On Wednesday I had my first post-op doctors visit with the Physicians Assistant (PA) and the dietician.  I was so looking forward to this appointment, because I was SO eager to be told that my time of bed rest from the torn muscle was over!  I was so tired of moving from the bed to the sofa and back again.  My butt and back hurt!  Having a lazy Sunday, or heck an entire lazy weekend is one thing, but for essentially a week and a half, it’s just too long.

The appointment started with a weigh-in (I’m right on track!) and a meeting with the PA.  The PA checked out my incisions and said they are looking great.  She quizzed me a bit about where I popped the stitch and said that I am officially allowed to start walking again, but I have to start out very slowly.  I’m having to start with a half of a mile a day and then every 4-5 days, if I’m feeling good add another 1/4 mile.  I’m so used to walking 2 miles minimum a day, that it feels strange to be walking so little.  It will get better though!

The only other question I had for the PA was whether or not it was OK for me to sleep on my side again.  I’m a side sleeper and have been sleeping on my back because I thought that I had to.  The PA said sleeping on my side is A-OK as long as it doesn’t hurt at all, but doesn’t recommend sleeping on my stomach just yet.  Since I’m a side sleeper this works for me!

I then met with the Dietician, who went over what I’m currently getting in and then spoke with me on how to proceed to mushy foods next Monday.  So far I’m doing well getting in my two protein shakes a day on most days, there’s been a day or two where I get in 1 1/2.  I am also doing well getting in my multivitamins and my calcium citrate.  I had to switch which calcium I am taking.  The one I initially chose tastes awful to me post op.  I’ve switched to Calcium Citrate chewies, which I have in caramel and in chocolate.  They taste good, they just have more calories and carbs (via sugar alcohols) then the original calcium I chose.

Starting Monday the 5th, I’m allowed to proceed to a puree/mushie phase of foods.  The Dietician recommended with starting with very smooth foods, hummus, refried beans, mashed potatoes, pureed veggies, etc.  Then each week progress just a bit, add in pureed chicken or seafood salad, then white fish, etc.  I will still have to drink two protein shakes a day, but I am very excited to move on to this next phase!  Since my vacation falls the week that I am supposed to move to solid foods, the Dietician wants me to wait until I return from vacation to start solid foods.  Luckily in Mexico there are plenty of mushie foods!