amount of weight loss can make so much of a difference. So I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m not complaining.
No major changes in terms of diabetes meds. I’m having to take 500 mg of Metformin just about every day, and still take Lantus some days.
I have my post-op appointment with Dr. Foster on Tuesday; will let you know how that goes.
How is my diabetes being affected
I’ve gotten a number of questions about how this journey has affected/will affect my diabetes. In the long run, the best case scenario is that it will put be completely in remission. But this will take time.
Before embarking on this journey, I was taking 2500 mg of metformin and 180 units of Lantus (a long-acting insulin, in a single shot once a day) and my A1C measure was around 6.3. (For comparison, normal is below 5.9, diabetic is over 7.0, and 6.3 is a good number for a well-controlled diabetic.) When I started changing my eating in preparation, in October, I substantially reduced my carb intake. By November my A1C was down to 5.7, my metformin had been reduced to 1000mg, and my Lantus was down to 120 units. By March by A1C was 5.6, metformin was at 500mg, and Lantus was 60 units.
Since surgery I am monitoring my blood sugar and only taking medication based on my numbers. I have taken 500mg of metformin 3 times in the last week, and have had to take Lantus only twice, both times under 30 units. So the good news is that so far my blood sugar is responding well. More news as time progresses.
What am I eating: 6 days post-op
Water, water, water. Gets a bit boring, so i’m using a lot of sugar free water flavorings. Currently powdered Sunkist and liquid Jelly Belly flavorings are my favorites. Getting about 80 oz in a day.
I’m still eating out of ramekins, which are 2-4 oz each, and I’m filling about 3/4 full. Same as a few days ago, but have added heavily pureed cooked beans. I tried a puree of avocado and salsa, but it didn’t sit well so will put that off a few days.
Hunger
One of the ways I knew I could be successful at this journey is that I was told that for a while after surgery (from 6 months to forever), hunger would be lessened, and might be non-existent. I’ve had some pains that I was attributing to surgery, but I think they’re hunger, since they go away when I eat. Trying to remain calm and waiting to see how my stomach heals before freaking out completely.
Oops – Pulled a Back Muscle
I apparently pulled a muscle in my back, so now it’s really painful to stand and move. Not what I need right now! Stretching, applying arnica and heat. Very annoyed.
4-day Update
I am 4 days post-op and doing great! I’m not on any pain meds. My biggest complaint is a nagging feeling of heartburn in my newly reshaped stomach. I talked to the doctor about this a couple of days ago and she wasn’t concerned, that it’s probably just the healing phase. I’m eating the allowed foods, and getting in my required amounts of hydration (64-90 oz) and even doing well on protein (around 70g). I have a decent energy level, and feel like I’ve pretty much recovered from the anesthesia.
What am I eating: 2 days post-op
Water, at least 64 oz
Heavily pureed foods and liquids:
- thinned cream of wheat
- pureed vegetable soup
- v8 juice
- nonfat greek yogurt with flavoring and a little unsweetened applesauce
- Beef and chicken bone broth, or my own pre-made chicken broth. I’m using umami salt (salt with mushroom flavoring) for flavor. I also have some leftover “flavor bombs” (frozen cubes of leftover liquids from previous soup or meat cooking, skimmed) which I add for flavor.
Everything is out of small ramekins, usually 2 each meal, about 1/2 full.
Foods that are too warm hurt, so nothing more than a little warm.