[clancythecamper]

I was thinking earlier to start a forum on things that were difficult for us immediately post op - that initial traumatic time where we're trying to figure out our pouchies - but are much better now.

For example:

Immediately post-op I could not tolerate cold water, and could only sip baby sips without getting sick. Now, I drink normally, although pouchy still prefers room temp to slightly cool.

Thought this might be helpful to our newbies. Add away~~~

[Kenyar]

excellent thread clancy!!

it was hard initially to get the hang of chew chew chew. i THOUGHT i was chewing, but i know now that i wasnt. chew til its mush.

[greensgirl19]

Chewing and taking time inbetween bites. If I eat too fast it gets 'stuck'. Surprisingly you adapt.

[Trulykath]

it was so hard to learn to NOT drink while I eat....now it's 2nd nature!!!

[amina6ae]

it was so hard to figure out what i would eat with the different stages, liquid, full liquid, pureed,etc....
didn't know what to shop for?????????
completely being lost in the supermarket!!!!!!!

now i can go in & get out with the high protein foods, that are good tasting!!!!!!!!!

lol,

[Perfesser]

Slowing down the pace of the "meal" to take 20 minutes on a small portion where I used to inhale it before and load up more.

Realizing that that tiny amount of food was enough to satisfy me and keep me full for hours! How'd that happen?

Separating drink from food. Thirty minutes prior and thirty minutes post meal without drinking!! Impossible!!! (Except that it is possible, and it works too well to dare ignore!)

Chewing to a mush, then chewing some more. The key to digestion, slowing the meal, pacing yourself, and so much more. Ya just gotta practice it until it doesn't feel strange any more, because you'll be eating like this as long as you're going to be using oxygen. Get used to it. Live it, love it!!

Learning how to accept a compliment from folks who can't believe how good you're looking minus (fill in amount here) pounds.

Learning that you can buy clothes in the regular size section of the store.

Learning that the clothes you just bought thinking you'd shrink into them are too large now! (Don't put a lot of money into your transitional wardrobe!!)

Realizing that it wasn't your car that got so much larger and gave you all that extra comfort and room!

There are many, many more!! (Great thread idea, Clancy!!) I'll let someone else take it now.

Next?

CT

[kimtindall]

EXERCISING!! Granted, I dont do it as much as I should...now when I do exercise, I feel so GREAT inside and out!

[MsVickie]

Being able to drink more than just a sip. I know right after surgery I couldnt even get enough into wet my mouth. That will get better as time passes.

[not quite Barbie]

Packing my lunch was so hard. Trying to think about breakfast and lunch and snacks all at the same time in the morning was tough. I usually ended up packing twice what I could eat because I was so afraid that I wouldn't have enough of the right foods to get me through the day.

Now it's routine: I grab a yogurt and a cheese stick, or maybe a hard boiled egg and cottage cheese. Two servings of fruit (half a small banana, 1/3rd of an apple, 3 Lg strawberries, 1/4 cup of blueberries), and something leftover from last night's supper for my lunch. And my water of course. I'm still afraid to go anywhere without my water.

[Christy0283]

Clancy, this is a great thread.

I think one of the hardest things for me was learning to be able to get in all my liquid.