6 Weeks

On Tuesday I hit 6 weeks out from surgery which marked when I could start eating more "normal" foods and it meant it was time to go back to work. 

 

I had my 6 week follow up with the doctor and the nutritionist was Monday.  The doctor says I was healing well and I was on a good track.  My total weight loss so far is 38 lbs which is crazy and amazing at the same time.  The biggest hurtle I have is I still don’t have a lot of energy and what energy I have is quickly whipped out if I do anything physical.  My doctor ordered blood test and everything is looking good but my iron is low so that could be part of it.  Another part is while I am doing better with my food I am only eating about 300-400 calories a day when at this point I should be up to 500-600.  After talking with my nutritionist she gave me some really good pointers on how to get those numbers up. 

 

Once I get those numbers up I can start working out and building my muscle back up which will also help.  I went ahead and bought a gym membership and starting in February I plan to start working out with a trainer once a week for 6 months.  They (my bariatric team) would like me to be working out consistently 5 times a week for 45-60 mins a day.  With my food I haven't tried anything new new yet because I need to go shopping, but I am excited to add more fruit and vegetables!  There are still foods they want me to avoid such as corn, celery, pineapple, grains, concentrated sugary food, and I need to remove tough skins such as from apples and cucumbers.  I still crave foods.  My brother ordered a pizza from Chicago Connection (my favorite place) last night and it smelled heavenly!!   The biggest difference is I didn't take even a small bite where if I had been on a regular died chances are I would have stolen a piece.  For one I don't want to take the chance and make myself sick where before I didn't have to worry about that.  For another I am happy with the progress I am making and I am more than ready to get myself healthy and keep that progress going.  Monday I was also handed my doctors note clearing me for work. 

(my last few mins of freedom!)

 

Tonight was my first night back to work.   I have had mixed feelings about coming back to work.  So much so that it stressed me out.  Having 6 weeks off was nice, and it was such a good break from the stress of dispatching.  It went way to fast.  Thankfully work went well and other then forgetting two of my passwords and having to have them reset everything else came back as if I had never left.  The hardest part is I am so use to day time hours I have to try and get my body and food switched around while making sure I get enough calories and protein to keep me awake.  Wish me luck!