Day Five Post-Op

In general, I'm feeling a little better.  I can move and sleep a little easier.  I'm getting in all my protein every day.  I'm still pretty sore and I get these twinges of pain in my chest when I swallow sometimes.

My biggest issue is my skin around the incision sites.  It appears I am allergic to the glue they used.  So now my skin around the incision sites is all red and I have little bumps everywhere.  My entire abdomen itches, and it's just generally uncomfortable.  And there's nothing I can do to make it better.  They can't give me steroids, which would be the normal route for this.  They can't remove the glue because it's too soon after my surgery.  So that leaves me with taking Benedryl.  I can also put ointment on the red, itchy areas, but I have to be very careful not to get it on the incisions.

There are certainly worse things that could have gone wrong with this.  I am just going to keep moving forward.  The PA for my surgeon told me that this wouldn't go away for probably a couple of weeks.  That is not awesome.  So yay me.

In case you're curious what I'm "eating" at this point post-op, here is my menu for the day:

• Syntrax Nectar Fuzzy Navel protein shake (8 oz divided into 2 oz portions)
• Campbell's Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup with a packet of Unjury unflavored protein (1/2 of it today, so 8 oz divided into 2 oz portions)
• Isopure Apple Melon RTD (6 oz divided into 2 oz portions)

That gets me my goal of protein.  I alternate 2 oz of protein and 2 oz of water all day.  It's way few calories, which makes me a little nervous, but hopefully soon my stomach capacity will allow for me to take in more calories.  It should get much better when I can add mushy foods to my diet.