Well, it has been 2 weeks since surgery. Ups and downs as I had expected.
The good: The steri-strips (little white bandages over my punctures) are now off. My pain is pretty much gone. AND, I am seeing good progress on the scale. I have also found an unflavored protein powder that does not leave an aftertaste or change the flavor of my soup! Yes!
The bad: my hunger has returned somewhat, and my sugar cravings a bit as well. All of the Easter candy…Reece’s peanut butter cups and eggs, Dove chocolate eggs, caramel-filled chocolate bunnies… are all calling my name! I am SO SICK of full liquids! Yogurt, soup with added protein powder, and protein shakes. Hoping on Friday that my surgeon will let me advance to pureed foods. Never thought I would be so excited to eat eggs (actual ones, not the chocolate or peanut butter kind).
The ugly: I have to take actigall (a medication to prevent gallstones) twice daily for 6 months. The powder tastes terrible! Right now, I have to open the capsules and put it in food or liquids… the aftertaste is awful! Also, as my wounds heal, my skin (the punctures and the healthy skin surrounding them as well) is so itchy!! I was a bit surprised by the severity of it. The punctures are also larger and darker in color than I had expected. I know that itchy incisions= healing. I also know that my new battle wounds will fade with time. These are just the things that are bothering me right now.
(photo credit: Anastasia Purl)