Running with Scissors

That was the title of an article I got last night during my 4 hours of “classes” on nutrition, behavior modification, and what-to-expect in the hospital. It really hit a cord with me; because that was one of those things that was drilled into you as a kid, and that I tell Lucia repeatedly. Something you just KNOW you are not supposed to do! So what is my “running with scissors” example in weight loss surgery? Well, surprisingly not what you might think… it isn’t eating too much, it isn’t not exercising enough, and it isn’t an occasional “cheat” with a high-calorie food. All of those are definitely no-no’s, but probably the most important lifestyle change I’ll have to make (along with the others) for long-term success will be not drinking with my meal. Huh??? Well, the basic premise is this: because my new stomach “pouch” will be so small, it will fill up with food quickly. The actual opening where the food processes through, once I am filled to the right level, will be about the size of a pencil eraser or the tip of your pinky. If I drink while I’m eating, it will make the food softer and mushier, which in turn will cause it to pass through the opening more quickly than it should, resulting in me not being full as long as I should be, which means I’ll eat more, and as a result, gain more weight. Makes sense once you hear it, but it wasn’t the behavior modification I was so concerned with until my class last night. I’ve been practicing it since Thursday – and boy, it is hard! It is such a learned behavior to reach for that glass of water, soda, wine, whatever – and just wash down the food. No more! So, unless I’m choking during future meals with ya’ll, feel free to challenge me if I’m drinking when I’m eating!!! The other big modification I have to make and really need to start practicing, is to chew, chew, chew my food – and then chew some more. 20-30 chews per bite and their suggested bite sizes are one piece of macaroni, one piece of meat the size of your pinky, etc… If you don’t chew it to the consistency of apple sauce or mashed potatoes, there is a high likelihood that your stoma (the opening) will get blocked, which apparently is VERY painful. I hope I don’t find out, but they say everyone does at some point or another. Usually it works its way out somehow, but if not, you have to have your band loosened for it to go through. Fun. Other than these little pieces of scary information, the classes were pretty informative. Not as much post-op nutrition info as I would have liked, but there are other classes for that. This was mainly focused on what to expect, how to succeed on the pre-op diet (note: I’m down 3 pounds so far and tired of green peppers), what to pack, what to expect the day of surgery and afterward (they will be waking me up EVERY HOUR to walk around so I don’t get blood clots), how to manage the pain, and what to plan on eating during the full liquid diet the week after I go home… I’m excited. I’m ready! 10 days and counting. But first I have to practice chewing and not drinking…